2025 Copyright in Review:
High-Stakes, Still Pending Litigation, and More
This copyright year in review examines still pending litigation in the areas of (1) whether copying copyrighted content in AI large language model training can qualify as fair use, (2) whether the removal of copyright management information during the course of AI training is actionable under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, (3) the copyrightability of AI-assisted creations, and (4) secondary liability of Internet Service Providers (and AI companies). We will also review rulings in the areas of (1) fair use generally, (2) the copyrightability of characters, (3) the test for proving infringement in the 9th Circuit, (4) joint authorship, and (5) sampling of sound recordings.
Neil Weinstock Netanel holds the Pete Kameron Endowed Chair at the UCLA School of Law. Professor Netanel writes and teaches in the areas of copyright, trademark, international intellectual property, law and technology, and freedom of speech. He is the author of numerous articles and book chapters, as well as three solo-authored books, all published by Oxford University Press: Copyright’s Paradox (2008); From Maimonides to Microsoft; The Jewish Law of Copyright Since the Birth of Print (2016); and Copyright: What Everyone Needs to Know (2018).
Professor Netanel has practiced law in the United States and Israel and has served as an expert consultant and witness in numerous copyright matters. His scholarship has been repeatedly cited by the U.S. and Israel Supreme Courts. He holds a JSD from Stanford Law School, a JD from Berkeley Law School, and a BA from Yale University.
This event is eligible for 1.0 California general MCLE credit.
