2023 has been a noteworthy year for copyright law with a series of significant rulings over the last twelve months. Two cases, in particular, have caught the attention of the legal world.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that late iconic artist Andy Warhol’s piece ‘Orange Prince’ infringed upon a photographer’s copyright. By using an original photograph as the basis for the artwork, without obtaining the necessary rights, the court found that Warhol had indeed violated copyright laws.
Meanwhile, on the west coast, the Ninth Circuit breathed new life into a choreographer’s allegations against Epic Games. The claimant asserts that the wildly popular video game Fortnite borrowed, without permission, his unique dance moves.
The magnitude of these cases lies in their potential to reshape the boundaries of copyright protection and fair use laws. They serve as essential precursors to what we might expect in the legal landscape ahead.
For a more detailed examination of these rulings, it’s recommended to take a look at the comprehensive review from Law360.