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Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Open Educational Resources (OER)

American University’s Washington College of Law, along with other academic contributors, has launched the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Open Educational Resources (the Code). This forty-plus page report, the goal of which is to assist professors, teachers, librarians, and other educators in evaluating when and how they can incorporate third party copyright […]

New Legislation: The CASE Act

The Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act (CASE Act) was passed by Congress on December 21, 2020 and signed into law on December 27, 2020 as a part of a much bigger omnibus spending bill. What Is It? The CASE Act creates a “Copyright Claims Board” (the Board) within the U.S. Copyright Office which can […]

Stanford Copyright & Fair Use – Key Overview Updates

Q: Thank you for updating the copyright overview on this site. What are the most important changes that you want us to know? A: Because the update reflects changes from 2014 through 2016 it includes a few decisions that readers may be familiar with such as the Google book scanning decision (Author’s Guild v. Hathitrust, […]

How much of a photo do you need to alter to avoid copyright infringement? Hint: Cheshire Cat

Bloggers and artists often ask, “how much of a photo do you need to alter to avoid copyright infringement?” Five changes? Fifteen? The Seventh Circuit addressed the issue in the Kienitz v Sconnie Nation case recently. According to the court, Sconnie Nation made t-shirts displaying an image of Madison Wisconsin mayor Paul Soglin, using […]

Guidance on websites and copyright registration from the U.S. Copyright Office

As part of its new draft Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices, Third Edition, we have guidance on registration for websites. The draft of the full compendium is over 1200 pages and covers publication, recordation, notice, deposits, along with other topics. Members of the public may make comments anytime before (or after) the Third Edition […]

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Copyright Case Opinion Summaries

Source: Justia Daily Opinion Summaries (feed)

Structured Asset Sales, LLC v. Sheeran

Published on: November 1, 2024

In 2014, Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge wrote the song “Thinking Out Loud,” which became a global hit. Structured Asset Sales, LLC (SAS), which owns a portion of the royalties for Marvin Gaye’s 1973 song “Let’s Get It On,” alleged that Sheeran’s s…

UMG Recordings v. Grande Communications Networks, LLC

Published on: October 9, 2024

A group of major record labels sued Grande Communications Networks, LLC, an internet service provider, for contributory copyright infringement. The plaintiffs alleged that Grande knowingly provided internet services to subscribers who used t…

Keck v. Mix Creative Learning Center

Published on: September 18, 2024

In 2020, Mix Creative Learning Center, an art studio offering children’s art lessons, began selling online art kits during the pandemic. These kits included reproductions of artworks from Michel Keck’s Dog Art series. Keck sued Mix Creative …

Hachette Book Group, Inc. v. Internet Archive

Published on: September 4, 2024

The case involves Internet Archive (IA), a nonprofit organization that creates digital copies of print books and makes them available online for free through its “Free Digital Library.” IA maintains a one-to-one owned-to-loaned ratio, meanin…

American Board of Internal Medicine v. Salas-Rushford

Published on: August 29, 2024

A physician in Puerto Rico, Dr. Jaime Salas Rushford, had his board certification suspended by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) after ABIM concluded that he had improperly shared board exam questions with his test prep instruct…

Copyright Case Dockets

Source: Justia Dockets and Filings (feed)

Watson Music Group, LLC. v. Nexstar Media Group Inc.

December 2, 2024

Filed: December 2, 2024 as 3:2024cv03009

Plaintiff: Watson Music Group, LLC. doing business as Quadrasound Music

Defendant: Nexstar Media Group Inc.

Cause Of Action: 17 U.S.C. § 501 Copyright Infringement

Court: Fifth Circuit › Texas › US District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Type: Intellectual Property › Property Rights: Copyright

Watson Music Group, LLC. v. Rural Media Group Empire, LLC

December 2, 2024

Filed: December 2, 2024 as 8:2024cv00462

Plaintiff: Watson Music Group, LLC. doing business as Quadrasound Music

Defendant: Rural Media Group Empire, LLC

Cause Of Action: 17 U.S.C. § 501 Copyright Infringement

Court: Eighth Circuit › Nebraska › US District Court for the District of Nebraska

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

Sadowski v. Hannah, Inc. d/b/a Roadside Bar & Grill

December 2, 2024

Filed: December 2, 2024 as 2:2024cv00059

Defendant: Hannah, Inc. d/b/a Roadside Bar & Grill

Plaintiff: Christopher Sadowski

Cause Of Action: 17 U.S.C. § 501 Copyright Infringement

Court: Fourth Circuit › North Carolina › US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

WeMade Max Co, Ltd. v. The Individuals, Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A Hereto

December 2, 2024

Filed: December 2, 2024 as 1:2024cv12393

Plaintiff: WeMade Max Co, Ltd.

