Judge Cites Store Location on Same Block as Aggravating Factor By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Canadian outdoor company Arc'teryx just won a temporary injunction barring Adidas from using the name 'Terrex' on its flagship store in Vancouver. In what the judge in the case described as a "David vs. Goliath" battle over trademark infringement, the Supreme Court … [Read more...] about Arc’teryx Wins Injunction Over Adidas’ Terrex Store in Vancouver
Licensing Law
Real Life ‘Joker’ Threatens Lawsuit For Use of His Likeness in GTA 6
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A Florida man who tattooed his face to resemble the DC character The Joker says the Grand Theft Auto game used his likeness in a promotional trailer. Lawrence Sullivan is demanding millions in damages, claiming video game studio Rockstar Games used his likeness in a recent trailer for the latest instalment of the massively popular … [Read more...] about Real Life ‘Joker’ Threatens Lawsuit For Use of His Likeness in GTA 6
CBC News Investigation Alleges Artificial Intelligence Violated Author’s Copyright
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief (Disclosure: The writer of this article was formerly a member of the Investigative Unit at CBC News, ending in 2008) An investigation by CBC News says the work of Canadian authors were shared online as part of a dataset used for training artificial intelligence software. The Canadian broadcaster found that at least 2,500 copyrighted books … [Read more...] about CBC News Investigation Alleges Artificial Intelligence Violated Author’s Copyright
Two Major Advances in Generative Music AI Announced by YouTube and Grimes
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Artificial intelligence is turning the licensing world on its head, and this week saw major announcements from YouTube and the artist Grimes. The Google-owned YouTube streaming service has licensed the voices of John Legend and Sia for AI-created soundtracks, while Grimes' company Create Safe is creating a new tool for publishing and … [Read more...] about Two Major Advances in Generative Music AI Announced by YouTube and Grimes
Who’s News: Seeker Music Appoints Dan Stuart as General Counsel
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Seeker Music has appointed music and talent industry professional Dan Stuart to the position of general counsel. “I’ve known Dan for almost 20 years and what I’ve known about Dan since the day I met him is how smart, dedicated, passionate, authentic, and well-respected he is," said Seeker Music CEO, Evan Bogart. "He is one of the best in … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Seeker Music Appoints Dan Stuart as General Counsel
US Court Confirms AI-Generated Art Cannot Be Copyrighted
Ruling Seen As Victory For Artists and Other Human Creators By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Artificial Intelligence fought the law, and the law won, thanks to a US court that confirmed only human works of art can be copyrighted. In a case heard in a US District court in Washington, D.C., Judge Beryl Howell supported the US Copyright Office's rejection of an application … [Read more...] about US Court Confirms AI-Generated Art Cannot Be Copyrighted
MrBeast In Legal Battle With Restaurant Licensing Partner
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Sometimes licensing deals just go bad, and it looks like that's the case for the partnership between YouTube star MrBeast and Virtual Dining Concepts. The partners went into business to create a virtual restaurant chain called MrBeast Burger, but both parties have now filed suit against the other. Currently the #1 individual YouTuber in … [Read more...] about MrBeast In Legal Battle With Restaurant Licensing Partner
UPDATE: LEGO Issues Statement In “Leggo My LEGO” Dispute With Punk Rockers
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Toy giant LEGO says it will not allow commercial use of its iconic mini-figures for animated videos that are commercial in nature. The statement comes in the recent 'Leggo My LEGO' dispute, in which LEGO sent a cease and desist letter to the band LS Dunes, demanding they take down a recent music video. The reason? The band, whose members … [Read more...] about UPDATE: LEGO Issues Statement In “Leggo My LEGO” Dispute With Punk Rockers
Court Denies Injunction on Microsoft Acquisition of Activision
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A court in California has denied the Federal Trade Commission's request for an injunction on Microsoft's acquisition of Activision. The software giant announced on Jan. 18 this year that the parties had agreed to the terms of a deal. It would see Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard for $95 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at … [Read more...] about Court Denies Injunction on Microsoft Acquisition of Activision
Sarah Silverman Suing ChatGPT Creator for Copyright Infringement
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief (Sarah Silverman photo by Gage Skidmore) Comedian Sarah Silverman says copyright infringement by artificial intelligence bots is no laughing matter, as she sues Open AI and Meta. Silverman is one of three people filing the lawsuits charging that AI bots were trained on their work without their permission, resulting in AI … [Read more...] about Sarah Silverman Suing ChatGPT Creator for Copyright Infringement