22 Mar 2022
Ignorance of the Law Is an Excuse, For Your Client But Maybe Not For You
The Supreme Court recently ruled that lack of knowledge of either fact or law could excuse an inaccuracy in a copyright registration so long as the mistake was made inadvertently. The safe harbor of 17 U.S.C. § 411(b) is intended to make it easier for nonlawyers to obtain valid registrations but attorneys may be held to a higher standard. Learn more about this legal development and brush up on the requirements for copyright registration with the following resources.
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Review the key considerations before filing a copyright infringement lawsuit in federal court, including whether plaintiff's work is registered, the statute of limitations, the proper parties to name in the lawsuit, personal jurisdiction and venue, potential defenses and counterclaims, whether to send a cease and desist or demand letter, and whether to send a takedown notice.
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