Works Made For Hire Archives

A new lawsuit involving "Invincible" shows the consequences of failing to properly document the copyright status of a jointly-created work.

As a new lawsuit involving the popular comic book and animated series "Invincible" shows, the failure to properly document the copyright status of a jointly-created work at the beginning can lead to messy consequences later.

LLegal Filings

What’s Really Going On In Marvel’s Copyright Termination Lawsuits

byAaron Moss

Marvel is battling copyright termination notices over some of its most famous and valuable characters. Here's what it all means.

The First Circuit ruled that the classic 1960 board game "The Game of Life" was created as a work made for hire, which means it isn't subject to copyright termination

CCourt Decisions

A “Game of Life” That Can’t Be Terminated

byAaron Moss

The First Circuit rules that the classic 1960 board game "The Game of Life" was created as a work made for hire. Here's why it matters.

LLegal Filings

Nirvana Files New Lawsuit Over Copyright Ownership in Smiley Face

byAaron Moss

A new complaint against former Geffen Records employee Robert Fisher seeks a declaration that Nirvana is the rightful copyright owner of the band’s iconic smiley face logo.

CCourt Decisions

Copyright Termination and Loan-Out Corporations, Revisited

byAaron Moss

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

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

LLegal Filings

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

byAaron Moss

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?

Works Made For Hire

Not Invincible: A Cautionary Tale for Creators

What’s Really Going On In Marvel’s Copyright Termination Lawsuits

A “Game of Life” That Can’t Be Terminated

Nirvana Files New Lawsuit Over Copyright Ownership in Smiley Face

Copyright Termination and Loan-Out Corporations, Revisited

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

Could Banksy Sue Christopher Walken Over Destroyed Artwork?

The 5 Worst Copyright Decisions of 2021

Copyright Termination and “Harmless Error”

Is HitPiece the Fyre Festival of NFT Startups?

Are Courts Finally Getting Fed Up With Copyright Shakedowns?

Aaron Moss