On January 26, 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to weigh in on the meaning of the term “consumer” under the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), a federal law that prohibits “video tape service providers” from disclosing “personally identifiable information” regarding their “consumer[s].” 18 U.S. Code § 2710. The issue arose after Michael Salazar challenged the Sixt [ ... ]
Not a typo, but a new-ish term! According to nonument.org, which maintains an online database, nonuments are “twentieth-century architecture, monuments, public spaces and infrastructural projects that have lost or undergone a shift in symbolic meaning as a consequence of political and social changes.” In essence, it is a call to redefine what constitutes a monument, bringing d [ ... ]
In a decision with potentially far-reaching implications for copyright transactions, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that statutory termination rights under the U.S. Copyright Act can revest worldwide copyright interests, not merely U.S. rights, when the terminated grant arises under U.S. law.
Congress enacted termination rights to address the unequa [ ... ]
Insights & News
Copyright protects many different works of authorship, encompassing a broad array of literary and musical works such as books, computer software, visual art and architecture. But copyright protection of a song is more complex, as a song typically consists of two separate copyrights: a musical work (the composition and lyrics) and a sound recording (the actual phonorecord). Copyright [ ... ]
This is part 2 of a series. Read part 1 here.
The author wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Adeola Austin Oyinlade of the law firm Adeola Oyinlade & Co of Lagos, Nigeria in providing background information and insight into a Nigerian perspective on issues of ownership and care of the Benin Bronzes.
Among the many news reports on repatriation of artworks [ ... ]
This is part 1 of a series. Read part 2 here.
Repatriation activity in the U.S. and around the globe during 2025 demonstrated the varying arrangements that can be made between returning institutions and countries of origin, while also highlighting some of the thorny issues that can arise during the process.
The start of the new year provides a timely opportunity [ ... ]