COLUMBUS SCHOOL OF LAW

COLUMBUS SCHOOL OF LAW

The Catholic University of America

Spring 2000

COPYRIGHT LAW

Professor Susanna Fischer

Office: 412

Phone: 202-319-5568

E-mail: fischer@law.edu

READING LIST: WEEKS ONE - FIFTEEN

** THIS READING LIST HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF APRIL 21, 2000. IT NOW COVERS THE ENTIRE FIFTEEN WEEKS OF CLASS (THROUGH LAST CLASS OF APRIL 26, 2000)**

Important Information:

The Casebook ("CB") for this course is Robert A. Gorman & Jane C. Ginsburg, Copyright: Cases and Materials, (5th edition 1999) (published by Lexis Legal Publishing) plus the accompanying 1999 Statutory Appendix (also published by Lexis Legal Publishing).

The Reading List for additional weeks will be added to this Web site in installments.

For each assignment, you should also read, where cited in the Casebook, all sections/articles of the following: 1976 Copyright Act, 1909 Copyright Act, Regulations of the U.S. Copyright Ofice, Berne Convention, TRIPs accord, Universal Copyright Convention, WIPO Copyright Treaty, and WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty. These can be found in the 1999 Statutory Supplement (see Required Texts section, below).

I provide notes in the Reading List indicating where the citation for a given case is inaccurate or where there is additional case history. Very occasionally, you may be required to read very recent case law and/or articles which are not included in your Casebook. I will distribute any such additional required reading and indicate this on the Reading List where relevant.

Please try to answer (or at least think about) all questions in the Casebook. We will not have sufficient class time to cover all of the Casebook questions in class, but I am happy to discuss any questions you may have in my office hours or by appointment. A recommended way to ask questions is via e-mail.

You are not required to read in the original cases which are cited or excerpted in the Casebook, but putting in this extra effort is always recommended.

A Course Outline, containing more information and guidelines for this course, including information on grading, participation, office hours, etc., will be distributed at the first class.

WEEK ONE

Class of January 10: The Concept of Copyright

! Casebook pp. 1-73

Note: While I don't want to deter you from reading all of this admittedly long assignment, which I think you will find provides helpful background for the rest of the course, I realize that some of you may not have the time to read the entire chapter carefully before the first class. If you run short of time, please make sure you read carefully pp. 1-37 and 51-56, and just skim the rest of the chapter.

Note also: American Geophysical Union v. Texaco, Inc. (p. 17): cert. dismissed, 516 U.S. 1005, 116 S.Ct. 592, 133 L.Ed.2d 486 (1995)

Class of January 12: Copyrightable Subject Matter I

A. Original Works of Authorship

! Casebook pp. 75-84

B. Fixation in Tangible Form

! Casebook pp. 84-90

Note: Playboy Enters. v. Webbworld, Inc. (p. 87) aff'd, 168 F.3d 486 (5th Cir. 1999); United States v. Moghadam (p. 90) reported in Federal Reporter at 175 F.3d 1269 (11th Cir. 1999), reh'g and reh'g en banc denied, 193 F.3d 525 (11th Cir. 1999)

C. The Idea/Expression Dichotomy

! Casebook pp. 90-118

Note: Financial Control Assocs. v. Equity Bldrs, Inc. (p. 118) reconsideration denied, 812 F. Supp. 198 (D. Kan. 1993)

WEEK TWO

Class of January 17: NO CLASS (MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY)

Class of January 19: Copyrightable Subject Matter II: Facts and Compilations I

! Casebook pp. 118-143

WEEK THREE

Class of January 24: Copyrightable Subject Matter III: Facts and Compilations II

Casebook pp. 144-182
Please download the following proposed database protection legislation from http://thomas.loc.gov (106th Congress)

(i) Collections of Information Antipiracy Act (H.R. 354);

(ii) Information Act of 1999, Consumer and Investor Access (H.R. 1858)

