The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has upheld a $286,000 attorney fee award for the legal team representing Childish Gambino and his record label. This decision comes in the wake of a lawsuit where the rapper faced allegations that elements of his chart-topping track “This Is America” were directly taken from another…
Microsoft recently faced criticism and swiftly removed a blog post that appeared to advocate for the use of pirated Harry Potter books in training generative AI models. The blog, initially posted in November 2024, was authored by Pooja Kamath, a senior product manager at Microsoft with extensive experience in the company. Kamath was tasked with…
In a notable resolution, two music producers who previously accused Colombian pop sensation Karol G and Universal Music Group of copying the beat from their track for the hit song “Gatúbela” have decided to withdraw their claims. The producers formally requested a Florida federal court to dismiss the case and have offered a public apology…
Recent rulings from federal courts have underscored the complexities surrounding the termination of prior copyright assignments by artists, shedding light on how creators can reclaim rights to their works. The decisions stem from litigation involving iconic hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa and the band Double Shot, both exploring the nuances of copyright termination clauses. The U.S. Copyright…
The recent dismissal by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit of a portion of Crocs Inc.’s appeal from an International Trade Commission (ITC) determination serves as an instructive reminder about the stringent timelines that govern such appeals. The court found a segment of Crocs’ appeal untimely, emphasizing the importance of adhering to…
In a notable decision for state employees, a federal judge in Texas has dismissed copyright infringement claims against a Texas A&M University athletics communications employee. The lawsuit alleged that the employee unlawfully posted excerpts from a book regarding the university’s well-known “12th Man” tradition online. The court ruled that the employee was immune from such…
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a previous ruling that invalidated copyright claims to the fitness routines featured in Tracy Anderson’s DVDs. The decision underscores the court’s interpretation of fitness regimens as methods rather than protectable artistic expressions. This aligns with prior rulings, notably in cases like the Ninth Circuit’s decision on yoga…
Williams-Sonoma, the American retailer known for its high-end kitchen and home products, has taken a distinctive legal approach in its ongoing lawsuit with direct-to-consumer brand Quince. The case revolves around claims that Quince has been selling products that allegedly mimic the designs of Williams-Sonoma, a practice often referred to as “duping.” For further details, Bloomberg…
In a closely watched trial unfolding in Hartford, Connecticut, a federal jury heard that Course Hero, a company popular among students for academic file sharing, might face significant financial repercussions. It is alleged that Course Hero unlawfully reproduced nearly 2,200 educational documents owned by Post University, potentially resulting in damages amounting to billions of dollars….
Commercial Real Estate Exchange Inc. (CREXi) has urged the U.S. Supreme Court to decline CoStar Group Inc.’s petition for certiorari, contending that the Ninth Circuit’s decision to revive CREXi’s antitrust counterclaims does not warrant further review. CREXi argues that CoStar’s disagreement with the appellate court’s interpretation of the allegations does not constitute a substantial legal…
A Michigan federal judge recently denied Parliament-Funkadelic bandleader George Clinton’s attempt to impose sanctions on the estate of Bernie Worrell, the band’s former keyboardist, in an escalating royalty dispute concerning tracks recorded before 1976. This decision comes amidst intricate legal debates over the timeliness and legitimacy of the estate’s claims. George Clinton sought sanctions, arguing…
Smith Gambrell has strategically augmented its intellectual property capabilities by bringing on two seasoned attorneys in its Atlanta office. This move underscores the firm’s commitment to bolstering its IP practice in the competitive legal landscape. The addition of these attorneys is part of a broader initiative by Smith Gambrell to enhance its service offerings, particularly…
In a notable move within the media and entertainment industry, Paramount Global has appointed Alex Spiro, a former attorney for Donald Trump, as its new head of Global Public Policy. This decision marks a strategic shift for Paramount as it seeks to navigate the complex landscape of global policy issues that impact the industry. Details…
ByteDance is in the process of revising its AI video tool, Seedance 2.0, after facing significant backlash from Hollywood studios. This tool, initially introduced to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-generated content, recently came under fire for allegedly enabling users to transform iconic Hollywood characters into AI “clip art.” The controversy heightened after major…
The Fourth Circuit’s recent decision has provided renewed hope for several models contesting the unauthorized use of their photos by a nightclub. The appellate court ruled that the models’ inability to respond within the designated 14-day period to a motion to dismiss does not warrant the dismissal of their trademark infringement claims. This decision revives…
The U.S. Copyright Office has released an analytical report on the effectiveness of the Copyright Claims Board (CCB), a small-claims tribunal established in 2022 to provide a cost-effective alternative for resolving minor copyright disputes. Despite meeting its foundational goal of accessibility for creators unable to afford federal court, procedural delays have somewhat hindered its optimal…
WilmerHale has been distinguished as one of the 2025 Law360 Intellectual Property Groups of the Year, bolstered by its adept handling of significant legal challenges, including litigations involving high-profile clients such as PNC Bank and director M. Night Shyamalan. The firm successfully guided PNC Bank through complex patent trial losses totaling multimillions of dollars, demonstrating…
In London this past week, a multitude of high-profile legal cases have emerged, shedding light on various sectors’ legal challenges. One significant development involves a former U.S. defense contractor who is facing legal action stemming from a conviction for tax evasion. The unfolding case highlights the intense scrutiny that entities operating across borders face regarding…
An ongoing legal battle has erupted between AI Mapping Co., a company specializing in apartment mapping software, and a former potential business partner. This feud centers around allegations that the defendant illicitly copied thousands of AI Mapping Co.’s property maps to create a competing 3D mapping product. The lawsuit, filed in federal court, accuses the…
Kirkland & Ellis LLP has solidified its position as a leader in the field of intellectual property law through a series of notable achievements. The firm has been recognized as one of the 2025 Law360 Intellectual Property Groups of the Year, thanks to its remarkable victories spanning copyright, patents, and trade secrets. One of the…
In a legally intricate battle surrounding copyright in the technology sector, a group of computer programmers have appealed to the 9th Circuit Court to revive a lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft. The core of the dispute revolves around allegations that the tech giants violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This case, initially filed in…
A legal conflict has emerged in the Southern District of New York regarding OpenAI’s alleged use of copyrighted material during the training of its language model, ChatGPT. Central to this issue is “Project Giraffe,” a project purportedly undertaken by OpenAI to identify and restrain the production of outputs that infringe on copyrighted content. On Wednesday,…
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is currently considering an appeal from a group of software developers who claim that Microsoft, GitHub, and OpenAI violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). The developers argue that these companies removed copyright management information from their open-source code, subsequently using it to create AI tools for Microsoft’s Copilot…
A recent legal development from California has highlighted the challenges and consequences of relying on artificial intelligence in legal practices. In a federal court decision, a California attorney has been sanctioned $25,000 for errors stemming from an AI-generated motion, marking a significant moment in ongoing discussions about the integration of technology in legal proceedings. The…
A California federal court has recently enforced a $25,000 fee sanction against an attorney representing a mobile app platform embroiled in a copyright and contract dispute. This sanction serves as reimbursement for the additional work prompted by motions riddled with errors, allegedly generated by artificial intelligence tools. The litigator’s inadequately reviewed filings required the opposing…