The Center for the Study of the Public Domain reports on works that would have entered the public domain on January 1, 2012, were it not for the changes effected by the Copyright Act of 1976. Among other things: Rebel Without a Cause and Lady and the Tramp.
Larry Tribe explains why SOPA violates the First Amendment.
Righthaven’s domain name is up for sale to raise cash to pay off lawyers.
The New York Times reports on the copyright lawsuit against artist Richard Prince. Because art moves too quickly for copyright law, The Times tells us, “the [appellate court’s] decision will not answer the larger questions about how copyright should evolve to deal with the reality of artists in a digital world.”
Who’s naughty? Who’s nice? Find out here who supports SOPA and who opposes it.
When books are e-books, libraries can’t have them.
Just in time for the holidays, the estate of songwriter J Fred Coots wants “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town” back and is suing EMI to get it. The case seems to come down to the validity of a 1981 termination of a copyright assignment.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation lists “notable books” from 2011. Copyfraud is happy to be included.
Details here.
The Copyright Office seeks public comments on how the legal system hinders the ability of copyright owners to bring claims with low economic value. Comments are due on January 16, 2012.
