On February 23, 2011, the Ninth Circuit issued its opinion in a case involving the Betty Boop cartoon character titled: Fleischer Studios, Inc. v. A.V.E.L.A., Inc., et al. In that case, heirs of the creator of the Betty Boop cartoon claimed that defendants, which were marketing products with Betty Boop’s image, were liable for copyright infringement. (The case also involved claims of trademark infringement which will not be discussed in this article.)Continue Reading Betty Boop and Chain of Title Issues
United Fabrics v. Macys and the Presumption of Copyright Ownership
by United Fabrics International, Inc. (“United Fabrics”) manufactures a collection of fabric designs titled “Ethnic Collection X” to which it holds a copyright. As part of that collection, United Fabrics purchased a fabric design from an Italian design house and then modified the purchase design. It then sued Macy’s (and several others) for infringing on its copyright by selling infringing fabric and garments. Macy’s moved for summary judgment and the court sua sponte dismissed the case claiming that United Fabrics did not have standing to pursue a copyright infringement claim. The court held that United Fabrics had failed to establish the crucial element of ownership of a valid copyright.Continue Reading United Fabrics v. Macys and the Presumption of Copyright Ownership
Common Copyright Myths
Over the last several years as I have interviewed clients, lectured students, and otherwise engaged in discussions relating to intellectual property, specifically copyrights, I have found that people have more misconceptions about copyright law than most other areas of law. Although many of these misconceptions, or myths, have their origin in a kernel of truth, or are the reasonable conclusions of a logical mind, they are nonetheless misconceptions and operating under these incorrect beliefs can adversely affect a person’s legal rights. Below are five of the most common myths.
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“First Sale” doctrine allows radio disc jockeys and music critics who are provided with promotional CDs to resell such CDs without infringing the copyright holder’s copyright in those CDs
by Do promotional CDs sent by music recording companies to radio disc jockeys and music critics which contain labels restricting distribution of the CDs and purport to create a license agreement actually create a license agreement between the recording company and the recipient, thereby rendering inapplicable the “first sale” doctrine—an affirmative defense to copyright infringement that allows owners of copies of copyrighted works to resell those copies? In UMG Recordings, Inc. v. Augusto, No. 08-55998 (9th Cir. Jan. 4, 2011) (“UMG Recordings”), the Ninth Circuit answered in the negative. Continue Reading “First Sale” doctrine allows radio disc jockeys and music critics who are provided with promotional CDs to resell such CDs without infringing the copyright holder’s copyright in those CDs
Technicalities Surrounding Statutory Damages Under The Copyright Act Trigger Suit Against Law Firm Prosecuting Online Infringement Actions
By Scott Hervey
The motion picture industry’s battle against cyber piracy took an interesting twist when an individual who allegedly engaged in the illegal downloading of the movie Far Cry filed a lawsuit against the Copyright Group and the law firm that has filed numerous suits against thousands of alleged infringers. To date, the law firm, Dunlap, Grubb & Weaver has filed suit against 20,000 anonymous “Doe” defendants for illegal file trading copies of various motion pictures, including Hurt Locker and Far Cry. Once the firm determines a defendant’s true identity it then sends out a demand letter informing the individual that they have been identified as having illegally downloaded a motion picture and explaining that the plaintiff is entitled up to $30,000 in damages under the Copyright Act for each infringed work (and in cases where the plaintiff can prove that the infringement was intentional, up to $150,000 in damages.) The firm then offers the individual an early opportunity to settle for $2,500 before it is named as a defendant in the complaint. Continue Reading Technicalities Surrounding Statutory Damages Under The Copyright Act Trigger Suit Against Law Firm Prosecuting Online Infringement Actions