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November 2022 Roundup of Copyright News December 1, 2022
Artificial Intelligence (AI) issues heated up quickly in November, with a major visual arts community and an AI developer making changes to their policies on AI use of copyrighted works […] The post November 2022 Roundup of Copyright News appeared first on Copyright Alliance.
Creator Spotlight with Author & Photographer Evan Butterfield November 29, 2022
This week we’d like to introduce you to author and Photographer Evan Butterfield. What was the inspiration behind becoming a creator? What do you enjoy most about the creative process? […] The post Creator Spotlight with Author & Photographer Evan Butterfield appeared first on Copyright Alliance.
A Copyright Alliance Thanksgiving 2022 November 22, 2022
It’s been over seven years now since I first took on the role as CEO of the Copyright Alliance. For most of those seven years, during the Thanksgiving season, I’ve […] The post A Copyright Alliance Thanksgiving 2022 appeared first on Copyright Alliance.

A Few of the Creative Works (and Other Things) We’re Thankful for in 2022 November 23, 2022
One of our staff members recently learned that Squanto visited Europe before the Pilgrims ever arrived in America. As he enthusiastically explained, Squanto was able to work so effectively as their guide because he already spoke fluent English, having completed not one but four voyages across the Atlantic. Why, we responded, was our esteemed colleague... […]
A Note to Our Fellow Creatives: This Is What We’re Fighting For October 26, 2022
We publish a lot of content here at CreativeFuture, on all manner of topics related to piracy, copyright, and the fight for the rights of creatives in the digital age. These are massively complex and difficult topics, and sometimes it becomes necessary to step back for a moment and think about what we’re fighting for... […]
Celebrating Indie Film Festivals with Jackie Tepper October 5, 2022
If anyone knows what makes a great film festival, it’s Jackie Tepper. Since getting her start in the entertainment industry 30 years ago, Jackie Tepper has been around the world travelling to festivals in search of great independent films as an acquisitions executive. But for the past 15 years, Tepper has been on the other... […]

Gotta Dance! Just Not That One September 15, 2022
Choreography is protected by the Copyright Act. Yet, lawsuits alleging copyright infringement in dance routines are rare. Perhaps the reason why was revealed last week where a recently filed suit over dance moves incorporated into the video game Fortnite failed to make it past a motion to dismiss. Nova Southeastern University's Copyright Officer, Stephen Carlisle, […]
It’s My Life! Yes, But You Don’t Own It September 2, 2022
If you’ve led a particularly interesting life, perhaps you have written a memoir or completed an autobiography. Later on, much to your horror you discover someone has now taken the facts of your life and turned them into a movie or TV series. “Wait! It’s my life!” you might say. But do you “own” the […]
Court Rules Graffiti Is Not Protected by Visual Artists Rights Act August 18, 2022
Suppose that as a building owner you discover an entire side of your building is now covered in graffiti. When you try to paint over it, the graffiti artists object contending that you have no right to do so, and their “art” is protected by the VARA or Visual Artists Rights Act section of the […]

It’s Official! Canada Extends its Term of Copyright Protection December 1, 2022
The announcement itself was a bit of an anticlimax. It was something that had been in the pipeline for months but until the publication of the Order-in-Council dated November 17 (released on November 23), it was still hanging as a piece of unfinished business. The wording was short, if a bit convoluted: Her Excellency the […]
Britain’s Proposed Approach to Text and Data Mining (TDM) for AI: How Not to do It (A Lesson for Canada and Others). November 23, 2022
Last month I wrote about the emerging phenomena of AI-generated art through widely available programs such as DALL-E 2, Stable Diffusion and others, and of the threat they pose to artists, designers, photographers and all those who depend on the protection of copyright to earn their livelihood. This also includes musicians and writers. Artificial Intelligence […]
Facebook and Canada’s Online News Act: One More Problem for a Troubled – and Troubling – Company November 14, 2022
As Bill C-18, the Online News Act, continues its step-by-step process through the Canadian Parliament, another shoe has dropped. Meta, Facebook’s parent company announced it will be laying off 13 percent of its global workforce (11,000 people) owing to two quarters of losses and a sinking share price. Meta’s valuation is down more than 70 […]

Tattoos, Warhol and Police Parodies October 26, 2022
The Latest episode of my Entertainment Law podcast, Entertainment Law Update, is now available for your enjoyment. Listen here, or subscribe and download in your favorite podcast listening app. Show notes are located at www.entertainmentlawupdate.com/150 In Memoriam: Marybeth Peters MELENDEZ V. SIRIUS XM TATTOO CORNER TATTOO ARTIST WINS VS TAKE2 CARDI B WINS LITIGATION REGARDING HER TATTOO ROY […]
To Vape, or Not To Vape? June 30, 2022
The Latest episode of my Entertainment Law podcast, Entertainment Law Update, is now available for your enjoyment. Listen here, or subscribe and download in your favorite podcast listening app. Show notes are located at www.entertainmentlawupdate.com/146 COPYRIGHT CLAIMS BOARD STARTED TAKING CLAIMS! GREASE PARODY SHOW DEEMED FAIR USE TONI BASIL DETERMINED TO BE SOLE OWNER OF MICKEY SOCIAL MEDIA […]
The Merry Month of May May 19, 2022
The Latest episode of my Entertainment Law podcast, Entertainment Law Update, is now available for your enjoyment. Listen here, or subscribe and download in your favorite podcast listening app. Show notes are located at www.entertainmentlawupdate.com/145 WARHOL PAINTING SOLD FOR 195 MILLION (AND WE’RE STILL WAITING ON THE SUPREME COURT) STONE BREWING RECEIVES $56,000,000 IN TRADEMARK SUIT WITH MOLSON […]

ISP’s ordered to block first ‘Cyberlocker’ pirate site November 28, 2022
Rightsholders, led by Village Roadshow, secured an anti-piracy win in Australia’s Federal Court last week as the first site blocking ruling concerning a cyberlocker was handed down. The cyberlocker in […]
Albanese Government announce copyright review November 24, 2022
The Attorney-General’s Department today announced a review of Australia’s copyright laws, signalling a commitment to Australia’s creative industry and in protecting the revenues which are vital for maintaining a thriving […]
FBI shuts down the world’s largest library of pirated books November 20, 2022
Federal prosecutors in the US have shut down the online e-book piracy website Z-Library and charged two Russian nationals who profited from operating the site, which claimed to have more […]

Court: Discord Must Expose Genshin Impact Leaker ‘Ubatcha’ December 2, 2022
Action role-playing game Genshin Impact is reported to have generated a record-setting $3.7 billion in sales in its first year alone. The game has a massive fanbase but, when fans can't wait for the next piece of hot news, they turn to Ubatcha, one of Genshin Impact's most prolific and popular leakers. Information obtained by […]
Telegram Copyright Takedowns Breed a Hydra of Z-Library Bots December 2, 2022
The U.S. Government's crackdown against Z-Library continues to make waves online. After the main domain names were seized, many book pirates switched to using alternatives such as Telegram bots. Several of these have since been removed by rightsholders. In response, a new bot was created with the power to unleash an ebook piracy hydra, for […]
Bungie’s Relentless Pursuit of Destiny 2 Cheaters Now Spans Three Continents December 1, 2022
Game developer Bungie is showing patience and determination in its pursuit of cheat creators and distributors. A lawsuit targeting people behind the 'Wallhax' operation has already produced a $13.5m settlement and in an amended complaint filed this week, Bungie identifies several people who previously enjoyed relative anonymity. It's a chase that now spans three continents. […]