CHAPTER 1:

THE LANDSCAPE OF COPYRIGHT

* = Entry significantly revised in 5th Ed.

' 1.01  THE IMPORTANCE OF COPYRIGHT

' 1.02  COPYRIGHT AND RELATED BODIES OF LAW

[A]          An Introduction to Copyright

[B]           Federal Intellectual Property Law

[1]           In General

[2]           Patent Law

[3]           Trademark Law

[C]           State Intellectual Property Law

[1]           Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets

[2]           Other State Law Theories

 

' 1.03  HISTORY OF ANGLO-AMERICAN COPYRIGHT LAW

[A]          The Beginnings to Donaldson v. Beckett (1774)

[B]           From the Constitution to the Copyright Act of 1909

[C]           The 1909 Act

[1]           General Provisions of the 1909 Act

[2]           The 1909 Act and the Berne Convention

[3]           Legislative Attempts to Revise the 1909 Act

[4]           The Continuing Importance of the 1909 Act

[D]          The Copyright Act of 1976

[1]           Important Changes Made by the 1976 Act

* [2]            Subsequent Developments Under the 1976 Act

* [3]            Trends in Copyright Legislation

 

' 1.04  COPYRIGHT IN A CHANGING WORLD

[A]          A Comparative Law Overview

[B]           Major International Treaties Involving Copyright

[1]           In General

[2]           The United States and International Copyright

[3]           The Berne Convention

[C]           U.S. Entry into Berne

[1]           The Incentives for Entry

[2]           The Berne Convention Implementation Act of 1988

[3]           The Unfinished Business of the B.C.I.A.

[D]          Neighboring and Related Rights Conventions

[1]           The Geneva Phonograms Convention

[2]           The Brussels Satellite Convention

[E]           Intellectual Property and International Trade

[1]           NAFTA and GATT/TRIPs

[2]           TRIPs and the Berne Convention

 * [3]           The GATT Implementing Legislation

 * [4]           Updating the Berne Convention

[5]           U.S. Participation in the New Order

 

' 1.05      COPYRIGHT AND THE DIGITAL CHALLENGE

[A]          Looking Back

[B]           Digitization and the Revolution in Information Processing

[C]           Digital Networks and Their Importance

[D]          Digitization and Intellectual Property: A Typology of Issues

[E]           Digital Copyright at Home and Abroad

[F]           The Issues in Context

[G]           Looking Forward

 

' 1.06  THINKING AND TALKING ABOUT COPYRIGHT LAW

[A]          In General

[B]           Copyright and “Interest Analysis”

[C]           “Rhetorics” of  Copyright Jurisprudence

 * [1]           The “Utilitarian” and “Natural Law” Conceptions of Copyright

[2]           Other Rhetorics in Contemporary Copyright Discourse

[D]          Conclusion

 

CHAPTER 2

PREREQUISITES FOR COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

' 2.01  FIXATION

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Development of Current Law

                White-Smith Music Publishing Co. v. Apollo Co. (1908)

                Notes and Questions

                Midway Manufacturing Co. v. Artic International, Inc. (1982)

                Notes and Questions

 

' 2.02  ORIGINALITY

[A]          Introduction

[B]           The Originality/Novelty Distinction

Alfred Bell & Co. v. Catalda Fine Arts, Inc. (1951)

Notes and Questions

[B]           Basic Originality Concepts

                Atari Games Corp. v. Oman (1989)

                Notes and Questions

                Burrow-Giles Lithographic Co. v. Sarony (1884)

                Notes and Questions

                Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co. (1903)

                Notes and Questions

[C]           The Idea/Expression Dichotomy

                Baker v. Selden (1880)

                Notes and Questions

                CCC Information Services, Inc. v. Maclean Hunter Market Reports, Inc. (1994)

                Notes and Questions

 

' 2.03  OTHER PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

[A]          National Origin

[B]           Government Works

 

CHAPTER 3

WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP

' 3.01  SUBJECT MATTER IN GENERAL

' 3.02  ORIGINAL WORKS OF AUTHORSHIP UNDER ' 102

[A]          Literary Works, Including Computer Software

                Miller v. Universal City Studios, Inc. (1981)

                Notes and Questions

                Apple Computer, Inc. v. Franklin Computer Corp. (1983)