Note: Both Matthew Bender & Co. v. West Publishing Co. cases (see pp. 155 and 157 of Casebook), cert. denied, 119 S.Ct. 2039, 143 L.Ed. 2d 1048 (1999); West Publishing Co. v. Mead Data Central, Inc. (p. 158 of Casebook), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1070, 107 S.Ct. 962, 93 L.Ed. 2d 1010 (1987), CCC Information Services v. Maclean Hunter Market Reports, Inc., (p. 160 of Casebook), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 817, 116 S.Ct. 72, 133 L.Ed. 2d 32 (1995); Practice Management Information Corp. v. American Medical Ass'n (p. 168 of Casebook), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 933, 118 S.Ct. 339, 139 L.Ed. 2d 263 (1997), opinion amended, 133 F.3d 1140 (9th Cir. 1998), cert. denied, 118 S.Ct. 2367 (1998), reh'g denied, 119 S.Ct. 285, 142 L.Ed. 2d 235 (1998), BellSouth Advertising & Publishing Corp. v. Donnelley Information Publishing, Inc. (p. 169 of Casebook), cert. denied, 520 U.S. 1101, 114 S.Ct. 943, 127 L.Ed. 2d 232 (1994).

Class of January 26: NO CLASS DUE TO SNOW DAY

WEEK FOUR

Class of January 31: Copyrightable Subject Matter IV

A. Derivative Works

Casebook pp. 183-196

Note: Batlin v. Snyder (p. 183 of Casebook), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 857, 92 S.Ct. 156, 50 L.Ed. 2d 135 (1976); Entertainment Research Group, Inc. v. Genesis Creative Group, Inc. (p. 194 of Casebook), cert. denied, 523 U.S. 1021, 118 S.Ct. 1302, 140 L.Ed. 2d 468 (1998); Maljack Productions, Inc. v. UAV Corp. (p. 196 of Casebook), cert. denied, 119 S.Ct. 2036, 144 L.Ed. 2d 214 (1995).

B. Computer Programs

Casebook pp. 196-214

Note: Apple Computer, Inc. v. Franklin Computer Corp. (p. 202 of Casebook), cert. dismissed, 464 U.S. 1035, 1043 S.Ct. 690, 79 L.Ed. 2d 158 (1984).

Class of February 2: Copyrightable Subject Matter V: Pictorial, Graphic and Scuptural Works

Casebook pp. 214-247

WEEK FIVE

Class of February 7: Copyrightable Subject Matter VI

A. Architectural Works

Casebook pp. 247-254

Note: Yankee Candle Co. v. New England Candle Co. (p. 253 of Casebook), vacated on settlement, 29 F. Supp. 2d 44 (1998).

B. Characters

Casebook pp. 254-266

Note: Nichols v. Universal Pictures Co. (p. 254 of Casebook), cert. denied, 282 U.S. 902, 51 S. Ct. 216, 75 L.Ed. 795 ; Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates (p. 263 of Casebook), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132, 99 S.Ct. 1054, 59 L.Ed. 2d 94 (1979).

C. Government Works/Public Policy Issues

Casebook pp. 266-273

Note: CCC Info. Servs. v. Maclean Hunter Mkt. Reports, Inc. (p. 267 of Casebook), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 817, 116 S.Ct. 72, 133 L.Ed. 2d 32 (1995); Practice Management Information Corp. v. American Medical Ass'n (p. 267 of Casebook), cert. denied, 522 U.S. 933, 118 S.Ct. 339, 139 L.Ed. 2d 263 (1997), opinion amended, 133 F.3d 1140 (9th Cir. 1998), cert. denied, 118 S.Ct. 2367 (1998), reh'g denied, 119 S.Ct. 285, 142 L.Ed. 2d 235 (1998); Mitchell Bros. Film Group v. Cinema Adult Theater (p. 268 of Casebook), cert. denied, 445 U.S. 917, 100 S.Ct. 1277, 63 L.Ed. 2d 601 (1980).

