tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64354430367657189852024-03-05T08:43:28.561-05:00Copyright ChronicleThomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-54807124124960901792014-04-14T13:43:00.001-04:002014-04-14T13:43:53.164-04:00SCOTUS Ruling on Petrella May Have Long-Lasting Effects on Future Copyright Lawsuits <div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Supreme Court of the United States has taken on two high-profile intellectual property cases, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. v. Aereo</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice Corporation Pty. Ltd. v. CLS Bank International</i>, and a lower profile copyright infringement case concerning the defense of laches, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer, Inc.</i>. Many attorneys and legal scholars have been focused on these two big technology-based cases- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aereo</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice Corp.</i>. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aereo</i>, U.S. broadcast companies,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>including NBC, CBS, and FOX, have sued Aereo, a company that distributes TV programming on the Internet, for copyright infringement and the issue raised is whether <span style="background: white;">a company “publicly performs” a copyrighted television program when it transmits the program from individual antennas to paid subscribers over the Internet.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice Corp.</i> involves a suit over the validity of registered patents and the Supreme Court will determine whether claims to computer-implemented inventions are patentable. The outcome in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice Corp.,</i> may impact US copyright law which contains protections afforded to software. Such a technological focus drives public intrigue but it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Petrella</i> that is likely to have the lasting legal impact since the Supreme Court will decide the role, if any, of common law principles in cases governed strictly by federal statutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Petrella</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Petrella</i>, the daughter of Frank Peter Petrella, co-author of the book turned Oscar-winning movie, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raging Bull,</i> is suing Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer, Inc. (MGM) for copyright infringement. Petrella argues that she became the owner of the screenplays and book, written about boxer Jake LaMotta’s life, after her father passed away and his renewal rights passed to her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1991, Petrella’s attorney filed a renewal application for one of the screenplays. Seven years later, in 1998, Petrella’s attorney wrote to MGM asserting Petrella’s rights in the 1963 screenplay and accused MGM of infringing her copyright in the screenplay and its derivative works, including the movie. Letters regarding who owned the copyrights were exchanged between the parties but then stopped in 2000. MGM continued to promote and distribute <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raging Bull</i>. Nine years later, Petrella filed suit alleging copyright infringement and other causes of action against MGM and other co-defendants. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of MGM, holding that Petrella’s claims were barred by the equitable defense of laches which was then affirmed by the Ninth Circuit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The district and appellate courts found that Petrella’s nineteen year delay in initiating the lawsuit was unreasonable. Laches is an equitable defense that prevents a copyright holder, who is aware of, or should be aware of infringing conduct, from seeking relief due to the copyright holder’s undue delay in filing an action. In order to support a laches defense, a defendant must prove: (1) the plaintiff delayed in bringing the lawsuit; (2) the delay was unreasonable; and (3) the delay resulted in prejudice. Petrella claimed several reasons for her delay, including caring for relatives, fear of retaliation and inability to afford the lawsuit but the Ninth Circuit found these excuses were unreasonable and unsupported by evidence. There are two ways to determine prejudice– expectation prejudice or evidentiary prejudice. MGM argued that both expectation prejudice and evidentiary prejudice applied. It said that expectation prejudice applied because Petrella waited to file suit until significant efforts and money spent by MGM, nearly $8.5 million in the United States alone, promoting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raging Bull </i>including its 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary edition and evidentiary prejudice applied because Additionally, MGM argued that evidentiary prejudice applied because Petrella waited until most of the witnesses were dead and LaMotta could not recall all the relevant facts. The Court, in accepting MGM’s argument, found that expectation prejudice existed so it concluded that it did not have to consider evidentiary prejudice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">State of Limitations for Copyright Actions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Under 17 U.S.C. § 507, civil actions involving copyright must be commenced within three years after the claim accrues thus, when there is continuing infringement, like in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Petrella</i>, the statute of limitations begins to run after each infringing action. Petrella’s copyright infringement claims are considered timely when looking at the statute of limitations but untimely under the common law defense of laches according to the Ninth Circuit. This friction between the federal statute created by Congress and the common law doctrine of laches created by the courts has caused a split of authority among the circuits. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Circuit Splits<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Supreme Court has taken the case in order to resolve a split among the circuit courts on the availability of a laches defense in copyright cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 22.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Ninth Circuit allows the laches defense to bar all relief, both legal and equitable when a defendant meets the three elements: </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">(1) the plaintiff delayed in bringing the lawsuit; (2) the delay was unreasonable; and (3) the delay resulted in prejudice. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.,</i> 695 F.3d 946 (9<sup>th</sup> Cir. Cal. 2012)<span class="apple-converted-space">. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 22.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Fourth Circuit does not recognize a laches defense at all. </span><a href="https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=2001226184&pubNum=506&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)#co_pp_sp_506_797"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lyons P'ship. L.P. v. Morris Costumes, Inc.</span></span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">243 F.3d 789, 797–98 (4th Cir. 2001)</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 22.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Second Circuit recognizes the laches defense as a bar to injunctive relief but not to money damages. </span><a href="https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1989059753&pubNum=350&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)#co_pp_sp_350_584"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Era Publ'ns Int'l v. Henry Holt & Co.,</span></span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">873 F.2d 576, 584–85 (2d Cir. 1989)</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 22.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Sixth Circuit only allows the laches defense in “the most compelling of cases.” </span><a href="https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=1989059753&pubNum=350&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)#co_pp_sp_350_584"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">New Era Publ'ns Int'l v. Henry Holt & Co.,</span></span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">873 F.2d 576, 584–85 (2d Cir. 1989)</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 22.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Eleventh Circuit only recognizes laches as a defense in extraordinary circumstances. </span><a href="https://a.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=2016477890&pubNum=506&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)#co_pp_sp_506_1320"><em><span style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Peter Letterese & Assocs., Inc. v. World Inst. of Scientology Enters., Int'l,</span></span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">533 F.3d 1287, 1320 (11th Cir. 2008)</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 22.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The circuit splits are on a spectrum, with the Fourth Circuit being on one end, not recognizing a laches defense at all, while the Ninth Circuit provides a defense simply by meeting the elements. The other circuits fall within the spectrum limiting the types of damages possible or only allowing such a defense in “extraordinary circumstances” or the “most compelling” cases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">If the Supreme Court agreed with the Fourth Circuit by not recognizing a laches defense at all, it would provide support for the argument that common law created principles cannot be raised in copyright cases where Congress has legislated. On the other hand, if the Supreme Court were to side with the Ninth Circuit, the courts will only increase their active role in determining intellectual property law and policy. It is far more likely, the Court will take an approach somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">Petrella</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">’s Impact<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Petrella</i> decision is unlikely to be recognized in the short term but its effects may be recognized much more in the years to come when compared to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aereo </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice Corp..