Dear Doc: I know that this is not a copyright question, but I have heard that trade secrets are about to get a lot more important. What’s up? Signed, Johnny Rivers Dear Johnny: You hear right. On April 27, 2016, by a vote of 410-2, the US House of Representatives passed the Defend Trade Secrets […]
All posts by: Lawrence Husick
Dear Doc: I’m an aspiring musician. I write the songs that make the whole world sing. Lately, it seems that I’m having to work much harder to become an overnight success. After all, I write the songs that make the young girls cry. Can you help? Signed, Mandy Dear Mandy: Woof! Wooof, grrrr. Woof! (But […]
Ask Dr. Copyright… Is Mayo Patentable
March 21, 2016
Ask Dr. Copyright, Litigation
Dear Doc: I hear that in patent law, there’s a new worry about “Mayo”. What’s up? Did someone leave it out of the fridge? Did it spoil? Did folks get sick? Signed, The Entire Pharmaceutical Industry Dear Industry: The “Mayo” you heard about has spoiled a lot of things, and is likely to cause a […]
Ask Dr. Copyright…Is “The Big Game” Trademarked?
February 2, 2016
Ask Dr. Copyright
Dear Doc: Everywhere I look today, I see advertisements about what to eat during “THE BIG GAME”. What’s up with that? Signed, Super Confused Dear Sportsfan: According to the National Football League, “Super Bowl®” is their registered trademark for television broadcasting services; television transmission services; distribution of television programming to cable and satellite television systems; […]
What’s So “Efficient” About Patent Infringement?
October 20, 2015
Patent
In a recent editorial in the New York Times, Joe Nocera discussed “patent trolls” and the concept of efficient infringement of patent rights. Briefly, this idea is that large companies just ignore patents completely, taking a “so sue me” attitude, knowing that they have legions of lawyers who can wear down patent owners, and that […]
Dear Doc: I know that you have a “juris doctor” degree (hence, the “Dr.” in your title) that you got by spending three long, hard years in law school. For those of us who don’t have the time, money, or frankly, any interest in going to law school, can you tell us what you learned […]
Ask Dr. Copyright …
September 30, 2015
Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright
Dear Doc: I heard that there is almost never a final step in the onward march of copyright law. What, exactly, does that mean? Signed, Dazed and Confuzed Dear D&C: It means that, as the late, great Yogi Berra (may he forever whisper in the Almighty’s ear) said, “It ain’t over ’till it’s over!” For […]
Dear Doc: I know a copyright is only national in scope, but that the Berne Convention requires signatory countries to accord rights to copyright holders from other nations. I recently heard the theme song for the Beijing 2020 Winter Olympic Games. It reminds me of another song I have heard thousands of times, but I […]
Free “Happy Birthday” May Become a Reality
August 4, 2015
Copyright
Ask Dr. Copyright … Dear Doc: Some time ago, I wrote to you about the song “Happy Birthday” and the law suit over whether restaurants and film makers must still pay royalties if they sing it in public. Has anything new happened? Signed, Happy Birthdad Dear Hap (can I still call you that?)… Funny you should […]
Artist Richard Prince and the “Derivative” Work
June 30, 2015
Copyright
Ask Dr. Copyright … Dear Doc: Back in April 2013, you wrote about how Richard Prince drew a few electric guitars and naughty bits on photos taken by photographer Patrick Cariou, and then sold them to Beyoncé, Giselle, and other really famous people for tons of money. I seem to remember that a court said […]