Three Times is a Charm: T.I Awarded Over $71 Million From MGA For Stealing Pop Group’s Trade Dress
OMG Girlz is a teen pop girl group created in 2009 by Tameka “Tiny” Harris and her now husband Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., professionally known as the artist “T.I.” The group was mostly known for the members’ eccentric outfits and fluorescent hair, but they never released an album.
Utah Sues TikTok Over Child Sex Trafficking Allegations
On June 3, 2024, Utah’s Division of Consumer Protection filed a lawsuit against TikTok Inc. in state court, accusing the company of profiting from child sex trafficking through an unregulated virtual currency system in its live-streaming feature.
First Circuit Clarifies that Song Royalties Belong to Artists
On June 18, 2024, the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that members of musical groups, rather than their owners or managers, are entitled to featured “recording artists” royalties under federal law.
Big Success for ‘Success Kid’ in Copyright Lawsuit
On June 7, 2024, an Eighth Circuit appeals court panel ruled that the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Andy Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith undermined the fair use defense in a copyright lawsuit against a former Republican congressman.
New York Appellate Court Upholds Dismissal of 50 Cent Liquor Fraud Claim
On May 30, 2024, a five-judge panel of the New York appeals court affirmed the decision of New York County Superior Court Justice Melissa Crane to dismiss several components of a lawsuit brought by Sire Spirits LLC, a fine liquors company owned by rapper 50 Cent, against Jim Beam and its parent company, Suntory Global Spirits.
Owners of Music Catalogs Take a Stance Against AI Companies
Owners of massive music catalogs are taking a stance against AI companies using their property without consent. Sony Music Entertainment and a group of record labels are pursuing copyright litigation against two artificial intelligence startups whose tools allow users to create music in just a few clicks.
Producers of ‘Love is Blind’ Facing False Imprisonment Suit
On May 9, 2024, a Texas appellate court found that the producers of ‘Love is Blind,’ a Netflix reality show, can’t avoid a Season 5 contestant’s claims of false imprisonment and negligence.
Court Finds That Earth, Wind & Fire Cover Band Went Too Far
On May 20, 2024, Florida Federal Judge Federico A. Moreno ordered a concert producer and promoter to pay $750,000, along with post-judgment interest, to the entity that owns the rights to engage in live performances on behalf of Earth, Wind & Fire.
Original ‘Road House’ Writer Sues Amazon Over Remake
On February 27, 2024, the writer of the 1989 film ‘Road House’ sued Amazon Studios, LLC, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. R. Lance Hill, also known as David Lee Henry, alleges that Amazon ignored his copyright for the screenplay and rushed to finish the film by using artificial intelligence before he was able to complete the termination of his original assignment to United Artists under Section 203 of the Copyright Act.
Consider The Grecian Urn: Why Prior Art Has No Place in Analyzing Substantial Similarity Under the Copyright Act
STEVEN T. LOWE AND SCOTT ALAN BURROUGHS ASSISTANCE BY: MORGAN ROJO, TYLER PABOOJIAN, OLIVIA FINLAYSON, AND CAROLINE GARCIA 112 CHICAGO-KENT J. INTELL. PROP....
Ye and Donna Summer’s Estate Reach Settlement in Copyright Infringement Lawsuit
On May 29, 2024, U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte Jr. of the Central District of California granted an extension for an order to show cause in a case filed by Donna Summer’s estate against rappers Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) and Ty Dolla $ign.
How Far Does a Tattoo Artist’s Exclusive Right of Reproduction Extend?
On April 19, 2024, an Ohio federal jury ruled in favor of the makers of the NBA 2K video game series in a copyright infringement suit brought by a tattoo artist.
The “Top Gun” Case: How Writers of Non-Fiction Get Short Shrift Under Copyright Law
On April 5, 2024 U.S. District Court Judge Percy Anderson granted summary judgment in favor of Defendant Paramount Pictures Corp. in a copyright infringement case regarding “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Fan Fiction: Copyrightable? No!
On March 27, 2024, New York federal Judge Paul A. Engelmayer granted Warner Bros. and DC Comics motions for summary judgment in a copyright infringement claim regarding the 2022 film “The Batman.”
Jury Rules in Favor of Kat Von D in Miles Davis Tattoo Copyright Case
On January 26th, 2024, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D was found not to be liable on claims that she infringed the copyright of a photo of jazz legend Miles Davis.
Lawsuit: Mariah Carey Sued Over “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (again)
Mariah Carey faces allegations from songwriters Andy Stone and Troy Powers, who accuse the pop icon of copyright infringement over her ubiquitous holiday...
Lawsuit to Continue Over “Back To The Future” Delorean Car
On February 22, 2024, District Court Judge David O. Carter partially rejected NBCUniversal’s (“NBCU”) motion for summary judgment in a lawsuit filed by DeLorean Motor Co. (“DMC”). This ruling dismisses NBCU’s claim that the DeLorean car company lacks a valid trademark infringement claim.
Artist Roddy Ricch Beats Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against 50-Year-Old Song
On February 12, 2024, U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres dismissed a lawsuit that claimed Roddy Ricch’s 2019 song had copied another song, stating that no reasonable juror would see enough similarities between the two.