Doin’ The Copyright Registration Dance

Welcome to this episode of Entertainment Law Update.

SHOW NOTES

SCOTUS RULES ON WHEN TO FILE SUIT

https://www.multichannel.com/news/supremes-infringement-suits-must-await-copyright-registration

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/17-571_e29f.pdf

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/supreme-court-holds-copyright-owners-wait-registration-sue-1192061

https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/fourth-estate-public-benefit-corp-v-wall-street-com/

EU REVOKED MCDONALDS BIGMAC TRADEMARK: BURGER KING HAS FUN AT MCDONALDS EXPENSE

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/31/like-a-big-mac-but-juicier-burger-king-renames-sandwiches-to-troll-mcdonalds

NOMINATIVE FAIR USE FOR WEBCAST NAME (TIE TO FANDOM PODCASTS?)

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/webcast-title-using-trademarks-of-56775/
http://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2019/01/15/17-16815.pdf

MAHONEY: FIRING A PERSON IS FREE SPEECH

https://law.justia.com/cases/california/court-of-appeal/2019/b283529.html (Decision)
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/eddie-moneys-firing-drummer-was-expression-free-speech-court-rules-1182348

‘STAR TREK’/DR. SEUSS MASHUP DEEMED COPYRIGHT FAIR USE BY JUDGEl

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/star-trek-dr-seuss-mashup-deemed-a-fair-use-by-judge-1194166

http://nysbar.com/blogs/EASL/2019/03/dr_seuss_enterprises_v_comixmi.html

FORTNITE SECTION

Background video-Dances in the game and their pop culture analogues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3_dJaZjwHo

Carlton Dance isn’t given Copyright Protection

Copyright Office Refuses Registration for ‘Fresh Prince’ Star Alfonso Ribeiro’s “Carlton Dance”

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Fresh-Prince-Bel-Air-Alfonso-Ribeiro–505862821.html

https://news.avclub.com/u-s-copyright-office-shades-the-carlton-dance-while-1832650956#amp-rdXVo1Kzpw0M_TVEv6g1TaHXnmkUb5UqFd2GMNDLBl4nEJOSRVLLvbx767YCiDNc

But the Carlton isn’t the only dance alleged as copied

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/fortnite-publisher-urges-dismissal-rappers-suit-no-one-can-own-a-dance-step-1185716

https://www.thesports.biz/epic-games-maryland-copyright/amp/#click=https://t.co/KCywYAgCr2

And of course, Epic has to protect its mark from being associated with Fyre Festivals (maybe?)

https://kotaku.com/epic-is-suing-that-awful-fortnite-festival-1832736420

And they are stuck with cybersecurity issues as well (maybe)

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/fortnite-players-sue-for-alleged-68742/

https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/mobile-apps/881135-fortnite-class-action-lawsuit-alleges-payment-info-exposed/

POKEMON GO SETTLES ITS TRESPASSING CLASS

‘Pokemon Go’ Creator Agrees to Tighter Leash on Virtual Creatures to End Class Action

THOMAS WEIGHS IN ON DEFAMATION

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/supreme-court-declines-review-bill-cosby-libel-case-1147407

https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/17-1542_ihdk.pdf (THOMAS CONCURRENCE)

FAIR USE BAD DECISION: RNC WINS AGAINST PHOTOGRAPHER ON FAIR USE

https://pdnpulse.pdnonline.com/2019/03/rnc-copyright-erika-peterman.html

https://petapixel.com/2019/03/20/rnc-use-of-photo-without-permission-on-political-mailer-is-fair-use-judge/ (decision is in here)

FOLLOW UP ON MMA: SPOTIFY, AMAZON, PANDORA, AND GOOGLE NOTICES OF APPEAL TO THE D.C. COURT OF APPEALS OVER ROYALTY PAYMENTS

https://www.copyright.gov/rulemaking/pre1972-soundrecordings-schedules/

https://www.copyright.gov/rulemaking/mma-115-techamend/

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/spotify-google-pandora-amazon-appeal-copyright-royalty-board-rates-1193252

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/podcast/wait-spotify-is-suing-songwriters-what-the-heck-is-going-on/?fbclid=IwAR0IHyj16wCMOuayOJu6DfAN-4FLbhtsazAtfM15IUCRONmG_x6CWAuc_Pg

RAPPERS TELL SCOTUS THAT LYRICS ARE NOT A CALL TO VIOLENCE

https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/07/politics/supreme-court-first-amendment-rappers/index.html
https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/knox-v-pennsylvania/

VIDANGEL STILL LOSING-FILTRATION IS NOT FAIR USE

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hollywood-studios-win-copyright-battle-vidangels-streaming-service-1192990?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=THR%27s%20Today%20in%20Entertainment_now_2019-03-08%2007:15:42_wrobinson&utm_term=hollywoodreporter_tie