</i> The issue in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aereo </i>revolves around a relevant form of technology, online streaming of public television. This case is interesting now because we all want to see how our laws adapt to technology but these adaptions are usually short lived because technology is ever-changing. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Alice Corp.</i> involves the issue of the scope of patent law with respect to software. This is important to the software industry but ultimately, software will still be protected either under copyright law or under copyright and patent law. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Petrella</i>’s issue concerning the defense of laches for copyright infringement is not technologically advanced like the other cases but it clears up a lot of uncertainty throughout the circuit courts and it will most likely discuss and determine the role of common law principles in the realm of federal copyright cases. Regardless of the ultimate decision, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Petrella</i>’s opinion (and dicta) will undoubtedly be cited by lawyers for years to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: auto auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-70675429461413891172013-09-18T17:33:00.000-04:002014-01-08T11:50:19.630-05:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">BLURRED LINES: SOMEWHERE BETWEEN FOGERTY V. FANTASY AND HARRISON<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;">GS</span> V. <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;">BRIGHT TUNES</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The recent declaratory judgment lawsuit filed by Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and Clifford Harris, Jr. (collectively “Plaintiffs”) raises the question about how much “inspiration” does it take to be copyright infringement. The Plaintiff are seeking declaratory judgment that their song “Blurred Lines” does not infringe on the song “Sexy Ways” by the Funkadelics (owned by Bridgeport Music, Inc.) nor “Got To Give It Up” by Marvin Gaye (owned by heirs of Marvin Gaye) (collectively “Defendants”).<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See Complaint – Central District of California – 13CV6004(JAK)(AGRx).</span> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Such infringement lawsuits over popular music are not uncommon. In this particular instance, the Plaintiffs admit they were “inspired” by the Marvin Gaye song. See </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/business/media/songwriters-sue-to-defend-a-summer-hit.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/17/business/media/songwriters-sue-to-defend-a-summer-hit.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=0</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. <span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;">Pharrell also acknowledged Marvin Gaye’s influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See </span></span><a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-13/national/42019651_1_pharrell-marvin-gaye-thursday-night"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-09-13/national/42019651_1_pharrell-marvin-gaye-thursday-night</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the Fogerty v. Fantasy case, Fantasy Records sued John Fogerty who was a former member of the band, Credence Clearwater Revival. Fantasy claimed that Fogerty’s song “The Old Man Down the Road” infringed on the CCR song “Run Through The Jungle” owned by Fantasy. That case was decided by a jury but clearly the lyrics were different and while there was a similar ‘swamp rock’ sound, the composition was not the same. In that case the jury found no infringement by Fogerty. (Like many other copyright infringement decisions involving famous songs, the Fogerty lawsuit has an interesting backstory. See </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2000/jul/11/artsfeatures3"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2000/jul/11/artsfeatures3</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Plaintiffs are likely to rely on a similar argument in the Blurred Lines case. They will argue that “Sexy Ways” and “Got To Give It Up” may have similar feel or thematic sound but the Defendants do not have a right to a genre of music. This is likely to fit well with the arguments in Fogerty and the “swamp rock” style of music. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">George Clinton of The Funkadelics tweeted that he does not believe that “Sexy Ways” is similar to “Blurred Lines.” See </span><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/robin-thicke-sues-protect-blurred-607492"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/robin-thicke-sues-protect-blurred-607492</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the other hand, there is the case of George Harrison’s song “My Sweet Lord” infringing The Chiffon’s hit song “He’s So Fine” which was owned by Bright Tunes. In that case, the Court found that the ubiquitous “He’s So Fine” was subconsciously copied given the similar nature of the works. (The Harrison case also has a fascinating background. See <span style="color: #1f497d;"><a href="http://todaynewsgazette.com/george-harrison-my-sweet-lord-lawsuit/"><span style="color: blue;">http://todaynewsgazette.com/george-harrison-my-sweet-lord-lawsuit/</span></a></span>.)<span style="color: #1f497d;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: dark2;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you think that “Blurred Lines” infringes “Sexy Ways” or “Got To Give It Up?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-56274650397267938912013-05-16T14:59:00.001-04:002013-05-16T14:59:48.013-04:00Builder Beware: Copyright Infringement for Architectural Designs<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">An
often overlooked function of the Copyright Act is the protection it provides
for architectural works. Recently, however, the Eastern District of New
York was called upon to decide a copyright infringement claim involving
architectural designs for residential homes. <i>Axelrod & Cerveny v.
T. & S. Builders Inc</i>., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 63206 (E.D.N.Y. May 2,
2013). In that case, Plaintiffs owned valid copyrights in an
architectural design entitled “Georgetown II,” as well as the derivative work
referred to as “Home Design 2434.” Plaintiffs alleged Defendants
infringed by designing, marketing, constructing and selling four homes which
Defendants referred to as the “Franklin” model. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Defendants
distributed sales brochures which included a copy of the cover of Plaintiffs’
sales brochure, depicting the exterior of the Georgetown II model.
Another of Defendant’s brochures for the Franklin model contained an exact copy
of the floor plan for the Georgetown II. Yet another of Defendants’
brochures contained a copy of the floor plan for the Georgetown II with only
minor variations, such as differing placement of the bathroom on the first
floor and the number of walk in closets on the second floor. In several
instances, Defendant’s brochures did not even bother to remove the “Georgetown II”
designations on its Franklin brochures. Although Plaintiffs had their own
sales brochures for the Georgetown II, these brochures were not
copyrighted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With
respect to the homes themselves, the contracts for sale for three of the four
homes in question included the two-page floor plan for the Georgetown II,
copied directly from Plaintiffs’ brochure. Defendants claimed that as
constructed, the four homes in question exhibited more than 35 modifications
from the original Georgetown II floor plan as a result of customizations, and
that therefore all of the homes were substantially different from each
other. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
deciding whether to grant Plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment the
court grappled with two issues: 1) Whether or not Defendants’ copying of
the exterior of the Georgetown II infringed on Plaintiffs’ copyright if there
were substantial modifications to the interior of Defendants’ Franklin model,
and 2) whether the use of the Georgetown II brochure in Defendants’ brochure is
an infringement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
court examined the precedent of district court outside the Second Circuit to
determine that infringement can be established based upon copying of the floor
plans, the exterior or both. The Court analyzed the substantial
similarity by evaluating the “total concept and feel” of the works under the
ordinary observer test. The plans or structures do not have to be exact
but merely show that a substantial part was copied. Thus, for an
architectural work it is what’s on the inside <b><u>or</u> </b>what’s on the
outside that counts; it need not be both for the “total concept and
feel.” The Court granted summary judgment to Plaintiffs for exterior
copying by Defendants.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Court also granted summary judgment for Plaintiffs based upon Defendants’
copying of the floor plans from Plaintiffs’ Georgetown II
brochure. While recognizing that there was no copyright
registration for the Plaintiffs’ brochure, the court found that the brochure
did state that the floor plans themselves were copyrighted and cited a list of
cases where the copyright protection in the floor plans extended to
unregistered sales brochures. The Court distinguished between the final
construction and the brochures stating, “…[d]efendants have failed to explain
why purported modifications made to the designs during the homes’ construction
absolve defendants of liability for improperly using plaintiffs’ copyrighted
floor plans in the sales contracts…” and brochures. </span></div>
Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-67154348818765791442013-04-08T13:41:00.001-04:002013-04-08T13:41:25.075-04:00Ray Charles Foundation told to "Hit the Road Jack."<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In The Ray Charles Foundation v. Robinson (C.D. Cal.
