Italian
CAA accuses former agents of data theft to form rival firm
Allegations of betrayal and data theft
In a dramatic turn of events, a major talent agency has accused several former agents of betraying the agency by stealing confidential client information to establish a competing management firm, Range Media Partners. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that these agents spent months in 2020 transferring volumes of sensitive data, including clients’ ongoing and future projects, branding strategies, and business plans, to their personal devices.
The covert operations
The lawsuit further alleges that the agents used Telegram, a private messaging app, to avoid detection by the agency. This covert operation was part of a broader strategy to launch Range Media Partners, circumventing California law and Writers Guild of America (WGA) requirements.
The core of the lawsuit
The lawsuit describes Range Media Partners as an “unlicensed talent agency built on deceit.” According to the suit, Range operates under the guise of a management company, allowing it to engage in lucrative transactions that are off-limits to legitimate talent agencies. This deceptive practice, the lawsuit claims, gives Range an unfair advantage in the market.
Key figures and their roles
Peter Micelli, one of the founders of Range, is a central figure in this controversy. Micelli, who worked at the agency for over 20 years and was co-head of the TV department until 2018, is accused of recruiting four other agents—Jack Whigham, David Bugliari, Michael Cooper, and Mick Sullivan—to join the new management firm in early 2020. These agents allegedly gathered intelligence for their new venture while still employed at the agency, even soliciting assistants to provide confidential information such as client offer letters, scripts, and activity reports. Two of these assistants were later hired as managers at Range.
Unauthorized use of client photos
The lawsuit also claims that Range used its clients’ photos in marketing materials without their consent, falsely suggesting a connection to the new firm. This unauthorized use of client images is another point of contention in the ongoing legal battle.
Exploiting the WGA code of conduct
The lawsuit alleges that Range exploited a new WGA code of conduct, which prohibits agencies from owning a significant stake in a production company or taking fees from producers to package them into projects. By posing as a management company, Range could offer high-profile clients the ability to avoid paying a commission by instead permitting Range to take a producer fee or credit on a client’s project. This loophole allowed Range to evade the rules and gain an unfair market advantage.
A+E Networks’ involvement
The lawsuit notes that A+E Networks acquired a stake in Range in early 2022 and announced plans to partner on scripted TV projects set up by Range. This arrangement would be prohibited under the WGA code if Range were considered an agency, further complicating the legal landscape.
Legal claims and implications
The lawsuit includes claims of contract interference, interference with economic advantage, aiding and abetting the breach of fiduciary duty, and violation of the state Business and Professions Code. These allegations paint a complex picture of the competitive and often cutthroat nature of the talent management industry.
Industry reflections
This case highlights the ongoing tension between traditional talent agencies and emerging management firms. The use of technology to transfer sensitive information and the exploitation of regulatory loopholes are indicative of broader trends in the industry. As the legal battle unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these dynamics evolve and what implications they may have for the future of talent management.
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