Publisher to pay $14M in ‘Happy Birthday’ copyright case
Music publisher Warner/Chappell Music will return $14 million in fees to settle a lawsuit that challenges its claim to "Happy Birthday," one of the world's best-known songs.
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Led Zeppelin members deposed in ‘Stairway to Heaven’ lawsuit
The surviving members of Led Zeppelin have all been questioned in a lawsuit that alleges their hit "Stairway to Heaven" was filched from an obscure song by the band Spirit. Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, and Robert Plant were each deposed separately over the past month as part of pretrial discovery in the copyright infringement case, new filings in Los Angeles federal court show.
LeBron, Kobe tattoos in video games trigger copyright suit
LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are at the center of an obscure legal battle over a simple question: Can tattoos be copyrighted?
Today’s battle over streaming and videos
Copyright protection is recognized in the Constitution, and the Act preempts all state laws creating the same or equivalent rights. But it doesn’t preempt protection for recordings made before 1972 under state statutes or common law until 2067.
Indy skyline photo copyright appeal not fully developed
A lawyer and photographer’s appeal in a copyright lawsuit over unlicensed use of his photo of the Indianapolis skyline was improper, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday, dismissing the appeal.
Judge rules for defendants in Indy skyline photo copyright suit
A retired attorney and photographer who has filed numerous infringement lawsuits over the use of his copyrighted photo of the Indianapolis skyline lost a contested case. The ruling judge also said the purported value of the photo is questionable.
Attorney sues hundreds over use of city skyline picture
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Attorney Richard Bell says his picture of the Indianapolis skyline is worth $1,500 or so if you’ve posted it on your website without first paying him to license it.
Copyright infringement spurs knife fight in Warrick County
A copyright infringement dispute between two out-of-state companies has spurred criminal charges in Warrick County, a place where neither business has facilities, employees or quite possibly ever visited before these charges were brought.
Judge finds Google’s book project ‘transformative’
Attorneys differ on whether the recent ruling benefits society or opens the door for infringement.
Judges reaffirm reversal of truck forfeiture in pirated movies case
The Indiana Court of Appeals granted the state’s petition for rehearing in a case in which the judges ruled a man shouldn’t have had his truck taken by the state because he sold pirated movies from it. But the appellate court again ruled in favor of Michael Curtis.
COA reversal of truck forfeiture allows movie fan to drive off into the sunset
In a reversal of a trial court’s ruling, the Indiana Court of Appeals held that a man who pleaded guilty to selling pirated movies should not have had his truck taken by the state because violating copyright is not the same as stealing goods
‘Hologram’ performance by Tupac creates legal questions for IP lawyers
Fans raved about the "hologram" Tupac Shakur's performance at Coachella. For intellectual property lawyers, Tupac’s virtual return to the stage raises some interesting questions.
Federal anti-streaming bill has broad implications
Putting a video on YouTube and embedding that video onto another site could be all it takes to commit a felony under a statutory amendment before the U.S. Senate.
Anti-piracy legislation tackles IP enforcement
The notion of pirates pillaging treasures and bartering it on the high seas isn’t that far fetched for Indianapolis intellectual property attorney Jonathan Polak.
Pizza chain sued for Rockwell-themed ads
The owners of the rights to Normal Rockwell art are suing a Michigan-based pizza company for re-creating a famous painting to sell pizzas during the holidays.
IP meets pop culture
A class of 10 students at Indiana University Maurer School of Law – Bloomington has been getting hands-on experience helping an intellectual property lawyer who works with musicians, actors, and other entertainers on contract and intellectual property issues.
Comment sought on copyright jury instructions
The 7th Circuit Pattern Jury Instruction Committee and Copyright Subcommittee are seeking public comment on proposed copyright pattern civil jury instructions for the court.
Court affirms judgment in school district’s favor
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment in favor of Indianapolis Public Schools in a copyright infringement case, but first had to decide whether it could proceed on the merits.