Category Archives: Copyright Law

Copyright Law – Elizabeth Banks found not liable for copyright infringement in lawsuit about ‘Walk of Shame’

Elizabeth Banks showed a lot of spirit in her starring role in the 2014 comedy movie Walk of Shame, but the movie did not perform well at the box office (although it has since been a constant presence on HBO). … Continue reading

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The Update Post – updates on the Blurred Lines verdict, the Washington Redskins trademark, Oakland Raiderettes, and the NCAA EA Sport video game

In the NCAA athletes’ lawsuit regarding the use of player names, images, and likenesses in EA Sports video games, the court approved a $60 million settlement. Regarding the Oakland Raiderettes’ lawsuit for unpaid wages, the lawsuit was settled for $1.25 … Continue reading

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Copyright Law – aftermath of the Blurred Lines verdict

The copyright trial over Blurred Lines has ended in a $7.4 million verdict in favor of Marvin Gaye’s family and against Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke. The verdict will likely be appealed, in the meantime the Gaye family is having … Continue reading

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Copyright Law – Marvin Gaye family gets to go to trial vs. Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams over Blurred Lines

Blurred Lines, that song of 350 million youtube views and counting, is claimed by Marvin Gaye’s family to be an infringement of the copyright to the Marvin Gaye song Got to Give it Up (click here for a video of … Continue reading

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Copyright Law – Green Day not liable for using illustration in video backdrop of its concerts

Green Day’s unauthorized use of an illustration, Scream Icon, by Derek Seltzer, in a video backdrop for its 21st Century Breakdown World Tour (including here at the 2009 MTV awards) was determined by the 9th Circuit of the US Court … Continue reading

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Copyright Law – Supreme Court rules gray market goods don’t violate copyright law

In a somewhat surprising ruling, the US Supreme Court recently ruled that “gray market” goods manufactured overseas can be sold in the US without violating copyright law in the case of Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (see the … Continue reading

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Copyright Law – Village People songwriter terminates copyright deal for ‘Y.M.C.A.’ and other hits

The cop from the Village People, Victor Willis, successfully terminated rights to the song, “Y.M.C.A.,” by the companies that administered publishing rights to this crowd-pleasing song, among others. Willis, a co-composer of the Village People’s songs, sought to terminate the … Continue reading

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Copyright Law – Owner of Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles Learns the Hard Way about Copyright Damages and Attorneys’ Fees

In another example of what can happen if one is found liable for copyright infringement, the owner of Los Angeles civic treasure Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles was recently found liable for copyright infringement of 8 songs to the … Continue reading

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Copyright Law – The One Satisfaction Rule’s Use in Copyright Cases May Get a Test

Karaoke hardware and software distributor, KTS Karaoke, is in a legal rumble with Sony/ATV Music Publishing about whether KTS’ distribution of karaoke recordings constitutes copyright infringement and the extent of such infringement, as described in this Hollywood Reporter article (click here … Continue reading

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Copyright Law – RIAA’s $675,000 statutory damage verdict against music downloading student Joel Tenenbaum reinstated

In the latest round of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)’s quest against college student (now grad student) Joel Tenenbaum for being a prolific unauthorized music downloader, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals recently reinstated a $675,000 verdict in … Continue reading

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