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 […]
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 […]
We have two trademark news updates this month: In our February 2022 newsletter, we discussed the importance of “geographical indications” in trademark law. You may recall that a geographical indication is an association between a geographical region and a particular product. To quote ourselves: Champagne is from the Champagne region of France, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and […]
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 […]
So, you’ve come up with an invention. Great! Now it’s time to apply for your patent. So how much information must you supply in your patent application? The general rule is that you must provide ‘enablement’; that is, you must provide enough information in the text and drawings so that a person knowledgeable in the […]
Photographers have long been able to utilize the copyright system for registering groups of photographs for a single registration fee, now $55.00. It has to be one of the best bargains in the IP world. Registration gives photographers and other authors of original content access to federal courts, a presumption of validity, a public record of ownership […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
*Originally posted on January 12, 2023 Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And never brought to mind?Should auld acquaintance be forgot,And auld lang syne? (Chorus)For auld lang syne, my dear,For auld lang syne,We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,For auld lang syne The New Year evokes memories of old times and no song embodies that sentiment more […]
