Copyright Record Rental Exception Applies Only To Musical Works (2007)

In a recent case of first impression, the Sixth Circuit decided in Brilliance Audio, Inc. v. Haights Cross Communications, Inc., No. 05-1209 (6th Cir. 2007) that the record rental exception to the first sale doctrine, in section 109 of the Copyright Act, applies only to sound recordings of musical works. The decision is also interesting for its
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MGM v. Grokster: The U.S. Supreme Court Will Revisit Sony-Betamax (2005)

At the end of March 2005, the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in MGM v. Grokster, reviewing a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and reconsidering the continued viability of the landmark Sony-Betamax case in the new millennium. Since Sony-Betamax, it has been well-settled that manufacturers and distributors are not vicariously liable for
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MGM v. Grokster: The U.S. Supreme Court Decision (2005)

On June 27, 2005 on a copyright ruling, nine justices of the Supreme Court agreed, in MGM v. Grokster, that the distributors of devices capable of both lawful and unlawful uses are liable for the infringing acts of third parties, where, as shown by clear expression or other affirmative steps, the distributors promote the infringement. Distinguishing Sony,
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The U.S. Supreme Court Holds That Lanham Act Does Not Require Attribution For Works Embodying Public Domain Materials (2003)

In June this year, the Supreme Court held that section 43(a) of the Lanham Act does not bar the uncredited copying of a work whose copyright has expired. The producer of “copies” is considered the “origin” of those “goods” within the meaning of the statute, and the producer of those goods neither falsely designates its
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