In a recent development within American legal jurisprudence, a significant case pertaining to copyright law has caught noteworthy attention from across the industry. The case involves the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and has seen involvement from an array of ‘amicus curiae’, commonly known as ‘friends of the court’. The US Court of…
As many of you may already know, the ongoing copyright lawsuit between the legal research behemoth Thomson Reuters and the now-quiet startups Ross Intelligence has been relatively mute for some time. The litigation alleges a breach of copyright by Ross, accusing the young company of stealing proprietary content from Westlaw to build its competing legal…
In a recent twist in the legal landscape surrounding Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), the dispute over ownership claims of what is described as “The First NFT” is now on appeal. This legal quandary commenced when the digital artwork “Quantum” by artist Kevin McCoy, minted in 2014 on the Namecoin blockchain, was put up for auction. Many…
Companies operating across borders may often deem themselves separate entities, but the complex world of international law often thinks otherwise, notably when exploring the concept of the “alter ego” theory. Legal professionals should be aware of recent developments to ensure their corporations and law firms stay protected. A striking example of this occurred in the…
In a decisive turn of events in the gaming world, Riot Games, the creators of the highly regarded multiplayer game, League of Legends, filed a lawsuit on January 20th, 2022 against two Asian video game companies, Suga and Imba. The filing took place in the Central District of California for allegations on infringement of Riot’s…
In light of its prospective initial public offering (IPO), Chinese-based fast fashion brand Shein is garnering media attention for various controversies currently plaguing the company. These alleged violations include copyright and trademark infringements, charges of human rights offenses via forced labor, along with concerns related to environmental and health risks. To date, Shein’s alleged infringements…
In a noteworthy legal battle, a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement of architectural plans has been allowed to proceed. The complaint was brought forward by Michael Pellis Architecture PLC, targeting M.L. Bell Construction LLC, a general contractor. The plaintiff’s business assertions revolve around copyright breaches relating to the design plans for a future brewery and tasting…
Law professionals are often called upon to navigate the intricacies of intellectual property (IP) licensing. It is a domain that requires a comprehensive understanding of various legal elements and practical considerations. It is with this need for expertise in view that an upcoming event has garnered significant attention among legal circles. The Hybrid Event: Understanding…
Scheduled for November 2nd – 3rd in New York City, the eagerly anticipated Hybrid Event: Understanding Intellectual Property License 2023 offers a valuable opportunity for legal professionals to expand their knowledge on intellectual property (IP) licensing agreements. The course aims to provide comprehensive insights into the basics as well as practical aspects that prove crucial…
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. v. Goldsmith has significantly stirred the legal and artistic communities. The contentious issue under discussion is whether this decision empowers federal courts to don the hat of “art critics”. This transformation, however, overshadows a critical implication of the verdict, i.e.,…
Ever since the introduction of the revolutionary ChatGPT, generative AI (GAI) has become an increasingly integral part in the technological sphere. The possibilities this new form of technology offers have been met with both enthusiasm and apprehension by legal professionals. With the rapid development of GAI and its potential for litigation concerns, such as copyright…
The ongoing copyright lawsuit between legal research giant Thomson Reuters (TR) and legal research startup Ross Intelligence is one that many in the legal professions have been closely following. TR alleges that Ross leveraged copyrighted content from Westlaw, a function of TR’s complexities, to create its competing legal research product. The overseeing judge for this…
Pro Sports Extra, a sports news outlet, recently found itself in the midst of a copyright infringement issue over the use of a photograph of Richard Stafford, the family attorney of Gabby Petito. Petito, a travel blogger who was allegedly murdered by her fiancé, Brian Laundrie, during their cross-country journey, has been the focus of…
The U.S. Copyright Office has released a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on August 30, 2023, seeking comments on copyright law and policy issues that arise in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in the development and deployment of AI, especially in regards to generative AI, to share…
The U.S. Copyright Office is soliciting comments concerning copyright law issues related to artificial intelligence (AI) systems, as mentioned in the 88 Fed. Reg. 59942 (Aug. 30, 2023). Lawyers, general counsels, and legal teams worldwide are invited to provide their insights into the complexities of how copyright law intersects with the increasingly prevalent field of…
A recent podcast, titled “The Briefing”, shined light on a contentious copyright case involving a photographer and a real estate media site. The photographer, whose name remains undisclosed, has taken legal action against the media platform for publishing several of his pictures without consent. According to an excerpt from the podcast hosted by Scott Hervey…
In a recent and noteworthy incident within the intersection of law and technology, an award-winning artwork partially created by artificial intelligence (AI) was denied a copyright registration. The US Copyright Office (CO) Review Board made the decision on the grounds that the work contained more than a de minimis amount of content generated by AI,…
A recent study published by Pew Research Center indicates that public discomfort with artificial intelligence tech continues to be a significant barrier for businesses aiming to integrate this technology into their operations. Therefore, it is crucial that legal professionals develop and implement best practices encouraging responsible AI use within their organizations, as suggested by Stephanie…
In September 2023’s Public Company Watch, we tackled several issues influencing public firms, starting with the SEC’s new Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (C&DIs) and sample remark letters. Issuers are advised to consider these points as they begin planning for their Form 10-Q submissions. Of particular note is the SEC’s most recent settlement of charges relating…
With enthrallment around generative AI subsiding, apprehensions are surfacing over copyright concerns. In recent weeks, OpenAI Inc., the originator of Chat GPT and legal tech platform Harvey, has been embroiled in a copyright infringement class action, resulting from allegations that it exploited copyrighted content to train its expansive language algorithms. This comes at a time…
In an effort to keep up with the rapid progress in artificial intelligence, the US Copyright Office has issued a call for public comments regarding the intersection of AI and copyright law. The move is seen as an opportunity for stakeholders to express their viewpoints on whether legislative or regulatory steps may be necessary in…
Renowned author George RR Martin is among a group of literary figures taking legal action against artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI. The group alleges that the company’s algorithms were trained using their copyrighted work. Detailed insights into the suit can be found via this comprehensive Reuters report. In separate news, former Department of Homeland Security…
Lawyers, legal researchers, and corporate executives should track the United States Copyright Office’s (USCO) Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on Artificial Intelligence (AI). The decisions made over the next half a year to a year regarding AI regulations and copyright laws will impact all industries equally. AI is pervading various industry sectors, including healthcare and energy….
The Chancery Lane Project, a non-profit committed to addressing climate change through legal practice, announced on Tuesday that it will release a set of climate clauses specifically for use in contracts within the United States. These clauses can be used by attorneys and businesses without any copyright restrictions. The pack will contain around ten clauses…
In a recent verdict, a federal judge ruled that Netflix’s use of a distinctive tattoo image, prominently featured in the hit documentary series ‘Tiger King,’ does not amount to copyright infringement. This judgement comes as a significant legal development within the complex landscape of intellectual property law, underlining the rigidity of the current statutes and…