Entertainment Law Update for August/September 2023 (#160)

Practice pointer for those among us who write TOS and Privacy Policies to be aware of unintended consequences and ease of misinterpretation by laypeople reading these things… .it’s perfectly ok to insert clarifying and narrowing language… and avoid this kind of PR nightmare.

AI ART IS NOT COPYRIGHT PROTECTED

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/ai-works-not-copyrightable-studios-1235570316/

https://cdn.patentlyo.com/media/2023/08/THALER-v.-PERLMUTTER-et-al-Docket-No.-1_22-cv-01564-D.D.C.-Jun-02-2022-Court-Docket-1.pdf

https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/19/23838458/ai-generated-art-no-copyright-district-court

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/21/ai-cannot-hold-copyright-federal-judge-rules-00111865

https://www.wired.com/story/the-inventor-behind-a-rush-of-ai-copyright-suits-is-trying-to-show-his-bot-is-sentient/

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Copyright

What do robots and monkeys have in common? Neither can own a copyright.

DISTRICT COURT RULES AZ PROHIBITION ON FILMING OFFICERS UNCONSTITUTIONAL

https://www.azfamily.com/2023/07/21/arizonas-controversial-police-recording-law-ruled-unconstitutional/

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Arizona Broadcasters Association, et al., vs. Kris Mayes, et al.,

COPYRIGHT CLAIMS BOARD CAN HEAR CONTRACT ISSUES

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-07-27/pdf/2023-15940.pdf

As a quick notice to everyone working on matters before the Copyright Claims Board. There are new rules permitting counterclaims associated with contract disputes, effectively allowing the CCB to hear contract claims if it’s associated with the CCB claims.

USPTO PUBLIC LISTENING SESSION COMING SOON (Jon J.)

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/10/2023-17144/changes-to-duration-of-attorney-recognition-notice-of-public-listening-session-and-request-for

https://www.uspto.gov/about-us/events/trademark-public-listening-session-changes-duration-attorney-recognition?utm_campaign=subscriptioncenter&utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/10/2023-17144/changes-to-duration-of-attorney-recognition-notice-of-public-listening-session-and-request-for?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=270298314&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-822FUuHpCyR31nODdUqZFLFnq7FAoa3u-aJFqIeVQ4O-I0tNtu_Vbi8XVCXgKIvlXa226FLcGHNUCvwROO8kpQ4SkPUQ&utm_content=270298314&utm_source=hs_automation

There is a public listening session on September 26, regarding a policy that changes when an attorney of record for an application or registration stops receiving notifications from the USPTO regarding the status of registrations.

You have until September 15 to request to speak by emailing TMPolicy@uspto.gov with

Your name (or the name of the person who will speak)