Features
Courts Carve Out Boundaries for What Are Viable Legal Claims Under Federal Digital Music Statutes
There are two key federally created entities whose mission it is to issue licenses and collect royalties on behalf of rights holders for digital transmissions of music: SoundExchange and the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC). This article reports on recent court rulings over whether the plaintiffs had viable causes of action related to SoundExchange and MLC royalty payments.
Features
Fair Use Decision on Van Halen ‘Frankenstein’ Guitar Photo
Early in Van Halen’s career, Neil Zlozower shot photos of the music group at Sunset Sound Studios with Eddie holding his famous "Frankenstein" guitar. Years later, Zlozower sued the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum, alleging copyright infringement after the institution included two of his Van Halen photos, unlicensed from and uncredited to Zlozower, in exhibits at the museum.
Features
Holes in U.S. Copyright Office’s Guidance for AI-Assisted Works
When can an artist using AI tools copyright their work? Earlier this year, the Copyright Office addressed the issue and rejected the proposition that only prompting an AI model can create a copyrightable work. But Copyright Office’s analysis missed that “randomness” for a computer means something entirely different than we generally think, ultimately underselling the amount of control someone can have over a model’s output.
Features
UMG’s Settlement With AI Music Platform May Prove Precedential In Copyright Cases
The world’s largest music label, Universal Music Group, has announced it reached a settlement with artificial intelligence music platform Udio in a copyright infringement suit — a decision that attorneys specializing in AI, intellectual property and entertainment law say may prove precedential down the line as artists in both the entertainment and publishing industries continue to navigate the question of fair use in pending litigation against AI firms.
Features
Supreme Court Asked Again to Extend Copyright Protection to AI Works
A computer scientist is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to extend copyright protection to works created entirely by artificial intelligence in one of the first cases to reach the justices about the revolutionary technology.
Features
The Shortcomings of the Copyright Office’s Guidance for AI-Assisted Works
AI-assisted artwork poses a simple question: When can an artist using AI tools copyright their work? Early this year, the Copyright Office addressed this issue and rejected the proposition that only prompting an AI model can create a copyrightable work. But their analysis missed that “randomness” for a computer means something entirely different than we generally think, ultimately underselling the amount of control someone can have over the model’s output.
Columns & Departments
UPCOMING EVENT: Copyright Law Year in Review
Copyright Law Year in Review, Dec. 11, 2025
Features
Stephen Thaler Is At It Again — Asks Supreme Court to Extend Copyright Protection to AI Works
A computer scientist is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to extend copyright protection to works created entirely by artificial intelligence in one of the first cases to reach the justices about the revolutionary technology.
Features
Supreme Court Set to Address Procedural Inconsistencies and Claims of Unconstitutional Vagueness Attributed to CAFC
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to commence its term on October 6. Among the cases it will review are several appeals concerning copyright and trademark law. One notable case seeks to address procedural inconsistencies and claims of unconstitutional vagueness attributed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Features
Anthropic’s Settlement With Authors May Be Potential Blueprint for Resolving AI Infringement Claims
A federal judge in the Northern District of California granted preliminary approval to a $1.5 billion settlement between Anthropic and a class of book authors who alleged that the artificial intelligence company used their copyrighted works to train its chatbot Claude without their consent. The settlement is the largest copyright settlement of all time, covering 482,460 works and paying authors slightly more than $3,000 per work infringed.
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