                Final Report of the Commission on New Technological Uses of Copyrighted

Works: Dissent of Commissioner Hersey

                                Notes and Questions

                                Computer Software Protection -- The Next Generation

                             * Alternative Protections for Computer Software

[B]           Musical Works, Dramatic Works, and Pantomimes and Choreographic Works

[C]           Pictorial, Graphic, and Sculptural Works

                Mazer v. Stein (1954)

                Carol Barnhart Inc. v. Economy Cover Corp. (1985)

                Notes and Questions

 * Further Protections for Ornamental Designs

[D]          Motion Pictures and Other Audiovisual Works

 * [E]           Sound Recordings

[F]           Architectural Works

[1]           Introduction

[2]           Case Law

Richmond Homes Management, Inc. v. Raintree, Inc. (1994)

Notes and Questions

 

' 3.03  DERIVATIVE WORKS AND COMPILATIONS UNDER ' 103

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Derivative Works

Lee v. A.R.T. Company (1997)

Notes and Questions

[C]           Compilations

                                Feist Publications, Inc. v. Rural Telephone Service Company, Inc. (1991)

                Notes and Questions

* Matthew Bender & Co., Inc. and HyperLAW, Inc. v. West Publishing Co. (1999)

Notes and Questions

    Database Protection

 

CHAPTER 4

OWNERSHIP AND TRANSFERS

' 4.01  INITIAL OWNERSHIP

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Works Made for Hire

                Community for Creative Non-Violence v. Reid (1989)

 * Notes and Questions

[C]           Joint Works

                Childress v. Taylor (1991)

                Notes and Questions

* [D]           Collective Works

 

' 4.02  TRANSFERS OF RIGHTS

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Preliminary Concepts

[1]           The Distinction Between Copyright and Material Object

[2]           The Bundle of Rights

                [C]           Decisional Law

                Effects Associates, Inc. v. Cohen (1990)

                Notes and Questions

                Cohen v. Paramount Pictures Corp. (1988)

                Notes and Questions

* [D]           Recordation

 

 

CHAPTER 5

DURATION, RENEWAL, AND TERMINATIONS OF TRANSFERS

' 5.01  DURATION AND RENEWAL

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Duration

 * [1]           Current Statutory Provisions

[2]           Restored Copyrights

[C]           Renewal

[1]           Basic Renewal Issues

                                                Fred Fisher Music Co. v. M. Witmark & Sons (1943)

Notes and Questions

                                                Epoch Producing Corp. v. Killiam Shows, Inc. (1975)

Notes and Questions

                                                Automatic Renewal of Copyrights in Pre-1978 Works

                                                                in Their First Term of  Protection

[2]           Renewal and Derivative Works

Stewart v. Abend (1990)

Notes and Questions

 

' 5.02  TERMINATIONS OF TRANSFERS

[A]          ' 203 Terminations: Post-1977 Transfers

[1]           Introduction

 * [2]           Summary of Provisions of ' 203

[B]           ' 304(c) Terminations: Pre-1978 Transfers

[1]           Introduction

 * [2]           Summary of Provisions of ' 304(c)

[C]           Comparison of  '' 203 and 304(c)

[1]           Summary

 * [2]           Questions

[D]          Decisional Law

                [1]           The Mechanics of Termination

Burroughs v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. (1982)

Notes and Questions

                                [2]           The Derivative Works Exception

 

CHAPTER 6

PUBLICATION AND FORMALITIES

' 6.01  PUBLICATION

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Publication in the Courts

                                Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences v. Creative

                                                House Promotions, Inc. (1991)

 * Notes and Questions.

[C]           Publication, Derivative Works, and the Public Domain

 

' 6.02  NOTICE

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Notice in the Courts

                Charles Garnier, Paris v. Andin International, Inc. (1994)

                Notes and Questions

* [C]           Notice for Compilations and Collective Works

 

' 6.03  DEPOSIT AND REGISTRATION

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Concepts and Procedures

* U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 1: Copyright Basics

Notes and Questions

 

' 6.04  THE COPYRIGHT OFFICE

[A]          Introduction

[B]           History and Functions of the Copyright Office

 * [C]          Combining the Copyright Office with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

 

CHAPTER 7

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS AND THEIR LIMITATIONS

' 7.01  OVERVIEW

[A]          Introduction

[B]           The “Architecture” of Rights and Limitations

                Universal City Studios, Inc. v. Sony Corp. of America (1981)

                Notes and Questions

* [C]           Statutory (or “Compulsory”) Licenses

* [D]           Exclusive Rights in the Networked Information Environment

 