12-cv-2725), the court takes an interesting side-step around what will
undoubtedly be the hottest copyright issue in the very near future –
termination. The musician Ray Charles composed and recorded numerous
musical works which were copyrighted. From the facts listed in the case,
it is an open question about whether the works were works made for hire with
Atlantic (sound recording) and Progressive (composition).
Charles negotiated new terms (including royalties) for these works with the
record companies. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prior to Charles’s death, he made an agreement with his 12
children which stated:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
My father, Ray Charles Robinson,
has told me that he will set up an irrevocable trust for my benefit, to be
funded with $500,000. This gift is my entire inheritance from him and I
understand that I will not inherit anything further under my father’s estate
plan and that I am waiving any right to make a claim against his estate. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upon his death, the rights in his works were left to The Ray
Charles Foundation. In 2010, seven of Charles’s children served copyright
termination notices on parties who had interests in Charles’s works, including
Progressive. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ray Charles Foundation sued the children claiming a
breach of contract and seeking declaratory judgment on a variety of
grounds. The Foundation alleged that Charles’s works were works made for
hire and thus not subject to the termination provisions of the Copyright Act.
17 U.S.C. Section 203 (thus maintaining the Foundation’s continued
royalties). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, the Court was unsympathetic to The Foundation’s
claims. First, it found that the termination notices are not claims
against the Charles estate. The estate was closed in 2006, 4 years before
the termination notices were served in 2010. Second, the Foundation’s
claim that Charles’s works were works made for hire would mean that the works
were never in the estate anyway. Third, even if the works were not works
made for hire, the Court cannot interpret Charles’s agreement with his children
as limiting a termination right under the Copyright Act. The termination
rights are unalienable <b>notwithstanding any agreement to the contrary</b>.
17 U.S.C. Section 304(c)(5). The Court finds that the language
would be an agreement to the contrary and is not able to prevent the right to
terminate. The Court goes on to award attorney’s fees to the Defendant
under California’s Anti-SLAPP statute. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court does not stop there. It found that The
Foundation does not even have standing to bring the lawsuit. The
Foundation is not the owner of Charles’s works if they are a work made for
hire. (Progressive and/or Atlantic would be.) The Court further found
that The Foundation is not within the zone of interests protected by the
statute invoked in the lawsuit. The statutes (Sections 203 and 304)
provide for authors, statutory heirs owning a termination interest, and
grantees of transferees and their successors as those within the zone of interests.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While beneficial owners may have the right to sue for
infringement under Section 501(b), no similar provision exists under Section
203 or 304 for the right to terminate. Thus, the Court also rejects The
Foundation’s claim that they have standing as a beneficial owner.
Finally, the Court rejects The Foundation’s third-party standing argument
because it cannot show a close relationship with Progressive or its
successors-in-interest. </div>
Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-32786853668708523212013-03-06T16:46:00.000-05:002013-03-14T10:51:55.665-04:00Arbitron sues Cleveland television station <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Plaintiff Arbitron is an audience measurement firm which
provides ratings information for such media as radio and television.
Plaintiff prepares different reports for different media markets including
Cleveland, Ohio. Arbitron licenses its reports to its
customers and owns copyright registrations in its Cleveland Radio Market
Reports. Defendant WKYC is a television station in
Cleveland. Plaintiff alleges that part of WKYC’s promotional media kit
presentation to potential advertisers included a list of demographic ratings
from Arbitron reports. (In one of the footnotes in the media kit – WKYC
lists the Arbitron Reports as its source for the information.) Arbitron
alleges that WKYC is not a licensee of Arbitron. The list containing the
information from the reports is alleged to have been distributed in over 40
media kits.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Defendant has not yet answered. </div>
Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-29445027830854277342013-02-14T14:13:00.000-05:002013-02-14T14:14:10.677-05:00Prince Georges County Public School system considers making student's works the property of the Board of Education<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A proposal under consideration by Prince Georges County
would make a student's works for the public schools in Prince Georges County
the property of the Board of Education, even if done on the student's own time
and with use of their own materials. The law does not work that way.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While a work made for hire may apply to the teachers and
educators employed by the County public school system, students are not
employees of the public school system. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is possible that the county could obtain rights to a
student's work through a license or assignment. However, the better
question, would be why would any student agree to such an arrangement? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/prince-georges-considers-copyright-policy-that-takes-ownership-of-students-work/2013/02/02/dc592dea-6b08-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_story_1.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/prince-georges-considers-copyright-policy-that-takes-ownership-of-students-work/2013/02/02/dc592dea-6b08-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_story_1.html</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The lack of understanding of copyright law is
alarming. But on another level beyond the complexities of the law, there
is a moral problem with the county's proposal. What possible reason would
the county school system have to believe they own the rights to a student's
work? </span>Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-3491633738441411702012-04-13T10:52:00.002-04:002012-04-13T11:01:16.776-04:002nd Annual IP Enforcement Report ReleasedThe <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/omb/IPEC/ipec_annual_report_mar2012.pdf">2011 Annual Report on Intellectual Property Enforcement</a> from the U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Office was recently released. It is the second of three reports stemming from the <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2010/06/leading-by-example.html">2010 Joint Strategic Plan</a>. <br />
<br />
Some of the highlights include:<br />
<ul><li>Coordination with payment service groups to deter sales of counterfeit goods</li>
<li>Coordination with internet service providers to notify subscribers regarding misuse of peer to peer to networks to deter online piracy</li>
<li>Formation of a non-profit conglomeration of private companies to combat fake online pharmacies</li>
</ul>There was also a notable uptick in seizures – 200% increase for counterfeit pharmaceuticals, 44% increase for counterfeit safety and critical technology goods, and 24% increase in overall seizures.<br />
<br />
The government also touted its increased arrest and conviction rates as well as increased sentences. <br />
<br />
The Report also notes that 3 members of the <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/03/naughty-list.html">Notorious List</a> – <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2012/01/off-naughty-list.html">Baidu</a>, Savelovskiy Market and Ladies Market have now been removed from the list. <br />
<br />
The Report also emphasizes a focus on economic espionage and trade secret theft. (The discussion includes specific examples and criminal cases.) <br />
<br />
