Essential Points of Web Developer Agreements

Clients of my practice usually either have a website or are planning to get one. From an intellectual property “IP” standpoint, the developer agreement is critical to ensure the right content and code necessary for your business to attract clients and customers. There are many terms to consider including project scope, testing, hosting, ownership, payment … More Essential Points of Web Developer Agreements

Right of Publicity Trumps 1st Amendment in Hart Case

In a precedential decision, the Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, reversed a New Jersey District Court that had granted a Summary Judgment to Defendant Electronic Arts, Inc. “EA” in a video game dispute with the Plaintiff, former Rutgers quarterback, Ryan Hart.  Hart played for Rutgers from 2002-2005 taking the Scarlet Knights to the Insight Bowl … More Right of Publicity Trumps 1st Amendment in Hart Case

Limited Copyright Assignment For Lawsuit Not Valid

According to the Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit, Plaintiff did not have standing, the legal jurisdictional requirement necessary to sue the alleged copyright infringing Defendants in the case of Righthaven LLC v. Hoehn. Plaintiff Righthaven LLC was founded, according to its charter, to identify copyright infringements on behalf of third parties, receive “limited, revocable assignments” … More Limited Copyright Assignment For Lawsuit Not Valid

Broadcasters Lose Their Copyright Infringement Appeal

Plaintiffs ABC and WNET head a list of Broadcasters who appealed from an Order of the New York Federal District Court denying their request for a preliminary injunction against Defendant Aereo, Inc. (“Aereo”) for copyright infringement claiming that its transmission of their broadcasts, while their programs are still airing, infringes upon their exclusive right to … More Broadcasters Lose Their Copyright Infringement Appeal

Digital Content Not Subject to First Sale Doctrine

The Federal District Court in New York has ruled that the resale of digital music infringed the copyrights held by the music rights-holders’ in Capitol Records LLC v. ReDigi Inc, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 12-00095. The Defendant ReDigi provided a service allowing purchasers of songs from iTunes to upload their … More Digital Content Not Subject to First Sale Doctrine

Contributory Copyright Infringement By Inducement

Another recent 9th Circuit Court of Appeals case addressed contributory copyright infringement, in this case under the theory of inducement. Here, the Plaintiff movie studios sued the Defendant for maintaining websites that induced third parties to download infringing copies of the studios copyrighted works. The Federal District Court granted an injunction at the Summary Judgment … More Contributory Copyright Infringement By Inducement

Attorneys’ Fees Awarded in Fair Use Litigation

Some lessons are learned the hard way. Recently SOFA Entertainment Inc. “SOFA” was taxed attorneys’ fees and costs in the amount of $155,000 as a result of their losing copyright infringement lawsuit. Plaintiff SOFA had brought suit against Defendant Dodger Productions Inc. “Dodger” for its use of a 7-second clip of the Four Season’s ’60s … More Attorneys’ Fees Awarded in Fair Use Litigation

Copyright Infringement Requires Copying

Sounds simple enough, but finding evidence to prove actual copying is oftentimes elusive. A recent case published from 4th Circuit, BUILDING GRAPHICS v. LENNAR CORP, determined proof of access for copying protected materials as being a linchpin for copyright infringement. Plaintiff Building Graphics, Inc., a Charlotte based architecture firm, appealed from a Summary Judgment “SJ” … More Copyright Infringement Requires Copying

Non-Disclosure Agreement: So What’s The Point?

Clients often are concerned, and rightly so, about disclosing their ideas, plans, business models, etc. to potential partners and investors. Oftentimes I’m asked to prepare, or more often download one of the many forms online, a non-disclosure agreement “NDA.” This agreement usually sets forth various terms with regard to the use of any information or … More Non-Disclosure Agreement: So What’s The Point?