Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Copyright Law in the Age of Twitter

By Shari Claire Lewis
May 01, 2018

The exponential growth of social media, and the inevitable conflicts that result, is leading to more and more litigation. In many instances, courts are being asked to apply laws crafted before the Internet era to these modern disputes. For example, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York recently decided an issue involving Twitter and the federal Copyright Act (the Act) that may have significant implications for online publications and, ultimately, for how people view the news.

In Goldman v. Breitbart News Network, No. 17-cv-3144 (KBF) (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 15, 2018), the court was faced with deciding whether an image shown on one website but stored on another website's server implicated the display rights of the image's owner within the meaning of the Act. The court's conclusion — that the actual location of the image had no relevance — could very well change the way stories are published online.

The Case

The case arose on July 2, 2016 when Justin Goldman photographed Tom Brady, the New England Patriots quarterback, and an executive from the Boston Celtics basketball team on a street in East Hampton. Goldman uploaded the photo to Snapchat, where it went viral, reaching Twitter.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment Image

On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.

The Bankruptcy Hotline Image

Recent cases of importance to your practice.

The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

How AI Has Affected PR Image

When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.

CLE Shouldn't Be the Only Mandatory Training for Attorneys Image

Each stage of an attorney's career offers opportunities for a curriculum that addresses both the individual's and the firm's need to drive success.