Dez Reads. News I Can’t Choose.

Greetings from the passenger seat of my wife’s car as we head up to Walloon Lake – Ernest Hemingway’s one-time summer haunt – for some R&R.

While I enjoy reading every Dez Reads submission I receive from our staff, usually there’s one that sticks out to me. That story tends to get the headline mention, the graphic beneath my intro, and first position for the week. This time, I couldn’t choose – we have a certified summer banger on our hands.

Anne Marie breaks kayfabe this week and leads us off with a story actually relevant to our work, regarding the evolving litigation environment around AI. It’s something that we are seeing more and more with our clients, and the latest conflict between Hollywood and Silicon Valley leads our newsletter this week.

I also want to formally welcome Diane Chaaban to the Dez Reads community; she recently joined our firm from the City of El Segundo, with past experience with the State Department, stationed in Kuwait. She’s also a theater kid, and thanks to her submission, my wife and I will be listening to Broadway tunes for at least some of our drive Up North.

Additionally, Nathaniel Beach made me LOL with his life lessons learned from Ed the Fugitive Zebra, Mark Emerson celebrates the fact that science is finally delivering what we all need – longer life spans for dogs – and Jen Hirshon reminds us that we can’t use our Costco membership cards to get through TSA.

Best edition of DR in a minute. Thanks, as always, for reading along with us.

Here we go.

AI.

NPR. In first-of-its-kind lawsuit, Hollywood giants sue AI firm for copyright infringement

My Dez Reads tend to be random and unassociated with the day-to-day of our client advisory work. Not today: High stakes lawfare makes its way into this week’s submission. It was only a matter of time before the first-of-its-kind artificial intelligence-related copyright infringement lawsuit was filed. Here we are with Homer Simpson front and center in Disney and Universal’s claims against Midjourney.

While this is not the first lawsuit against AI companies, it’s the first time entertainment companies are entering the ring to fight AI-generated images. From Shrek to Homer Simpson to Darth Vader, Disney and Universal allege Midjourney has used their character catalog to feed its “virtual vending machine, generating endless unauthorized copies of Disney’s and Universal’s copyrighted works.”

I wonder if filing this 110-page lawsuit in U.S. district court in Los Angeles is consistent with Homer’s axiom, “trying is the first step towards failure,” or if we are on the verge of a serious precedent in the battle between creators and AI.

– Anne Marie Malecha

Science.

BBC Science Focus. New Leash For Life

It's safe to speak for just about everyone here at Dez: We're all serious dog lovers. On any given call, you can spot one of our furry friends chillin’ in the background or begging for attention. We're not alone in our obsession. There’s something special about a pup who offers unconditional loyalty whether you're solving the crisis of the day or just closing your eyes at night.

That’s why this week’s feature caught my attention. A BBC Science Focus piece titled New Leash For Life reveals that scientists are confident they've found strategies to help dogs live longer, healthier lives. From massive studies like the Dog Aging Project, which tracks tens of thousands of pets, to biotech firms developing anti-aging drugs like Rapamycin and LOY002, researchers are making real progress. These treatments aim not just to extend lifespan, but to keep dogs healthy and active as they age.

I'm not usually one to get overexcited about scientific moonshots, but if there's a chance to keep our four-legged family members around for even just a few extra years, it’s hard not to root for this one. And yes, if you're wondering – they're accepting donations.

– Mark Emerson

Entertainment.

The Root. Why Audra McDonald’s Tony Awards Performance Should Convince Patti LuPone to Have Several Seats

Last Sunday’s Tony Awards (my Superbowl) brought all the delight and grandeur expected of Broadway’s biggest night, but the mic drop of the evening was Audra McDonald’s jaw-dropping performance of “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy.

A few weeks prior, following McDonald’s Tony nomination for Gypsy’s Mama Rose, the New Yorker asked Broadway legend and notorious diva, Patti LuPone – who won the 2008 Tony for the same role – what she thought of her former colleague’s performance. Patti’s response? 15 seconds of death staring and dead silence. In the same interview, LuPone said that she and Audra “had some long-ago rift” and that “she’s not a friend.”

LuPone’s comments about Audra and another industry star sparked outrage among the theatre community. McDonald remained largely quiet on the matter; instead, she settled her score on the Tony Awards’ stage by delivering the performance of a lifetime. McDonald’s “Rose’s Turn,” renowned for its musical complexity and emotional acrobatics, hit every nuance: overflowing with raw emotion, showstopping vocals, and riveting vulnerability. Before she could finish belting out her final note, the audience erupted in a standing ovation, proving why she is the most nominated and awarded performer in Tony history.

While Audra did not win the Tony that night (it’s okay, she already has six), she did win the War of the Mama Roses.

– Diane Chaaban

Wildlife.

NPR. Ed, the runaway pet zebra, has been captured in Tennessee

Ladies and Gentlemen, we got him. After more than a week on the run, Tennessee authorities were finally able to capture Ed the Zebra, but not before he became a viral sensation. The fugitive zebra, who had escaped from his owner’s farm at the end of May joined the many famous animal legends of internet lore for being seen and videotaped by nearly everyone except for local authorities. The ever-defiant Ed, who was seen frolicking in suburban neighborhoods, instantly became a perfect template for internet memes and gripped the attention of the online community.

His saga ended as dramatically as it began: airlifted by helicopter, legs dangling in defeat, Ed’s rebellious run was over.

Ed the Zebra is a testament to us all, and proof that free will exists. Following this story has made me reflect on my own captivity, as I sit behind my computer screen cursed with the responsibilities of paying taxes, updating my health insurance, submitting expense reports, and being human.

Ed reminded me that sometimes, you’ve just got to bolt.

So this weekend, I’ll be outside, letting the summer air hit my face and honoring the spirit of one zebra who dared to dream.

Thank you, Ed. You may be back on the farm but online, you’ll roam forever.

– Nathaniel Beach

Travel.

Vice. TSA Is Begging Travelers to Stop Trying to Use Their Costco Cards as ID

Travel Advisory: Despite its magical powers to unlock bulk savings on toilet paper, your Costco card still can’t unlock the secrets of official identification. Turns out, the only thing it gets you past is the entrance to the store, not through the TSA line.

Speaking of TSA: TSA is testing VR tech that lets agents “feel” for hidden items without touching passengers. While the technology seemingly provides more privacy for the passenger, others question the truly non-invasiveness of the technology.

So, until your Costco card doubles as a high-tech security pass, you’ll just have to keep your REAL ID handy and hope your next screening is fast and efficient the old-fashioned way.

– Jen Hirshon

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