Bright Tunes v. Harrisongs 1976, SDNY

Map Branches

• Infringement?
  • Evidence of copying?
  • Substantial similarity?
• Arnstein v. Porter 1946, 2d Cir
  • Context
    • Nutjob sued Cole Porter re various songs
    • Summary judgment for D?
  • Frank J.A. (majority)
    • Copying?
      • Admission or access?
    • Similarity?
      • (Mis)appropriation?
    • No summary judgment if "slightest doubt"
  • Clark J.A. (dissent)
    • No access nor similarity
• Bright Tunes v. Harrisongs 1976, SDNY
  • Context
    • "He's So Fine"
      • Mack (BrightTunes)
    • "My Sweet Lord"
      • Harrison/Preston (Harrisongs)
  • Owen J.
    • Access
      • Played widely, long ago
      • Admittedly heard
    • Copying
      • Subconscious!
        • Grace note
      • Substantiality?
        • Unique?
    • Damages
      • Performance = $360k
      • Sheets = $67k
      • Mechanicals = $646k
      • Label spread = $1.1m
      • Total = $2.13m - 25%
      • Performance = $360k
• Three Boys v. Bolton 2000, 9th Cir
  • Context
    • "Love is a Wonderful Thing"
      • Isley Bros. (Three Boys)
    • "Love is a Wonderful Thing"
      • Bolton/Goldmark
  • Nelson
    • Access
      • Circumstances
        • Chain of events
        • Dissemination
    • Similarity
      • Uniqueness
      • "Inverse ratio rule"
    • Accounting
      • $5.4 million (66%)
        • $4.2m (Sony)
        • $930k (Bolton)
        • $220k (Goldmark)
        • $75k (Publishers)
• Selle v. Gibb 1984, 7th Cir
  • Context
    • Selle
      • No publisher/producer
    • Gibb bros.
      • Paramount & Polygram
  • Cudahy J.A.
    • Copying
      • No access
    • Similarity
      • Very striking
• Hawkes & Son v. Paramount 1934, Eng CA
  • Context
    • "Colonel Bogey March"
    • Lt. Ricketts (Hawkes & Son)
    • 20 secs in "Bridge Over River Kwai"
  • Appellate Judges
    • Substantiality?
      • Yes
    • Fair Dealing?
      • No
• Grand Upright v. Warner 1991, SDNY
  • Context
    • "Alone Again, Naturally"
      • O'Sullivan
    • "Alone Again"
      • Biz Markie (Cold Chillin)
    • Permission sought & refused
  • Duffy
    • The Bible
    • Substantiality???
• Newton v. Diamond 2003, 9th Cir
  • Context
    • "Choir"
      • James Newton
    • "Pass the Mic"
      • Beastie Boys
    • 6 second sound recording cleared
    • Newton sued for composition
  • Shroeder J.A.
    • Distinguish recorded performance
    • De minimus copying (insubstantial)
• Brigeport v. Dimension 2005, 6th Cir
  • Context
    • "Get Off Your Ass & Jam"
      • George Clinton
    • "100 Miles & Running"
      • NWA
    • Composition licensed
    • 2 second sample of sound recording
  • Guy J.A.
    • Samplers are cheap/lazy, not creative
    • All recording samples must be cleared

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