3 Count: iTunes DRM

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1: Rapper Nas Dragged To Federal Court Over Tupac

First off today, Ryan Naumann at Radar Online reports that photographer Al Pereira has filed a lawsuit against the rapper Nas claiming copyright infringement over a post on social media.

The photo in question showed Nas hanging out with the deceased rapper Tupac outside a New York club in July 1993. Nas republished the photo on his Instagram in 2020 and, according to Pereira, this was done without permission or a license.

Pereira is suing for unspecified damages and is also seeking an injunction to prevent Nas from further using his work. In this regard, Nas joins a long list of celebrities that have been sued over using images of themselves on social media without permission, other names including Jessica Simpson, Gigi, Baella Hadid and many, many more.

2: Banilla Games Sues Copyright Infringers

Next up today, a press release from Banilla Games announces that the gaming company has filed a lawsuit against some nine locations in Virginia that it claims are using counterfeit versions of its games.

Banilla Games manufactures cabinet gambling games that are commonly used in casinos and bars. However, Virginia recently imposed a ban on such games in the commonwealth, though that ban was put on hold by a judge in December.

According to Banilla Games, since that judgment, several locations have been operating counterfeit versions of their games, prompting them to file the lawsuits. Those lawsuits are asking for damages totaling a minimum of $18 million.

3: Court: iTunes DRM Removal is Irrelevant for Piracy Liability Lawsuit

Finally today, Ernesto Van der Sar at Torrentfreak writes that the lawsuit against internet service provider RCN is ongoing, with a judge recently ruling that the issue of iTunes DRM removal is irrelevant to the case.

In 2019, several music companies filed the lawsuit against RCN, alleging that the ISP did not take adequate measures to combat piracy on its service. The case is currently heading toward a likely trial, but RCN attempted to make the argument that iTunes choice to remove DRM from its music library may have increased piracy they sought more information on that.

However, the judge has denied that request, saying that the issue is “irrelevant” to the lawsuit and ruled that the plaintiffs did not have to provide discovery on the matter. However, other discovery issues are ongoing.

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