The Enforcement coordinator also advocates legislation that gives Customs the right to issue penalties for infringing exports. (Currently, Customs can only seize exports and have them forfeited.)Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-67617429670612279892012-02-23T18:02:00.000-05:002012-11-14T18:34:35.984-05:00GOLAN V. HOLDER – SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS CONGRESS HAS AUTHORITY TO GRANT COPYRIGHT PROTECTIONS TO WORKS THAT FELL INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAINAs previously reported <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/04/supreme-court-grants-cert-in-another.html ">here</a>, the Supreme Court considered whether Congress had the right under Section 514 of the Copyright Act to provide copyright protections for works that were previously in the public domain because: (1) the U.S. did not offer protection to works form the country of origin when first published; (2) sound recordings were not protected before 1972; or (3) a formality under U.S. copyright law was not met (such as failure to include copyright notice prior to 1989). <br />
<br />
The Petitioners included those who used the works that were previously in the public domain due to one of the three reasons listed directly above. Petitioners argued that Congress did not have the right to remove works from the public domain under the Copyright Clause or under the First Amendment. <br />
<br />
The Court decided that Congress did have the right to enact Section 514 removing works from the public domain. The Court rejected Petitioner’s argument that the “limited times” portion of the Copyright Clause of the Constitution relying heavily on its precedent in Eldred (upholding the extension of the term of copyright). The majority also relied on instances where Congress previously granted protection to works that were not protected or in the public domain such as the Copyright Act of 1790, several acts in the mid to late 1800’s and patent statutes. <br />
<br />
The majority was also deferential to Congress in weighing the political choice of joining and complying with an international treaty and removing works from the public domain. The Court found that Congress was well within its authority under the Copyright Clause to enact Section 514 and making the decision to adhere to the Berne Convention for the purposes of reciprocation of rights with other member countries. The Court did not find that the action of retroactively removing works from the public domain did not overstep Congressional authority to promote the Progress of Science and the Useful Arts. Another factor for the Court was that Section 514 provided remedial measures to avoid immediate impact of copyright infringement actions for those in a similar position to Petitioners who relied on the works being in the public domain. <br />
<br />
As to Petitioner’s First Amendment Claim, the Court noted that both the Copyright Clause and the First Amendment were enacted close in time and that copyright did and was intended to restrict expression under the First Amendment. The Court also noted that there are safeguards built into the Copyright Act that accommodated the First Amendment such as fair use and the idea/expression dichotomy. Because such safeguards are already provided in copyright law, the Court found that there was no need for heightened review based on the First Amendment. <br />
<br />
Contrary to the Petitioner’s position, the Court dispelled the notion that the public had vested ownership rights once the work falls in the public domain. (“Once the term of protection ends, the works do not revest in any rightholder. Instead the works simply lapse into the public domain.”)<br />
<br />
In addition, Section 514 does not prohibit defenses such as fair use nor their application to these works which have been removed from the public domain. <br />
<br />
[As an interesting aside, the Court’s opinion also references the Google Book settlement case and states that addressing issues such as orphan works are more appropriate for Congress to resolve than the Courts.]<br />
<br />
The majority also sidesteps some of the dissent’s questions about orphan works by simply claiming that a resolution about orphan works is not necessary to resolve whether retroactively removing works from the public domain to comply with the Berne Convention is within the Constitutional authority granted to Congress.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-73015100731290664322012-02-02T17:30:00.001-05:002012-11-14T18:52:18.388-05:00A Statutory Medical Copyright License?While it is well known that there is a statutory license for use of music (<a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/usc_sec_17_00000112----000-.html#e">Section 112 (e)</a> and <a href="http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/usc_sec_17_00000114----000-.html#d_2">114(d)(2)</a> of the Copyright Act), many other license agreements are reached with royalty payments scheduled. (For example, <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/08/music-publishers-settle-with-youtube.html">YouTube's agreement with the National Music Publishers Association</a>) <br />
<br />
Understandably, statutory licensing schemes usually resolve complex issues. Given the recent uproar over SOPA and PIPA, maybe Congress could focus on something a little less controversial.<br />
<br />
I came across this <a href="http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/01/30/prsa0130.htm">recent article</a> regarding a copyright dispute over cognitive screening tests. <br />
<br />
While such works may receive copyright protection, I do not believe that anyone wants to face copyright liability for administering what may be an important medical test. While some defenses such as fair use may be available, some medical professionals, or even the hospitals or companies that employ these professionals may not want to assume the risk. <br />
<br />
In general, the government should want to encourage the creation of new screening tests and copyright creates this incentive. However, a simple licensing scheme with royalties may provide the appropriate balance so that those in the medical field may administer these tests without risking copyright infringement actions.<br />
<br />
A statutory license could be an assessment on the patients to whom the test is administered in the form of a fixed cost. A statutory license could be assessed on the medical professional who administers the test in the form of a fixed royalty rate based on the number of times the test is used on an annual basis. A statutory license could be based on a single flat fee for use of an entire library of such tests. There are hundreds of other ways in which Congress could devise such a statutory license. (Perhaps the most difficult task would be to determine which tests qualify for medical screening tests.)<br />
<br />
I think this is a proposed legislation that Congress could pass with relatively little opposition.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-17098634119833913122012-01-13T11:46:00.000-05:002012-11-14T18:54:16.257-05:00Vicarious Liability Upheld For Public PerformanceIn an <a href="http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2012/01/12/10-55691.pdf">unpublished decision</a> by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Court upheld copyright infringement claim for the public performances of copyrighted musical compositions. Range Road Music, Inc. v. East Coast Foods, Inc. (Case Nos. 10-55691 and 10-55800 – 9th Cir. Court of Appeals – Jan. 12, 2012 decision). An investigator testified that Coltrane standards were being performed by a live band at the Sea Bird Jazz Lounge and that a disc jockey played four Hiroshima songs from a CD. <br />
<br />
Defendants claimed that the investigator’s report and declaration should be inadmissible as he was not an expert witness. However, the Court rejected the claims finding that “identifying popular songs does not require “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge” under F.R.E. 702. <br />
<br />
