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 […]
Ask Dr. Copyright
Ask Dr. Copyright is a monthly column that tackles common misconceptions in the areas of intellectual property law especially, copyright.
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Innovation
April 18, 2024
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 […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Infringement
March 21, 2024
Ask Dr. Copyright
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 […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About AI in Movies
February 22, 2024
Ask Dr. Copyright
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! […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Dance
January 18, 2024
Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright
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 about Podcasts
December 4, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright
Dear Doc: During this social isolation, I’ve started a new hobby…I’m a podcaster! I record myself saying fascinating things and then I publish the audio files on the Internet. Lately, I’ve learned that podcasts are more interesting if you use music to mark “intros”, “outros” and transitions. Please tell me that I’m not going to […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Genericized Trademarks
September 25, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright, Trademark
Dear Doc: I know this is not strictly a copyright question, but it seems to me that I now spend my time Zooming, having Zooms, meeting friends for Zoomtails, Zoomshipping, and so forth. I even Zoom when I am on some other system, like FaceTime. Is Zoom in legal trouble here? Signed,Generically Worried Dear GW: […]
Dear Doc: What’s Up Doc? A thumb! So what does it take for a text message to become a legally binding contract? Signed,Sorta Worried Dear Sorta: One of the first things you learn in law school (provided you’re paying attention) is that in order to have a contract, you need an offer, acceptance of the […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About AI
August 24, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright
Dear Doc: I see that several artists and authors have sued artificial intelligence companies, claiming that using their writings, artwork, voices, etc. to train AI systems violates copyright. What do you think of that? Can they stop this whole AI thing using copyright law? Signed,Asking for an Artificial Friend Dear Asking: The Doc is skeptical […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Fair Use
June 15, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright
Dear Doc: I know that you have written a boatload of articles about “appropriation art,” where someone just grabs the copyright-protected work of another person, changes it a bit, and then sells it for a boatload of money, never giving the first artist a penny, and how this was totally legal. So how come I […]