Two thousand years ago, the Roman historian Tacticus said that “victory is claimed by all, failure to one alone.” Such is the fate of successful creative works, whether they are music, art, or television shows. In recent years, the Star Trek universe has expanded to include several new shows, including the successful Star Trek: Discovery. […]
Copyright
Ask Dr. Copyright About Border Protection
April 17, 2023
Copyright
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 […]
Ask Dr. Copyright About Using Online Images
April 10, 2023
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 […]
Bloggers, Register Your Copyrights Now!
April 3, 2023
Copyright
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 […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © (or is it???)
March 27, 2023
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 […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About the Times Square Ball Drop
March 20, 2023
Copyright
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 […]
Auld Lang Syne and the Public Domain
March 13, 2023
Copyright
*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 […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Copyright Transfers
March 6, 2023
Copyright
*Originally posted on October 20, 2022 Dear Doc: I know (because my attorney keeps reminding me) that transfers of copyright must be in writing and signed by the owner of the rights. How, then, could a recent case in Minnesota find that distributing a photographer’s pictures of Prince (the Artist, not the Ruler Formerly Known […]
Ask Dr. Copyright © About Parodies and Fair Use
February 27, 2023
Ask Dr. Copyright, Copyright
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 […]
*Originally posted on June 2, 2022 The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently handed down an important opinion for the Cannabis world. Before we get into the weeds (so to speak), let’s start with some basics. Possession and use of cannabis on the federal level is illegal. It is referred to […]