Category: Copyright

“Obamatrade”—The DMCA, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Impact Here in America

Since 1998, digital works in the U.S. have been protected by law under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”), a broad policy which aims to prohibit the unlawful dissemination of copyrighted material over the internet.  Despite its purported benefits, it has frustrated both content owners and users alike.  Owners, who claim that the law fails… Read More “Obamatrade”—The DMCA, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and the Impact Here in America

aglenny

PETA Sues on Behalf of a Monkey and May Face Tax Liability Should the Monkey Win the Case

By: Sam Syska   Naruto, the monkey filed a lawsuit in San Francisco federal court this past Monday. Well, not quite, but the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are suing on Naruto’s behalf, claiming ownership rights to a photograph the money took of himself back in 2011. Peta to the rescue? If… Read More PETA Sues on Behalf of a Monkey and May Face Tax Liability Should the Monkey Win the Case

aglenny

Forewarned: Tourists in Paris, France, may be breaking the law by a simple snap of the Eiffel Tower and sharing it on social media sites

By Nicole Cocozza   Being a tourist in Europe may come with some territorial grounds.  The average traveler probably does not know that photographing iconic landmarks may be violating the European Union copyright laws (EU), depending on which country in which you’re traveling. For instance, the Eiffel Tower is a landmark that is protected by… Read More Forewarned: Tourists in Paris, France, may be breaking the law by a simple snap of the Eiffel Tower and sharing it on social media sites

aglenny

Sherlock Holmes: Officially Now in the Public Domain … and his Friend, Watson too

By: Briana Polan Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced the world to Sherlock Holmes in 1887, as the featured character in his novel, A Study in Scarlet.  Since then, three additional books and fifty-six short stories center on this intriguing character.  It is no surprise that other authors, publishers, and producers anxiously awaited the character’s emergence… Read More Sherlock Holmes: Officially Now in the Public Domain … and his Friend, Watson too

aglenny

“A Milli?” More Like 51 ‘Milli:’ Lil Wayne Suing His Label, Cash Money, for $51M

Written By: Ben Feilich Hip hop artist Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., is suing his record label, Cash Money Records, Inc., in U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York for breach of contract, among other things, alleging damages in the amount of $51,000,000 (fifty-one million).   The complaint entails eight causes of… Read More “A Milli?” More Like 51 ‘Milli:’ Lil Wayne Suing His Label, Cash Money, for $51M

sgbowen

Of Mice and Lawsuits, Disney and Deadmau5 Square Off Over Likeness Usage and Copyright Infringement

POSTED BY Philip Kachajian   The critically acclaimed electronic music artist Deadmau5 has lawyered up in response to a trademark infringement suit launched by media giant Disney, which believes that Deadmau5’s signature mouse-head logo is too similar to their own. Not to be outdone by Disney’s suit, counsel for the artist have filed a cease and… Read More Of Mice and Lawsuits, Disney and Deadmau5 Square Off Over Likeness Usage and Copyright Infringement

nhasenfus

Score One for the Internet: European Union Affirms the Right to Hyperlink

POSTED BY Andrew Clark The European Court of Justice that sits in Luxembourg recently decided the Case of Nils Svensson et al. v. Retriever Sverige. The Plaintiffs in this case, Svensson et al., brought an action against the Defendant, Retriever Sverige, to obtain compensation for the use of hyperlinks by the Defendants, which directed users… Read More Score One for the Internet: European Union Affirms the Right to Hyperlink

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The Misunderstood Hacker and the Violation of His Rights

POSTED BY Abner Pinedo Many frown upon the term “hacker” in our society. Corporations view hackers as the enemies who pry into protected computer source codes by circumventing copyright protecting technologies. However, hackers don’t view themselves as the enemy, but more of a public necessity in society. Their hacks and circumventing acts have brought upon… Read More The Misunderstood Hacker and the Violation of His Rights

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Stale Copyright Claims: Supreme Court To Resolve Whether Doctrine of Laches or Statute of Limitations Controls in Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

POSTED BY Christopher Barnett Legendary boxer Giacobbe “Jake” LaMotta has had an incredible career. Nicknamed “The Bronx Bull” and “The Raging Bull”, LaMotta is a former Middleweight Champion of the World. In 1980 his fame propelled him to the big screen, when he was portrayed by Robert De Niro in the Hollywood hit, The Raging… Read More Stale Copyright Claims: Supreme Court To Resolve Whether Doctrine of Laches or Statute of Limitations Controls in Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

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3D Printing: A New Challenge To Intellectual Property Law

POSTED BY Nicholas Hasenfus 3D printers can be used to created objects out of materials such as metal, plastic, and nylon.  With a 3D scanner or 3D blueprints and a 3D printer, homeowners are able to create common household objects.  3D printers work differently than traditional machining techniques because printing is achieved using an additive… Read More 3D Printing: A New Challenge To Intellectual Property Law

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