Copyright Colonialism? One Court Says “Double Shot” has a Single Owner
FishBits: Mini Article Volume 25, Issue 7
Did a federal court in Louisiana recently decide that US copyrights are global rights? It seems so.
Innovation vs. Imitation: L.A.B. Golf’s Challenge Against Legacy Brands
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 25, Issue 7
L.A.B. Golf aims to protect its innovations, and therefore its market position, owning three patents for its zero-torque design. The question now is whether L.A.B. Golf can withstand the wave of copycat designs.
The Real Slim Shady Didn’t License That!
FishBits: Mini Article Volume 25, Issue 6
One of his most famous songs, “Lose Yourself” was recently at the center of a lawsuit. In 2019, Eminem’s publishing company Eight Mile Style sued Spotify claiming that Spotify streamed a number of its musical compositions without proper licenses.
WHAT’S WHO’S IN A NAME?
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 25, Issue 6
Our latest article tackles three common trademark questions:
1. Can I trademark my own name?
2. Can I trademark the name of a fictional character?
3. Can I trademark the name of a U.S. president or British royal?
AI Pushes Copyright Limits—Court Pushes Back
FishBits: Mini Article Volume 25, Issue 5
One of the most common challenges is whether AI should be free to train on data that is protected by copyright and owned by third parties without first obtaining permission.
John Wick to Jane Wick: “Yeah, I’m Thinking I’m Back.”
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 25, Issue 5
Like the titles of single creative works, character names do not generate trademark rights unless used for a series of creative works (meaning two or more). A year ago, Jane Wick, LLC filed a trademark application for the mark JANE WICK in logo format.
AI Wrote This Headline—And It’s Not Copyrightable
FishBits: Mini Article Volume 25, Issue 4
The U.S. Copyright Office (USCO) recently published its latest report on AI and “copyrightability.” In short, the USCO considers only some AI-generated works to be sufficiently creative as to deserve copyright protection, and thus, registration.
Bottle Cap Trivia and Fire at the Patent Office
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 25, Issue 4
We know that as of June 4, 2024, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) had issued more than twelve million patents. We also know that more than 10,000 patents were in existence before the count began.
Red, White, and Sued: Captain America’s Copyright Battle
FishBits: Mini Article Volume 25, Issue 3
Back in the 1940’s assignments by independent contractors could be permanent and irrevocable. Things changed in 1976, when Congress overhauled the Copyright Act.
Tick-Tock; Is Time Up on TikTok?
Fish Tank: Newsletter Volume 25, Issue 3
What may be a mere source of entertainment for the general population also serves as a lucrative source of income for many who use the platform to promote goods and services or their public opinion on relevant news topics.