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Copyright, Fair Use & AI

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, the intersection of copyright law and AI technology presents unique challenges and opportunities. This seminar aims to explore the complexities of copyright issues related to AI and provide a summary of the dozens of AI copyright lawsuits with a particular focus on whether training AI on copyright material is an infringement or fair use.

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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)

Livingston v. Jay Livingston Music, Inc.

Published on: July 7, 2025

Tammy Livingston, individually and as a beneficiary and co-trustee of the Livingston Music Interest Trust, sued her mother, Travilyn Livingston, over the termination of copyright assignments and associated royalties for songs authored by Jay…

COSTAR GROUP, INC. V. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE EXCHANGE, INC.

Published on: June 23, 2025

CoStar Group, Inc. and CoStar Realty Information, Inc. (collectively, “CoStar”) and Commercial Real Estate Exchange, Inc. (“CREXi”) are online platforms competing in the commercial real estate listing, information, and auction markets. CoSta…

COSTAR GROUP, INC. V. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE EXCHANGE, INC.

Published on: June 23, 2025

LADS Network Solutions, Inc. v. Agilis Systems, LLC

Published on: May 28, 2025

LADS Network Solutions, Inc. sued Agilis Systems, LLC and its subsidiaries for copyright infringement of LADS’s courier management software, GPStrac. LADS licensed GPStrac to Agilis from 2004 to 2009 and sought copyright protection in 2014. …

CARROLL SHELBY LICENSING, INC. V. HALICKI

Published on: May 27, 2025

Carroll Shelby Licensing, Inc. and Carroll Hall Shelby Trust filed a lawsuit against Denice Halicki and her associated entities, alleging that Halicki’s copyright claims over the “Eleanor” Ford Mustangs were invalid. Halicki counterclaimed, …

Copyright Case Dockets

Source: Justia Dockets and Filings (feed)

Kueker v. Google, LLC d/b/a YouTube

July 5, 2025

Filed: July 5, 2025 as 5:2025mc80179

Unknown: Google, LLC d/b/a YouTube

Petitioner: Zachary Kueker

Cause Of Action: Civil Miscellaneous Case

Court: Ninth Circuit › California › U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

Strike 3 Holdings, LLC v. Doe

July 4, 2025

Filed: July 4, 2025 as 3:2025cv00483

Plaintiff: Strike 3 Holdings, LLC

Defendant: John Doe

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

Court: Fourth Circuit › North Carolina › U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

Strike 3 Holdings, LLC v. Doe

July 4, 2025

Filed: July 4, 2025 as 5:2025cv00397

Plaintiff: Strike 3 Holdings, LLC

Defendant: John Doe

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

Court: Fourth Circuit › North Carolina › U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

Strike 3 Holdings, LLC v. Doe

July 4, 2025

Filed: July 4, 2025 as 5:2025cv00399

Plaintiff: Strike 3 Holdings, LLC

Defendant: John Doe

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

Court: Fourth Circuit › North Carolina › U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

Strike 3 Holdings, LLC v. Doe

July 4, 2025

Filed: July 4, 2025 as 5:2025cv00398

Plaintiff: Strike 3 Holdings, LLC

Defendant: John Doe

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

Court: Fourth Circuit › North Carolina › U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

Copyright Legislation

Source: Copyright.gov (feed)

Copyright Legislative Developments: H.R. 4017

June 26, 2025

Bill Recently Introduced

H.R.4017 - American Royalties Too Act of 2025

To amend title 17, United States Code, to secure the rights of visual artists to copyright, to provide for resale royalties, and for other purposes.

Copyright Legislative Developments: H.R. 4009

June 26, 2025

Bill Recently Introduced

H.R. 4009, Pro Codes Act

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

April 25, 2025

Bills Recently Introduced

S. 1396, introduced 4/9/2025.

Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act of 2025

To require transparency with respect to content and content provenance information, to protect artistic content, and for other purposes.

S. 1367, introduced 4/9/2025.

NO FAKES Act of 2025

To protect intellectual property rights in the voice and visual likeness of individuals, and for other purposes

H.R. 2794, introduced 4/9/2025.

NO FAKES Act of 2025

To protect intellectual property rights in the voice and visual likeness of individuals, and for other purposes.

Copyright Legislative Developments: H.R.791

March 5, 2025

Bill Recently Introduced

H.R.791. Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act, introduced 1/28/2025.

To amend title 17, United States Code, to provide for blocking orders relating to specifically identified infringing foreign websites or online services, and for other purposes.

Copyright Legislative Developments: H.R.861

February 28, 2025

Bill Recently Introduced

H.R.861. American Music Fairness Act of 2025, introduced 1/31/2025.

