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 […]
Ask Dr. Copyright
Ask Dr. Copyright is a monthly column that tackles common misconceptions in the areas of intellectual property law especially, copyright.
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 […]
Dear Doc: I heard the the “GMen” want Apple to unlock my iPhone, so that they can see the “stuff” I have saved in there. I thought my iPhone was encrypted and that only my passcode would open it. What gives? Signed, I’d Rather Not Say Dear Mr. Say: You heard mostly right. The FBI […]
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; […]
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 […]
Dear Doc: What’s new in your neck of the woods? Signed, Laurent Nom de Plume Dear Monsieur de Plume: It’s been a slow month for copyright law. Trademarks, however, have been a hotbed of ridiculosity. Exhibit One: John Wayne’s heirs have filed a law suit against Duke University (which was Trinity College until 1924 when […]
Aero TV Faces Additional Hurdles to Survive
October 30, 2014
Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright
Ask Dr. Copyright … Dear Doc: Since you wrote about Aereo, that company with the millions of TV antennas that was going to free us from the tyranny of Comcast, Verizon, Time-Warner, Cox, and all of the other blood-sucking video vampires, and the fact that Aereo lost big-time in the Supreme Court, we have been […]