Ben M. Goldman (1883–1952) was a Los Angeles attorney. He was lead counsel for the defense in the famous Charlie Chaplin right of publicity case, Chaplin v. Amador, in which Chaplin sought relief against an imitator calling himself "Charlie Aplin." Goldman aggressively cross-examined Chaplin, drawing frequent objections from Chaplin's attorneys[1][2] Making the point that even copyrights and patents only confer temporary legal protection, not protection in perpetuity, Goldman argued: "Even the inventions of the nation's geniuses are given protection with the understanding that at the expiration of a limited number of years their discoveries will become public property to be used for the benefit of all."[3] After the decision largely favoring Chaplin, Goldman vowed that his client would give up the name "Charlie Aplin," but would otherwise continue producing films as before, without changing his look.[4]
He also represented controversial evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, one of the most famous celebrities in the United States in the 1920s.[5][6]
In 1932 he won a judgment of $2,137,500 for a New York real estate broker against the Rio Grande Oil Company for stock manipulation, which was then one of the largest legal judgments ever recorded in the United States.[7][8]
In other matters that were covered by the press, in 1931 he sued actress Florence Eldridge, the wife of actor Fredric March, in a personal injury case arising from an auto accident;[9] and in 1934 he won a $15,000 judgment for alienation of affections in a case against wealthy aviation magnate and Olympics yachtsman Frederick Conant.[10][11][12][13][14]
References
edit- ^ "Comedy Star Is Fidgety On Stand". Orange County Plain Dealer: 1. 26 February 1925.
- ^ "Chaplin Appears As Own Witness In Costume Case". Fresno Bee: 12. 27 February 1925.
- ^ "Lawyers In Final Clash In Chaplin Makeup Suit". Los Angeles Record: 1. 27 February 1925.
- ^ "Chaplin Winner In 'Aplin' Suit". Los Angeles Record: 1. 19 May 1925.
- ^ "Painting Irks Evangelist". Los Angeles Times: 18. 20 April 1932.
- ^ "David Helps Aimee Win Lower Fee". San Bernardino County Sun: 1. 18 January 1934.
- ^ "Huge Judgment Won By Broker". Los Angeles Times: 1. 31 October 1931.
- ^ "Suit Started to Conserve Rights in Oil Judgment". Los Angeles Times: 22. 6 December 1931.
- ^ "Actress In Auto Suit Testifies". Los Angeles Times: 25. 25 March 1931.
- ^ "Loss of Husband Love Balmed by $15,000 Judgment". Daily News: 2. 14 April 1934.
- ^ "Brother-in-Law Tells of Ousting Balm-Suit Wife". Daily News: 3. 5 April 1934.
- ^ "Denies Causing Rift ofCouple". Los Angeles Evening Post-Record: 1. 10 April 1934.
- ^ "Mrs.Conant Tells Court of Battle with Brother". Los Angeles Times: 1. 6 April 1934.
- ^ "Mrs. Davis Awarded Balm". Los Angeles Times: 1. 14 April 1934.