Ask Dr. Copyright

Ask Dr. Copyright is a monthly column that tackles common misconceptions in the areas of intellectual property law especially, copyright.

17Oct 2024

Ask Dr. Copyright® About Clowns

October 17, 2024 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright

Dear Doc: What is the strangest form of intellectual property protection you’ve ever run across? Signed,Ronald McD. Dear Ronald: Without a doubt, the most unusual form of protection of an idea or expression is the Clown Egg Register in Wookey Hole, England (the “Register”). The Doc is indebted to David Fagundes and Aaron Perzanowski and […]

26Sep 2024

Ask Dr. Copyright® About Political Campaigns and Music

September 26, 2024 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright

Dear Doc: Political campaigns seem to have become entertainment, featuring musical introductions, interludes between speeches, and soundtracks to commercial spots. But what if a musical artist disagrees with the positions of the sponsor of the event? Can she prevent the use of her music entirely, or charge a very high royalty, which she then donates […]

22Aug 2024

Ask Dr. Copyright® About Coffee

August 22, 2024 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright, Trademark

Dear Doc: I understand that under United States Trademark Law, you can’t register marks that are “primarily geographically descriptive” as you can in other countries, but you may register “geographic indications” as certification or collective marks. For example, in France, champagne has to actually come from Champagne and Roquefort has to come from Roquefort. The […]

25Jul 2024

Ask Dr. Copyright® About ‘Surname’ Trademarks

July 25, 2024 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright

Dear Doc: In the United States, you can register just about any trademark on just about anything. Marks that are not okay in foreign countries (like place names such as “champagne”) are routinely used and registered in the USofA. Why, then, did the Supreme Court nix registration of the mark “Trump Too Small”? Signed,Rube Marko […]

29Apr 2024

Ask Dr. Copyright — He tackles the Basics!

April 29, 2024 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright, Intellectual Property

Dear Doc: You often write complicated articles about interesting and esoteric matters of intellectual property law. How about something at a more basic level that I can share with my children to help them understand what copyright is all about? Signed, Loco Parentis Dear Loco (and which among us parents is not loco from […]

22Apr 2024

Ask Dr. Copyright — Music for Political Purposes

April 22, 2024 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright

Dear Doc: I’ve heard that politicians who use music at their campaign appearances and in their Internet postings (Tweets, Memes, and other stuff) need to get permission from the music artists, and that sometimes, they don’t. What happens then? Signed,Dazed and Confused Dear D&C:The basic rule of copyright is that unless use of a […]

18Apr 2024

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Innovation

April 18, 2024 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright

Dear Doc: For some time now, we have heard and read that Apple, Inc. has lost its famous ability to innovate. What does that mean, and do you agree? Signed, Your College Friend Who Refuses to Use Any Apple Products, Ever! Dear John: As you know, the Doc bought his first Apple computer in 1979 […]

21Mar 2024

copyright infringement of stuffed animals

Dear Doc: How can a person tell if one stuffed toy infringes the intellectual property rights in another stuffed toy? Asking for a friend. Signed,J. Sinestvet Dear J: When the Doc was about to graduate from law school, he was interviewed for a job at a prominent Philadelphia patent law firm. The Doc has a […]

22Feb 2024

Dear Doc: As I understand it, one of the disputes during the recent SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike was over the use of artificial intelligence-generated actors instead of actual humans in movies and other performances. I think that there ought to be a law against that kind of thing! Signed,George Karlin Dear George: You may just get your wish! […]

18Jan 2024

Dear Doc: Having just watched “Dancing With the Stars,” and feeling a bit down over Barry Williams’ loss (but happy that Jason Mraz made it to the finals), I got to wondering if dances can be protected by a copyright registration so that they can’t be copied. May just anyone “moonwalk,” or did Michael Jackson […]

Ask Dr. Copyright

Ask Dr. Copyright® About Clowns

Ask Dr. Copyright® About Political Campaigns and Music

Ask Dr. Copyright® About Coffee

Ask Dr. Copyright® About ‘Surname’ Trademarks

Ask Dr. Copyright — He tackles the Basics!

Ask Dr. Copyright — Music for Political Purposes

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Innovation

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Infringement

Ask Dr. Copyright © About AI in Movies

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Dance

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