In addition, Defendants East Coast Foods, Inc. and Herbert Hudson claimed that they could not be liable for vicarious infringement because the Sea Bird Lounge was owned by an independent corporation – Shoreline Foods. The Court rejected this claim finding that Defendants exercised the requisite control over the direct infringer and derived a financial benefit from the public performances. The liquor license at the Sea Bird Jazz Lounge was owned by East Coast Foods. Defendant Hudson was the president of both East Coast Foods and Shoreline Foods and had the authority to hire and fire employees and to prevent acts from appearing at Sea Bird Jazz Lounge. The fact that Hudson had the legal and practical right to stop the infringing conduct played a factor in establishing vicarious liability. <br />
<br />
The Court also noted that the Defendants could have purchased an ASCAP license as ASCAP had urged them to over the last 7 years.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-71732137831411113072012-01-11T12:40:00.000-05:002012-01-11T12:40:17.011-05:00Off the Naughty ListThis past holiday season has proved that that checking the list twice paid off. <br />
<br />
The U.S. Government has <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/21/us-baidu-idUSTRE7BK0A020111221">removed Baidu</a> from its Naughty List. <br />
<br />
See my previous posts for more information on the <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/03/naughty-list.html">Naughty List</a> and <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/03/criticism-of-baidu.html">Baidu</a>.<br />
<br />
It seems that Baidu’s efforts to clean up music piracy on its website contributed to the removal from the government’s list. Baidu entered into a license agreement with recording companies which <a href="http://searchengineland.com/us-govt-takes-baidu-off-the-notorious-markets-black-list-105333">according to reports</a> included a royalty payment system. <br />
<br />
The influence of the Recording Industry cannot be underestimated if Baidu can be removed from the government’s notorious list by reaching a settlement with music companies.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-5695847580471018862011-12-16T15:47:00.000-05:002011-12-16T15:47:09.446-05:00Black Market FridayThe U.S. government stepped up its enforcement against counterfeit copyrighted products such as DVDs again, shutting down over 100 domain names where counterfeit and pirated goods were being offered. This is in addition to <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/03/federal-domain-name-seizures.html">other seizures</a> that took place throughout the year.<br />
<br />
The websites are replaced with notices that the website has been taken down as part of a seizure. As the government steps up its enforcement and ability to take down domain names, will private parties be able to take advantage of such remedies as domain name seizures in the future?Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-7259111799214809732011-12-11T12:32:00.000-05:002012-11-14T18:57:31.917-05:00Copyright Office Publishes To-Do ListLast month, the Register of Copyrights released <a href="http://www.copyright.gov/docs/priorities.pdf">“Priorities and Special Projects Of The United States Copyright Office.”</a> <br />
<br />
The paper includes 17 priorities and 10 special projects that the Copyright Office will focus on for the next 2 years. <br />
<br />
Three studies are proposed:<br />
<br />
(1) <u>Mass book digitization</u> <br />
<br />
This study largely stems from the Google Book Search litigation. (See previous blog entries here.) Some of the issues being researched include the Section 108 library and archive exceptions in digitalization, the current landscape and marketplace, addressing the issue of orphan works, and how to facilitate digitalization through licensing. It seems that the U.S. Copyright Office would like a say in the Google Book litigation but unlike Google, it seems that the U.S. government has additional considerations.<br />
<br />
(2) <u>Legal treatment of pre 1972 sound recordings</u><br />
<br />
This is a goal raised previously as to how to treat pre-1972 sound recordings that were not covered by federal copyright. One issue is how to cover these works under federal law. (It is possible that the decision in <i>Golan v. Holder </i>may have an impact.) Another major issue is the impact (especially financial) on affected rights holders; and <br />
<br />
(3) <u>Small claims solutions for copyright owners</u><br />
<br />
This study is not only the newest but also most intriguing. The Copyright Office is looking into methods of resolving copyright infringement claims involving lower amounts of money. Public comments will be due in the beginning of 2012. While the cost of litigation is high, it is difficult to perceive what the Copyright Office could propose.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-16375761944567608192011-11-25T09:50:00.002-05:002011-11-29T09:53:32.800-05:00IIPA Study Shows the Economic Impact of the Copyright IndustryWhile copyright has certainly become more prevalent in our society, I do not believe most people understand the impact that copyright has on the U.S. economy. The recent International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA) study released this month shows just how much impact the copyright industry has. The copyright industry employs over 5 million people in the U.S. The average salary exceeds the national average by more than 25%. The industry and those built around the industry make up over 10% of the national gross domestic product. <br />
<br />
Not only does the copyright industry make up a significant amount of the domestic economy but its products are significant exports as well. Over $130 billion dollars in sales are made overseas. That's more than airplanes and cars. <br />
<br />
The report is available on the <a href="http://www.iipa.com/copyright_us_economy.html">IIPA website</a>. The report was prepared by Stephen E. Siwek of Economists Incorporated. <br />
<br />
Numbers like these explain the powerful lobbying power of the copyright industry. Regulation is also very significant to protect the copyright interests. It seems fairly clear that computer software is a driving force behind most of the copyright figures.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-64045948592077668462011-11-03T17:31:00.000-04:002012-11-14T19:00:28.884-05:00YouTube Case Heard By Second CircuitLast month, the Second Circuit heard arguments in the Viacom v. YouTube appeal. <br />
<br />
Summary of the district court decision: <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2010/06/viacom-v-youtube-part-i.html">Part I</a>, <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2010/07/viacom-v-youtube-part-ii.html">Part II</a>, <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2010/07/viacom-v-youtube-part-iii-limitations.html">Part III</a><br />
<br />
While Viacom claimed that YouTube was well aware of infringing materials being posted and that the Court should not allow rampant infringement, YouTube countered that there were no instances where the infringing works were not taken down following notice from the owner. During the arguments, <br /> YouTube touted its ability to remove the infringing works within hours of the notice of infringement and have <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Viacom-to-NY-court-Scrap-apf-3978274249.html?x=0&.v=4">developed software</a> to detect copyrighted works. <br />
<br />
One of the problems expressed by the panel was how to calculate damages. One judge expressed that he believed that Viacom could be looking for some type of license arrangement. However, by taking the case this far, it would seem that Viacom is interested in more than a licensing arrangement. YouTube has arrangements with other companies. Viacom included several references and comparisons to Grokster. <br />
<br />
Ultimately, the question about who should bear the burdens regarding copyright infringement will need to be answered. YouTube claims they need notice to determine whether something that is posted on YouTube is infringing the work of another. <br />
<br />
It will likely be several months before a decision is reached.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-28863428000743744252011-10-20T18:16:00.001-04:002011-10-20T18:16:56.493-04:00Supreme Court Updates<u>Golan v. Holder</u>
<br>
A few weeks ago, arguments were held before the Supreme Court in the <i>Golan v. Holder </i>case. The case challenges whether Congress has the ability to grant copyright protection to works that were previously in the public domain (See my <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/04/supreme-court-grants-cert-in-another.html">previous post</a> on case).
