IP & Media Law Updates

29 Dec, 2023

Mickey Mouse (Version 1.0) Enters the Public Domain in the U.S.

By Brian Murphy

So, it is happening. The animated short “Steamboat Willie,” which was released in 1928 and features an early version of Mickey Mouse,...

26 Dec, 2023

By Brian Murphy

During the holidays, the television in my octogenarian parents' home toggles back-and-forth between Fox News (my father's choice) and the...

19 Dec, 2023

By Michael Ling

On December 11, 2023, the U.S. Copyright Office continued its chain of rejections as it denied—for the second time—Mr. Ankit...

11 Dec, 2023

By Brian Murphy

For many years, the plaintiff was part-owner and lead designer for a company that made stationery and office supplies. The plaintiff...

06 Dec, 2023

By Brian Murphy

Today I report on another opinion out of the Central District of California that addresses whether generative AI tools infringe upon the...

04 Dec, 2023

By Brian Murphy

Lawyers say this to clients all the time: you can’t copyright an idea; copyright protection extends only to an author's original...