No Fair Use Defense for Dr. Seuss/Star Trek Mashup
The Ninth Circuit's fair use ruling is an early Christmas present for copyright owners and a lump of coal for creators of unauthorized mash-ups that don't ridicule the original works.
Why Trump Will Lose (on Copyright Fair Use)
Donald Trump argues that a campaign ad featuring the Eddy Grant song "Electric Avenue" is protected by fair use. Here's why he's wrong.
Tattoo Feud: Artist’s Copyright Case (Inexplicably) Sent to Trial
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.
Social Media Reposting and the “De Minimis Defense”
Fashion designer Elie Tahari was found liable for copyright infringement after reposting a street style photo of one of its outfits on social media. It's a common practice, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's legal.
Nicki Minaj’s Creation of New Recording Based on Tracy Chapman Song Deemed Fair Use
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."
Sorry Not Sorry? Tracy Chapman, Nicki Minaj and a Short Lesson on Intermediate Copying
Is the creation of an interpolated demo recording fair use or garden-variety infringement? That's one of the questions the court will need to tackle in connection with Tracy Chapman's ongoing copyright infringement lawsuit against Nicki Minaj.
To Be Judged Not By the Color of Their Skin, But By the Content of Their Legal Briefs
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they…
On the Art of the Demand Letter
Ah, the cease and desist letter. There is no more trusty weapon in the arsenal of an entertainment…
Clearance Is Sexy Too
Is it just me, or has there been a larger-than-usual number of right of publicity complaints filed lately…