<br><br>
A copy of the transcript is available on the Supreme Court's <a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/10-545.pdf">website</a>.
<br><br>
The Court seemed very engaged in the questioning for this matter which contained numerous hypotheticals, questions of First Amendment scrutiny and whether the government had already granted copyright protection to works that previously did not have any with analogies to 1790’s law and a moment of levity from Justice Breyer. <br><br>
<u>Vernor v. Autodesk</u><br>
Back from its summer vacation, the Court denied certification to another copyright case <i>Vernor v. Autodesk</i>.<br><br>
The case was summarized in previous blog entries:
<br><a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2010/06/battles-in-seattle-part-2-of-3.html">Battles in Seattle Part 2 of 3: Vernor v. Autodesk </a>
<br> <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2010/09/battles-in-seattle-vernor-v-autodesk.html">Battles in Seattle Vernor v. Autodesk Decision</a><br>
<br>
This means that the Ninth Circuit decision will stand, thereby making software licenses not subject to the first sale doctrine under Section 109 of the Copyright Act.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-69228341379199431162011-10-12T10:55:00.004-04:002011-10-12T10:56:59.430-04:00Princeton Moves to Open Access for Scholarly WorksGiven my <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-school-infringed-my-homework.html">previous blog entry</a> on Princeton University and its copyright policy, I thought it fair to show the recent change on Princeton’s policy with respect to copyright for scholarly works for faculty.
The university approved a change to its <a href="http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~appel/open-access-report.pdf">copyright policy</a> to encourage open access. Under the policy, the university is granted a non-exclusive right to make the faculty articles available. The university claims its intended purpose is to prevent faculty from giving away all of their rights in publishing the articles in scholarly journals (which charge fees for their works).
It is interesting to note that the university claims that the faculty maintains their exclusive rights in all of their works. (Which seems somewhat contrary to the university’s actions with other works – see previous blog entry.)
Of course, faculty members may seek waivers. The university makes it seem that they are following in the footsteps of other universities and hopes that it will force journals to amend their publishing contracts thereby preventing granting full rights to the publishers.
This is an interesting concept. I do not know how successful it will be or who stands to benefit the most. The FAQ at the end also provides some insight into the potential impact.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-90304540683874593862011-10-08T10:52:00.000-04:002011-10-12T10:56:30.966-04:00Damages: $1 Billion Dollars OffIn a follow up to the damages awarded in <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/09/01/oracle-sap-ruling-idUKN1E7801P920110901">Oracle v. SAP</a>, the court has determined that the $1.3 billion (yes, with a <u>B</u>), awarded by the jury was excessive and contrary to the evidence. The judge presiding over the case believes that $272 million was the amount proved.
The judge has indicated that there may be a new trial if Oracle does not accept the lower award. Early indications were that Oracle may consider challenging the ruling. It is extremely rare that copyright damages amount to $272 million dollars but I guess when you consider that the judge is offering $1 billion dollars less, $272 million does not seem as much.
What will Oracle decide? Will it be worth the effort to go after a billion?Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-80731833526417773792011-09-02T14:29:00.001-04:002011-09-02T14:29:53.419-04:00What Do You Think?I saw <a href="http://www.chron.com/news/article/NYC-counterfeit-arrest-over-Chinese-funeral-item-2140635.php">this article</a> last week and it raised some interesting questions. And <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/nyregion/chinatown-funeral-goods-bring-copyright-infringement-arrest.html ">here</a>.
<br><br>
An arrest was made at Fook On Sing Funeral Supplies in Chinatown in Manhattan. Wing Sun Mak was charged with criminal copyright infringement. The store sells cardboard cutouts – such as mansions, televisions and Louis Vuitton and Burberry luxury goods. These items are given as symbolic gifts and burned at Chinese funerals.
<br><br>
According to the news report, the arrest report claims the defendant was observed selling counterfeit handbags with Burberry and Louis Vuitton trademarks. I fail to follow how the defendant was charged with criminal copyright infringement on these grounds.-- unless the trademarks are also copyrighted (which is possible under certain instances). However, apparently, the defendant also sold handbags and loafers that had similar print designs to Louis Vuitton and Gucci. (It is possible to copyright fabric designs.)
<br><br>
The problem arises where the buyer clearly knows the goods are not real but are merely made of cardboard. I wonder if the store sells the goods with a luxury brand name or design for more than a more generic cardboard cutout. Although, it also raises the question: Why couldn’t the store simply sell the cardboard versions without the copyrighted material and/or trademark?
<br><br>
It raises an interesting question on fair use. Under the four factor test in Section 107 of the Copyright Act, courts consider: (1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes; (2) the nature of the copyrighted work; (3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and (4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
<br><br>
Presuming the copyright infringement is based on the fabric design, it would seem that there is a commercial use of the copyrighted work by the funeral supply store, although its use would not necessarily be the same commercial use as the actual goods bearing the copyrighted works. Under factor #3, the funeral supply store would be attempting to take the copyrighted work as a whole. But factor #4 would favor the defendant. Selling a cardboard cutout is not likely to effect the market for Gucci or Louis Vuitton goods bearing copyrighted works. When viewed in light of the purpose of burning the cardboard cutouts as part of a funeral ritual, it becomes more apparent that defendant’s actions should not affect sales of copyrighted luxury goods.
<br><br>At the same time, it seems unfair for these businesses to capitalize on the goodwill and artistry of others without remuneration. I come back to the fact that these designs and trademarks do not have to appear on the cardboard cutouts to sell them but it seems that the use of these materials must have additional commercial than those without the designs and trademarks. While a close question, I think this factor weighs more heavily in not allowing the fair use defense to apply.
<br><br>What do you think?
Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-37317422882620278322011-08-29T11:20:00.001-04:002012-02-02T17:17:24.370-05:00Music Publishers Settle with YouTube...In a similar lawsuit to the Viacom v. YouTube dispute, music publishers had sued YouTube for copyright infringement.<br />
<br />
However, the court found that YouTube was not an infringer because it responded to notices. The decision was appealed but now the National Music Publishers Association has settled its claim. Apparently, the settlement will allow for a collection of royalties to Harry Fox where ads from YouTube appear with <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118041483?categoryid=4076&cs=1&cmpid=RSS|News|MusicNews">user generated videos featuring a songwriters and publisher’s music</a>.<br />
<br />
YouTube will use information provided by the NMPA to identify the copyrighted works. No word on whether or what type of license has been arranged between the parties regarding the information provided by the NMPA. (Viacom has accused YouTube of requiring licensing which allows YouTube to use the submissions for far more than just the mere purpose of identifying infringement and infringing works. See <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2010/06/viacom-v-youtube-part-i.html">previous blog entry</a>.) <br />
<br />
Does this mean that a settlement is in the near future for Viacom and YouTube? Highly doubtful given the acrimony between the parties.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-69739819062044451692011-08-26T17:22:00.004-04:002011-08-29T10:58:23.400-04:00Bond...One Really Big BondIn the never ending saga of the Bratz case, there is a new decision in the case. First, Mattel was able to in essence put MGA out of business until the Ninth Circuit reversed the decision for Mattel and ordered a new trial. At the new trial, MGA was successful and Mattel was order to pay hefty damages. <br />
<br />
Now if Mattel wants to appeal to the Ninth Circuit, it will require a <a href="http://www.pddnet.com/news-mattel-must-post-315-million-while-ruling-on-appeal-081711/">$315 million dollar bond</a>. (Mattel’s damages totaled $310 million.) Mattel has until August 23, 2011 to post the bond.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-19144034363950118182011-08-22T18:22:00.000-04:002011-08-22T18:22:23.578-04:008th Circuit Decides the 3rd Dimension Adds CharacterRecently, the 8th Circuit decided an appeal in Warner Bros. v AVELA. AVELA makes memorabilia such as snow globes, puzzles, t-shirts and other products primarily from movies. Warner Bros. sued AVELA for copyright infringement for use of materials associated with Gone With The Wind, The Wizard of Oz and Tom & Jerry. Some of the images were based on posters and still photographs which AVELA alleged fell into the public domain. These promotional pieces were created before the motion pictures were published. These works were all subject to the 1909 Copyright Act. The Eighth Circuit agreed that several of the images were published even though there were restrictions on the use of the promotional works, the predecessors in interest to plaintiff intended the works to be provided to the public. Some of the works were published without any copyright notice. Prior to 1989, copyright notices were required. Several works fell into the public domain due to the failure to put a copyright notice on the works. In addition, some of the works fell into the public domain because the works were not renewed. (Under the 1909 Act, copyrighted works were required to be renewed every 28 years to maintain the registration.) <br />
<br />
A copy of the decision is available <a href="http://www.leagle.com/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=In%20FCO%2020110705129.xml&docbase=CSLWAR3-2007-CURR">here</a>. <br />
<br />
There are 2 troubling aspects of the decision. (Full disclosure: I previously worked on this brief before the district court.)<br />
<br />
First, the Court decided that where the press photos such as Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz which were created before the movie was complete were in the public domain. However, the Court found that the combination of the photo with the phrase, “There’s no place like home,” constituted copyright infringement of the Warner Bros. character. This does not make sense. Clearly, the phrase, “There’s no place like home” is not copyrightable in and of itself. (Short phrases are not copyrightable.) Further, a similar phrase “There is no place like home” was used in the Frank L. Baum novel from which the movie is based. (The Frank L. Baum book was published in 1908 – which places the book in the public domain since before AVELA started creating the memorabilia.) <br />
<br />
Second, the Court decided that the 2-dimensional works such as puzzles and t-shirts that are based on the works that fell into the public domain were not infringing and thus AVELA should not be permanently enjoined. However, 3-dimensional works such as snow globes based on works that fell into the public domain were infringing and thus subject to a permanent injunction. The Court reasoned that the 3- dimensional works were based on the characters from the movies (owned by Warner Bros.). <br />
<br />
This seems contradictory. Clearly, derivative works based on works in the public domain are subject to copyright protection. However, the Court finds that AVELA infringed Warner Bros. copyright for adding a third dimension to the posters and pictures in the public domain. The Court comments about the length of a nose unable to be determined in a 2-dimensional work. Even if true (which I have some doubt – there is such a thing as scale and proportion and multiple angles which may create some level of determination), why wouldn’t these considerations be considered scenes a faire or subject to an artist’s interpretation and thus, capable of its own separate copyright? <br />
<br />
Given the recent Bratz decision limiting the infringement of derivative works for the different faces of the different generations of Bratz dolls because there were only a limited number of ways to create faces and facial expressions, the Eighth Circuit seems to disagree. Cf. <i>Mattel, Inc. v. MGA Entm’t, Inc.</i>, 2010 U.S. App. LEXIS 26937, *22 - *32 (9th Cir. 2010). There is only so many ways which the back of a head or the dimensions of article of the characters’ clothing or costumes can be drawn. <br />
<br />
What the Eighth Circuit has done is not only remove the works from the public domain (in the instance of the posters / pictures used in connection with short phrases) but also has effectively claimed that copyrights in characters can extend to prevent derivative works in the public domain if the derivative works are three-dimensional. Yet if both the original work in the public domain and the derivative work are both two-dimensional, then there is no infringement. <br />
<br />
A finding that a copyright in a character extends to prevent the creation of three dimensional derivative works based on two-dimensional works in the public domain does not make sense. Such line-drawing fits no purpose. It creates not only a bad rule and precedent but an impossibility, limiting the creation of new works. Preventing derivative works from being made from works in the public domain was not the intended result of the Copyright Act. <br />
Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-1841332185638294752011-08-12T11:28:00.014-04:002011-08-15T11:37:03.301-04:00Follow-up on ICE Domain Name SeizureAs <a href="http://copyrightchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/03/federal-domain-name-seizures.html">blogged previously</a>, the U.S. Customs has seized domain names from those who post infringing works on their websites. One of the seizures was for rojadirecta.com and rojadirecta.org owned by Puerto 80 Projects S.L.U. (“Puerto”). It is alleged that the two referenced websites collected a list of third party links to live sporting events and pay-per-view events. <br />
<br />
Puerto sought to obtain the domain names back seeking immediate release of the seized property. The U.S. government argued that Puerto could not show substantial hardship and giving back the domain names would only lead to further criminal acts. <br />
<br />
