Universal Music sues video-sharing sites Grouper and Bolt.com for copyright infringement, which, at $150,000 a pop, could add up.
Ringtones Subject To Compulsory Copyright License
Prof Patry explains why the cost of ringtones may go down as a result.
Fred von Lohmann on YouTube/Google
Jellyfish Swim Vertically In Nature
Mountain Lions perch on rocks with their young in their mouths. T-Rex opened their mouths to eat things. Prof Patry discusses unprotectable ideas from nature and expert testimony.
[Predictable Pun On ‘Scents’ Here]
U.K. declines to extend copyright protection to perfume scent. Counterfeit Chic discusses.
Prior discussion of protection of scent in the Netherlands, France, and OHIM here.
Get The Knack Of Copyright Statute of Limitations
If you grew up in Queens, New York, then you have a soft spot for Run-DMC, if for no other reason than they recorded a song entitled “Christmas In Hollis.” They also recorded a song called “It’s Tricky” which was a hit in 1985. ‘It’s Tricky’ sampled ‘My Sharona,’ the one hit for one hit
“Photographer Alleges Geisha House Photos Infringe”
Hollywood Reporter: “Photographer Alleges Geisha House Photos Infringe.” (LA restaurant Geisha House utilizing ‘lips’ motif similar to ‘signature’ photo of plaintiff).
Google image search of term ‘Geisha Lips’ here.
Belgian Court Orders Google News To Drop ‘Snippets’
News.com: ‘Google relents, publishes Belgian court ruling.’
Related news.com article: “Publishers aim for some control of search results.”
Reading Other People’s Mail: AutoWeek
Prof Lessig reprints an exchange between a free lance photographer and AutoWeek, which published a photo in which the photographer claimed copyright. Happy ending here.
Drafting Tip
Kevin Heller makes a good point over at IP Law Daily, providing YouTube with some advice:
“If I were their lawyer, I’d advise them to post “This video has been removed as per the request of the copyright owner” rather than admitting “due to copyright infringement” as they do in the above.”