Category: Copyright

What is “Accidental” or “Innocent” Copyright Infringement

What is “Accidental” or “Innocent” Copyright Infringement

Copyright

Accidental or innocent copyright infringement occurs when copyright protections are violated without specific intent to commit infringement. Copyright law protects original works of authorship and allows the owner to prohibit copying, use, distribution, performance, public display and/or the making of derivative works without permission. Some of the most common circumstances when accidental/innocent copyright infringement happens […]

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Copyright Infringement Takedown Notice: Is it Fake?

Copyright Infringement Takedown Notice: Is it Fake?

Copyright

If you are the owner of material that is protected by copyright law, under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”), there is a procedure for demanding that your copyrighted material be taken down from an internet website or other places of publication. Generally, these are called “Takedown Notices.” Most internet providers and website hosting companies […]

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What is a DMCA Takedown Notice?

What is a DMCA Takedown Notice?

Copyright

A “Takedown Notice” is a tool for protecting intellectual property like copyrights and trademarks. As the name implies, a takedown notice is a demand that certain proprietary material be taken down from the internet or other public places. “DMCA” is an acronym referencing a federal statute enacted to protect copyrights in the internet age called […]

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Does the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Really Prohibit Me From Repairing My Video Game Console?

Does the Digital Millennium Copyright Act Really Prohibit Me From Repairing My Video Game Console?

Copyright

Yes, in some circumstances, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”) prohibits owners of certain computer and electronic equipment from attempting to repair the devices by accessing the computer software. From the vantage of  the manufacturer of the video game console, preventing access to the console software helps prevent piracy. But, there are exceptions, and consumers […]

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The Effect of NFTs on Copyright

The Effect of NFTs on Copyright

Copyright

Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are a type of cryptocurrency that are uniquely valued representations of different assets. While more common cryptocurrencies are fungible, meaning they are identical to each other and can traded at equivalency (i.e. 1 bitcoin = 1 bitcoin), NFTs cannot be traded or exchanged equally. One NFT does not hold the same value […]

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Elements of a DMCA Takedown Notice

Elements of a DMCA Takedown Notice

Copyright

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is comprised of rules that apply to copyrighted material that may be infringed upon on the internet. A DMCA notice informs a company, individual, or other web host that they are hosting copyright-infringing material. Such copyrighted material could be, for example, written works, videos, audio or music files, artwork, photos, […]

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Mask Works 101: Copyright Protections for Semiconductor Chip Products

Mask Works 101: Copyright Protections for Semiconductor Chip Products

Copyright

Many are aware that copyright law protects original works of authorship like books, paintings, movies, sculptures, and more. Interestingly enough, something very similar to copyright law also protects computer chips (or more accurately, the etchings placed on or in computer chips that make them work). In 1984, Congress enacted the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act (“SCPA”) […]

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Intellectual Property Basics: Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights

Intellectual Property Basics: Trademarks, Patents, and Copyrights

Copyright Patent Trademark

Trademarks, patents and copyrights are three of the basic types of intellectual property (“IP”). In the US, each is legally protected by statutory and regulatory registration/application regimes. In addition, all three types of IP are explicitly protected by international law pursuant to many international treaties and agreements. A fourth major type of IP involves trade […]

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