3 Count: Counterpunch

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1: ‘Road House’ Copyright Dispute Sparks Countersuit From Amazon Studios, MGM

First off today, Winston Cho at The Hollywood Reporter Esquire reports that MGM Studios has filed a countersuit against the scriptwriter of the original Road House film, claiming that he filed a fraudulent claim of ownership with the United States Copyright Office.

The author, R. Lance Hill, claims that he wrote the script “on spec” meaning that he did the work on his own time to sell it studios down the road. However, when he attempted to file for copyright termination and reclaim the rights to the screenplay, MGM argued that it was a work for hire and didn’t qualify for copyright termination.

However, the studio has filed a counterclaim in the case, alleging that Hill filed false records with the Copyright Office and that the public record proves it was a work-made-for-hire. MGM is seeking termination of the alleged false copyright registration and damages for breach of contract over the 1986 agreement.

2: DC Circuit Skeptical of Free Speech Challenge to Digital Copyright Law

Next up today, Ryan Knappenberger at Courthouse News Service reports that the Appeals Court in the District of Columbia Circuit has shown skepticism to a challenge to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and its anti-circumvention provisions.

The DMCA, among its provisions, forbids circumventing copyright protection tools. However, the law allows the Register of Copyrights to carve out exemptions every three years. In this case, the petitioners need to circumvent digital locks as part of their work as security researchers. They claimed that the process violates their First Amendment rights, creating a “speech-licensing regime.”

The petitioners are attempting to revive a case against the law. However, the judges seemed skeptical of their arguments. They did not see the circumvention issue as being close enough to the speech itself and did not view the provisions as a major burden on free speech. They also argued that the petitioner’s proposal would amount to a massive expansion of fair use, indicating that they are likely not to rule in their favor.

3: Kendrick Lamar, Drake ‘Remove Copyright’ From Diss Tracks

Finally today, Ryan Smith at Newsweek reports that Kendrick Lamar and Drake have allegedly removed copyright restrictions on their diss tracks aimed at each other, making them easier to share on YouTube and social media.

The two have been involved in a much-hyped war of words over the past week. Both rappers have decided not to file copyright claims on the songs to encourage additional sharing and coverage.

This includes at least four tracks, which have been shared prominently on both YouTube and social media. The feud itself has been going on for at least a decade but has recently flared up again with a new back-and-forth exchange between the two.

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