A pivotal shift in the oversight of the U.S. Copyright Office is on the horizon, following a unanimous decision by a House panel to advance a bill proposing significant changes to the selection process of its leadership. Traditionally, the Librarian of Congress has played a central role in appointing the Register of Copyrights, but this…
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the art world is emerging as a complex landscape, balancing operational advances with cultural apprehensions. A recent survey by Artsy, which involved over 300 gallery professionals, illustrates a widening gap between the operational utility of AI and its acceptance as a valid artistic medium. While galleries increasingly leverage…
In a case that could significantly influence music copyright law, UMG Recordings Inc. contends with a pivotal legal challenge in James v. UMG Recordings Inc. The core of the dispute revolves around Section 203 of the Copyright Act, raising questions about the reach of copyright termination rights for older sound recordings that were initially handled…
The protracted copyright battle between legal research behemoth Thomson Reuters and defunct legal research startup ROSS Intelligence sees yet another twist as both parties attempt to leverage the recent 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in American Society for Testing & Materials v. UpCodes, Inc. to bolster their respective positions. The court has called…
An intriguing legal battle is unfolding as authors embroiled in litigation against OpenAI have accused the AI firm of presenting inconsistent stances on opposite U.S. coasts. The dispute involves allegations that OpenAI utilized their copyrighted materials to train its language models without authorization. In New York, the company’s strategy suggests it never intended to operate…
The artist formerly known as Kanye West, referred to as Ye, and his companies were recently found liable for infringing an uncleared sound recording. This infringement surfaced during an early version of the Grammy-winning song “Hurricane,” presented at one of Ye’s 2021 “Donda” album listening events. A jury in Los Angeles reached this decision, spotlighting…
The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding internet service providers’ contributory liability has prompted calls for legislative action. Shira Perlmutter, head of the U.S. Copyright Office, addressed senators on Tuesday, expressing concerns that the ruling might necessitate a congressional response. Her comments highlight the potential gap in the legal framework regarding internet service providers’ responsibilities…
In a Los Angeles courtroom, the ongoing legal battle involving the artist Ye took a notable turn on Monday during closing arguments. Ye’s counsel sought to dismantle claims of copyright infringement related to an early version of his song “Hurricane.” The defense argued that the alleged unauthorized use of a sound recording was merely experimental,…
Zillow is seeking dismissal of a mass copyright lawsuit by CoStar, a leading provider of commercial real estate information, alleging copyright infringement over tens of thousands of property photos. The dispute arose when CoStar, leveraging its extensive photo library, accused Zillow of using these images without permission. Zillow, however, contends that its automated system for…
In a pivotal development for the legal and tech communities, Perplexity AI Inc. has contested claims brought forth by Reddit Inc. regarding the alleged illicit use of Reddit’s content to train artificial intelligence models. The matter, currently before a New York federal court, revolves around whether Reddit possesses copyrights over the majority of the content…
An artist has initiated legal proceedings against the U.S. Copyright Office after it refused to register artwork created using artificial intelligence, invoking a pivotal legal question about the scope of copyright protection in the age of digital creation. The artist submitted work inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night,” crafted through AI, challenging traditional…
Pop sensation Dua Lipa has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against tech giant Samsung, alleging unauthorized use of her image on the packaging of their televisions. The lawsuit claims that her likeness was prominently displayed on large boxes containing Samsung televisions, an action taken without her consent. This legal dispute highlights the ongoing issues celebrities…
Sony’s recent legal setback highlights a growing challenge for copyright enforcement in the digital age. In Cox Communications v. Sony Music Entertainment, the Supreme Court’s decision to absolve Cox Communication from liability under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) signals potential repercussions for other copyright lawsuits. This ruling shields Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and their…
In a recent legal maneuver, the rap group Nappy Roots has requested a Georgia federal judge dismiss a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement. The suit, filed by musicians who claim their sample was used in the popular track “Good Day,” centers on arguments of co-authorship. However, Nappy Roots contend that the claim comes over 15 years…
In a notable development within the realm of intellectual property litigation, a cohort of thirteen prominent book publishers has petitioned a New York federal court to issue a default judgment against Anna’s Archive, commonly regarded as a “shadow library.” The publishers are demanding $19.5 million in damages, asserting that the platform illegally disseminates pirated books…
As litigation intensifies across various sectors, several key trends are starting to draw attention within legal circles. Among them are legal challenges surrounding multilevel marketing practices, controversies over supplement serving sizes, and a growing number of disputes involving digital platforms such as OnlyFans. Multilevel marketing companies are currently facing increased scrutiny over their business operations….
In a legal skirmish that underscores the complex interplay between trademark law and celebrity branding, Taylor Swift has firmly responded to allegations from a Las Vegas performer that her “Confessions of a Showgirl” trademark was infringed. The pop icon argued before a California federal judge that it is the performer who has been leveraging her…
In a Los Angeles federal courtroom, a damages expert representing Artist Revenue Advocates (ARA) testified that Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, owes over $500,000 for allegedly using an unauthorized sound recording in an early version of his Grammy-winning song “Hurricane.” The expert asserted that Ye utilized the track to attract fans to a lucrative…
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) is attempting to withdraw from a lawsuit involving accusations of underpayment to a singer for his contributions to the soundtrack of the film “Furious 7.” The legal challenge, filed in a California federal court, alleges that royalties were improperly distributed. SAG-AFTRA and its intellectual…
In a significant legal move, the company operating Course Hero, a prominent academic file-sharing platform, has appealed to a Connecticut federal judge to either initiate a new trial or substantially cut a $75 million verdict. This request comes in response to a jury’s decision, which found that the company had violated the Digital Millennium Copyright…
The Walt Disney Company and director James Cameron are facing legal action over allegations of copyright infringement related to the blockbuster film “Avatar.” The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, claims that the film’s creators utilized the likeness of indigenous actress Q’orianka Kilcher without her consent to model a main character in the movie….
In a recent court development, renowned artist Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, defended himself in a California copyright lawsuit concerning early versions of his Grammy-winning track “Hurricane.” The trial centers on allegations of unauthorized use of a sound recording. During his testimony, Ye expressed that individuals often seek to “take advantage” of his creative…
The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Cox Communications Inc. v. Sony Music Entertainment has stirred significant discussion among legal professionals and copyright law observers. The unanimous ruling, issued on March 25, 2026, affirmed existing protections for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) without altering the landscape of copyright enforcement policies. Central to this case was the…
Nvidia Corp. finds itself at the center of a legal storm as a California federal judge recently ruled on a proposed class action by authors accusing the chipmaker of copyright infringement. While the court dismissed claims of vicarious infringement, it upheld allegations that Nvidia used copyrighted books from online shadow libraries to train its AI…
On Tuesday, DJ Khalil testified in a Los Angeles courtroom regarding a copyright infringement case involving the use of his instrumental track in Ye’s Grammy-winning song “Hurricane.” Initially, DJ Khalil expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, but his optimism waned when financial disagreements arose. Seeking payment from Ye proved futile, prompting him to enlist help from…