Joel Stashenko, New York Law Journal
A composer's claims in state court that his re-orchestration for "Peter Pan" starring the gymnast Cathy Rigby was improperly appropriated for later tours is in fact a copyright action, a state judge ruled, and thus not within the jurisdiction of the state courts.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich said composer Craig Barna's action in Barna v. Rigby, 156405/2013, involved a a "classic copyright infringement" claim which "may only be asserted in federal court."
Barna's suit "dressed up" copyright claims—such as for violations of trademark infringement under the Lanham Act and unfair competition—as state law causes of action.