Getting Less than Expected in Copyright Transfers
3 Pages Posted: 17 Jul 2008 Last revised: 24 Oct 2010
Date Written: July 17, 2008
Abstract
This comment explores Davis v. Blige, 505 F.3d 90 (2d Cir. 2007), and Sybersound Records, Inc. v. UAV Corp., 517 F.3d 1137 (9th Cir. 2008), cases that address the rights of transferees from copyright cotenants, but from opposite perspectives. Blige does not permit defendant to evade liability by a retrospective transfer, but it casts no doubt on the capacity of transferees, exclusive or not, to sue on the same basis as original owners. Sybersound, however, refuses suit by a transferee without denying that right to the original owner andcontrasts starkly. That transferees do not stand in the shoes of their transferors for purposes of enforcement is a radical proposition that should be rejected.
Keywords: co-owner, cotenant, copyright, F.R.C.Pro. 19, joinder, retrospective transfers
JEL Classification: K11, K29, K41
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation