subject: 3 Internet Copyright Cases [print this page] Copyright is a protection granted to the owners of literary, musical, architectural, dramatic and any other intellectual work. This is governed by title 17 of the US Code. Protection is said to be granted both to unpublished and published creations.
Copyright laws had reached the Internet as well. In fact, Benedict.com, known as "The Copyright Website", believed that the inception of the Internet has been a threat to copyright. True enough to this claim of the website, many Internet copyright cases have been filed some resolved while others are pending decision in court.
1. Viacom versus YouTube. Filed as Case No. 07-2103, this case was brought up by Viacom in 2007. It is a billion dollar copyright lawsuit wherein court was asked to decide whether YouTube should be held liable for any infringing content that users of the site upload. The court actually decided in favor of YouTube stating that the site is protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or DMCA safe harbor.
2. Adobe Systems Inc. versus Canus Productions, Inc. et al. This was an internet copyright case decided upon in October 2001. The main issue filed by the plaintiff against the defendant revolved on the sale of goods during fairs held by the latter. The court in here, decided in favor of the defendant.
3. Allen versus Goulish Gallery. In here, the plaintiff (Allen) filed a case against Goulish Gallery for using elements of its website. The court in November 2007, ruled in favor of Goulish Gallery. Both websites operate as businesses for changing portraits. The court had to made that decision as it found out that the plaintiff does not possess any copyright on the individual elements which it claimed the defendant was using.
For other internet copyright cases, you may read:
1. Robert Craig Attig versus DRG, Inc
2. Court Dismisses Video Copyright against VEO
3. Batesville Services, Inc. et al versus Funeral Depot
