United States Ninth Circuit

In a dispute between the owner of the "Improv" and "Improvisation" trademarks, and the Comedy Club company, an order confirming an arbitration award against the Comedy Club is affirmed in part and vacated in part as: 1) the arbitrator properly arbitrated equitable claims; 2) the arbitrator's award was not completely irrational; 3) the arbitrator exceeded the scope of his authority by enjoining non-party Affiliates; and 4) the arbitrator's award violates California Business and Professions Code section 16600.

Appellate Information

• Decided 09/07/2007
• Published 09/07/2007

Judges

• GOULD, Circuit Judge:, Before:  JEROME FARRIS and RONALD M. GOULD, Circuit Judges, and KEVIN THOMAS DUFFY, District Judge.

Court

• United States Ninth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Karina B. Sterman, Kelly O. Scott, Ervin, Cohen & Jessup, LLP, Beverly Hills, CA, for appellants Comedy Club, Inc. and Al Copeland Investments, Inc.


• For Appellees:
  
• Robert N. Klieger, Irell & Manella LLP, Los Angeles, CA, for appellees Improv West Associates and California Comedy, Inc.