Virtual Legality

In the face of California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) lawsuit, Activision Blizzard is now seeing mutinies across investors, employees, journalists, and sponsors.

What did Week 2 bring and what might the future of all such stakeholder actions be?

It's Mutinies all around, but Call of Duty still brings in a Bounty...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/eILMMN4PmzU

#California #Activision #Lawsuit

***

CHANNEL SUPPORT

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

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

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

***

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:28 HR Firings and Investor Calls

14:04 A Proto Union is Formed

28:37 Investor Class Actions

43:16 Unhappy Sponsors

45:17 Conclusion

***

Discussed in this episode:

"California vs Activision Blizzard: A Legal View"

YouTube Playlist - Hoeg Law

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

"Blizzard President Departs as Game Maker Faces Labor Lawsuit"

Bloomberg - August 3, 2021

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-08-03/blizzard-president-departs-as-game-maker-faces-labor-lawsuit

"Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Q2 2021 Earnings Call Transcript"

Motley Fool - August 4, 2021

https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-transcripts/2021/08/04/activision-blizzard-atvi-q2-2021-earnings-call-tra/

"Activision Blizzard’s Latest Investor Call Was An Especially Ghoulish Affair"

Kotaku - August 4, 2021

https://kotaku.com/activision-blizzard-s-latest-investor-call-was-an-espec-1847422536

"Activision Blizzard Employees Form Coalition, Reject CEO's Choice of Law Firm"

IGN - August 3, 2021

https://www.ign.com/articles/activision-blizzard-employees-abk-coalition-reject-bobby-kotick-law-firm

"Activision Blizzard employees to protest leadership with walkout"

Venture Beat/Games Beat - July 27, 2021

https://venturebeat.com/2021/07/27/activision-blizzard-employs-to-protest-leadership-with-walkout/

"Activision Blizzard Is Working With Law Firm That Specializes In "Union Avoidance" Amid Abuse Allegations"

The Gamer - July 29, 2021

https://www.thegamer.com/activision-blizzard-unions-wilmerhale-lawsuit-sexism/

"Activision Blizzard Sued By Shareholder For "False And Misleading" Statements"

August 3, 2021

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/activision-blizzard-sued-by-shareholder-for-false-and-misleading-statements/

"Cheng v Activision Blizzard"

Filed August 3, 2021

https://www.bloomberglaw.com/public/desktop/document/ChengvActivisionBlizzardIncetalDocketNo221cv06240CDCalAug032021Co?1628012094

"CD Projekt Sued Over Alleged Cyberpunk Lies! Let's Read the Lawsuit! (VL379)"

YouTube Video - December 28, 2020 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/_qXytLM4Gv8

"Employment of manipulative and deceptive devices."

17 CFR 240.10b-5 (Rule 10b-5)

https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/17/240.10b-5

"Amid harassment lawsuit, Coca Cola, State Farm pull back from Blizzard’s Overwatch League"

August 5, 2021 - Washington Post

https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/08/05/activision-blizzard-sponsors-overwatch/

***

"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

(1:28) HR Firings and Investor Calls

(14:04) A Proto-Union is Formed

(28:37) Investor Class Actions

(43:16) Unhappy Sponsors

(45:17) Conclusion

Like administrations before it, the Biden Administration has elected to push to the very edge of its executive authority...and beyond.

With the CDC's new eviction moratorium, however, even the breadth and power of the executive branch may have stumbled a bit too far, as the White House itself admitted not days before action was taken.

It's not about policy, it's about principles...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/J_v4ZVF8DT4

#Biden #CDC #Moratorium

***

CHANNEL SUPPORT

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

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

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

***

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Trump, Executive Orders, and the CDC

04:16 SCOTUS Speaks (also...the 6th Circuit)

11:15 Biden's Choice

17:50 No Way to Run a Railroad

22:34 The Importance of Law

27:00 Conclusion

***

Discussed in this episode:

"White House defends its decision not to extend the federal eviction moratorium"

CNBC News - August 2, 2021

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/02/white-house-defends-its-decision-not-to-extend-the-eviction-moratorium.html

"Trump gives CDC broad authority to stop evictions during pandemic"

NBC News - September 2, 2020

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-gives-cdc-authority-stop-evictions-during-pandemic-n1239038

"Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19"

Original CDC Order

https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-19654.pdf

ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"

Denial of Vacation of Stay - June 29, 2021

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/20a169_4f15.pdf

"TIGER LILY, LLC v UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT"

Sixth Circuit Decision - July 23, 2021

https://www.opn.ca6.uscourts.gov/opinions.pdf/21a0166p-06.pdf

US Constitution

Article II

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articleii

"Joe Biden Speech Transcript: COVID-19 Vaccines, Says Cuomo Should Resign Following Harassment Report"

Rev - August 3, 2021

https://www.rev.com/blog/transcripts/joe-biden-speech-transcript-covid-19-vaccines-says-cuomo-should-resign-following-harassment-report

"Biden’s novel evictions defense: Maybe it’s illegal, but it’s worth it"

Washington Post - August 4, 2021

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/04/bidens-novel-evictions-defense-maybe-its-illegal-its-worth-it/

"TEMPORARY HALT IN RESIDENTIAL EVICTIONS IN COMMUNITIES WITH SUBSTANTIAL OR HIGH LEVELS OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19 TOPREVENT THE FURTHER SPREAD OF COVID-19"

New CDC Order

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/Signed-CDC-Eviction-Order.pdf

"That’s a direct attack on the judicial branch..."

