Ask Dr. Copyright

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

15Jun 2023

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Fair Use

June 15, 2023 Lawrence Husick 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 […]

12Jun 2023

Ask Dr. Copyright about the Public Domain

June 12, 2023 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright

Dear Doc: I know that in the past you have said (complained, actually) that copyrights last far too long…for the life of the author plus another 75 years (or 95 years for corporate-authored works.) That said, it was not always the case that the term was so extensive. How can I know if a book […]

18May 2023

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Public Domain

May 18, 2023 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright

Dear Doc: If something, a photo, music, a video, is in the “public domain,” then why must I pay for a license from Getty Images to use it? Shouldn’t it be free? Signed,Concerned Confused Citizen Dear CCC: You are, indeed, confused. You see, being in the “public domain” just means that there are no legal […]

08May 2023

Ask Dr. Copyright © About IP Licensing

May 8, 2023 Lawrence Husick Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright

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 […]

20Apr 2023

Ask Dr. Copyright © About ChatGPT

April 20, 2023 Lawrence Husick 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 […]

10Apr 2023

Ask Dr. Copyright About Using Online Images

April 10, 2023 Lawrence Husick 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 […]

27Mar 2023

Ask Dr. Copyright © (or is it???)

March 27, 2023 Lawrence Husick 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 […]

16Mar 2023

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 […]

28Feb 2023

We asked ChatGPT for a parody of Dr. Copyright. Here’s what we got: Dr. Copyright was feeling quite pleased,His legal power was never to be eased.He guarded the rights of creators with glee,Making sure no one used their works for free. But little did he know, his power was slipping,As technology made it easier for […]

27Feb 2023

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 […]

Ask Dr. Copyright

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Fair Use

Ask Dr. Copyright about the Public Domain

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Public Domain

Ask Dr. Copyright © About IP Licensing

Ask Dr. Copyright © About ChatGPT

Ask Dr. Copyright About Using Online Images

Ask Dr. Copyright © (or is it???)

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Section 230

Ask Dr. Copyright ©, A Parody by ChatGPT

Ask Dr. Copyright © About Parodies and Fair Use

Contact Adam Garson, Esq.

Sign-up for Monthly Emails

Top Rated

Recent News

Search this Website

Ask Dr. Copyright

Contact Adam Garson, Esq.

Sign-up for Monthly Emails

Top Rated

Connect on Social Media

Recent News

Search this Website