Defendant: The Individuals, Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A Hereto

Cause Of Action: 17 U.S.C. § 101 Copyright Infringement

Court: Seventh Circuit › Illinois › US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

Global Weather Productions, LLC v. Arrow Safety, LLC

December 2, 2024

Filed: December 2, 2024 as 1:2024cv00144

Defendant: Arrow Safety, LLC

Plaintiff: Global Weather Productions, LLC

Cause Of Action: 17 U.S.C. § 501 Copyright Infringement

Court: Sixth Circuit › Kentucky › US District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

Copyright Legislation

Source: Copyright.gov (feed)

Copyright Legislative Developments: S.835 & H.R.1631

March 31, 2023

Bills Recently Introduced

S.835 - Pro Codes Act, introduced 03/16/2023.

To amend title 17, United States Code, to reaffirm the importance of, and include requirements for, works incorporated by reference into law, and for other purposes.

H.R.1631 - Pro Codes Act, introduced 03/17/2023.

To amend title 17, United States Code, to reaffirm the importance of, and include requirements for, works incorporated by reference into law, and for other purposes.

Copyright Legislative Developments: H.R.791

March 2, 2023

Bill Recently Introduced

H.R.791 - American Music Fairness Act of 2023, introduced 02/02/2023.

To amend title 17, United States Code, to provide fair treatment of radio stations and artists for the use of sound recordings, and for other purposes.

Copyright Legislative Developments: S.253

February 17, 2023

Bill Recently Introduced

S.253 - American Music Fairness Act , introduced 02/02/2023.

To amend title 17, United States Code, to provide fair treatment of radio stations and artists for the use of sound recordings, and for other purposes.

Copyright Legislative Developments: H.R.576

February 10, 2023

Bill Recently Introduced

H.R.576 - Copyright Clause Restoration Act of 2023, introduced 1/26/2023.

To address the duration of copyright, and for other purposes.

Copyright Legislative Developments: H.R.7776

December 23, 2022

Bill Signed Into Law

H.R.7776 - James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (Includes sec. 6306: Copyright protection for civilian faculty of the National Intelligence University). December 23, 2022.

Copyright Office News

Source: Copyright.gov (feed)

Final Rule Published in Ninth Triennial Section 1201 Proceeding

October 25, 2024

Final Rule Published in Ninth Triennial Section 1201 Proceeding NewsNet 1057October 25, 2024 The Librarian of Congress, upon the recommendation of the Register of Copyrights, is publishing a final rule in the Federal Register adopting exemptions to the statutory prohibition on circumvention of techn

Copyright Office Announces Arrival of 2024–2026 Ringer Honors Fellow

October 10, 2024

Copyright Office Announces Arrival of 2024–2026 Ringer Honors Fellow NewsNet 1056October 10, 2024 The U.S. Copyright Office is pleased to announce that Elizabeth J. “Liz” Porter has joined the Office as a fellow (2024–2026) in the Barbara A. Ringer Copyright Honors Program. Porter started her two-ye

U.S. Copyright Office Issues a Final Rule Amending the Process and Fee to Obtain a Certified Final Determination from the Copyright Claims Board

October 4, 2024

U.S. Copyright Office Issues a Final Rule Amending the Process and Fee to Obtain a Certified Final Determination from the Copyright Claims Board NewsNet 1055October 4, 2024 The Copyright Office has issued a final rule amending the process and fee to obtain a certified final determination from the Co

Library of Congress Announces New Members of Copyright Public Modernization Committee

September 24, 2024

Library of Congress Announces New Members of Copyright Public Modernization Committee First Meeting Scheduled for October 10, 2024 NewsNet 1054 September 24, 2024 The Library of Congress issued the following press release: The Library of Congress announced today the new membership of the Copyright

Copyright Office Releases Report on the Geography of Copyright Registrations

September 11, 2024

Copyright Office Releases Report on the Geography of Copyright Registrations NewsNet 1053 September 11, 2024 Today, the U.S. Copyright Office is releasing a report, The Geography of Copyright Registrations. The study examines the geographic distribution of copyright claims registered by individuals

Copyright Regulations

Source: Justia Regulation Tracker (feed)

Rule - Determination of Adjustment to Administrative Assessment to Fund Mechanical Licensing Collective

October 5, 2023

The Copyright Royalty Judges publish final regulations that adjust the amounts and terms of the Administrative Assessment To fund the Mechanical Licensing Collective.

