Previously, we began looking at the topic of consent in the context of the right of publicity. As we noted, individuals may waive their publicity rights, allowing another party to make use of their image for commercial purposes.Again, consent is not a universal...
Intellectual Property Litigation
Right of publicity waiver: looking at the issue of consent, P.1
California, like other states, protects the right of individuals to control the use of their image in certain contexts. Under California's right of publicity statute, violation of an individual's right to control the use of his or her name, voice, photograph,...
What is the right of publicity?
Although you may never have realized it, your personal identity is protected by law. This means that companies are not allowed to use your name, your photo, your voice, your signature or other personal aspects in their advertising without your permission. Your...
Copyright suit over ‘Soft Kitty’ lyrics dismissed
If you are a regular viewer of the television sitcom The Big Bang Theory, then you probably are familiar with the loveable quirks of one of the main characters - Sheldon Cooper. One such quirk is Sheldon wanting people to sing the song "Soft Kitty" whenever he is hurt...
Intellectual property litigation aims to protect artist rights
All artists have the right for their art to be protected. This applies to paintings, digital art, fiction, plays and screenplays, poetry, lyrics and music itself. Recently, the music industry has been going through various copyright lawsuits regarding song...
U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear copyright infringement case
Musicians and the recording industry are very protective of their intellectual property. This can lead to conflicts when users of Internet music-sharing websites unlawfully download content. One recent case involving copyright infringement may interest those in...
“Tequila” spurs standoff over trademark registration
Is the word "tequila" a generic term? Or can it be a certification trademark, as is the word "champagne," that designates an exclusive geographic origin or, in the case of "tequila," an alcoholic beverage distilled only from Mexico's native blue agave plant?" That was...