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 Office News

Source: Copyright.gov (feed)

U.S. Copyright Office Announces Webinar on Copyright Essentials for Writers

July 7, 2025

U.S. Copyright Office Announces Webinar on Copyright Essentials for Writers NewsNet 1072 July 7, 2025 The U.S. Copyright Office invites you to register to attend the third session in our Copyright Essentials webinar series. The Plot Thickens: Copyright Essentials for Writers will take place on Augus

U.S. Copyright Office Replaces Online Public Catalog with Copyright Public Records System

June 24, 2025

U.S. Copyright Office Replaces Online Public Catalog with Copyright Public Records System NewsNet 1071June 24, 2025 Today, the U.S. Copyright Office is pleased to announce that the Copyright Public Records System (CPRS) has replaced its Online Public Catalog. CPRS provides copyright registration and

U.S. Copyright Office Releases New Copyright Registration Toolkit

April 22, 2025

U.S. Copyright Office Releases New Copyright Registration Toolkit NewsNet 1070 April 22, 2025 Today, the U.S. Copyright Office released the Copyright Registration Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to help creators, small business owners, advisors, and others navigate the copyright system.

U.S. Copyright Office Invites Public to Webinar on Effectively Using the Copyright Public Records System

April 9, 2025

U.S. Copyright Office Invites Public to Webinar on Effectively Using the Copyright Public Records System NewsNet 1069 April 09, 2025 Have you used the Copyright Public Records System (CPRS) pilot to power your copyright public records searches? Now is the time to try, ahead of the summer 2025 decomm

U.S. Copyright Office Publishes Final Rule to Require Pay.gov Use for Statutory Royalty Payments

March 31, 2025

U.S. Copyright Office Publishes Final Rule to Require Pay.gov Use for Statutory Royalty Payments NewsNet 1068March 31, 2025 The U.S. Copyright Office has published a final rule amending its regulations regarding the submission of royalty fees by cable, satellite, and digital audio recording devices

Copyright Regulations

Source: Justia Regulation Tracker (feed)

Notice - Notice of Intent To Audit

February 18, 2025

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce receipt from SoundExchange, Inc., of notices of intent to audit the 2022, 2023, and 2024 statements of account submitted by commercial webcasters Alpha Media LLC and Univision Communications Inc. concerning royalty payments they made pursuant to two statutory li

Proposed Rule - Determination of Rates and Terms for Digital Performance of Sound Recordings by New Subscription Services and Making of Ephemeral Copies To Facilitate Those Performances (NSS V); Correction

February 10, 2025

On December 19, 2024, the Copyright Royalty Judges published for comment proposed regulations governing the rates and terms for the digital performances of sound recordings by new subscription services and for the making of ephemeral recordings necessary to facilitate those transmissions for the per

Notice - Notice of Intent To Audit

January 14, 2025

The Copyright Royalty Judges announce receipt from SoundExchange, Inc., of notices of intent to audit the 2021, 2022, and 2023 statements of account submitted by commercial webcasters Beasley Mezzanine Holdings, LLC, Hubbard Broadcasting Inc., iHeartMedia, and Midwest Communications, Inc. and non-co

Rule - Ruling on Regulatory Interpretation for Business Establishment Services

January 10, 2025

The Copyright Royalty Judges publish their ruling on regulatory interpretation in a matter that was referred to them by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The regulation at issue is the definition of "Gross Proceeds" in the rates and terms set forth through settlements in

Proposed Rule - Determination of Rates and Terms for Digital Performance of Sound Recordings by New Subscription Services and Making of Ephemeral Copies To Facilitate Those Performances (NSS V)

December 19, 2024

The Copyright Royalty Judges are publishing for comment proposed regulations governing the rates and terms for the digital performances of sound recordings by new subscription services and for the making of ephemeral recordings necessary to facilitate those transmissions for the period commencing Ja

Copyright Blogs

Source: Justia BlawgSearch (feed)

The New AI Infrastructure Land Grab Has Begun

July 7, 2025

Brett TroutThe artificial intelligence boom isn’t just reshaping tech—it’s fueling a full-scale land grab for power and infrastructure. The latest move in this high-stakes game? CoreWeave’s $9 billion all-stock acquisition of Core Scientific, one of the country’s largest crypto-era power holders tur

The Lockpicking Copyright Fight

July 7, 2025

Prominent lockpicker Trevor McNally is being sued for copyright infringement by Proven Industries. But is it really about copyright? Source

Pitfalls of cell therapy manufacturing IP - A case study (T 0868/23)

July 7, 2025

The recent Board of Appeal decision in T 0868/23 is a powerful example of the potential fragility of process IP in the field of cell therapy. The decision in T 0868/23 illustrates how a cell therapy process invention may evolve over time to the detriment of the IP. Process

3 Count: Off the Rails

July 7, 2025

Former Register of Copyrights fights dismissal, Indian man arrested over camcorder piracy and Unity promises guardrails on AI products. Source

CRYSTAL VAPE: Proving unregistered earlier rights

July 7, 2025

There is a sizeable dispute rumbling along in the High Court of England and Wales between a Chinese company (Shenzhen SKE Technology Ltd – “SKE”), which manufactures vaping products under the name CRYSTAL BAR and other signs including the word CRYSTAL, and a UK company that wholesales vapes (Bargain

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 […]