Accessibility links
copyright law copyright law
Stories About

copyright law

'Let's Get It On' ... in court

Left photo: Ed Sheeran, who is being sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, cowriter of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On". Right photo: Marvin Gaye. Left: Tolga Akmen (Getty), Right: Nancy Kaye (AP) hide caption

toggle caption
Left: Tolga Akmen (Getty), Right: Nancy Kaye (AP)

The Indicator from Planet Money

'Let's Get It On' ... in court

Did Ed Sheeran steal from Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in his hit single "Thinking Out Loud"? That case heads to trial next week, and our guest says the outcome should matter to music-lovers everywhere.

'Let's Get It On' ... in court

Listen · 9:26
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1171161616/1171423660" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The surprising economics of digital lending
DANIEL ROLAND/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

The surprising economics of digital lending

Long gone are the days of hauling sixty books home from the local library. With eBooks, the worlds of Fahrenheit 451 to Harry Potter are at your fingertips with just a tap. But what's the price behind the click?

The surprising economics of digital lending

Listen · 9:51
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1118289764/1118322319" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Copyright small claims court

A cosplayer dressed as tinkerbell. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for ReedPOP hide caption

toggle caption
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for ReedPOP

The Indicator from Planet Money

Copyright small claims court

A new alternative to federal court for copyright holders may provide an inexpensive route towards justice for small businesses. But is cheaper, better? How well will it work?

Copyright small claims court

Listen · 9:55
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1110928086/1110976550" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Conan O'Brien Settles Joke Theft Lawsuit — And Makes Fun Of NPR's New Music

Late night TV host Conan O'Brien, pictured in 2016, has settled a lawsuit with a man who accused O'Brien and his writing staff of stealing his jokes. Mike Windle/Getty Images for Vanity Fair hide caption

toggle caption
Mike Windle/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Television

Conan O'Brien Settles Joke Theft Lawsuit — And Makes Fun Of NPR's New Music

"Short of murder, stealing material is the worst thing any comic can be accused of," O'Brien writes. The case was due to go to a jury trial within weeks.

Trump Posted A Video With Music From A Batman Movie. Warner Bros. Had It Taken Down

President Trump tweeted a video promoting his campaign that used music from the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises without permission. Trump and first lady Melania Trump are seen here at a premiere of the film in 2012. Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic hide caption

toggle caption
Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic

Politics

Trump Posted A Video With Music From A Batman Movie. Warner Bros. Had It Taken Down

As a dramatic score plays, words appear on the screen: "First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they call you racist." The video used music from The Dark Knight Rises without permission.

Browse archive or search npr.org