Today is World’s Fair Use Day (WFUD), “a free, all-day celebration of the doctrine of fair use: the legal right that allows innovators and creators to make particular uses of copyrighted materials. WFUD will take place at the Newseum in Washington D.C. on Tuesday January 12, 2010.” More here.

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a proposed multilateral agreement  meant to quell international copyright piracy and counterfeit goods. While in negotiations today in Seoul, Korea (November 4-6, 2009), many are concerned that the agreement will be over-restrictive and have chilling effects.  Particularly troubling is the United States drafted section on Internet Service Providers (ISPs). [...]

On the heels of artist Shepard Fairey’s admission that he made an effort to conceal evidence by producing an alternate photo for discovery, his attorneys have made a Motion for Substitution of Counsel. From the motion, substituting the law firm of Jones Day and law professors William W. Fisher III and John Palfrey (“substitute counsel”) [...]

The heirs of George and Ira Gershwin have filed multiple suits (one in Federal court, the other in a Los Angeles Superior Court) disputing foreign royalties which represent roughly $200,000 of a catalog yielding $8 million a year. More from LA Times. Firebowl makers feud over the validity of copyright, ability to compete in the [...]

In an effort to “call attention to particularly bogus takedowns — and showcase the amazing online videos and other creative works that someone doesn’t want you to see,” the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) recently launched the Takedown Hall of Shame. EFF collected some of the most egregious incidents of internet bullying (via DMCA takedown notices) [...]

National Public Radio issued a cease and desist letter to the Yes on One/Stand for Marriage Maine campaign alleging that a 30 second segment used in an anti-gay marriage advertisement was copyright infringement.  Asserting that the complaint was “ridiculous and frivolous,” Scott Fish, spokesman for the campaign to repeal the gay marriage law in Maine, [...]

Shepard Fairey, the artist responsible for the iconic ‘Hope’ poster of President Obama during last year’s election, admitted to using the same photo as alleged by the Associated Press (AP). Since his suit for declaratory judgment and the counter-suit by the AP, Fairey has argued that the original  photo in question differed. Apparently, the artist [...]

A West L.A. art collector, who reportedly could recoup $25 million for 11 stolen Andy Warhol paintings would rather waive the money than deal with hassle of investigation. From LA Times. Entertainment Lawyer Chad Fitzgerald weighs in on the copyright suit involving Chris Rock’s documentary Good Hair, noting, “[the plaintiff] will have a steep uphill [...]