Legal Opinion
Tomlin v. Walt Disney Productions
California Court of Appeal
Decided June 21, 1971No. Civ. 37302PublishedCited by 14 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
Opinion
COMPTON, J.
In 1937, Pinky Tomlin (hereinafter referred to as Tomlin) wrote and subsequently performed a copyrighted song entitled “The Love Bug Will Bite You (If You Don’t Watch Out).”
In that same year Tomlin entered into a standard type contract with a music publisher whereby he assigned his rights in the composition to the publisher in return for royalties. Said contract was renewed in 1964. Neither the original publisher nor its successor is a party to this action.
The attribution of strong desires and emotions to the bite of a legendary “bug” 1 had been part of the American idiom…
2Cases cited20 opinions
- Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Stiffel Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1964
- Kellogg Co. v. National Biscuit Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1938
- Compco Corp. v. Day-Brite Lighting, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1964
- Desny v. WilderCalifornia Supreme Court · 1956
- Brooks Bros. v. Brooks Clothing of California, Ltd.District Court, S.D. California · 1945
15 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by14 opinions
- Palmer v. Truck Insurance ExchangeCalifornia Supreme Court · 1999
- Robert Nmi Murray, Dba: America Speaks v. Cable National Broadcasting Company, Dba: America's TalkingCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1996
- Meta-Film Associates, Inc. v. MCA, Inc.District Court, C.D. California · 1984
- Hokto Kinoko Co. v. Concord Farms, Inc.District Court, C.D. California · 2011
- Tveter v. AB Turn-O-MaticCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · 1980
9 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.