' 7.02  THE REPRODUCTION RIGHT

[A]          Reproduction in Copies

                [1]           Introduction

[2]           Case Law

                Walt Disney Productions v. Filmation Associates (1986)

* Notes and Questions

[B]           Reproduction in Phonorecords

 * [C]          Reproduction on the Internet

 

' 7.03  THE ADAPTATION RIGHT

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Case Law

* Micro Star v. Formgen Inc. (1998)

   Notes and Questions

 

' 7.04  THE PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION RIGHT

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Domestic Distribution

                Hotaling v. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (1997)

                Notes and Questions

 * [C]          Public Distribution and the Internet

[D]          Imported Goods

                Quality King Distributors, Inc. v. L’anza Research International, Inc. (1998)

Notes and Questions

 

' 7.05  THE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE RIGHT

[A]          Public Performances

[1]           Introduction

[2]           Case Law

                Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. v. Aveco, Inc. (1986)

* Notes and Questions

 * [3]           Performing Rights Societies

[4]           Small and Grand Performing Rights

[5]           Synchronization Rights

 * [6]           Digital Network Transmissions

 * [7]           Performance Rights in Sound Recordings and Music Videos

[B]           Secondary Transmissions

[1]           Introduction

[2]           The ' 110(5) Aiken Exception

*  National Football League v. McBee & Bruno’s, Inc. (1986)

Notes and Questions

                                [3]           The ' 111 Cable System Limitations

 * [4]           The ' 119 Satellite Carrier Limitations

 * [5]           Current Issues in the Law of Retransmission

 

' 7.06  THE PUBLIC DISPLAY RIGHT

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Case Law

                Ringgold v. Black Entertainment TV, Inc. (1997)

                Notes and Questions

 

' 7.07  MISCELLANEOUS RIGHTS:  IN AND BEYOND COPYRIGHT

[A]          The Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings

[1]           Introduction

                             * [2]           Highlights of the DPRSAR

[3]           Notes and Questions

[B]           The Audio Home Recording Right

[1]           Introduction

[2]           Highlights of the AHRA

[3]           Notes and Questions

[C]           Technological Protections and Rights Management Systems

 * [1]           Copyright Management Information

 * [2]           Anti-Circumvention Measures

 

' 7.08  MORAL RIGHTS

[A]          A Comparative Overview

[B]           State Art Preservation Acts

                Wojnarowicz v. American Family Association (1990)

Notes and Questions

[C]           Copyright Protection: The Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990

[1]           Introduction

[2]           Case Law

* Martin v. City of Indianapolis (1999)

   Notes and Questions

 

CHAPTER 8

INFRINGEMENT ACTIONS

' 8.01  INTRODUCTION

' 8.02  FRAMING THE LAWSUIT

[A]          Jurisdictional Matters

                T.B. Harms Co. v. Eliscu (1964)

                Notes and Questions

* Miscellaneous Jurisdictional Issues

* Liability of State Governments for Copyright Infringements

[B]           Procedural Matters

 * Intimo, Inc. v. Briefly Stated, Inc. (1996)

   Notes and Questions

   Cortner v. Israel (1984)

   Notes and Questions.

   Miscellaneous Procedural Issues

 

' 8.03  PROVING THE CLAIM

[A]          Formulating a “General Test” for Infringement

[B]           Copying

                Bright Tunes Music Corp. v. Harrisongs

                                Music, Ltd. (1976)

                Notes and Questions

* Ty, Inc. v. GMA Accessories, Inc. (1997)

   Notes and Questions

[C]           Improper Appropriation

                [1]           By Way of Overview

                                                M. Nimmer & D. Nimmer, Nimmer on Copyright (1997)

* Notes and Questions

[2]           Illustrative Cases

Nichols v. Universal Pictures Corp. (1930)

                                                Peter Pan Fabrics, Inc. v. Martin Weiner Corp. (1960)

Notes and Questions

Laureyssens v. Idea Group, Inc. (1992)

Notes and Questions

                                                Steinberg v. Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. (1987)

Notes and Questions

                                [3]           Software Infringement

                                                Computer Associates International, Inc. v. Altai, Inc. (1992)

* Notes and Questions

   Copyright for Computer Command Hierarchies

 

' 8.04  CONTRIBUTORY AND VICARIOUS INFRINGEMENT

* Fonovisa, Inc. v. Cherry Auction, Inc. (1996)