Class of February 9: Ownership I

A. Concepts of Authorship

Casebook pp. 275-278

B. Work for Hire

Casebook pp. 278-299

Note: Manasa v. University of Miami (Casebook p. 295), cert. denied, 336 So.2d 602 (Fla. 1976); Playboy Enters., Inc. v. Dumas (Casebook p. 299), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1010, 116 S.Ct. 567, 133 L.Ed. 2d 491 (1995). Opinion of district court on remand (960 F. Supp. 710) aff'd, 159 F.3d 1347 (2d Cir. 1998); Armento v. Lasar Image, Inc. (p. 299 Casebook), aff'd, 134 F.3d 362 (4th Cir. 1998).

WEEK SIX

Class of February 14: Ownership II

A. Joint Works

Casebook pp. 300-311

Note: Olan Mills, Inc. v. Eckerd Drug of Texas, Inc. (Casebook p. 311) available on Westlaw: 1989 WL 90605 (N.D. Tex. 1989); Zuill v. Shanahan (Casebook p. 311), cert. denied, 519 U.S. 1090, 117 S.Ct. 763, 136 L.Ed.2d 710 (1997).

B. Transfer of Copyright Ownership

Casebook pp. 311-338

Note: Playboy Enters., Inc. v. Dumas (Casebook p. 319), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1010, 116 S.Ct. 567, 133 L.Ed. 2d 491 (1995). Opinion of district court on remand (960 F. Supp. 710) aff'd, 159 F.3d 1347 (2d Cir. 1998); Tasini v. New York Times (Casebook p. 335),

Class of February 16: Ownership III

Re-read assignment for February 14

WEEK SEVEN

Class of February 21: Duration and Renewal

A. Duration and Renewal

Casebook pp. 339-359

Note: P.C. Films v. Turner Entertainment Co. (p. 352 of Casebook), cert. denied, 119 S.Ct. 542, 142 L.Ed. 2d 450 (1998); Saroyan v. William Saroyan Found. (p. 352 of Casebook), aff'd without opinion, 864 F.2d 304 (2d Cir. 1988); Epoch Producing Corp. v. Killiam Shows (Casebook p. 354), cert. denied, 424 U.S. 955, 96 S.Ct. 1429, 47 L.Ed. 2d 360 (1976)

B. Renewals and Derivative Works

Casebook pp. 359-371

Note: Russell v. Price (Casebook p. 369), cert. denied, 446 U.S. 952, 100 S.Ct. 2919, 64 L.Ed.2d 809 (1980); Shoptalk, Ltd. v. Concorde-New Horizons Corp. (Casebook p. 370), cert. denied, 119 S.Ct. 2399, 144 L.Ed. 2d 798 (1999); Batjack Prods. v. GoodTimes Home Video Corp. (Casebook p. 370), cert. denied, 119 S.Ct. 2046, 144 L.Ed. 214 (1999)

Class of February 23: Termination of Transfers, Formalities

A. Termination of Transfers

Casebook pp. 371-381

B. Formalities pre-1976 Act

Casebook pp. 383-397

Note: Uproar Co. v. National Broadcasting Co. (p. 385 of Casebook), cert. denied, 298 U.S. 670, 56 S.Ct. 835, 80 L.Ed. 1393 (1936); La Cienega Music Co. v. ZZ Top (p. 386 of Casebook), cert. denied, 316 U.S. 927, 116 S.Ct. 331, 133 L.Ed.2d 231 (1995); Batjack Prods. v. GoodTimes Home Video Corp. (Casebook p. 386), cert. denied, 119 S.Ct. 2046, 144 L.Ed. 214 (1999); Shoptalk, Ltd. v. Concorde-New Horizons Corp. (Casebook p. 386), cert. denied, 119 S.Ct. 2399, 144 L.Ed. 2d 798 (1999)

C. Publication and Notice under 1976 Act

Casebook pp. 397-407
IMPORTANT!!: The Estate of Martin Luther King decision at p. 389 of your Casebook has been reversed by the 11th Circuit (in November, 1999). PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THE 11th CIRCUIT DECISION - it is reported at 194 F.2d 1211 (11th Cir. 1999). A link is at http://www.law.emory.edu/11circuit/nov99/98-9079.man.html or you can download it from Westlaw: http://www.westlaw.com . A motion for rehearing was denied on Jan. 7, 2000 (not yet reported; not available on Westlaw as yet).

