Last weekend, two of my best friends from law school, Amy Strickland and Ellen Donati Flechas, and I set out on a girls’ weekend trip, which my Dad coined the “Lady Lawyer Weekend.” A cheesy name, but it works. It took nearly four plus months of planning to find a weekend where we all could … Continue reading
It is obvious intellectual property issues weave their way into creative businesses, such as music, writing and film. What I think is most interesting is how intellectual property issues are finding their way into nonobvious businesses. Outside of simply trademarking the name of the business, because of social media, all businesses are now creators of … Continue reading
A few weeks ago, I started discussing the very interesting question of the use of resources in the classroom subject to protection under copyright and trademark law. I thought it was interesting because one of the common urban myths I hear all the time is that if the materials are being used to educate, then fair … Continue reading
A New Year approaching lends itself to predictions for the upcoming year. As I gaze into my disco ball to see what the future looks like for entertainment law and intellectual property, here is what I believe will be issues that will grow in relevancy. Social Media in the Media Workplace Every network, affiliate, and … Continue reading
I am all about sharing ideas, borrowing from other concepts to create something new or winking at something inspirational to your own work. All of that is okay and is actually encouraged by the Copyright Act under the fair use defense, the idea of derivative works and the idea of transformative works. However, copying of copyrightable … Continue reading
I’m going to admit it. I watched the The Unauthorized Saved by The Bell Story made-for-TV movie on Lifetime this past Sunday. [Raises hand] “Hi, I’m Ryanne, and I oftentimes will watch horrible mind-numbing television.” Don’t judge. We all have our guilty pleasures. Several hours before the premiere of the movie, the Hollywood Reporter released … Continue reading
This past week saw a story about copyright and plagiarism in Mississippi that could only happen in Mississippi. According to the Clarion-Ledger, Charles Johnson, a blogger from California used photos on his website belonging (copyrighted) to someone else, specifically The Hattiesburg American newspaper (owned by Gannett) and The Associated Press. The news article in the Clarion-Ledger states … Continue reading
The big film news this week was author E.L. James’s announcement via twitter that a trailer for the much anticipated film Fifty Shades of Grey, set for release in February 2015, would be …[ahem – clears throat] … “released from bondage” to the masses later this month on July 24. While shopping in Target this … Continue reading
Sometimes you read something so spot on that it must be shared. If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say they wanted to “trademark” their song or get a “copyright” on their business name or that they do not need to license a photograph because it is “fair use,” I would be … Continue reading
This past week I have been busy preparing for a talk I am giving at Crossroads Film Festival in Jackson, Mississippi. It is a great festival complete with good food, good music, great movies and wonderful southern hospitality. For my film industry readers, you should consider submitting your projects to this festival. You can find out … Continue reading
A few months back, I told you all about the copyright lawsuit over the song Happy Birthday in the post Happy Day for Good Morning to You Productions. In case you’re wondering, it’s still going on. <Sigh!> That’s the thing with these intellectual property lawsuits – you might win, you might be successful and you may … Continue reading
You’ve finally done it. You have financed, filmed and are busy finalizing your first independent film. Congratulations! All that is left for you to do is finish the edit, license these few pesky photos and music and color correct. Then, you’ll be on your way next year to the Academy Awards. Before you start writing … Continue reading
Statute of RyAnne 