The union has expanded its litigation by adding price fixing and other allegations.
The Writers Guild of America on Monday dismissed its state court lawsuit against the Big Four talent agencies and refiled similar allegations and more in federal court against the top three firms, expanding an already bitter fight. The new filings include antitrust claims and explosive allegations of racketeering against the agencies under a law known as RICO that is more commonly deployed against organized crime.
The suit charges that the packaging fee model violates the agencies’ fiduciary duty to their clients and constitutes a system of illegal kickbacks and price-fixing under federal law. The suit also alleges that the agencies’ “collusive agreement not to negotiate individually with the Guilds” and “collusive agreement to blacklist writers or other individuals or entities who object to packaging fees or agree to the Guild’s Code of Conduct” violate federal antitrust laws.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Writers Guild Presidential Candidate Phyllis Nagy Blasts Strategy on AgenciesPhyllis Nagy, who is challenging Writers Guild of America West’s president David Goodman, has warned of dire consequences from the current stalemate between the WGA and Hollywood agents. Nagy, who …
Read more »
Writers Guild Withdraws State Suit Against Agencies, Refiles in Federal CourtThe Writers Guild of America has withdrawn its state court suit against WME, CAA, UTA and ICM Partners alleging packaging fees are illegal and re-filed suit in federal court. The WGA also responded…
Read more »
WGA’s Phyllis Nagy Predicts Industry-Wide Strike And The End Of Writers’ Primacy In TV If Guild & Agencies Don’t SettleWGA West presidential candidate Phyllis Nagy says the guild’s ongoing standoff with the Association of Talent Agents threatens to “permanently destroy the primacy writers have enjoyed in television” and will lead to a strike
Read more »
Writers Guild Withdraws State Suit Against Agencies, Refiles in Federal CourtThe Writers Guild of America has withdrawn its state court suit against WME, CAA, UTA and ICM Partners alleging packaging fees are illegal and re-filed suit in federal court. The WGA also responded…
Read more »
WGA dismisses state lawsuit against talent agencies and takes fight to federal courtThe Writers Guild of America West on Monday dismissed its lawsuit against several talent agencies. The pullback comes as the union faces internal divisions on how it should conduct negotiations with the talent agencies.
Read more »
WGA Drops Lawsuit Filed In State Court Against Big 4 Agencies, Consolidates Claims In Federal CourtThe WGA has asked the state court to dismiss the lawsuit that it filed against CAA, WME and UTA, and has answered and filed counter-claims in the federal anti-trust case that the Big 4 agencies brought against the guild
Read more »