WEEK EIGHT

Class of February 28: Formalities II, Exclusive Statutory Rights

A. Deposit and Registration

Casebook pp. 407-413

B. Right of Reproduction: Copies and Infringement

Casebook pp. 415-433

Class of March 1: Infringing Copying

Casebook pp. 433-461
YOUR WRITTEN ANSWERS TO HYPOTHETICALS ON DURATION ARE DUE IN CLASS!

HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!!! (March 6-12)

WEEK NINE

Class of March 13: Substantial Similarity

Casebook pp. 461-501

Note: Apple Computer, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp. (p. 462 of Casebook), aff'd 35 F.3d 1435 (9th Cir. 1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 1184 (1995); Singer v. Maldonaldo (p. 487) is in fact titled Singer v. Citibank N.A. (although Maldonaldo was another defendant); Franklin Mint Corp. v. National Wildlife Exchange, Inc., (p. 498 of Casebook), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 880 (1978)

Class of March 15: Right of Reproduction: Phonorecords, Musical Compositions, and Sound Recordings

A. Phonorecords

Casebook pp. 501

B. Musical Compositions and Compulsory Licenses

Casebook pp. 501-509

Note: Cherry River Music v. Simitar Entertainment [p. 508] is reported at 38 F. Supp. 2d 310 (S.D.N.Y. 1999)

C. Sound Recordings

Casebook pp. 509-514

Note: Recording Industry Ass'n of America v. Diamond Multimedia Systems, Inc. [p. 513] is reported at 180 F.3d 1072 (9th Cir. 1999)

WEEK TEN

Class of March 20: Right of Adaption and Moral Rights

A. The Right to Prepare Derivative Works

Casebook pp. 515-532

Note: Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. v. Nintendo of Am., Inc. [CB p. 522-525], cert. denied, 507 U.S. 985 (1993); Mirage Editions, Inc. v. Albuquerque A.R.T. Co. [CB p. 527], cert. denied, 489 U.S. 1018 (1989); Futuredontics, Inc. v. Applied Anagramics [CB p. 530], aff'd 152 F.3d 925 (9th Cir. 1998)

B. Moral Rights

Casebook pp. 532-548

Note: Carter v. Helmsley-Spear, Inc. [CB p. 540], cert. denied, 517 U.S. 1208 (1996); English v. CFC&R East 11th Street LLC [CB p. 542], also reported in Westlaw at 1997 WL 746444, aff'd, 198 F.3d 233 (2d Cir. 1999); Martin v. City of Indianapolis, aff'd, 192 F.3d 608 (7th Cir. 1999)

Class of March 22: Rights of Distribution/Performance

A. The Right to Distribute

Casebook pp. 548-565

Note: Playboy Enters., Inc. v. Webbworld, Inc. [CB p. 551], aff'd, 168 F.3d 486 (1999)

B. The Right of Public Performance

Casebook pp. 565-583

WEEK ELEVEN

Class of March 27: [please note some repetition of the previous assignment]

A. The Right of Distribution: The First Sale Doctrine and the Importation Right

Casebook pp. 557-565

B. Right of Public Performance

Casebook pp. 565-583

Note: Associated Music Pubs., Inc. v. Debs Mem. Radio Fund, Inc. [CB p. 565], cert. denied, 323 U.S. 766 (1944); Patterson v. Century Prods., Inc. [CB p. 566], cert. denied, 303 U.S. 655 (1938); Jerome H. Remick & Co. v. American Audo. Accessories Co. [CB p. 566], cert. denied, 269 U.S. 556 (1925)

Class of March 29:

A. The Right of Public Display

Casebook pp. 583-587

B. The Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings

Casebook pp. 587-591

C. Limitations on Rights of Public Performance/Display

Casebook pp. 591-608

Note: Cablevision Co. v. Motion Picture Ass'n of Am. [CB p. 600], cert. denied, 487 U.S. 1235 (1988)

