Copyright Lately

A community swim team has been awarded over $120,000 in attorneys' fees for successfully defeating a claim for copyright infringement

byAaron Moss
October 16, 2020

The Court finds that "leveling exorbitant settlement demands at nonprofits and public schools does not advance the purposes of the Copyright Act" after the plaintiff demanded $25,000 for a single Twitter post to a community swim account followed by 44 people.

CCourt Decisions

Copyright Termination and Loan-Out Corporations, Revisited

byAaron Moss
October 13, 2020

How a common entertainment industry tax planning tool may prevent artists and their heirs from utilizing the Copyright Act’s termination provision.

CCourt Decisions

A copyright Infringement lawsuit by Randy Orton's tattoo artist against Take-Two Interactive and WWE is sent to trial

byAaron Moss
October 7, 2020

In a decision with frightening implications, a court in Illinois holds that a jury will decide whether Randy Orton's tattoo artist can control the use of the wrestler’s image in video games.

LLegal Filings

Yoko Ono has filed a new lawsuit against former John Lennon assistant Frederic Seaman for copyright infringement

byAaron Moss
October 3, 2020

Ono alleges infringement of 374 family photos she claims were stolen as part of an elaborate scheme to profit from John Lennon's death. Does she have a case? And does Ono actually own the copyrights in the photos?

LLists

byAaron Moss
October 2, 2020

22 Biggest Copyright Myths: Our ongoing meaningless attempt to create the internet's longest list of copyright misconceptions.

CCourt Decisions

A lawsuit alleging that "Prank Encounters" infringes the copyright in "Scare Tactics" will proceed

byAaron Moss
October 1, 2020

A judge rules on a motion to dismiss copyright infringement claims brought by the co-creator of "Scare Tactics" against his former business partner and the producer of "Prank Encounters," another hidden camera prank/scare show.

LLegal Filings

Apple has been sued for copyright infringement in connection with racially diverse emoji

byAaron Moss
September 22, 2020

CCourt Decisions

Nicki Minaj prevails on fair use claim against Tracy Chapman on summary judgment

byAaron Moss
September 17, 2020

After finding a triable issue of fact on whether Nicki Minaj was responsible for leaking "Sorry" to a New York DJ, the court holds that Minaj's initial creation of her derivative song did not infringe Tracy Chapman's copyright in "Baby Can I Hold You."

LLegal Filings

Law Firm Sues Former Associate for Copyright Infringement

byAaron Moss
September 15, 2020

Many overworked or underappreciated law firm associates dream of being offered a job by a client. That dream probably doesn't include getting sued for going in-house.

13 Spooky Copyright Cases, Just in Time for Halloween

Court Awards $122K in Attorneys’ Fees to Nonprofit Swim Team After Copyright Win

Copyright Termination and Loan-Out Corporations, Revisited

Tattoo Feud: Artist’s Copyright Case (Inexplicably) Sent to Trial

Inside Yoko Ono’s New Copyright Lawsuit Against John Lennon’s Former Assistant

The Copyright Myth Project

Court Allows Copyright Case Against Hidden Camera Prank Show to Proceed

The Apple Emoji Lawsuit: 👍 or 👎?

Nicki Minaj’s Creation of New Recording Based on Tracy Chapman Song Deemed Fair Use

Law Firm Sues Client and Former Associate for Copyright Infringement

Sorry Not Sorry? Tracy Chapman, Nicki Minaj and a Short Lesson on Intermediate Copying

Copyright Office Launches New Registration for Blogs and Social Media Posts—But Here’s Why You May Not Qualify

13 Spooky Copyright Cases, Just in Time for Halloween

Court Awards $122K in Attorneys’ Fees to Nonprofit Swim Team After Copyright Win

Copyright Termination and Loan-Out Corporations, Revisited