Copyright News Round Up
Week of June 21, 2017
Stay informed about all things Copyright with our weekly Copyright News Round Up.
Friday’s Endnotes – 07/21/17
By Copyhype | “Understanding the CLASSICS Act — Yesterday, Representatives Issa and Nadler dropped a bill that would partially federalize pre-1972 sound recordings, allowing the owners of many popular oldies to get royalties under statutory licenses when they are played online. Jonathan Bailey looks at what caused the problem and how this bill will address the issue.”
Are emojis protected by copyright⁉️
By Copyright Alliance | Answer: Maybe. Turns out, emojis are more complicated than one might imagine
Emojis are “pictographs— images of things such as faces, weather, vehicles and buildings, food and drink, animals and plants— or icons that represent emotions, feelings, or activities.” The word “emoji,” which comes from the Japanese language, essentially means picture characters.
What Every Successful Creator Needs to Know About Copyright
By Copyright Alliance | What Every Successful Creator Needs to Know About Copyright.
As a creator, you want to make cutting-edge videos, post them online, and attract a large fan base. But do you know how copyright can help you do that? Do you know the easy steps you can take to avoid accidentally infringing someone else’s work?
Copyright Alliance live from VidCon! Watch full video here.
Maria Pallante Receives Champion of Intellectual Property Award
By Copyright Alliance | Annual Reception to Honor 2017 Distinguished Recipient of Champion of Intellectual Property (ChIP) Award: Maria Pallante.
On July 19, the D.C. Bar Intellectual Property Law Community’s Annual Reception honored this year’s distinguished recipient of the Champion of Intellectual Property (ChIP) Award: Maria Pallante, former Register of Copyrights and current President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers.
The Access Copyright v York University Federal Court Decision: Restoring Some Balance to Copyright in Canada
By Hugh Stephens | “The decision issued by the Federal Court of Canada on July 12 regarding the dispute between the copyright collective Access Copyright and one of Canada’s largest universities, York University (Toronto), marks an important step in swinging the pendulum of copyright back into greater balance. While the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) called the ruling “a setback for balanced copyright”, the decision is in fact just the opposite. It is a common sense judgment based on concrete evidence that restores the definition of “fairness” with respect to unlicenced copying by post-secondary educational institutions in Canada.”
“Monkey selfie” photographer reportedly broke. And for what?
By David Newhoff | “This is a story about how people with self-righteous and futile agendas end up harming creators for absolutely no reason— and even end up harming society in the bargain. I’ve made light of the “monkey selfie” case in past articles because it’s hard not to. I mean, there’s a monkey in it. But for U.K. wildlife photographer David Slater, it’s no laughing matter, especially after the organization PETA decided to sue him on the grounds that the copyright in the photograph belongs to the crested macaque depicted in the image. The Guardian reports that Slater is now financially broke as a result of defending himself in this ridiculous case, and it’s impossible to fathom an upside to any aspect of this whole story. But let’s back up a little.”
Getting away with infringement doesn’t mean it’s cool.
By David Newhoff | “Last week, while I was writing my last post about photographer David Slater, a story on PetaPixel was making the rounds. Written by photographer Max Dubler, the title is a refrain of an all-too-familiar theme. No You Can’t Use My Photos on Your Brand’s Instagram for Free, says Dubler.”
International Trade Administration Report Highlights Strong Markets, Persistent Piracy
By Kevin Madigan | “Last month, the International Trade Administration (ITA)— an agency in the US Department of Congress that measures and promotes the export of nonagricultural services and goods— released its 2017 Top Markets Report, Media and Entertainment Sector Snapshot. The report provides updates on the steady growth of the US media and entertainment (M&E) sector, which includes the core copyright industries: books, newspapers, periodicals, motion pictures, TV production, recorded music, radio and television broadcasting, video games, and software. In addition to emphasizing the solid growth and immense value added by copyright-intensive industries to the US economy, the update highlights the enduring barriers hindering the sector’s export potential, not the least of which is the continuing harmful effects of widespread piracy and copyright infringement.”
Understanding the CLASSICS Act
By Jonathan Bailey | “In August 2013 I wrote an article discussing the bizarre copyright status of pre-1972 sound recordings.
Currently, such recordings are not covered under federal copyright law. Instead, they’re protected under a mishmash of state law and common law that provides many similar protections.”
What Does a Novelist Do? A Conversation with Nina Sadowsky
By Gregg LaGambina | “A novelist writes novels, of course, but when you’re Nina Sadowsky, that’s just one small part of being a writer. Sadowsky didn’t even start writing her first novel until she was in her 40s, and much of her success can be attributed to her ability to flout convention and remain fearless despite the many odds stacked against her. Her tenacity has not only helped launch her career as a novelist, it’s why she became one in the first place.”
Former Copyright Officer Head Pallante Gets IP Champion Award
By Anandashankar Mazumdar | “The D.C. Bar Intellectual Property Law Community is naming Maria A. Pallante, the former head of the Copyright Office, recipient of the 2017 Champion of Intellectual Property Award, according to a press statement from the Association of American Publishers.”
No, You Can’t Use My Photos On Your Brand’s Instagram For Free
By Max Dubler | “My name is Max Dubler, and I am a professional photographer who has been working full time in downhill skateboarding for the last several years. I am a well-known person within this little niche: I started an influential website with my friends, was on staff for the only downhill magazine since its first issue, have written extensively about downhill skate safety, and have been hired by almost every major downhill skate brand to shoot photos.”
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Photo Credit: Kubkoo/iStock/thinkstock & seb_ra/iStock/thinkstock
Photos edited by: Copyright Alliance