News about copyright
Numerous books are written, countless pictures taken and large amounts of new music and pieces of art are created every day. But, alongside that creativity comes the risk of copyright infringement. These days, it's simple to download music or films from the internet without the creator of that work's knowledge or approval. Similarly, books, photographs and works of art are routinely (and illegally) being copied and distributed. That’s why copyright issues are in the news so frequently. You can follow all the developments in this area in our copyright news.
Your song or my song?
More than 25 years after his hit song ‘Nikita’ became a top ten hit, Elton John is being accused of stealing the lyrics of the song. Songwriter and photojournalist Guy Hobbs accuses Elton John of copyright infringement and filed a law suit at Federal Court in Illinois.
YouTube loses copyright claim
A German regional court has ruled that YouTube bears responsibility for content on its site that infringes on copyrights. The court would like the site to put filters in place to prevent users from uploading clips of songs owned by the German industry music group GEMA.
Annual report on intellectual property enforcement
The White House recently issued its Annual Report on Intellectual Property Enforcement. The text reaffirms Obama’s stance on SOPA: that IP protection is necessary, but the bill went too far. The 130-page document outlined the administration’s achievements in and strategies for protecting intellectual property in 2011 (including a lot of material on fake online pharmacies).
EU Court prohibits copyright filter requirement for hosters
Copyright holders cannot force social networking sites to install filters to prevent illegal file-sharing, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled on the 16th of February. This is the outcome of the case which the Belgian music royalty collecting firm SABAM had filed against Netlog.
Newt Gingrich sued over use of ‘Eye of the Tiger’
Last week Frank Sullivan, co-author of the hit song ‘Eye of the Tiger’, sued the Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich for using the song at campaign events. Sullivan claims that the use of the copyrighted work by Gingrich is unlicensed and unauthorized.
Call for urgent measures on fake malaria drugs
The distribution of fake and poor quality anti-malarial drugs could dash hopes of controlling malaria in Africa, warn experts in an article in the Malaria Journal. Millions of lives could be put at risk unless urgent action is taken, they argue.
New case of plagiarism by Rihanna
Last week popstar Rihanna released the official video for her latest single You Da One. Just a short time after the release of the video a few scenes in particular have gotten the attention. Apparently, these scenes seem to be copied from a shoot by Norwegian photographer Solve Sundsbø.
Ruling on the EU and fake goods
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled that fake goods arriving from outside the EU, supposedly en route to other non-EU countries, cannot be confiscated unless there is proof they are intended for sale in the EU.
Copyright war on La Dolce Vita
Federico Fellini’s classic film 'La Dolce Vita' is legendary; the film won several prices, is still a source of inspiration for directors and is considered to be one of the best movies ever made. Unfortunately, 50 years after its release this legendary film is the subject of a copyright war. The big question is: who owns the rights to the movie?
Brother versus Brother
Trouble in Jamaica’s most important reggae family. The widow and nine children of Bob Marley are suing Bob’s half brother Richard Booker to stop the use of the Marley name to promote an annual music festival in Miami.
