Inside the Room Full of Spoons: Key takeaways and hot topics from the Wiseau Studio v Harper saga

Wiseau Studio v Harper is an important case for Canadian entertainment lawyers because it offers the first authoritative Canadian decision pertaining to documentary films on a number of topics, including fair dealing, intrusion upon seclusion, misappropriation of personality and moral rights considerations – all of which are important for film and television producers and their counsel.

As a follow-up to our popular post, Room Full of Spoons: The Contributions of Wiseau Studio v Harper to Canadian Entertainment Law, Bob Tarantino and Caitlin Choi speak with Matt Diskin and Meredith Bacal, who represented the defendants in this case, for their insider insights. In this episode of the Entertainment & Media Law Signal podcast, the crew dives into the backstory behind this claim, hot topics raised during trial and critical takeaways from the decision.

If you would like to discuss this podcast or the Wiseau Studio v Harper decision, please contact Matt Diskin, Meredith Bacal, Bob Tarantino or Caitlin Choi.

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About Bob Tarantino

Bob Tarantino is Counsel at Dentons Canada LLP and focuses his practice on the interface between the entertainment industries and intellectual property law, with an emphasis on film and television production, financing, licensing, distribution, and IP acquisition and protection. His clients range from artists and independent producers to Canadian distributors and foreign studios and financiers at every stage of the creative process, from development to delivery and exploitation.

About Caitlin Choi

Caitlin is an associate in the Media, Entertainment and Sports and Corporate groups at Dentons. In her entertainment practice, Caitlin advises clients on the development, financing, production and exploitation of film, television and digital media projects. She is experienced in corporate, production and project financing. She also advises on treaty co-productions and copyright matters. In her corporate practice, Caitlin supports both foreign and domestic clients on a variety of business law matters, including mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, corporate governance and fund formation. She has experience working with companies in a number of industries, including the music publishing, manufacturing and alcohol sectors.

About Matthew Diskin

Matthew Diskin is a partner in Dentons’ Intellectual Property, and Litigation and Dispute Resolution groups. Matthew’s diverse practice focuses on entertainment, intellectual property law and commercial litigation.

About Meredith Bacal

Meredith Bacal is a senior associate in the Firm’s Intellectual Property, and Litigation and Dispute Resolution groups. In her litigation practice, Meredith represents a diverse client base on matters related to media, entertainment, technology and defamation. She has appeared before many levels of court, including the Superior Court, Federal Court and Divisional Court, as well as numerous arbitral tribunals.