WEEK TWELVE

Class of April 3: Exclusive Rights of Public Performance and Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings [please note that all of this reading assignment has been previously assigned. Please review the material assigned below for the second time]

A. Performing Rights Societies

Casebook pp. 575-576 (skip Ocasek case), 579-583

B. The Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings

Casebook pp. 587-591

C. Limitations on the Rights of Public Performance and Display

Casebook pp. 591-598

Class of April 5: Fair Use I

Casebook pp. 609-626, 647-653

Note: Dr. Seuss Enters. v. Penguin Books USA, Inc. [Casebook p. 625], cert. dismissed, 521 U.S. 1146 (1997)

WEEK THIRTEEN

Class of April 10: Fair Use II and Remedies I

A. Fair Use cont'd

Casebook pp. 667-692, 718-722

B. Injunctions

Casebook pp. 729-731

Class of April 12: More on Fair Use; Introduction to Remedies

A. More on Fair Use

Casebook pp. 667-692; 718-722

B. Injunctions

Casebook pp. 729-731

C. Introduction to Damages

Casebook pp. 731-738

Note: Frank Music Corp. v. MGM [CB p. 732], appeal after remand, 886 F.2d 1545 (9th Cir. 1989), cert. denied, 494 U.S. 1017 (1990);

WEEK FOURTEEN

Class of April 17: Remedies and Liability

A. Damages Continued

Casebook pp. 738-744

B. Costs and Attorneys Fees

Casebook pp. 748-749

C. Statute of Limitations

Casebook pp. 749-750

D. Criminal Liability

Casebook pp. 750-752

E. Individual, Vicarious, and Contributory Liability

Casebook pp. 752-768

F. OPTIONAL: Skim pp. 744-748 on State Immunity and Right to Jury Trial

Note: Cream Records, Inc. v. Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co. [CB p. 738] appeal after remand, 864 F.2d 668 (1989); College Savings Bank v. Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Educ. Expense Bd. [CB p. 745], reported at 119 S.Ct. 2219 (1999); Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Educ. Expense Bd. v. College Savings Bank [CB p. 745], reported at 119 S.Ct. 2199 (1999), Alden v. Maine, [CB p. 747], reported at 119 S. Ct. 2240 (1999); Chavez v. Arte Publico Press [CB p. 745], reh'g en banc judgment vacated by 178 F.3d 281 (5th Cir. 1998), remand for reconsideration, 180 F.3d 674 (5th Cir. 1999), vacated and remanded, 204 F.3d 601 (5th Cir. 2000)

Class of April 19: Reverse Engineering, Technological Protection Measures and Copyright Misuse

A. Reverse Engineering

Sony Computer Entertainment v. Connectix Corp., 203 F.3d 596 (9th Cir. 2000) http://www.ce9.uscourts.gov/web/newopinions.nsf/f606ac175e010d64882566eb00658118/06d1e0893fdee11688256881006296b8?OpenDocument
OPTIONAL/RECOMMENDED Casebook pp. 657-666

B. Technological Protection Measures

Casebook pp. 768-776

B. Copyright Misuse

Casebook pp. 776-777

WEEK FIFTEEN

ON TUESDAY, APRIL 25, A REVIEW CLASS WILL BE HELD AT 5:00 P.M. IN ROOM 205. WE WILL COVER DURATION AND RENEWAL. I WILL REPEAT THE REVIEW CLASS ON FRIDAY, APRIL 28 at 4:15, ROOM TBA

Class of April 25: Brief Lecture on Fundamentals of Preemption and Review Class

Recommended Reading:

CB pp. 779-86, 799-806, 810-821 [please note that preemption will not be tested on the finial examination]

Class of April 26: Brief Lecture on International Copyright and Review Class

Recommended Reading:

CB pp. 845-848, 853-854, 855-861, 861-866 [please note that international copyright protection will not be tested on the final examination]