In recent developments within the realm of artificial intelligence litigation, there is a discernible pivot in the legal landscape. Plaintiffs are increasingly shifting their focus from broad concerns about AI to more specific issues surrounding the datasets used in training models. This evolution centers on questions of provenance—specifically, the origins of the training data, how…
The questions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its place in the copyright landscape are set to be addressed at the U.S. Supreme Court’s private conference this Friday. One central issue is whether AI-generated works can receive copyright protection, an area that warrants the court’s attention given its implications for technology and creative industries. The focal…
In its latest legal battle, Nvidia has requested that a California federal judge dismiss a lawsuit asserting that the company bypassed protections to scrape data from YouTube videos to train its AI models. Nvidia argues that the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) does not bar the circumvention of such measures, especially when public interest in…
In a surprising legal victory, Atlanta entertainment attorney James L. Walker, Jr. recently reached a favorable settlement against Donald Trump in a copyright infringement case. The case, deeply entwined with the controversial nature of MAGA Nation, exposes both the challenges and potential shifts in handling intellectual property disputes involving high-profile figures. More details about Walker’s…
A recent decision by a federal judge in Florida has significant implications for the legal dynamics surrounding copyright infringement, particularly in high-profile cases. On February 25, 2026, the judge refused to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that an attorney defending a member of the Proud Boys misused an expert witness report without obtaining the necessary authorization….
Miley Cyrus has recently moved to dismiss a lawsuit claiming her 2023 hit song “Flowers” plagiarizes Bruno Mars’ track “When I Was Your Man.” In a legal filing with the U.S. District Court in California, Cyrus argued that the plaintiffs are unlikely to succeed in proving substantial similarity between the songs, even with expert testimony….
The growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative domain is prompting artists to rethink how they protect their intellectual property. As AI-generated art becomes more prevalent, many are seeking ways to safeguard their creations through trademark protection. This trend reflects the increased vulnerability artists feel as digital tools become capable of replicating and…
Artificial intelligence platform Runway AI is facing a proposed class action in a California federal court, accused of improperly scraping YouTube videos to train its generative AI models. The lawsuit claims that the company used copyrighted content without permission, raising significant legal and ethical questions about the practice of using publicly available online content to…
The estate of legendary soul singer Isaac Hayes has concluded its legal battle against former President Donald Trump and his campaign, regarding their use of the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” during Trump’s most recent presidential campaign. This settlement brings an end to a lawsuit filed in the Georgia federal court that accused the Trump…
The Fifth Circuit Court has vacated a $500,000 attorney fee award in a case involving alleged copyright infringement of architectural designs for a senior living facility. The case revolves around a realty firm accused of infringing upon copyrighted designs, where the court found that the federal judge had not adequately explained the fee calculation process,…
The capabilities of AI language models have sparked significant debate, particularly regarding the near-verbatim generation of copyrighted texts. Recent findings indicate that top AI models from leading tech companies like OpenAI, Google, Meta, Anthropic, and xAI can reproduce near-exact copies of bestselling novels from their training data. This discovery amplifies existing concerns about how these…
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…