Peter Anderson

Lead counsel for the defendant, Lil Nas X, in a copyright action involving photographs posted on social media, obtaining the Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal of the action. (C.D. Cal., appeal filed)

Lead counsel for the defendants in a declaratory relief action as to the validity of a claimed 17 U.S.C. Section 203 statutory termination of rights to the musical work, "Can't Help Falling in Love," obtaining District Court's ruling claimed statutory termination was invalid, affirmed on appeal. 33 F.4th 131 (2d Cir. 2022).

Lead trial counsel for Cardi B and others, in an action for alleged appropriation of likeness and related claims, obtaining jury verdict in defendants' favor. (C.D. Cal. 2022)

Lead counsel for the defendants in a copyright infringement case involving "Stairway to Heaven," including the successful transfer of that action to the Central District of California from the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, lead counsel at trial in June 2016, obtaining a jury verdict of non-infringement, and lead counsel on appeal resulting in the en banc decision affirming the judgment, Skidmore v. Led Zeppelin, 952 F.3d 1051 (9th Cir. 2020) (en banc).

Represented The Weeknd, Max Martin, Universal Music Publishing, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc., and other defendants, on a claim that the Weeknd's "A Lonely Night" infringes the plaintiffs' copyright. In July 2020, the court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment (C.D. Cal. 2020) and in October 2021 the court of appeals affirmed that ruling. Smith v. Weeknd, No. CV 19-2507 PA (MRWX), 2020 WL 4932074 (C.D. Cal. July 22, 2020), aff'd sub nom. Clover v. Tesfaye, No. 20-55861, 2021 WL 4705512 (9th Cir. Oct. 8, 2021).