Spinrilla, a popular platform for creating hip-hop mixtapes, accused of copyright infringement by the “Big Three” record companies, has shut down after it agreed to pay out USD $50 million to settle the case. Judge Finds Spinrilla Liable for Copyright Infringement The Atlanta, Georgia division of the U.S. District Court, Judge Amy Totenberg presiding, ordered …
Spinrilla Mixtape Site Guilty of Copyright Infringement Read More »
According to a recently released report by the Content Overseas Distribution Association (CODA), which is based in Japan, Japanese entertainment piracy in 2021, which included music, anime, manga and video games, cost these industries ¥1.9 to ¥2.2 trillion yen (US $14.2-$16.5 billion). This study, which is based on requests and questionnaires from consumers, shows a …
Industry Lost 2 Trillion Yen to Manga Piracy in 2021 Read More »
On Thursday, a jury deliberated for three hours and found musician Ed Sheeran not guilty of copying Marvin Gaye’s 1973 composition, “Let’s Get It On” when writing his 2014 song, “Thinking Out Loud.” It was a unanimous decision—a requirement for this particular copyright case. The 32-year-old British singer previously announced that if he were found …
Court Decides Ed Sheeran Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Read More »
The U.S. Copyright Office has released a statement about material generated by artificial intelligence (AI). The policy guidelines state that for generative AI to be eligible for U.S. copyright protection, it must have been authored by humans, and each case would be evaluated before granting this protection What Qualifies for AI Copyright Protection? Much like …
Is Generative AI Content Eligible for Copyright Protection? Read More »
An Earth, Wind & Fire “legacy” group has been named in a trademark infringement lawsuit brought by the official band, for using its name and trademarks to trick consumers into purchasing concert tickets to what many consumers believe is the real Earth, Wind & Fire. Promoters Sued for Trademark Infringement Promoters, which include Stellar Communications …
Earth Wind & Fire Legacy Band Sued for Trademark Infringement Read More »
On February 28, the Copyright Claims Board (CCB) decided in favor of photographer David Oppenheimer, who had sued Douglas Prutton, a lawyer, who used a photo of his without permission. This was the first case and ruling for the CCB. History of the Copyright Claims Board The CCB, created in 2021, gives photographers a way …
Copyright Claims Board’s First Case Sides with Photographer Read More »
In a serious blow to AI image generator users, the United States Copyright Office (USCO) has reversed a decision it made last September regarding whether AI-generated artwork enjoyed the same copyright protection as human-generated art. The copyright office maintains that AI artwork generated by Midjourney and other text-to-image software is not protected by copyright law, …
USCO Rules That AI Artwork Doesn’t Have Copyright Protection Read More »
Three AI image generators—DeviantArt, Midjourney and Stability AI—have been served with a major class action lawsuit, in an effort to defend artists. These platforms have been accused of unlawful competition, right of publicity violations and DMCA violations, and the lawsuit states that artists must be protected and compensated for their work. AI Image Generators and …
Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Filed Against Midjourney Read More »
By ruling in favor of the French luxury brand Hermès in their lawsuit against Mason Rothschild, a digital artist who created the ‘MetaBirkin’ NFT, the federal jury has set a precedent for future NFT copyright cases. The jury returned their verdict after a trial that lasted five days, finding that the NFT based on Birkin …
Jury Rules in Favor of Hermès in MetaBirkins Copyright Case Read More »
Every year around the time of the Super Bowl, the amount of counterfeit sports merchandise explodes. As sports gear pirates get more sophisticated, multiple federal agencies step up their efforts to protect the public from phony memorabilia. Nearly $100 Million in Counterfeit Sports Products Seized In 2022, the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, overseen …
U.S. Authorities Prepare for Counterfeit Super Bowl Merch Read More »
