From the work blog: Kesha lawsuit breakdown

This post was originally published on The Creekmore Law Firm blog

Photo by Becky Sullivan 

If you haven’t been paying attention, you may have missed the struggle raging over the artist formerly known as Ke$ha, now the face of the #freeKesha movement.

A simplification of the backstage war being waged over the popstar’s music goes like this: Kesha filed a lawsuit against Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald, claiming he abused the young popstar.  Her 28-page complaint alleged that the older man drugged her, sexually abused her, threatened to take away her publishing rights, and verbally abused her to the point of an eating disorder. The suit, filed in a civil court rather than the subject of a criminal investigation, seeks to terminate her contract with Gottwald and his label, Kemosabe Records. 

From the work blog: Who owns my tattoo's Copyright??

I got a tattoo this past summer.

As someone who hates needles and didn’t even have her ears pierced until her senior year of college, getting a tattoo was a big deal.  But River City is chock full of phenomenal tattoo artists, and is repeatedly touted as one of the most tatted-up cities in the nation.  So after months of consideration, I finally decided to memorialize a childhood nickname in a tiny, minimalist patch of ink.

So I did what anyone else would do: I turned to Pinterest.

Three search terms led to a flood of designs.  Pages of artistry scrolled by as I searched for the perfect image.  Photographs of gorgeous tattoo art provided a rabbit hole that ate up most of my afternoon.

My lawyer brain, however, started thinking.  Who owns the intellectual property rights in tattoos?

Read the rest of my post on our firm website.

Great Video: How does an NDA protect my ideas?

In the past, clients don't always agree with me when I tell them they need a non-disclosure agreement, or an NDA.  This video explains, in 2 short minutes, two big benefits of NDAs for any business.

A Very Merry IP Christmas!

via ClearviewIP.com

Pinterest: Is it a walking Copyright Infringement?

I love Pinterest.  It's a problem.  But I've wondered about the Copyright implications.  So have some other people, apparently, because there are some articles popping up about Pinterest's legal issues.

For those of you with a "Paid Content" subscription:

Pinterest: Is it a Facebook or a Grokster?

http://paidcontent.org/article/419-pinterest-is-it-a-facebook-or-a-grokster/

For a free analysis:

Is Pinterest a Haven for Copyright Infringers?

http://greekgeek.hubpages.com/hub/Is-Pinterest-a-Haven-for-Copyright-Violations

One great non-legal point that I think we need to think about is the PR fallout. Read this exceprt:

Copyright holders may also fear a public relations fallout that would come with a lawsuit. For content owners, it’s one thing to label hip-hop artists and music fans as “thieves.” But it’s quite another when the content involves food and dress pictures—even the most hardened copyright visigoth would pause at denouncing a 16-year-old who borrows pictures to make a collage of her future wedding. 

Thoughts?

Long Live Pinterest!! 

Best SOPA Protest Memes

As with any huge controversy, Memes erupted after the SOPA/PIPA protests.  I collected some of the best memes for your viewing pleasure:

Feel free to add any more :)

Letter to Students about SOPA/ PIPA

Some of you know that I am the President of UR Laws Student Intellectual Property Society.  Yesterday, I sent this letter out to the students encouraging them to inform themselves on SOPA/ PIPA.  I urge you to read it as well, and to look into this proposed bill.  While I myself vehemently oppose this legislation, the email below offers both sides of the debate.

Good morning friends,
If you have tried to access Wikipedia or Google this morning, I am sure you have been made well aware of the blackout in protest of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA). As IP students, I urge you to educate yourselves on this proposed bill.  The full text can be found here:  http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.3261: The Wiki page outlining the proposed bills can be read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_IP_Act. A fairly objective article weighing the pros- and cons of SOPA and PIPA can be found here: http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/01/18/pro-and-con-speaking-up-in-support-and-protest-of-sopa-and-internet-blackouts-72991  or here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16612628.

Pro SOPA/ PIPALetter from law firm Cahill, Gordon, and Reindel LLP http://www.mpaa.org/Resources/1227ef12-e209-4edf-b8b8-bb4af768430c.pdfLetter to Politico from Rep. Lamar Smith: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1211/70948.html#ixzz1jl5OEGZk

Anti SOPA/ PIPAAn interesting full analysis (anti-SOPA) by Mashable can be read here:  http://mashable.com/2012/01/17/sopa-dangerous-opinion/
Response from the White House regarding SOPA/ PIPA https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/response/combating-online-piracy-while-protecting-open-and-innovative-internetIf you would like to sign the petition opposing SOPA/ PIPA, please visit  https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/  (it takes maybe 10 seconds).


And for a lighthearted (yet educational) view of SOPA/ PIPA, please view http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/17/the-day-the-lolcats-died/

No matter which side you chose, this is a serious IP issue that will effect each of us in our IP careers. Please take the time to inform yourself.

What are your thoughts on SOPA/ PIPA?

Creative Commons images and you: a quick guide for image users

Creative Commons images and you: a quick guide for image users

This is REALLY interesting stuff that any IP/Media/Entertainment/Ad lawyer needs to be aware of. Take a read and see what you need to know to search for images/info and to make sure you're in compliance with the Creative Commons.

What I'm Reading Today...

Part of my job is staying on top of things that might affect advertising.  This means I get to read a lot of cool articles concerning everything from IP to talent management to labor issues.  I thought it would be great to share it with EVERYONE!  So here it goes:

What I'm Reading Now:

Revised 'Net censorship bill requires search engines to block sites, too