The Southern District of New York recently issued an opinion that held the Internet Archive, an organization whose professed mission is to provide universal access to all knowledge, infringed plaintiffs’ copyrights when it scanned print copies of books and offered free digital copies to users of its website without the copyright owners’ permission. » Read More

For a long time, courts were divided over the importance of securing copyright registration prior to bringing an action claiming that a party infringed (that is, trespassed upon) the owner’s copyright in a creative work (film, tv program, literary work, art, etc.).  » Read More

Online gaming giant Roblox Corporation files suit against WowWee Group over its launch of physical dolls that imitate Roblox avatars and its collaboration with a Roblox developer, Gamefam, to create an experience for the platform called “My Avastars: RP”. The Roblox platform allows users to design avatars, which are digital manifestations of the users who visit the platform. » Read More

As we all know, social media has taken the world by storm. Unsurprisingly, it’s had an impact on trademark and copyright law, as the related right of publicity. A recent case involving an actor’s voice being used on the popular app TikTok is emblematic of the time. » Read More

The Supreme Court’s imminent decision in the Warhol matter will determine whether a series of Andy Warhol prints created from a Lynn Smith photograph of music legend Prince infringes Smith’s copyright.  The Court will either provide valuable guidance, or further confuse the analysis, of fair use under the Copyright Act. » Read More

As a business owner, you regularly assess the risks associated with your business and how to limit exposure. Almost all business activities carry some risk of liability and the possibility of being named as a defendant in a lawsuit. One of the first questions asked when that situation arises is whether the company’s insurance policy will cover the claims asserted. » Read More

Three-dimensional (“3-D”) printing is an innovative way to make products without the expense of machinery in factories. At its core, 3-D printing uses computer code in a computer-aided design (CAD) file to instruct specially designed printers to print three-dimensional physical objects one layer at a time. » Read More

Singer/songwriter Dua Lipa is facing a copyright infringement complaint (Integral Images, Inc. v. Dua Lipa, 2:21-cv-05470, C.D. Ca), claiming she posted an image of herself on her own Instagram account. And Lipa isn’t alone – in the past five years, celebrities including Khloe Kardashian, Gigi Hadid, Deshaun Watson, Jennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham, as well as others, have been accused of copyright infringement for posting photos of themselves on social media. » Read More

What is fair use? And why is this common defense to copyright infringement cases being more narrowly interpreted by the courts? And what does Andy Warhol have to do with it anyway? » Read More

You cannot make people pay taxes to you, but the IRS makes exactly that demand on everyone who earns an income. You cannot decide what the speed limit is on the major road closest to your house, but the local government can. » Read More