Puerto claims harm because of a reduced number of visitors. (Puerto operates other websites such as rojadirecta.me that were not seized.) The Court rejected this as substantial harm. Puerto also raised the First Amendment; however, the court rejected this argument finding that the forums for comment are not the purpose of the websites seized. The court finds the purpose of the two seized websites is to catalog links to copyrighted materials. See the Court's August 4, 2011 order <a href="http://www.eff.org/files/RojadirectaOrder.pdf">here</a>.<br />
<br />
The court did not reach the question of whether giving back the domain names would only foster criminal activity but may take up the question when Puerto’s motion to dismiss is heard next month.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-27525630775047137542011-08-04T17:31:00.000-04:002011-08-04T17:31:48.520-04:00Things to Know about Copyright and your WebsiteCopyright protects the expression in tangible form of original works of authorship. A website – like a brochure, an advertisement, a press kit, or a press release – is a valuable asset and marketing tool which merits protection.<br />
<ol><li><b>Create and use your own images.</b> The best way to avoid infringement claims against your website is to create your own original images for display. If you are not creating your own images...<br />
<br />
<ol type="a"><li><b>Get permission before copying internet images.</b> Copying images from the internet is controversial. If the owner of the image gives permission, you can use the image. Many times, however, the purported owner of the image is not the actual owner (i.e. the image was obtained falsely), which can lead to an infringement claim. The copying of images created by third parties without permission is infringement. See <i>FragranceNet.com, Inc. v. FragranceX.com, Inc.</i>, 679 F. Supp. 2d 312 (E.D.N.Y. 2010) (where defendant used over 900 copyrighted images from Plaintiff's website).</li>
<br>
<li><b>Follow the terms of the images’ license agreement.</b> Taking images from purchased software (i.e. Microsoft Word Clip-Art) is not necessarily infringement. By purchasing the software, you have accepted the license agreement terms. It is imperative to review the license to find out how the images may be used. For example, sample language from the Microsoft Service Agreement states that Microsoft product users that have access to media images, clip art, and the like, “may copy and use the media elements in projects and documents.” They may not, however, “(i) sell, license, or distribute copies of the media elements by themselves or as a product if the primary value of the product is the media elements; (ii) grant your customers rights to further license or distribute the media elements; (iii) license or distribute for commercial purposes media elements that include the representation of identifiable individuals, governments, logos, trademarks, or emblems or use these types of images in ways that could imply an endorsement or association with your product, entity or activity; or (iv) create obscene works using the media elements.” The use of licensed images from the internet may not be infringement, as long as you follow the terms of the license. See <i>Stockart.com v. Engle</i>, 10-CV-00588-MSK-MEH (D. Col. Feb. 18, 2011) (where the use of a copyrighted photo on a website without a license was a violation of the plaintiff’s copyright).</li></ol></li>
<br>
<li><b>If possible, use only original text.</b> When preparing text for a webpage, the text should be original, written specifically by the creator. The use of another’s written work without permission is copyright infringement. See <i>Cvent v. Eventbrite, Inc.</i>, 96 USPQ2d 1798 (E.D. Va. 2010) (where the defendant’s online directory information was “scraped”, or copied, from plaintiff’s website)</li>
<br>
<li><b>Avoid making source code available for public use.</b> The source code of a website can also be registered for copyright protection. The copying of registered website source code is an infringement. See <i>Hermeris v. Brandenburg</i>, 10-2531-JAR (D. Kan. Jan. 23, 2011) (where the defendant’s copying of content and source code of the plaintiff’s online document preparation business was copyright infringement).</li>
<br>
<li><b>Video and/or sound recordings should be copyrighted separate from the website.</b> If a website contains video and or sound recordings (such as background music), they should be separately copyrighted (apart from the website itself) as these materials could be easily lifted separately and may have their own independent worth.</li>
<br>
<li><b>Web designers should operate under a work-for-hire contract.</b> To determine whether a work is made for hire, one must first establish whether the work was made by an employee or an independent contractor. See <i>Community for Creative Non-Violence v. Reid</i>, 490 U.S. 730 (1989). If the work is made by the employee, then the work is generally considered to be a work made for hire, and the employer retains control of the work. If the work is created by an independent contractor, then the work is only a work made for hire if (1) it falls within one of the nine enumerated categories of works in Section 101 of the Copyright Act, and (2) the parties specifically agree in a written document that the work is one made for hire. If these provisions are not met, then the work is not a work made for hire, and the independent contractor is considered the “author” of the work. It is therefore essential to create a written agreement with an independent website designer to ensure that the designer assigns all copyright ownership to the website owner. Companies should also be advised that if their website is created by an independent contractor, there should be indemnification clauses in the assignment to ensure that the work, including the source code, is original.</li>
<br>
<li><b>Register, register, register.</b> U.S. companies are required to obtain copyright registrations in order to bring an infringement action in the United States. In registering copyrights, website owners should identify the portions of the site that are being copyrighted. In addition, if a copyright owner files for registration within three months of the work’s publication, he is entitled to several remedies in a case of infringement potentially including attorney’s fees.</li>
<br>
<li><b>If a copyright owner decides to file a complaint for copyright infringement...</b> Broad language, such as “all texts, photographs, selection, arrangement and compilation”, would be insufficient against a copyright infringement claim. See <i>Salt Optics v. Jand</i>, SACV 10-0828 (C.D. Cal. Nov. 2010) (where specific indication of the infringed portions of a website were necessary to bring an infringement claim).</li>
</ol> Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6435443036765718985.post-32344881940633301122011-07-27T17:13:00.000-04:002011-07-27T17:13:19.271-04:00Opting Out, Opting In - Google Books Settlement UpdateLast week, a hearing was held in the Southern District of New York by Judge Chin for an update on progress on settlement in the Google Book Settlement. <br />
<br />
However, there has been no progress. Previously, the judge had indicated that the settlement may clear antitrust hurdles if the default provision was that authors had to opt-in to the settlement to agree to make their works available through Google Books. This will also allow for snippets of the work available through a search mechanism on Google. <br />
<br />
An attorney from Google indicated that there were business issues in addition to legal issues that were <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ny-judge-hearing-google-book-case-grows-impatient-152143483.html">still being worked out</a>. <br />
<br />
Previously, the Court indicated that it was doubtful that a settlement would be reached. Id. Google does not have much interest in the opt-in provision. Id. <br />
<br />
Without a settlement, the judge will likely have to decide whether the use of the snippets from books are a fair use for which Google can provide to users or whether these may be infringements of the literary works. Is it possible that this is what Google actually seeks? <br />
<br />
Rather than pay a hefty settlement sum for an opt-in option that is not as attractive to Google, it may merely wait to see if its use of the published materials from authors is a fair use – for which Google may have to pay nothing at all. <br />
<br />
The parties have until September 15, 2011 before the next report is due to the judge.Thomas P. Gulickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11604551548512857678noreply@blogger.com0