Intro: âThe Hookâ This summer, an American jury found that âStairway to Heavenâ [hereafter Stairway] rockers Led Zeppelin did not infringe the song âTaurusâ [hereafter Taurus], performed by the band Spirit. The plaintiff, Randy Wolfeâor rather, a trustee for the trust which owns the late Wolfeâs copyrightâwas Spiritâs songwriter, guitarist and vocalist, and the copyright […]
A few thoughts on Prof. Jean-Gabriel Castelâs talk, Fully Autonomous Artificial Super-Intelligence: Is it a threat to the human race or a blessing? How can it be controlled? Introduction Before they died, my parents told me stories of how the world once was ⊠They remembered a green world, vast and beautiful. Filled with laughter […]
On March 11, the IP Osgoode Speaks Series hosted University of Torontoâs Professor Abraham Drassinower to present his new book, Whatâs Wrong with Copying? His presentation was followed with comments by Professor Bita Amani from Queenâs University, as well as Osgoodeâs own Professor Carys Craig; each of whom offered insightful critiques of Drassinowerâs book.
Political attack ads are a Canadian electoral staple, compressing incriminating, damning and provoking footage into 30-second media bites. Typically, the subject matter is harvested from archived footage of the target captured under the mediaâs ever-watchful lens. Political parties have freely taken to exploiting news materials without the consent of originating news agencies. Broadcasters strongly condemn […]
Introduction In December 2006, Time magazine celebrated âYouâ as the person of the year.[1]Â In the article, Lev Grossman stated that our history is no longer shaped by a few famous men but by all of us who are part of the new Web.[2]Â He applauded the fact that over the past year: We made […]
After Starbucks, American Eagle and Roberto Cavalli, it is now Moschino and its designer Jeremy Scottâs turn (yes, again) to face the latest street art copyright infringement case. Joseph Tierny â a New York artist commonly known as Rime â is accusing Moschino and Scott of âinexplicably plac[ing] [his] art on their highest-profile apparel without his knowledge […]
With the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games (the âGamesâ) upon us, IP enthusiasts are eagerly debating the issues surrounding the Games with respect to â well, IP law. One of the many debates permeating conversations is whether athletes can protect sports moves as intellectual property. For example, can a swimmer copyright a secret way of pulling their arms through water? […]
Creating YouTube videos incorporating copyright protected works is a commonplace, often amateur pursuit of today's tech-savvy cultural 'consumers' and no one is making money off of it, right?... Wrong!
Most members of the public might be surprised to hear that âHappy Birthday to Youâ is apparently still subject to copyright protection in the United States, let alone that it is the subject of litigation aptly described by the New York Times as a âlawsuit for the ages.â
IP Osgoode and the Genest Memorial Fund hosted an electric and vibrant panel on Thursday, October 10 to discuss the newly enacted User-Generated Content (UGC) provision in the Copyright Act. While there were many disagreements between proponents and skeptics of the provision, the panellists all seemed to agree on one thing - itâs legislative ambiguity.