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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)

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…

Yash Venture Holdings, LLC v. Moca Financial, Inc.

Published on: August 28, 2024

In 2018, John Burns and Rajeev Arora, representing Moca Financial Inc., engaged in discussions with Manoj Baheti, represented by Yash Venture Holdings, LLC, about a potential investment. The alleged agreement was that Yash would provide $600…

Michael Grecco Prods., Inc. v. RADesign, Inc.

Published on: August 16, 2024

Michael Grecco Productions, Inc. (MGP) sued Ruthie Allyn Davis and associated entities for copyright infringement, alleging that Davis used Michael Grecco’s copyrighted photos without a license. The United States District Court for the South…

Copyright Case Dockets

Source: Justia Dockets and Filings (feed)

Sokolskyfilm, Inc. v. Lil Fox LLC

October 8, 2024

Filed: October 8, 2024 as 1:2024cv23882

Defendant: Lil Fox LLC doing business as LILFOX

Plaintiff: Sokolskyfilm, Inc.

Cause Of Action: 17 U.S.C. § 0501 Copyright Infringement

Court: Eleventh Circuit › Florida › US District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

Touhey v. Iron Builders Inc

October 8, 2024

Filed: October 8, 2024 as 1:2024cv12577

Defendant: Iron Builders Inc

Plaintiff: Max Touhey

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

Court: First Circuit › Massachusetts › US District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Type: Intellectual Property › Copyright

HOWARTH v. GREEN FOUNDRY CO

October 8, 2024

Filed: October 8, 2024 as 2:2024cv05390

Defendant: GREEN FOUNDRY CO

Plaintiff: MORGAN HOWARTH

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

Court: Third Circuit › Pennsylvania › US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Type: Intellectual Property › Property Rights: Copyright

Jennifer Le Feuvre v. The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A

October 8, 2024

Filed: October 8, 2024 as 1:2024cv09709

Defendant: The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A

Plaintiff: Jennifer Le Feuvre

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

Jennifer Le Feuvre v. The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A

October 8, 2024

Filed: October 8, 2024 as 1:2024cv09712

Plaintiff: Jennifer Le Feuvre

Defendant: The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A

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

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)

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 Office Announces Open Application Period for Ringer Fellowship

August 30, 2024

Copyright Office Announces Open Application Period for Ringer Fellowship NewsNet 1052August 30, 2024 The Copyright Office is now accepting applications for the Barbara A. Ringer Copyright Honors Program. This paid fellowship, which runs eighteen to twenty-four months, is for attorneys in the initia

Termination Rights, Royalty Distributions, Ownership Transfers, Disputes, and the Music Modernization Act

August 30, 2024

Termination Rights, Royalty Distributions, Ownership Transfers, Disputes, and the Music Modernization Act NewsNet 1051August 30, 2024 The U.S. Copyright Office is adjusting certain compliance dates related to the corrective adjustment process in its July 9, 2024, final rule on termination rights and

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)

Best October Prime Day Ring camera deals to shop in 2024 - plus Blink and Arlo camera deals

October 9, 2024

With Amazon's October Prime Day, you can score big discounts on Ring cameras, video doorbells, and more to enhance your home's smart security system.

My all-time favorite Bose noise-canceling headphones are $100 off during October Prime Day

October 9, 2024

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones top every 'best headphones' list I've written, and for good reason. They're on sale for $100 off during October Prime Day 2024.

The 60+ best Walmart deals you can shop now: Live updates

October 9, 2024

Walmart is having a major sale on tech, home, toys, and more ahead of the holidays, including deals from Apple, Samsung, and more.

Grab the Kindle Oasis e-reader for half off right now during October Prime Day

October 9, 2024

The Kindle Oasis is $135 off for during Amazon's October Prime Day.

One of our favorite noise-canceling earbuds are 36% off for October Prime Day

October 9, 2024

We love the Bose QuietComfort II earbuds for their strong noise cancellation and unrivaled sound. Right now, they're $100 off during October Prime Day.

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 […]