The Bottom Line The Sheeran trial was a win for an individual songwriter, but the long road to victory underscores how difficult it can be for an artist to defeat a copyright claim based on similarities arising from the use of commonplace musical “building blocks.”Music producers and composers Continue Reading
The Battle Over ‘Unprotectable’ Elements in Music Copyright Suits Rages On
7th Edition: Trends in Marketing Communications Law Taylor Swift and Katy Perry joined the growing ranks of famous musicians who have battled copyright infringement suits in recent years. While claims of impermissible copying are nothing new in the music business, the recent spate of suits Continue Reading
What’s Going On? Another Marvin Gaye Lawsuit Tests the Limits of Copyright Protection
6th Edition: Trends in Marketing Communications Law Just when you thought it was over, another copyright infringement lawsuit involving a Marvin Gaye song is set for trial. The dust had barely settled on the infamous “Blurred Lines” case when a second suit, this time targeting Continue Reading
The Ninth Circuit’s “Blurred Lines” Decision: What Advertisers Should Know
The Bottom Line The Ninth Circuit's decision in the "Blurred Lines" case raises more uncertainty in the area of music copyright law. While many experts still maintain that "style" and "groove" are not protectable by copyright, the Ninth Circuit's decision to uphold the 2015 jury verdict establishes Continue Reading