Virtual Legality

Activision Blizzard had its worst day on the stock market in years, but is that the cause of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)...or something a bit closer to home?

Blizzard's Visions are getting a bit more Precarious than Vicarious...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/etvM0JhecIY

#Activision #Blizzard #Lawsuit

***

SUPPORTING THE CHANNEL

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

STORE - https://teespring.com/stores/hoeg-law-store

***

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Exit Jen ONeal

14:23 Delays, Delays, Delays

25:41 Conclusion

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Everybody vs Activision Blizzard: A Legal View"

YouTube Playlist - Hoeg Law

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9PBxr5dNcoQLh2erIt2XrZ

"HEADS ROLL! ABK Takes a Step...Brack (California v Activision Blizzard) (VL519)"

YouTube Video - August 3, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/Pat_QLCCPSs

"NEW LEADERSHIP AT BLIZZARD"

Blizzard Blog - August 3, 2021

https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/blizzard/23706475/new-leadership-at-blizzard

"Vicarious Visions to drop its name and fully merge with Blizzard, sources say"

Polygon - October 27, 2021

https://www.polygon.com/22749644/vicarious-visions-blizzard-albany-merger-studio-name-change

"A MESSAGE FROM JEN ONEAL"

Blizzard Blog - November 2, 2021

https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/blizzard/23738005/a-message-from-jen-oneal

"blizzard employees are saying..."

Tweet - November 2, 2021 - Nathan Grayson

https://twitter.com/Vahn16/status/1455638625178341376

"Diablo IV and Overwatch 2 delayed"

Tweet - November 2, 2021 - Stephen Totilo

https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1455635542054477831

"Activision Plunges Most Since 2008 on Game Delays, Soft Forecast"

Yahoo Finance (Bloomberg) - November 3, 2021

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/activision-forecast-falls-short-under-200509411.html

***

"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

***

Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com

null

(0:00) Introduction

(1:30) Exit Jen ONeal

(14:23) Delays, Delays, Delays

(25:41) Conclusion

The Biden Justice Department has finally tipped its hand on antitrust enforcement questions as it brings one of its first major lawsuits against book publishers Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster.

Why was the suit brought? What is a horizontal merger? Are authors being elevated above book readers? And why should all the eyes of Big Tech be watching closely?

Let's dive in.

Penguins don't mate for life when the Department of Justice gets involved...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/Q_MX9V1WhyU

#Penguin #RandomHouse #Lawsuit

***

SUPPORTING THE CHANNEL

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

STORE - https://teespring.com/stores/hoeg-law-store

***

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:41 The Penguin Random House Acquisition

03:49 The DOJ Press Release and Consumer Welfare

08:45 The Lawsuit (Overview)

19:39 The Parties and Background

25:40 Setting the Market

35:10 The Horizontal Merger Guidelines

44:15 Anti-Competitive Effects

55:03 Conclusion

***

Discussed in this episode:

"An Antitrust Epic"

YouTube Playlist - Hoeg Law

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy-lb7ReoUqL5_dTcM8ngmfV

"ViacomCBS sells Simon & Schuster to Penguin Random House for $2 billion"

CNBC Whttps://www.cnbc.com/2020/11/25/viacomcbs-sells-simon-schuster-to-penguin-random-house-for-2-billion.htmlebsite - November 25, 2020

"Justice Department files antitrust suit to block $2 billion merger of Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster"

CNBC Website - November 2, 2021

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/02/doj-sues-to-block-merger-of-penguin-random-house-simon-schuster.html

"Justice Department Sues to Block Penguin Random House’s Acquisition of Rival Publisher Simon & Schuster"

Department of Justice Press Release - November 2, 2021

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-block-penguin-random-house-s-acquisition-rival-publisher-simon

"Justice Dept. Sues Penguin Random House Over Simon & Schuster Deal"

New York Times - November 2, 2021

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/02/books/penguin-random-house-simon-schuster-merger-lawsuit.html

DOJ Complaint (Penguin Random House Merger)

Filed November 2, 2021

https://www.justice.gov/opa/press-release/file/1445916/download

"Acquisition by one corporation of stock of another"

15 USC 18 (Clayton Act)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/18

"Horizontal Merger Guidelines"

August 19, 2010

https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/mergers/100819hmg.pdf

"Jonathan Kanter Undergoes Senate Confirmation Hearing to Lead Antitrust Division at the Justice Department"

JDSupra Website - October 14, 2021

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/jonathan-kanter-undergoes-senate-5469722/