Twitter Thread - August 3, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://twitter.com/HoegLaw/status/1422683700312035331

""...the bulk of the constitutional scholars say it’s not likely to pass constitutional muster.”"

Twitter Thread - August 4, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://twitter.com/HoegLaw/status/1422951774730731526

***

"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

(3:02) Heads Roll - Investor Version

(11:48) Heads Roll - Public Version

(19:55) Conclusion

null

(0:00) Introduction

(5:53) The Complaint

(11:01) A "wide theatrical release"?

(14:13) Good Faith and Fair Dealing

(18:00) Email Promises and Merger Clauses

(21:45) Deliberately Hurting its own Box Office?

(26:50) Two Causes of Action (Breach)

(29:51) Disney's Response

(31:45) Conclusion

California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) lawsuit against Activision Blizzard continues to cause reputational damage to the global game publisher.

With pictures now coming out of the alleged Cosby Suite and close ties to the "auditor" of their policies and procedures identified, it really is the case that the devil is in the details.

Those "Crosby" stills might just make your teeth gnash...in Virtual Legality.

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

#California #Activision #Lawsuit

***

CHANNEL SUPPORT

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

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

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

***

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimers

01:33 24 Hours of Trouble

2:53 The Cosby Suite

14:23 The Cosby Timeline - Plausible Deniability

22:05 Cosby Suite Responses

27:47 Hiring Your Own Lawyers to Audit You

31:53 Conclusion

***

Discussed in this episode:

"California vs Activision Blizzard: A Legal View"

YouTube Playlist - Hoeg Law

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

"Activision Blizzard employees protest sexist 'frat boy' workplace culture via walkout"

GameDaily Biz - July 28, 2021

https://gamedaily.biz/article/2121/activision-blizzard-employees-protest-sexist-frat-boy-workplace-culture-at-company-walkout

DFEH (California) vs Activision Blizzard et al

Filed July 20, 2021

https://aboutblaw.com/YJw

"Inside Blizzard Developers’ Infamous Bill ‘Cosby Suite’"

Kotaku - July 28, 2021

https://kotaku.com/inside-blizzard-developers-infamous-bill-cosby-suite-1847378762

"Yeah. There’s no way in hell Activision wants discovery."

Tweet - July 28, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://twitter.com/HoegLaw/status/1420459656561012739

"Bill Cosby: Timeline of his fall from 'America's Dad' to his release from prison"

ABC News Website - Updated June 30, 2021

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/bill-cosby-trial-complete-timeline-happened-2004/story?id=47799458

"Bill Cosby sexual assault cases"

Wikipedia Entry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Cosby_sexual_assault_cases

"Why Are Old Assault Claims Against Bill Cosby Back?"

NBC News Website - Updated November 17, 2014

https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/celebrity/why-are-old-assault-claims-against-bill-cosby-back-n250161

"I just shared this message..."

Tweet - Jul 28, 2021 - Greg Street

https://twitter.com/Ghostcrawler/status/1420505317314420736

"Blizzcon 2013: The Cosby Suite"

Medium Post - July 28, 2021 - Joshua Mosqueira

https://medium.com/@jmosq/blizzcon-2013-the-cosby-suite-76e27cff6e4e

"A Letter From CEO Bobby Kotick to All Employees"

July 27, 2021

https://investor.activision.com/node/34326/pdf

"Law firm reviewing Activision Blizzard policies connected to Executive VP"

UpComer - July 27, 2021

https://www.upcomer.com/activision-blizzard-ceo-bobby-kotick-outlines-generic-plan-to-fix-broken-company-culture/

SEC Letter

January 19, 2021 - WilmerHale on behalf of Activision Blizzard

https://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/cf-noaction/14a-8/2021/aflciouawactivision011921-14a8-incoming.pdf

"WoW Team Issues Statement, Vows To Remove "Not Appropriate" References From The Game"

GameSpot - July 27, 2021

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/wow-team-issues-statement-vows-to-remove-not-appropriate-references-from-the-game/1100-6494490/

***

"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 and Disclaimers

(1:33) 24 Hours of Trouble

(2:53) The Cosby Suite

(14:23) The Cosby Timeline - Plausible Deniability

(22:05) Cosby Suite Responses

(27:47) Hiring Your Own Lawyers to Audit You

(31:53) Conclusion

null

(0:00) Introduction

(2:00) Road to a Walkout

(6:04) The Walkout Demands

(18:28) Bobby Kotick Responds

(34:13) Conclusion

null

(0:00) Introduction (The Fran Email)

(3:18) Losing Employees

(5:22) The Open Letter

(15:05) Losing the Market

(19:19) Conclusion

null

(0:00) Introduction

(2:11) Activision's Initial Response (People's Republic of California)

(9:24) Presidential Responses (I Feel Your Pain)

(18:51) Activision Doubles Down (This is Fine)

(30:51) Losing Your Employees

(33:33) "Shocked" Ex Leaders

(38:33) Conclusion