Concerned Parent Seeks Declaratory Judgement Concerning Potential Fair Use of Copyrighted Mental Health Survey ..read more

One Case Ongoing and Two Cases Closed ..read more

Copyright From a Birds-Eye View Pictorial Works,University July 15, 10:51 AMJuly 15, 10:51 AM This case involves professional photographer Cameron Davidson (Davidson) and Howard University (the University) in Washington, D.C. Last month, in June 2024, Davidson filed a suit after discovering that Howard University had used one of his photographs in their school newspaper, The Hilltop . According to Davidsons Complaint, the matter revolves around an aerial photograph he took and that he registered with the Copyright Office in July 2014. In January 2023, Davidson found out that his image was use ..read more

Copyright Copycat? Logo,Pictorial Works,Work for Hire,University June 03, 11:35 AMJune 03, 11:35 AM On May 15, 2024, Sophia Boyages (Plaintiff or Ms. Boyages) filed a Complaint against the University of Vermont and the State Agricultural College (Defendants or the University) alleging copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. 501. Ms. Boyages alleges that the University knowingly and unlawfully used an art-designed logo (logo or art design) created by the Plaintiff without her authorization or license and is therefore entitled to damages and monetary relief according to 17 U.S.C. 504. In her com ..read more

Not Past the Post Yet Commercial Educational Materials,University May 20, 10:08 AMMay 20, 10:07 AM In October 2021, we first published a blog post on a case filed by Post University against Course Hero. Post University claimed that Course Hero committed, among other things, multiple instances of copyright infringement, trademark infringement, violation of the DMCA, and unfair competition by posting and creating derivative works of educational materials owned by Post University without Post University's permission. After denying all accusations in its Answer, Course Hero subsequently filed a M ..read more

Will the Court Find the Answers? Commercial Educational Materials May 13, 09:24 AMMay 13, 09:23 AM A while ago, in January 2022, we published a post with updates on Chegg Inc.s response to Pearson Education's complaint in a copyright suit over educational practice questions and answers. Since then, the case has undergone numerous back-and-forth proceedings, making it one of the longest-running cases we have followed thus far. To provide a summary of what has happened to the case, on November 22, 2021, Judge Edward Kiel ordered the parties to commence discovery proceedings in preparation for a ..read more

New Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act of 2024 Introduced Legislation or Federal Rulemaking,Artificial Intelligence April 29, 08:59 AMApril 29, 01:16 PM On April 09, 2024, a new piece of legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives concerning Artificial Intelligence and Copyright Law. House Resolution #7913 (H.R. 7913), sponsored by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), establishes a new requirement for creators of generative AI systems. Under the bill, they would be required to file a notice with the Copyright Office detailing all copyrighted works contained in the training dataset ..read more

You Can't Claw Back an Expired Claim April 22, 09:20 AMApril 22, 09:21 AM On December 10, 2023, John Price (Price), a resident of Moody, Texas, filed a lawsuit against Moody Independent School District (the District), Bearcat Athletic Booster Club (BABC), and Andrew Miller (Miller). The Moody Independent School District oversees public education in Moody, Texas, with Miller as superintendent, while the BABC, linked to the district, focuses on sports programs. The lawsuit centers on allegations of copyright infringement under chapters 1 and 12 of 17 U.S.C., marking a significant confrontation b ..read more

Maximum Damages for MaximImages? April 15, 09:04 AMApril 15, 09:04 AM In April 2024, a new copyright infringement case was initiated in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Plaintiff Alex Vladimir Maxim (Maxim), a Canadian professional photographer who conducts his business online by selling his artistic photographs on a website named MaximImages, filed a lawsuit against Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey (Rutgers), alleging violations of 17 U.S.C 106(1). Rutgers, a prestigious public university established in 1766, stands as the eighth oldest university in the U.S ..read more

Private School Too Public With Photographs Joshua Potter April 01, 11:19 AMApril 01, 11:22 AM In March 2024, professional photographer Mando Morlos ("Morlos") filed a Complaint alleging that St. Francis High School - Salesian College Preparatory ("St. Francis") committed copyright infringement and was in breach of contract over the use of hundreds of photographs he took for the school and its students. St. Francis, located in Watsonville, CA, contracted with Morlos to be the exclusive provider of photography service for the school from June 2018 to May 2021. Morlos specifically gave permissio ..read more