Notes and Questions

Derivative Liability in the On-Line Environment

 

' 8.05  EXTRATERRITORIALITY AND CONFLICT OF LAWS

Subafilms, Ltd. v. MGM-Pathe Communications Co. (1994)

Notes and Questions

                                Itar-Tass Russian News Agency v. Russian Kurier, Inc. (1998)

   Notes and Questions

 

CHAPTER 9

FAIR USE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES

' 9.01  INTRODUCTION: THE FAIR USE PRIVILEGE

 

' 9.02  DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRIVILEGE

[A]          Judicial Origins

                Folsom v. Marsh (1841)

                Notes and Questions

[B]           Codification and Construction

                Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. (1994)

                Notes and Questions

[C]           Rationales for the Fair Use Doctrine

[1]           Traditional Justifications

[2]           Economic Theory

 

' 9.03  FAIR USE, FREE SPEECH, AND PARODY

Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc. v. Nation Enterprises (1985)

Notes and Questions

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. (1994)

   Notes and Questions

 

' 9.04  FAIR USE AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Sega Enterprises Ltd. v. Accolade, Inc. (1993)

   Notes and Questions

 

' 9.05  FAIR USE IN CORPORATIONS AND CLASSROOMS

American Geophysical Union v. Texaco Inc. (1995)

Notes and Questions

                                Princeton University Press v. Michigan Documents, Inc. (1996)

Notes and Questions

 

' 9.06  FAIR USE AND COPYRIGHT POLICY

[A]          The Role of Guidelines

[1]           Fair Use Guidelines and the 1976 Act

 * [2]           The CONFU Process

[B]           Fair Use in the Digital Network Environment

 * [1]           The Background of the Issue

 * [2]           Fair Use and Technological Safeguards

[C]           The International Arena

[1]           Fair Use in Comparative Perspective

[2]           International Treaties and the Future of Fair Use

 

' 9.07  OTHER AFFIRMATIVE COPYRIGHT DEFENSES

* [A]           Copyright Misuse

                    Alcatel USA, Inc. v. DGI Technologies, Inc. (1999)

                    Notes and Questions

* [B]           Other Commonly Asserted Defenses

                    The Statute of Limitations

                    Fraud on the Copyright Office

                    Abandonment and Forfeiture

                    Innocent Intent

 

CHAPTER 10

REMEDIES, PREEMPTION, AND RELATED BODIES OF LAW

' 10.01  REMEDIES UNDER FEDERAL LAW

[A]          Introduction

[B]           Non-Monetary Relief

[1]           Preliminary and Permanent Injunctions

* Paramount Pictures Corp. v. Carol Publishing Group (1998)

    Notes and Questions

[2]           Impoundment and Dispositions

[C]           Damages

                [1]           Plaintiff’s Damages and Defendant’s Profits

Mary Ellen Enterprises v. Camex, Inc. (1995)

Notes and Questions

                                                Frank Music Corp. v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. (1985)

Notes and Questions

                                [2]           Statutory or “In Lieu” Damages

                                                Columbia Pictures Television v. Krypton Broadcasting, Inc. (1997)

Notes and Questions

                [D]          Costs and Attorneys’ Fees

 * [E]           Federal Remedies and Rights Management

 * [F]           Criminal Penalties

 

' 10.02  PREEMPTION AND STATE LAW REMEDIES

[A]          Introduction

[B]           The Supremacy Clause

                Bonito Boats, Inc. v. Thunder Craft Boats, Inc. (1989)

* Notes and Questions

[C]           Preemption Under the 1976 Act

                Section 301: A Study in Confusion

                International News Service v. Associated Press (1918)

                Notes and Questions

* Katz, Dochtermann & Epstein, Inc. v. Home Box Office (1999)

   Notes and Questions

   ProCD, Inc. v. Zeidenberg (1996)

   Notes and Questions

 

' 10.03  RELATED BODIES OF STATE AND FEDERAL LAW

[A]          Passing Off and the Protection of Trade Dress Under Federal Law

Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc. (1992)

Notes and Questions

[B]           Idea Protection

                Murray v. National Broadcasting Co., Inc. (1988)

                Notes and Questions

[C]           Right of Publicity

White v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (1992)

                                Dissent from Rejection of Suggestion for Rehearing En Banc (1993)

Notes and Questions

 

CHAPTER 11

THE HORIZON OF COPYRIGHT

[Essay]

 

Return to the Copyright Casebook homepage