Fort Lauderdale Sports, IP & Entertainment Law Attorneys | Heitner Legal
If you’ve received a demand letter from Copycat Legal, been sued by Prepared Food Photos, Inc., or found yourself in the crosshairs of a stock photo copyright infringement claim, a brand-new federal court ruling deserves your attention. On March 18, 2026, U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller of the Eastern District of Wisconsin issued a significant […]
Individuals in Florida continue to rely on strong and time-tested safeguards under Florida defamation and right of publicity statutes that remain fully effective throughout 2026. Florida Statute section 770.01 establishes a clear precondition for any civil action involving libel or slander published in a newspaper, periodical, or other medium. The statute requires that a plaintiff […]
The 2026 Florida legislative session recently concluded without passage of proposed comprehensive gambling reform measures, leaving the existing regulatory framework intact for businesses and individuals operating in the sports, entertainment, and gaming sectors. Bills such as HB 189 and companion proposals aimed at increasing penalties for illegal activities and clarifying restrictions on internet sports wagering […]
The NCAA filed a federal lawsuit against DraftKings on March 20, 2026, seeking an emergency temporary restraining order to stop the sports betting giant from using MARCH MADNESS®, FINAL FOUR®, ELITE EIGHT®, and NCAA SWEET SIXTEEN® in connection with its wagering products, promotional campaigns, and marketing activities. The case, filed in the Southern District of […]
Florida individuals and organizations now have access to a new business structure that can significantly improve liability protection and operational flexibility. Governor Ron DeSantis signed CS/SB 316 into law on June 20, 2025, adding the Uniform Protected Series Provisions to the Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act (Chapter 605, Florida Statutes). These provisions take effect […]
Florida athletes, musicians, influencers, esports creators, and businesses now have powerful new tools to fight back against AI systems that steal their identity. Governor Ron DeSantis’ AI Bill of Rights (SB 482) sailed through the Florida Senate in early March 2026 with a 35-2 vote. Though still moving through the House at the time of […]
The NIL era didn’t just change how college and Olympic athletes earn money. It changed what they are. Overnight, athletes became brands. Their name, image, and likeness transformed from personal identity into intellectual property with real commercial value. And where there’s value, there’s risk. As NIL opportunities have expanded well beyond simple sponsorships into licensing […]
Florida athletes, entertainers, influencers, and businesses face growing risks from artificial intelligence tools that can create realistic but fake sexual images without consent. In 2025, the Florida Legislature strengthened safeguards with updates to Florida Statute § 836.13, known as the Altered Sexual Depictions law. This law directly addresses AI “deepfakes” and “nudify” tools that misuse […]
Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C. is pleased to announce a significant victory for our client, Christian Moss, a talented wide receiver who most recently played for the Kennesaw State University football team. The National Collegiate Athletic Association has granted Mr. Moss an extension of his eligibility, allowing him to compete in an additional season during the 2026-27 […]
In a significant victory for college athlete rights, the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida granted a temporary injunction against the NCAA, allowing Bethune-Cookman University basketball player Doctor Bradley to compete for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The ruling, issued by Judge Dennis Craig, provides a scathing critique of the NCAA’s governance structure and […]
At Heitner Legal, we are committed to advocating for athletes who face unforeseen challenges that impact their collegiate careers. We are pleased to announce the successful securing of a medical hardship waiver for Gage Hensey, a talented men’s track and field athlete at the University of Oklahoma. This waiver restores an additional year of eligibility […]
Heitner Legal is proud to announce a decisive victory on behalf of our client, Mac Jones, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. On December 2, 2025, the U.S. Copyright Claims Board dismissed with prejudice all claims brought against Jones by psychologist Keith Bell, finding that Jones’s use of Bell’s copyrighted material constituted fair use under […]