Recently, Apple forced Digital Music News (“DMN”), a website that covers news and information for the music industry, to pull an iTunes Radio contract from their website, citing copyright infringement as the reason for removal.
The contract, leaked by DMN in late June, was for independent, non-major record labels that didn’t have directly negotiated deals with Apple. DMN alleges that the contract forced “sub-standard terms” on all but the most distinguished independent record labels. That is, the deals with independent record labels were starkly different than those with major record labels. Notably, this allegation is based on information obtained from an unnamed source, as copies of Apple’s contract with major labels have not been leaked. DMN, along with others who think Apple went too far, claim that the forcible removal was Apple’s way of suppressing information, not honoring copyright laws.
While it is rare to copyright a contract, it is within the bounds of the law. Specifically, as is the situation here, Apple owns the words of the contract, not the information. Thus, it’s likely that had DMN summarized the contract in its own words, Apple wouldn’t have taken action.
There are some significant changes coming to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that will affect trademark filings beginning January 18, 2025. These changes include the introduction of the Trademark Center, new fees, and revised application requirements. Here is an overview of the key changes: The USPTO will retire the TEAS system, which […]
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In today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, automated decision-making technology is becoming more and more important. From personalized product recommendations to targeted advertising and streamlined logistics, these systems help ecommerce businesses adapt and grow. But new regulations are on the horizon, and these changes could reshape the way e-commerce businesses use automation. The California Privacy Protection Agency […]
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued final amendments to its trade regulation rule concerning negative option plans, also known as the “click to cancel rule.” This rule aims to address widespread deceptive practices that prohibit customers from cancelling services in the same manner in which they signed up. Here’s a detailed summary of the […]
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