I Run, the Next Hit Song! Or Is It?
A Case Study of AI and the Music Industry What is the trending “I Run” Controversy? Last month, the music side of TikTok went absolutely crazy over a new song called “I Run.” An anonymous producer “Haven” dropped what sounded like a new, unreleased Jorja Smith single. It went viral immediately, hitting almost 3 million […]
It’s Alive!! But is it Patentable? Assessing Whether Dr. Frankenstein Could Patent his Monster
Before attending our final Intellectual Property class together last week, I went to my local theatre to see the new film adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel “Frankenstein.” The film, aptly also titled “Frankenstein,” directed by Guillermo del Toro, was an incredible reminder of my love for this infamous story of a scientist (Dr. Frankenstein) […]
In space, no one can hear you leak trade secrets.
In our classes we’ve learned that the patent bargain forms the foundational concept for the protection of inventions. A patent is described as a “bargain” because the patent does not unilaterally favour the inventor, instead it is a mutually beneficial arrangement between the inventor and the public. Under this bargain, the inventor receives a 20-year […]
The Devil Advocates for Prada – Designing Law for Fashion
The fashion world is no stranger to imitation, be it the artful homage to another designer or the much-derided “dupe” of a cut-rate pirate; famously avant-garde American designer Rick Owens told the Wall Street Journal in 2024 that “It’s always a delight,” to see his designs out in the world, “but it’s almost more of a […]
Copyright and Generative AI in Canada: the ISED Report
To many, the technological advancements leading to the widespread accessibility of generative AI (“genAI”) have been a source of excitement: simple inputs are now capable of solving complex and personalized problems, and information is as convenient to access as it has ever been. However, the implications of these advancements extend beyond what the average Canadian […]
Week 11.5 Fall 2025 – Exam Prep. Slides & Video
Rolling the Dice on IP: The 2023 D&D Crisis and Canadian Copyright Law
In early 2023, Wizards of the Coast (WotC), owner of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), attempted a highly controversial revision of their foundational Open Game License (OGL). This move sparked a major intellectual property controversy, threatening two decades of independent publishing built on the original OGL 1.0a. The leaked draft triggered a backlash, highlighting critical questions […]
Junior Sports Associations: Trademark and Copyright Considerations
Amateur sports teams have long used designs reminiscent of professional franchises, yet legal challenges arising from such use appear relatively rare. A 2018 article describing a youth lacrosse team’s use of a Vancouver Canucks trademark, resulting in legal intervention, prompted me to consider what made this situation different. Why can some youth organizations use similar […]
Week 11 Fall 2025 – Slides & Video
IP Law News of the Weeks (October 6, 2025 – November 30, 2025)
So I Wrote A Song About Copyright…
A big question we have asked ourselves in this IP class is “Who owns the copyright in an AI work?” It is a question that not only we—but courts and governments across the world have been struggling to answer. For my project I decided to write a song about copyright, and specifically, the different ways […]
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 […]
Week 10 Fall 2025 – Slides & Video
Copyright & Social Media
Communications Law