***

"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

***

Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com

null

(0:00) Introduction

(1:41) The Penguin Random House Acquisition

(3:49) The DOJ Press Release and Consumer Welfare

(8:45) The Lawsuit (Overview)

(19:39) The Parties and Background

(25:40) Setting the Market

(35:10) The Horizontal Merger Guidelines

(44:15) Anti-Competitive Effects

(55:03) Conclusion

null

(0:00) Introduction

(1:47) A Better ABK

(5:30) National Labor Relations Act

(9:41) National Labor Relations Board

(12:26) Voluntary Recognition

null

(0:00) Introduction

(1:55) Bobby Kotick's Letter (Opening)

(10:44) Activision's Five Changes

(20:11) Kotick Reduces Pay

(25:01) The EEOC Gets Struck

(32:25) Conclusion

null

The saga of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) ethics tussle continues, as the Court denies Activision's attempt to use the issue for its own benefit. Though, looks can be deceiving, and nothing is ever quite finished (until it is) in the law.

Let's talk about it.

So you threw an "ex parte", but no one showed up...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/07CZHAh1XKU

#Activision #California #EEOC

***

SUPPORTING THE CHANNEL

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

STORE - https://teespring.com/stores/hoeg-law-store

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Everybody vs Activision Blizzard: A Legal View"

YouTube Playlist - Hoeg Law

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9PBxr5dNcoQLh2erIt2XrZ

"Court refuses Activision request to pause DFEH suit over alleged ethics violations"

GamesIndustry Biz - October 25, 2021

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-10-25-court-refuses-activision-request-to-pause-california-lawsuit-over-alleged-ethics-violations

"Judge rejects Activision Blizzard's attempt to pause California sexual harassment lawsuit"

Eurogamer - October 25, 2021

Court's Ex Parte Application Denial

California's Opposition to Ex Parte Application

(Search Case No: 21STCV26571)

https://www.lacourt.org/

"In a filing late last week..."

Tweet - September 27, 2021 - Stephen Totilo

https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1442592375289831428

***

"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

***

Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com

null

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sure did start a mess here as California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) punches back against Activision Blizzard's own request for an ethics investigation with a firm (but slightly unconvincing) "nuh uh".

Oh boy, let's dive in.

Someone is "incorrect" in what they've told the Court...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/aIkEAFUbmZI

#Activision #California #EEOC

***

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

STORE - https://teespring.com/stores/hoeg-law-store

***

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

02:27 DFEH's Counsel Declaration

10:03 Are You Conflicted?

21:12 The "Conflict" Attorneys' Declarations

25:16 Screenings and Emails

29:57 DFEH's Opposition to Activision's Request

32:46 A Problem of Timeliness

35:42 A State of Emergency?

39:02 Some Additional Facts (Dates of Transfer)

45:19 A Stay Would Hurt The Employees (That's Why We Just Asked for One)

48:35 Sharing is Caring

51:42 Handwaving An Ethics Issue (Rule 4.3)

54:30 Conclusion

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Everybody vs Activision Blizzard: A Legal View"

YouTube Playlist - Hoeg Law

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9PBxr5dNcoQLh2erIt2XrZ

"EEOC FALLOUT: Activision Seeks Ethics Review of ENTIRE CA Lawsuit (VL563)"

YouTube Video - October 19, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/ZvDqX1mGTBg

"Did the EEOC Just DESTROY California's Activision Blizzard Lawsuit? (VL557)"

YouTube Video - October 11, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/ZDOGC3PUGwo

"The EEOC's Surprising Ethics Complaint Against California (Virtual Legality Briefs 557A)"

YouTube Video - October 11, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/ShjxHwLXWeM

DFEH Opposition to Activision Request for Stay (Ethics Complaint)

(Search Case No: 21STCV26571)

https://www.lacourt.org/

"Investigations"

42 USC 2000e-8

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/2000e-8

EEOC v Activision Blizzard

Opposition to Intervention (EEOC)

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cacd.832570/gov.uscourts.cacd.832570.15.5.pdf

California Professional Rules of Conduct

https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/rules/Rule_1.11-Exec_Summary-Redline.pdf

https://www.calbar.ca.gov/portals/0/documents/rules/rule_4.3-exec_summary-redline.pdf

"ETHICS COMMITTEE FORMAL OPINION NO. 2021-1"

California Lawyers Association

https://calawyers.org/california-lawyers-association/ethics-committee-formal-opinion-no-2021-1/

***

"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

***

Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com