What's the Deal? Archives

Some Muppets fans (and even the media) were confused into thinking the puppets in SNL's parody sketch were "real" Muppets

"Saturday Night Live's" literal beat down of "The Muppet Show" so closely resembled the classic Jim Henson characters that some viewers thought the Muppets had really made an appearance on the show. Did SNL go too far?

With Dr. Seuss Enterprises deciding to no longer publish six books containing racially insensitive content, would it be fair use for others to do so?

WWhat's the Deal?

Is it Fair Use to Reproduce Out-of-Print Seuss?

byAaron Moss

With Dr. Seuss Enterprises deciding to no longer publish six books containing racially insensitive content, would it be fair use for others to do so?

Is the use of a replica of the Great Seal of the U.S. by the "Office of the Former President Donald Trump" illegal copyright infringement?

WWhat's the Deal?

Is Trump Office’s Use of the Great Seal Legal?

byAaron Moss

The newly-minted "Office of the Former President" features a logo with a striking resemblance to the Great Seal of the United States. Is it legal?

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream—and a copyright. Both live on today.

WWhat's the Deal?

The Copyright Legacy of Martin Luther King

byAaron Moss

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream—and a copyright. Both still live on today.

Chess and Copyright: "The Queen's Gambit" has sparked a new wave of interest in chess. And while chess moves and game results aren't protected by copyright law, that's not for a lack of trying.

WWhat's the Deal?

Chess and Copyright: A Losing Gambit

byAaron Moss

"The Queen's Gambit" has sparked a new wave of interest in chess. And while chess moves and game results aren't protected by copyright law, that's not for a lack of trying.

WWhat's the Deal?

Is it Legal to Film Architectural Works in Public?

byAaron Moss

Is that "No Photography" sign worth the bronze-colored aluminum it's painted on?

What’s the Deal?

Why SNL’s “Muppets” Parody Had Even the Media Fooled

Is it Fair Use to Reproduce Out-of-Print Seuss?

Is Trump Office’s Use of the Great Seal Legal?

The Copyright Legacy of Martin Luther King

Chess and Copyright: A Losing Gambit

Is it Legal to Film Architectural Works in Public?

The Copyright Myth Project

Copyright Registration for Blogs and Social Media Posts Now in Effect—But Here’s Why You May Not Qualify

Warhol’s “Prince Series” Isn’t Fair Use, But What Is?

It’s the End of Google v. Oracle (And I Think I Feel Fine)

Copyright Termination and “Harmless Error”