Universal Music Group (UMG) has recently initiated legal action against music distributor DistroKid, filing a suit in Delaware federal court. UMG alleges that DistroKid serves as an “AI-slop pipeline,” accusing the company of engaging in copyright infringement and utilizing deceptive practices. This lawsuit claims that DistroKid enables the proliferation of mass-generated artificial intelligence content, which…
The U.S. Army is facing legal action after a martial arts instructor filed a lawsuit in the Court of Federal Claims. The instructor alleges that the Army has used his copyrighted training manuals, which cover self-defense and strategic gun-fighting tactics, without permission or compensation. These manuals are primarily designed for law enforcement officers, emphasizing safety…
A New Jersey appellate court has affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the estate of a classic car collector against Bruce Springsteen. The dispute centered on the use of a 1967 Pontiac GTO featured on one of Springsteen’s album covers. The court found that the hearsay present in the evidence was sufficient to…
In a recent legal development, a lawsuit targeting prominent private torrent trackers—including PassThePopcorn, BroadcasTheNet, and HDBits—has taken an unexpected turn. The plaintiff, who identified himself as independent filmmaker Matthew Schneider, accused these platforms of infringing copyrights on films he purportedly created. However, emerging evidence suggests that the plaintiff may have misrepresented his identity, potentially being…
Colorado’s recent enactment of the Colorado Artist Company Act introduces a novel business structure specifically designed for artists. This new framework creates what are known as artist companies, or A-Corps, which are akin to Colorado limited liability companies but with default provisions tailored to artists. The law, which became effective on August 12, aims to…
The U.S. Supreme Court has been urged by a Louisiana songwriter to maintain a lower court’s ruling that reinstated his global rights to the 1960s hit song “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love).” This appeal came after music companies rapidly escalated the case to the highest court, even though the legal landscape has been evaluated…
The Federal Circuit recently revitalized a patent and copyright infringement case brought against Broadcom Inc., confirming that the plaintiff’s shift toward an intellectual property enforcement business model did not disqualify it from taking legal action. This decision overturns a previous ruling that argued the company had forfeited its rights after changing its business focus, offering…
Samsung is urging a California federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by pop singer Dua Lipa, who alleges her image was used without permission on packaging for Samsung televisions. The tech giant contends that the claims of trademark and copyright infringement should be rejected as they do not meet the necessary legal criteria. This…
The legal battle involving Sam Smith and Normani over their 2019 hit “Dancing With a Stranger” remains unresolved as a California federal judge expressed skepticism about dismissing a copyright infringement suit against the pair. This suit accuses the artists of allegedly copying elements from another song. Despite the Ninth Circuit’s revival of the case, legal…
In a significant move toward modernizing intellectual property administration, the U.S. Copyright Office is set to pilot a new registration system by late 2026. The initiative marks a critical step in overhauling the current systems to enhance efficiency and accessibility for stakeholders in the creative industries. This forthcoming system aims to streamline the registration process,…
In a significant decision, the court has denied Jay-Z’s attempt to reinstate extortion and defamation claims against Damon Dash. The rapper, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, had alleged that Dash tried to auction off copyright for an album that Jay-Z created. However, the court determined Carter’s arguments were insufficient to proceed with the claims’…
The Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) has initiated legal proceedings against The L Suite, alleging that the competitor unlawfully utilized ACC’s copyrighted materials to develop and promote its artificial intelligence chatbot, Lloyd. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, accuses The L Suite of both copyright infringement and trademark…
Thomson Reuters recently addressed the Third Circuit regarding Ross Intelligence’s interlocutory appeal, asserting that the Department of Justice’s stance does not bolster Ross’s fair-use argument. This appeal stems from a summary judgment that found Ross had infringed on Westlaw’s headnotes, a pivotal element within legal research provided by Thomson Reuters. The heart of the dispute…
In a pivotal decision, a Washington federal judge has rejected Expedia’s attempt to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses the online travel giant of copyright infringement. The suit, filed by EVOX Productions LLC, centers on allegations that Expedia used hundreds of car images without permission. This legal confrontation highlights significant concerns about intellectual property rights in…
A recent hearing in a California federal court highlighted concerns regarding Meta Platforms Inc.’s disclosure practices in training its artificial intelligence tools. During the proceedings, the presiding judge expressed skepticism over Meta’s claim that it used only nine magazine issues to train its AI over a 17-year period. Such limited disclosure raised questions about the…
In a move highlighting the ongoing tension between branches of the U.S. government, two senior House Democrats have asked the D.C. Circuit Court to deny the Trump administration’s assertion of authority to remove Shira Perlmutter, the head of the U.S. Copyright Office. This request is premised on the claim that only the Librarian of Congress…
In a recent legal move, The Seattle Times and Long Island-based Newsday have initiated lawsuits against OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement. The core of these claims asserts that their articles were utilized without proper authorization in the training of large language models, a growing point of contention within the media landscape. This legal action…
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has breathed new life into a copyright lawsuit involving the diamond industry, reinstating a case initially dismissed at the district level. The original suit, filed by Rapaport USA Inc., centers around allegations that a competing firm misappropriated content from Rapaport’s proprietary diamond price list for…
Microsoft recently defended its practice of using books and news articles to enhance its AI model, arguing before a Manhattan federal court that this practice is protected under the doctrine of fair use. The company seeks a favorable judgment that would validate its methods in training the large language model behind Copilot. This move has…
Musicians including Jason Isbell are challenging AI music generator Suno in a legal battle that ventures into new territory, focusing on the alleged unauthorized use of their identities and voiceprints rather than traditional copyright infractions. These artists accuse Suno of using their distinctive vocal characteristics and personal likenesses to produce music and related content that…
The rise of employee influencers presents an evolving challenge for corporate legal teams. As companies increasingly leverage their workforce to amplify brand messages on social media, this strategy has introduced new legal considerations and potential liabilities. Employees, empowered by social media platforms, are becoming brand megaphones, blurring lines between personal and professional identities. According to…
The recent decision by the Fifth Circuit to overturn a 2007 copyright precedent has triggered discussions across the legal landscape, potentially affecting entities engaged in embedding third-party content. The court’s ruling moves away from the “server test,” which had previously guided decisions on whether embedding infringed copyrights. This test provided a relatively permissive framework, allowing…
In a recent decision emanating from a California federal court, a judge has revisited the discernment of copyrighted components within a case centered on the origins of reggaeton music. The ruling revolves around the inability of two musicians to distinctly pinpoint the copyrighted work that purportedly contains protected elements, challenging the crux of their legal…
In a noteworthy development in the legal proceedings involving OpenAI, Microsoft, and The New York Times, the Department of Justice has stepped in to support a fair use defense. This litigation in a New York federal court revolves around the use of copyrighted materials in training generative AI tools, raising important questions for the future…
In a strategic move that underscores its commitment to bolstering its intellectual property capabilities, Ashurst Perkins Coie has welcomed a prominent former partner from Dentons into its New York office. The addition strengthens the firm’s trademark, copyright, internet, and advertising practice within the IP division, aligning with the firm’s vision to enhance its prowess in…