‘Copyright Trolls’ Are Suing People Over Creative Commons Photos; PetaPixel, June 1, 2022

MATT GROWCOOT, PetaPixel ; ‘Copyright Trolls’ Are Suing People Over Creative Commons Photos

"An Alleged Copyright “Trap”

Mike Hiestand from SPLC was damning in his condemnation: “let’s call it what is: a trap. And once a user falls into their trap, a demand letter soon follows.

“Unfortunately some photographers and companies are now intentionally taking advantage by including very specific or complex licensing terms that they know most — or at least many — users probably won’t comply with.” 

These “traps” are perfectly legal but appear to be done in bad faith. Users of CC images are strongly advised to read the fine print less they fall foul of one of these demand letters." 

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Inventors and Entrepreneurs; United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), June 27, 2022

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); Director's Blog: the latest from USPTO leadership; Celebrating LGBTQ+ Inventors and Entrepreneurs

"This month, the U.S. Department of Commerce is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and paying tribute to the many LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and innovators who help fulfill the promise of America for all.  Below we share the stories of a few leaders in the community and ways in which our agencies are advancing inclusive innovation for the betterment of society."

Ed Sheeran and co-writers awarded £900,000 in costs over copyright case; The Guardian, June 21, 2022

PA Media, The Guardian; Ed Sheeran and co-writers awarded £900,000 in costs over copyright case

"Ed Sheeran and his co-songwriters have been awarded more than £900,000 in legal costs after winning their high court copyright trial over the hit Shape of You earlier this year."

Ohio State University secures trademark for use of the word 'THE' on clothing; The Columbus Dispatch, June 22, 2022

Aaron Skubby, The Columbus Dispatch; Ohio State University secures trademark for use of the word 'THE' on clothing

"What happens now that The Ohio State University has its trademark?

The trademark approval now gives Ohio State permission to use THE for “clothing, namely, t-shirts, baseball caps and hats; all of the foregoing being promoted, distributed, and sold through channels customary to the field of sports and collegiate athletics.”"

Pride in Literature: Inspiring Authors for Everyone; Library of Congress, June 23, 2022

Holland Gormley, Library of Congress; Pride in Literature: Inspiring Authors for Everyone

"June is Pride Month, which is celebrated each year to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan and to honor the lives and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community. Copyright helps to protect the rights of authors from all communities, allowing them to tell new and diverse stories that enrich our culture, educate the public, and inspire the next generation. In honor of Pride Month, and as part of our Copyright for All initiative, here are a few LGBTQ+ authors to inspire anyone to create their own copyrightable work!"

Miles Davis Tattoo Suit Pits Copyright Against Body Autonomy; Bloomberg Law, June 17, 2022

 Riddhi Setty, Bloomberg Law; Miles Davis Tattoo Suit Pits Copyright Against Body Autonomy

"Celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D’s use of a famous photograph of jazz great Miles Davis has led to what’s believed to be the first lawsuit over whether an image’s copyright protection extends to tattoos, pitting questions about artistic freedom and body autonomy against photographers’ rights to own their creations. 

Photographer Jeffrey B. Sedlik is suing Von D, who used his “Iconic Miles Davis Portrait” in a tattoo she inked on a colleague. Sedlik shot the photograph around 1989, and it has appeared in publications around the world, including Life magazine’s annual “Pictures of the Year” issue. 

The case is on the road to trial, after a California federal judge recently said a jury must resolve disputes that include whether the image falls under the “fair use” doctrine—a copyright infringement defense that the US Supreme Court will tackle this fall in a case involving Andy Warhol’s print of a photo of the musician Prince."

REVIEW: Image Comics' Public Domain #1; CBR, June 20, 2022

 SERGIO PEREIRA, CBR; REVIEW: Image Comics' Public Domain #1

"The prolific creator continues to blend humor and drama in Public Domain #1, the first installment of a new series from Image Comics, where he works to take on creators' rights.

The first issue introduces Syd Dallas, a comic book artist responsible for The Domain, the biggest superhero around. Sadly, no one knows that Syd created the character because Singular Comics owns the publishing rights. And his former collaborator, Jerry Jasper, is more than happy to take the credit for it. Syd's children, Miles and David, struggle to understand why their father hasn't fought harder to gain what is rightfully his. However, a chance encounter at the premiere of Eminent Domain, the latest film in the franchise, may change everything for Syd."

Amazon Seller Shenanigans and Why You Must Register Your Copyrights; Lexology, May 29, 2022

Harris Bricken - Fred Rocafort, Lexology ; Amazon Seller Shenanigans and Why You Must Register Your Copyrights 

"By registering your copyright, you can reduce the chance of a counter-notice, or even an infringement in the first place. Savvy infringers will know that your options are very limited if your copyright is not registered. On the other hand, the existence of a registration might give infringers pause, since they know you will have the option of filing suit.

It is rough out there: Register your copyrights now."