Copyright & Social Media
Communications Law
Modern Day Preston v Lucas
Quick throwback to Copyright law: while reviewing the class, specifically Preston v Lucas and Cinar v Robinson, I was reminded of headlines I saw earlier this year about a strikingly similar case. In this case, Dave Franco and Allison Brie, along with a production company, are being sued over the horror movie “Together” by production […]
The IP Crossword
If you’re someone who loves a good mental workout, I’ve put together a fun, brain-tickling IP Crossword packed with clues that range from definitions to landmark cases. Think of it as the perfect blend of legal geekery and puzzle-solving joy. Give it a shot, and if you find yourself stuck on a clue or two, […]
AI Voice Cloning & Artist Remedies
I came across this Instagram reel made by the producer @itsyoungcheetah. In it, he got AI to make him a topline. He made the beat (he’s a producer after all), wrote the initial lyrics for the chorus and recorded himself performing it. However, because he is not an artist (in the vocal sense) so he […]
Fake Facts and Copyright Traps
In copyright, you cannot own a fact. In our earlier classes we learned this in Maltz v Witterick, where the Federal Court held that “the use of common historical facts is not copyright infringement.” Winkler v Hendley builds on this, and further holds that an author who publishes what is said to be a nonfiction […]
Is Sports Data Copyrightable? Exploring Data Compilations in Sports Betting
It has been established in Canada that sports broadcasting is subject to copyright law, but what about the substantive data that is the product of sport? In CBC v SODRAC the Supreme Court of Canada employed a purposive construction of the Copyright Act, specifically s. 3(1)(d), holding that reproduction rights remain exclusively with the copyright […]
Pokemon IP Law Expansion Pack
Press Play to Create Vibe for optimal viewing The 18 Card Expansion Deck Project Statement For this project, I chose to take one of my favourite intellectual properties, Pokémon, and mash it up with key themes from our course. The result is an 18-card “IP Law Expansion Pack” for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Each […]
Controversy at the U.S. Federal Duck Stamp Competition: A Case for Copyright in Composition?
We know that a painting attracts copyright protection, but there is no copyright in a particular pose, arrangement, or composition (in the artistic sense). This is for good reason, of course, or else we would probably have long run out of colours, subjects, and settings to depict in art. But this reminded me of a […]
Harvard Mouse – Epic Rap Battle Ver.
Term Project by Michelle Lee The link to the video is at the bottom. A few weeks ago, I learned that in 2003, a defamation suit was brought against the rapper Eminem by his childhood bully for allegedly slandering him in the song “Brain Damage”. The judge gave a ruling in the form of rap. […]
The Dirt on Clean Beauty
Aarthi Kamatchinathan’s Term Paper Introduction In recent years, the beauty industry has undergone a significant transformation, with consumers increasingly prioritizing ingredient transparency over brand prestige or packaging appeal. This shift has been driven in part by the rise of the “clean girl aesthetic,” a TikTok trend that emphasizes a natural, minimalist and health-focused approach to […]
NFTs, Blockchain, and Patent Law: Rethinking Innovation Incentives for Decentralized Technologies
Term Paper by Mohammad Kiumarsi Introduction Blockchain technology and its derivative innovation—non-fungible tokens (NFTs)—have rapidly emerged as disruptive forces in the digital economy. These technologies promise decentralized recordkeeping, authentication of ownership, and enhanced digital security. Yet, despite their transformative potential, Canadian patent law struggles to accommodate their unique structures, particularly where innovation is community-driven and […]