Author Archives: mwillee

New technologies, and the subsequent advances in those new technologies, present new problems, particularly for laws drawn up and passed years, if not decades ago. In fairness, it’s hard to plan for a future that you can’t predict, and you only have to take a look at the portrayals of the future (now our present)Continue reading “Amazon’s New Audiobook Feature Draws Publishers’ Ire”

In watching LeBron James display his generational talents on a basketball court (last season notwithstanding), I occasionally give thought to a few passing similarities between us. In many (zero) ways, we could be mirrors of one another: both from Ohio (that much is at least accurate), somewhat close in age (sadly, I’m a year closerContinue reading “LeBron James Files Taco Tuesday Trademark”

YouTube is not short its problems, not least of which are its handling of copyright claims. Given the size of the platform, administering any element of the site is going to be a unique challenge, and the lure of DIY options has to cry out to staff that feel overwhelmed and overtaxed to keep upContinue reading “YouTube Hits Copyright Troll With Lawsuit”

We don’t often consider the role of intellectual property in international intrigue and espionage, to the extent that we give consideration of the real life existence and application of spycraft, but perhaps we should rethink how we consider the matter. After all, what is spying but the clandestine search for secrets and information, and theContinue reading “G.E. Aviation Targeted in Trade Secret Theft Plot”

As ephemeral and inconsequential as they many seem, GIFs are now an important part of the broader cultural conversation around TV or movies, all of which takes place on the internet, where GIFs are the lingua franca of the medium. It’s how fans create a shorthand with one another, and it’s also how shows andContinue reading ““Baby Yoda” GIFs Removed Over Copyright Concerns, Then Quickly Restored, Ending National Nightmare”

For observers of such things, there’s nothing quite so confusing or maddening as the minds that make up the minds of the U.S. federal court system on matters of intellectual property law. (Though that feeling undoubtedly spreads to other areas, depending on your interests.) Although it’s the nature of the beast that not every decisionContinue reading “Copyright Case Against Taylor Swift Heads Back to District Court”

If there’s one thing that I hope regular readers have noted, it’s that I enjoy a story about the unintended consequences of decisions and actions. Perhaps enjoy is too strong; I highlight them to hopefully serve as an example of the perils of not fully thinking through one’s choices, perhaps as a way to justifyContinue reading “A Music Streaming Service on the Blockchain? What Could Go Wrong?”

To what extent can creators be held responsible for the ways in which their creations are used, particularly if those uses fall outside of what is legal or ethical? It’s a worthwhile question to consider these days. We’ve more technology in our hands —quite literally in the case of smartphones— than could have been dreamtContinue reading “A Google Play Copyright Case: When Can We Blame Tools For How They’re Used?”

A common theme in this space, and many others like it, is the law as a weapon as much as a shield. Laws exist in theory to protect us, sure, but we’re all eventually indoctrinated into the idea that laws also exist to protect the more powerful against challenge or consequence. There’s a reason thatContinue reading “Monster Energy Pushes Trademark Case Against Small Root Beer Maker”

It’s true of most new things that it takes a while for the problems and kinks to get worked out. It tends to be particularly true when something has exploded overnight, as is wont to happen from time to time with new technologies and platforms. The benefits, the appeal are evident to everyone involved, butContinue reading “TikTok to be Investigated for Copyright Theft?”