Account

Sign in to access your account and subscription

Decision of Note: 6th Cir. Says No 'Magic Words' to 'Elect' Copyright Statutory Damages

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit decided that §504 of the U.S. Copyright Act doesn't require any “magic words incantation” for a copyright infringement plaintiff to choose a statutory damages award, that “[t]he word 'elect' does not by itself require formal procedures.”

2 minute read February 01, 2019 at 03:19 AM
By
Stan Soocher
Decision of Note: 6th Cir. Says No 'Magic Words' to 'Elect' Copyright Statutory Damages

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit decided that §504 of the U.S. Copyright Act doesn't require any “magic words incantation” for a copyright infringement plaintiff to choose a statutory damages award, that “[t]he word 'elect' does not by itself require formal procedures.”

This premium content is locked for LawJournalNewsletters subscribers only

ENJOY UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE SINGLE SOURCE OF OBJECTIVE LEGAL ANALYSIS, PRACTICAL INSIGHTS, AND NEWS IN LawJournalNewsletters

  • 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

Already have an account? Sign In Now

For enterprise-wide or corporate access, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or call 1-877-256-2473.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2026 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Continue Reading

A look at moves among attorneys, law firms, companies and other players in entertainment law.

September 01, 2026

The central question is no longer simply whether sports data can be collected and monetized. It is whether the organization understands what it is collecting, why it is collecting it, who can use it, how long it will be retained, and what legal obligations may be triggered when the data is disclosed, combined, commercialized or repurposed.

September 01, 2026

Entertainment lawyers and family law practitioners are confronting a fundamental shift in how the assets of media personalities are identified, characterized and valued when celebrities divorce.

September 01, 2026