Texas A&M University intellectual property law professor Megan Carpenter, director of the Center for Law and Intellectual Property at A&M’s law school in Fort Worth, said a 2,100-page report released by the United States Copyright Office which discusses the ownership of a photo taken by an animal, could greatly impact business, literature, and art, the Dallas Business Journal reported on August 24.

A wildlife photographer published a photo of a monkey who took a picture of itself. The photographer is asking for royalties for every download of the photograph, but Wikimedia claims the photo is in the public domain and should be available for free download, primarily because it was the monkey who took the picture.

In a video posted on her website the same day the institute issued its report, Carpenter said a photographer claiming that he owns the picture a monkey took of itself that was posted into Wikimedia Commons and downloaded thousands of times will find it hard to win his case.

The attorneys at Gagnon, Peacock & Vereeke, P.C., understand the nuances of intellectual property law. If you are seeking legal counsel for a related issue, our legal team may advocate for your interests. Call our offices in the Dallas Fort Worth area at (214) 824-1414 today to discuss your case.

Fort Worth-based American Airlines filed a lawsuit on July 7 against Inflight Productions USA, Inc., the company that provides the airline’s in-flight music, over a royalty dispute, NBC DFW reported.

The lawsuit stemmed from a complaint by Sony Music Entertainment to American Airlines that the airline was not paying for the use of copyrighted music and therefore infringing on its intellectual property rights. In response, American Airlines took to a Tarrant County District Court to argue that Inflight was contractually obligated to obtain licenses and pay royalties for the music used on the airline. The lawsuit is asking that a judge determine that Inflight should be the one made to pay the damages Sony is asking for–not American Airlines.

Our attorneys at Gagnon, Peacock & Vereeke, P.C., handle intellectual property cases in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas.  We also provide legal representation for clients in patent infringement litigation. Call our offices today at (214) 824-1414 to discuss your situation and our legal services.