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21 July 2021
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Congress Will Consider Proposal to Update Copyright Law

21 July 2021
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Does The DMCA Need An Update? Congress passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DCMA) in 1998, providing much-needed changes to copyright laws. The development and availability of the internet changed the way people create, distribute, copy, and purchase creative work. Copyright laws needed to keep up with technology if they were to continue to protect the rights of artists, photographers, writers, and other creative professionals. Some individuals Congress think the DCMA is already in need of an overhaul because it is not keeping up with changes in technology. What Are The Basics of Copyright Law? Copyright basics remained unchanged by...

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21 July 2021
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Designer Sues Capcom for Millions

21 July 2021
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Designer Files Multi-Million Dollar Lawsuit Against Capcom For Copyright Infringement Designer and photographer Judy A. Juracek filed a lawsuit in June 2021 against the Japanese game company Capcom. In her complaint, Juracek alleges that the company used dozens of her copyrighted photos in various video games. She is asking the court for up to $12 million in damages for copyright infringement. Juracek also wants an additional $2500-$25,000 for each photograph Capcom used for the "false copyright management and removal of copyright management." What Are The Allegations of The Multimillion-Dollar Copyright Case Against Capcom? Juracek claims that Capcom used photos from...

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20 July 2021
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Photo of Alessandra Ambrosio Leads to Copyright Lawsuit

20 July 2021
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Celebrity News Agency Sues Clothing Company For Copyright Infringement Another copyright infringement lawsuit has been filed because of the allegedly unlicensed, unauthorized use of pictures on Instagram. In February 2021, Backgrid sued Outdoor Voices for copyright infringement over the defendant's use of a photograph of model Alessandra Ambrosio. In its lawsuit filed in California, Backgrid also accused Outdoor Voices of infringing on its copyright to two photos of Harry styles. Copyright law exists to ensure that creative artists retain control over their work. For example, when a photographer takes a picture, they immediately hold the exclusive rights to that picture....

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20 July 2021
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Photographer Suing Hearst Communications for Infringement

20 July 2021
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Photographer Sues Hearst For Copyright Infringement Photographer Nick Onken recently filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York alleging Hearst Communications owes him damages for copyright infringement. Onken claims that Hearst used his copyrighted photographs without permission, consent, or credit. In the lawsuit filed in June 2021, Onken asks the court to award "statutory and enhanced damages, attorney's fees and costs, and pre-judgment interest." Who Are The Parties in This Copyright Case? Nick Onken is a professional photographer. More specifically, and according to the complaint, he is an "accomplished and critically acclaimed photographer, podcast host, and creative entrepreneur....

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31 March 2021
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Copyright Laws and Facts for Photographers

31 March 2021
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Basic Copyright Facts Made Easy for Creative Professionals Everyone has heard the word "copyright." The same is true of the terms "copyright infringement" and "copyright violation." But have you ever stopped to think about what these things truly mean? If you are a photographer or other creative professional, you probably have. But, many people who seek to get a basic understanding of copyright laws and their ownership rights over their work find lengthy, confusing articles. Whether you are embarking on a career as a creative professional or an established artist, you should have a handle on some key concepts that...

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30 March 2021
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Tips for Protecting Online Photos

30 March 2021
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Tips on Protecting Your Online Photos from Copyright Infringement Photography has certainly changed since Congress created US Copyright Law. No one at that time considered that there might be digital cameras, the Internet, smartphones, and social media. As more and more photographers publish pictures online, there is a greater risk than ever before someone might use them without your permission. Why? Because it can be challenging to keep track of where your work ends up or how it is used once you upload it. Think about how many photographers have sued celebrities for copyright infringement in the last few years...

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26 March 2021
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Photographer Wins Copyright Lawsuit on Appeal

26 March 2021
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The US 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals Reverses Lower Court Ruling in Copyright Case Celebrity photographer Lynn Goldsmith won her copyright lawsuit against the Andy Warhol Foundation. In the initial lawsuit filed in New York Federal Court, the court decided that Warhol made "fair use" of the picture. Goldsmith appealed the verdict, and the appeals court decided in the photographer's favor. In their reversal of the lower court's 2019 decision, the 2nd Circuit determined that Andy Warhol violated Goldsmith's copyright to a photograph of Prince she took in 1981. In 1981 Goldsmith did a photoshoot with Prince as part of...

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22 March 2021
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Carmen Electra Sues Strip Clubs For Copyright and Publicity Violations

22 March 2021
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Copyright Lessons We Might Learn from Carmen Electra Nearly everyone with access to any type of entertainment media during the 90s and 2000s probably knows who Carmen Electra is. She is a woman familiar to us as a dancer, model, actress, and even singer. What many people don't know is that the pop culture icon has a penchant for going to court. Not because of her multiple divorces or her presence courtside watching her former boyfriend and NBA star Dennis Rodman. What we are referring to is her string of lawsuits against strip clubs all over the country. Together with...

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17 March 2021
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Photographer Sues Blizzard for Copyright Infringement

17 March 2021
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Call of Copyright: Modern Infringement Warfare Activision Blizzard (Blizzard) is best known for three things in the world of video games: It is the creator of some of the best video games available today, the "Do you guys not have phones?" meme, and copyright lawsuits. Indeed, Blizzard is no stranger to copyright lawsuits. In some of the lawsuits, Blizzard sued others for infringements involving World of Warcraft, Warcraft, and Overwatch. For the most part, Blizzard was victorious. Now, Blizzard faces allegations that it has committed copyright infringement. Last month, renowned photographer and writer Clayton Haugen sued the video game giant...

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12 March 2021
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Photographer Sues Kat Von D for Copyright Infringement

12 March 2021
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Photographer Is Suing Kat Von D for Copyright Infringement On February 7, 2021, a relatively well-known photographer, Jeff Sedlik, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D. Sedlik alleges that she used his copyrighted photograph without consent or permission. According to the photographer, Kat Von D published an image of herself giving someone a tattoo to her Instagram page. The tattoo strongly resembled a photograph he took more than 30 years ago. Dubbed as the Miles Davis photograph, the iconic image depicts a black gentleman holding his pointing finger over his lips as if to indicate...

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