Proposed Rule - Determination of Royalty Rates and Terms for Making Ephemeral Copies of Sound Recordings for Transmission to Business Establishments (Business Establishments IV)

October 4, 2023

The Copyright Royalty Judges solicit comments on proposed rates and terms for the making of ephemeral copies of sound recordings to facilitate digital audio transmissions of those sound recordings to business establishments pursuant to the limitation on exclusive rights specified by the Copyright Ac

Rule - Determination of Royalty Rates and Terms for Making and Distributing Phonorecords (Phonorecords III)

August 10, 2023

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce their final determination after remand of the rates and terms for making and distributing phonorecords for the period beginning January 1, 2018, and ending on December 31, 2022.

Notice - Determination of Adjustment to Administrative Assessment To Fund Mechanical Licensing Collective

June 30, 2023

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce commencement of a proceeding to determine an adjustment to the administrative assessment that digital music providers and any significant nonblanket licensees must pay to fund the operations of the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC); set the date by which the

Rule - Determination of Rates and Terms for Public Broadcasting (PB IV)

June 28, 2023

The Copyright Royalty Judges publish final regulations that set rates and terms for use of certain works in connection with noncommercial broadcasting for the period from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2027.

Copyright Blogs

Source: Justia BlawgSearch (feed)

Cyber Monday 2024 soundbar and speaker deals still available: Save on Sonos, Bose, Sony, and more

December 3, 2024

Cyber Monday is officially over, but you can still save on soundbars, speakers, subwoofers, and more with these leftover deals from Beats, Sony, Sonos, and more.

I recommend this turntable for vinyl beginners - and it's still discounted after Cyber Monday

December 3, 2024

Audio-Technica's AT-LP70X turntable series is aimed at those new to vinyl, but it doesn't sacrifice audio quality in the process. Right now, it's $20 off as a post-Cyber Monday deal.

I tested a 'luxury' nugget ice maker, and it's well worth it - especially at $150 off

December 3, 2024

The GE Opal 2.0 is a premium ice maker with all the smarts to make it an exceptionally satisfying kitchen appliance, for yourself or as a gift. It's still on sale after Cyber Monday.

This self-cleaning litter box changed my life, and it's still discounted after Cyber Monday

December 3, 2024

The Whisker Litter-Robot 4 automates what's typically a messy job and even manages your cat's health. Plus, you can still save on the Litter-Robot 4 bundle as a remaining Cyber Monday deal.

Best Cyber Monday 2024 gaming PC deals: Last chance on desktops, laptops, GPUs, and more

December 3, 2024

Cyber Monday is over, but there are still plenty of great deals from brands like Alienware, MSI, and more for your holiday shopping list. But you'll have to hurry, sales end soon.

Fairly Used Blog

Source: Stanford Copyright and Fair Use Center (feed)

Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Open Educational Resources (OER)

By Cicely Wilson

Published on: June 10, 2021

New Legislation: The CASE Act

By Cicely Wilson

Published on: June 7, 2021

Celebrating the unfreezing of the public domain

By Mary Minow

Published on: January 30, 2019

For the first time in twenty years, published works in the U.S. expired into the public domain. This anomaly was the direct result of the Copyright Term Extension Act that extended the length of copyright for works still in their renewal term at the time of the Act to 95 years. This effectively froze the […]

Stanford Copyright & Fair Use – Key Overview Updates

By Mary Minow

Published on: April 11, 2017

Future of Libraries – Need First Sale for ebooks

By Mary Minow

Published on: February 19, 2017

How will libraries hold onto ebooks and other digital files like mp3s so that readers and scholars in the future can still read them? The current state of affairs relies on license agreements with publishers who in turn license to vendors, who in turn, license to libraries. Hardly sustainable when files can and do disappear […]