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George R. Hedges specializes in entertainment litigation and has experience in virtually every type of dispute involving entertainment matters.  His clients include motion picture studios, international production/distribution companies, television networks, major producers, actors and directors, talent agencies and management companies.  He is the holder of an Award of Commendation from the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, has been profiled in the ABA Journal and other leading legal periodicals, and has appeared as a guest on leading national news programs.  Mr. Hedges has been named a "California Super Lawyer" by Los Angeles Magazine in 2004, 2005, and 2006.  He has also been nominated by corporate counsel for inclusion in The Legal 500 US (Intellectual Property and Media).

Most recently Mr. Hedges was profiled in the Media & Entertainment: Litigation section of Chambers USA 2007.  "Clients 'think the world' of George Hedges, who is considered the key person within the entertainment team.  He is a 'clear thinker' and can 'embark upon anything that comes his way.'"  Mr. Hedges was named a Power Lawyer on The Hollywood Reporter's  2007 Top 100 Power Lawyers List.  "He's got a wide-angle-lens mind and sees all the parts and sees how it can come together," says Filmmaker David Lynch.  "And he's very fair.  He hates the lies and the game and yet knows how to go through that.  He's just a great lawyer."

Represented, pro bono, an inmate convicted of murder who had been on death row since 1982,  whose death sentence was based upon testimony procured by the prosecution regarding his role in another murder.  In 2008, we obtained a unanimous decision from the California Supreme Court granting habeas corpus relief on the grounds that a letter confessing to the other murder was not turned over to the defense in violation of the defendant's Brady rights.  Click to read LA Times article.

Represented the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and the Producers Guild of America in a dispute with film financier Bob Yari in which the trial court refused to enjoin the denial of his eligibility for the Oscar ® and the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for the movie "Crash".  Upheld on Appeal.  Yari v. Producers Guild of America, Inc. and Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, -- Cal.Rptr.3d --, Cal.App. 2 Dist. (2008)

Represented Activision in a dispute against The Romantics after client used the song "What I Like About You" in its wildly popular Guitar Hero game.  Successfully defeated a motion for preliminary injunction.  The Romantics v. Activision Publishing, Inc., et. al., 532 F.Supp.2d 884 (E.D. Mich. 2008)

Represented the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in a dispute over the future of the Emmy ® mark in the age of new media resulting in complete victory for the Academy (including attorneys fees) after arbitration before a three judge panel.

Represented super agent Ed Limato -- whose clients include Denzel Washington, Mel Gibson, Steve Martin, and Richard Gere -- against International Creative Management in a widely hailed victory releasing Mr. Limato from an employment contract that would have forced him into retirement and led to the loss of his client base.

Represented major television producers Simon Cowell, FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and Syco Television against claims for copyright and trademark infringement pertaining to the reality show American Inventor.  Case settled for nuisance value.
 

Represented Icon, Mel Gibson's production company, in a dispute with Regal Cinemas over box office revenues for The Passion of the Christ resulting in an 8 figure settlement.
 

Represented Elvis Presley Enterprises in copyright litigation enjoining distribution of 16-hour Elvis Presley related DVD collection and awarding over $3 million in damages.  Upheld on Appeal.  Elvis Presley Enterprises v. Passport Video, 357 F.3d 896 (9th Cir. 2004)  

Represented Societe des Bains de Mer (Casino de Monte Carlo) in dispute in which use of client's trademarks in virtual internet casino was enjoined.  Upheld on Appeal.  International Bancorp, LLC v. SBM, 329 F. 3d 359 (4th Cir. 2003)

Represented major reinsurance company in complete defense of a claim by producers for $50 million in film financing after six week arbitration. 
 

Represented film director David Lynch in winning one of largest "pay or play" judgments ever. 
 

Represented Mel Gibson's production company in proceeding that enjoined a director's efforts to alter screen credits on the motion picture "Payback." 
 

Represented New World and its successor, Fox, in a copyright case involving an international television rights dispute.  Obtained summary judgment which was affirmed on appeal.  Radio Television Espanol v. New World, 183 F.3d 922 (9th Cir. 1999)
 

Represented a video distributor before the Ninth Circuit concerning significant issues of first impression on the extent to which celebrities can control intellectual property rights over public domain materials.  Upheld on Appeal.  Astaire v. Best Film & Video, 116 F.3d 1297 (9th Cir. 1997)
 

Represented PBS affiliates WNET, WETA and McNeil/Lehrer in copyright dispute over broadcast of videotapes of the Reginald Denny beating.
 

Represented Fox in a major trademark dispute where the court upheld Fox's rights to use the name "FX" for its United States cable franchise. 
 

Represented a Belgian company in a dispute over rights to computer graphic imaging films produced under GATT and copyright normalization treaties in which client's right to claim superior rights was established despite a distribution agreement. 
 

Represented Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner regarding rights to the Star Trek franchise resulting in an 8 figure resolution for clients. 

Successful pro bono representation of Ralph Nader, Harvey Rosenfield and public interest groups in defense of Proposition 103 (the auto insurance initiative) before the California Supreme Court. Cal Farm Ins. Co. v. Deukmejian, 48 Cal. 3d 805 (1989)