Dear Doc: It seems to me that every time I try to find out about intellectual property licensing, I end up more confused than ever. Are you able to help? Signed, Bothered and Bewildered Dear B&B: You are correct. Licensing is a complex area of business and of the law. Unfortunately, it is in the […]
All posts by: Lawrence Husick
Ask Dr. Copyright © About ChatGPT
April 20, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright
Dear Doc: All this new artificial intelligence on the Internet looks like it can make life easier for authors. Why not have some help writing a first draft? Does the use of a system like ChatGPT have any effect on legal rights? Signed,Not an AI Dear NAAI: You sure stepped into the middle of a […]
Ask Dr. Copyright About Border Protection
April 17, 2023
Copyright
Dear Doc:How can federal “troops” (aka officers from Customs and Border Protection) just show up in cities to protect courthouses and other federal property, launch tear gas, and arrest people? Isn’t there something about limited jurisdiction and federalism that makes such things illegal?Signed,Anonymous Protestor Dear AP: You might think that these officers showing up in […]
Ask Dr. Copyright About Using Online Images
April 10, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright
Dear Doc: Last month, you explained how to avoid legal issues concerning the use of music in podcasts. While that was interesting, many more ugly “lawyer letters” stem from use of images on websites and newsletters. Do you have any sage advice on how not to be on the receiving end of a nasty-gram from […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © (or is it???)
March 27, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright
Dear Doc: It seems that all anyone wants to talk about now is artificial intelligence. Are there copyright issues involved in AI? Signed, ChatGPT Dear Chat: The Doc has been thinking about this question for a long time. Back in the “dark ages” of computers (ca. 1983) we used to call the job of getting […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About the Times Square Ball Drop
March 20, 2023
Copyright
Dear Doc: With the New Year nigh, what fascinating copyright info do you have about the big illuminated sphere that drops in Times Square at midnight? Signed,Tipsy and Frozen Dear T&F: Funny you should ask! The Doc was just perusing the website for the big event. On that site, we can learn many fascinating facts, such […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Section 230
March 16, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright
Dear Doc: What’s this “Section 230” I keep hearing about, and why should I care? Signed, Poster Child Dear PC: Section 230 refers to a particular part of the Communication Decency Act of 1996. Back then, Congress passed the law as a way to encourage the commercial growth of the Internet, which until the early 1990s […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Copyright Transfers
March 6, 2023
Copyright
*Originally posted on October 20, 2022 Dear Doc: I know (because my attorney keeps reminding me) that transfers of copyright must be in writing and signed by the owner of the rights. How, then, could a recent case in Minnesota find that distributing a photographer’s pictures of Prince (the Artist, not the Ruler Formerly Known […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Parodies and Fair Use
February 27, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright
Dear Doc: I just had a lovely night at the theater, where I saw the musical “Vape.” The show was a copy of “Grease,” but with changed lyrics for nine songs and dialog that exposed just how sexist Grease is. Vape advertises that it is, “A live musical parody of Grease!” Vape doesn’t pay the […]
Dear Doc: My new company paid $500 to a designer in Bulgaria for a company logo. The invoice we received says that we have “the right to use the logo in any way, forever.” We good? Signed,A Bit Worried Dear Bit: A recent case filed in both federal and state courts in Georgia should have […]