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AI Copyright Gets Cheesy, Podcasters Win Fair Use, and Spotify Dodges? Royalties – Entertainment Law Update 177

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EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Entertainment Law Update, join Gordon Firemark and Tamara Bennett as they dive into the latest legal battles shaping the future of AI, copyright, and digital media. This AI-packed episode covers Texas’ new ethics opinion on AI, the Copyright Office’s latest report on AI-generated works, and the groundbreaking first-ever copyright registration granted to AI art. We also analyze key rulings, including Thomson Reuters’ legal victory in an AI copyright case and podcasters winning a major fair use decision.

Plus, we discuss Spotify’s courtroom battles over bundling and unlicensed music in podcasts, the ongoing Jack Daniel’s dog toy trademark saga, and a game-changing international copyright ruling in Vetter v. Resnik. In breaking news, the Corporate Transparency Act’s BOI reporting requirements have been reinstated.

Stay informed on the latest legal trends in AI, media, and intellectual property by tuning in now!

AI CORNER: 

Texas Puts out Ethics Opinion on AI 

https://www.legalethicstexas.com/resources/opinions/opinion-705

Copyright Office Part 2 of AI Report 

https://www.copyright.gov/newsnet/2025/1060.html

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/franklingraves_copyright-and-ai-report-part-2-copyrightability-activity-7290396648466182145-dRgO

https://www.copyright.gov/ai/Copyright-and-Artificial-Intelligence-Part-2-Copyrightability-Report.pdf

AI Art Granted Copyright Registration 

https://petapixel.com/2025/02/12/this-is-the-first-ever-ai-image-to-be-granted-copyright-protection-a-slice-of-american-cheese

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/invoke-snags-first-ai-image-copyright-2608219

Thomson Reuter wins on AI Litigation 

https://www.wired.com/story/thomson-reuters-ai-copyright-lawsuit

https://legaltechnology.com/2025/02/12/judge-rules-that-ross-intelligence-infringed-westlaws-copyright-in-landmark-ai-opinion

https://www.lawnext.com/2025/02/breaking-federal-judge-rules-legal-research-startup-ross-infringed-westlaws-copyrights-rejecting-fair-use-defense.html

Podcasters Win Fair Use CCB Case 

https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2025/02/03/do-we-know-them-podcasters-win-fair-use-ccb-case/

SPOTIFY IN THE SPOTLIGHT

MLC  case against Spotify  over “Bundling” Dismissed 

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/spotify-wins-audiobook-bundling-lawsuit-as-court-dismisses-legal-action-brought-by-the-mlc/

https://emails.themlc.com/update-on-legal-action-against-spotify?ecid=ACsprvslpnSfAUu[…]BA&_hsmi=344938653&utm_content=344938653&utm_source=hs_email

https://www.themlc.com/hubfs/Marketing/Emails/Email%20Attachments/MLC%20Spotify%20MT[…]WUhrqhZ2EyK2MMYk3IhQCHFyGwFueMsQM40NqaNDPLO4OXVrRiZapjJF1AUUw

NMPA Demands takedown of many unlicensed songs in/as Podcasts 

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/nmpa-hits-spotify-with-extensive-takedown-action-over-unlicensed-songs-in-podcasts12/

https://www.broadcastlawblog.com/2025/02/articles/nmpa-calls-for-takedowns-of-spotify-podcasts-using-unlicensed-music-a-reminder-to-podcasters-of-the-perils-of-music-in-their-productions/

Jack Daniels Dog Toy Saga Continues 

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/dog-toy-maker-in-the-doghouse-again-for-4647036

https://www.internetandtechnologylaw.com/bad-spaniels-iii-paradox-parody-trademark/

Vetter v. Resnik Louisiana Court Rules that Termination of Transfers affects rights worldwide. 

https://completemusicupdate.com/bombshell-copyright-ruling-could-be-financially-devastating-for-music-publishers

https://variety.com/2025/music/opinion/songwriters-who-signed-away-their-rights-get-second-chance-vetter-resnik-1236298492

https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=15564451597837945229&q=vetter+v.+resnik&hl=en&as_sdt=2006&as_vis=1

Article Recommendation:  “Their Copyrights Expired. The Legal Threats Keep Coming.”

https://copyrightlately.com/public-domain-copyright-threats/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=public-domain-copyright-threats

This just in: BOI reporting under Corporate Transparency Act reinstated.

https://natlawreview.com/article/court-ruling-reinstates-corporate-transparency-act-enforcement-filing-deadlines-now

https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/shared/FinCEN-BOI-Notice-Deadline-Extension-508FINAL.pdf