The Copykat

This CopyKat from David Laio

Google

VG Media, an association of publishers including Handelsblatt too Axel Springer, has brought a claim against Google inward relation to the High German 2013 Ancillary Copyright Law. This constabulary was designed to compel Google to pay for publishing summaries of tidings content inward spider web searches, which Google argues is solely for indexing purposes. In improver Google claims its search service helps publishers attain a wider audience.

This is the 5th claim VG Media has made against Google, alongside 3 of those claims having been decided inward Google’s favour (with the remainder notwithstanding pending). In 2014 Google had previously removed snippets inward relation to ane such claim made past times VG Media, only the consortium responded past times characterising this demeanour equally an abuse of Google’s dominant position. Some cause got suggested VG media had hoped to compel Google into licensing agreements, run into here. 

The Berlin District Court has latterly asked the European Court of Justice for clarity on a technical point, whether the constabulary had been properly submitted to European Commission authorities nether a procedure of review called “notification”. This could hold out a potential stumbling block for the lawsuit – the ruling is currently expected on the 9^th of May this twelvemonth then remain tuned.

Paul McCartney sues Sony/ATV

Paul McCartney volition hold out able to reclaim the rights to music which Sony/ATV currently handgrip equally of Oct 2018 nether USA Copyright Act (the correct discussed here inward relation to Duran Duran, which too involved Sony/ATV). McCartney has previously asked Sony/ATV to admit his rights to give the axe copyright transfers of his music only did non have this confirmation. As such, McCartney is seeking a judicial annunciation allowing him to reclaim his copyright. No incertitude this volition hold out influenced past times the Duran Duran case, which was granted larn out to appeal past times Mr Justice Arnold before this month.

Copyright Law Reviews 

Canada: The Canadian authorities programme to review copyright laws adjacent twelvemonth too commissioned a study on views of Canadian businesses (reported here). In particular the study flora that follow-the-money strategies (which focus on methods such equally reducing online advertising revenues too disabling payment to intermediaries) cause got a mixed tape of success, peculiarly alongside the continuing popularity of online advertisers who prioritise reaching large audiences over enforcing copyright. It is too interesting to banking concern complaint rights holders tended non to give fighting online piracy a high priority, equally many believe that “their scarce resources are improve invested inward other battles too counted on global organizations to pursue the fight.”

US: In a recent speech, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte said that several copyright policy proposals would hold out voted on during the electrical flow legislature. Goodlatte said ane of the outset proposals volition focus on the USA Copyright Office to ensure that it "keeps footstep inward the digital age", including granting the Office autonomy too the creation of a searchable database of all copyright industrial plant – a monumental chore indeed. Industry observers too suggested that music licensing too a modest claims judicature would hold out possible other proposals. See here for to a greater extent than details.

Beyoncé

The estate of the belatedly Anthony Barré (known equally Messy Mya) is suing Beyoncé for the utilization Barré’s vocalization inward the vocal “Formation”. Sample good clips were allegedly taken from a hitting YouTube videos including ane named ““Booking the Hoes From New Wildin”. The claim is for to a greater extent than than $20 ane 1000 m inward dorsum royalties too other damages, equally good equally credit for existence a writer, composer, producer, too performer. Listen to the clips here.