Can a Monkey Sue You for Copyright Infringement?

Can a Monkey Sue You for Copyright Infringement?

In this episode of No Infringement Intended, Austin Padgett [https://www.troutman.com/professionals/austin-padgett/] and Rusty Close [https://www.troutman.com/professionals/christopher-c-rusty-close-jr/] unpack the infamous monkey selfie case — Naruto v. Slater — where PETA sued a wildlife photographer on behalf of a grinning Indonesian macaque, arguing the monkey owned the copyright to his own selfie. They break down why the Ninth Circuit dismissed the claim, why the court is deciding who is actually a friend of the monkey, and why the question of whether photographer David Slater actually owns the photo remains unanswered to this day. Austin and Rusty connect the case to the AI copyright debate, explaining why a ruling about a monkey pressing a shutter is now the legal cornerstone for how courts and the Copyright Office are answering the question of who — if anyone — owns AI-generated work. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How Did James Bond Spark a 50‑Year Legal War Over Who Owns 007?

In this episode of No Infringement Intended, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close unpack the half-century battle over who really owns James Bond. They trace how Ian Fleming's early collaborations fractured the rights to Thunderball and Casino Royale, why that split spawned two "rogue" Bond films outside the official series, and how it ultimately took more than 50 years to bring the 007 franchise back under one roof. Along the way, Austin and Rusty clarify what counts as a "joint work," how tenancy in common lets any co‑owner license a work while still owing everyone else a share, and why getting clear contracts in place at the start of a project is the only way to keep a blockbuster character from turning into a long‑term legal headache. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

When Does a Beat Make You a Co-Writer?

In this episode of No Infringement Intended, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close wind up in Auckland and on TikTok, tracing how a teenage producer's "Laxed (Siren Beat)" became Jason Derulo's global hit "Savage Love." Along the way, they break down when contributing a beat (or a chorus fragment) makes you a songwriter rather than just a producer, how "toplining" works in modern pop, and why crediting someone after the fact is very different from clearing rights before a track blows up. Instead of treating viral success as a free-for-all, Austin and Rusty show how thinking like an IP attorney at the creation stage can keep collaborations profitable, creditable, and conflict-free. No Infringement Intended [https://www.troutman.com/podcast/no-infringement-intended-podcast/], hosted by Rusty Close and Austin Padgett, is your go-to podcast for exploring the fascinating intersection of intellectual property and pop culture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Won’t the USPTO Register My Last Name?

In this episode of No Infringement Intended, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close go from swapping Georgia music favorites and high school nicknames to dissecting the Lanham Act’s uneasy relationship with surnames. Austin and Rusty walk through why the USPTO is wary of letting anyone monopolize a last name, break down the five-factor test examiners use, explain how some brands overcome surname refusals under Section 2(f), and analyze recent TTAB decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Does Everyone Say 'The Big Game' Instead of 'Super Bowl'?

In this episode of No Infringement Intended, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close use their shared love of television and Super Bowl nostalgia to unpack the legal world of major event branding. They explain why so many advertisements avoid saying "Super Bowl" and instead lean on "the big game," breaking down how trademark law and the Lanham Act empower rights holders like the NFL to control sponsorships, police false affiliations, and protect the value of being "official." Austin and Rusty walk through where harmless reference ends and risky commercial use begins, and why sometimes the safest move is to let the big game do the heavy lifting for your marketing. No Infringement Intended [https://www.troutman.com/podcast/no-infringement-intended-podcast/], hosted by Rusty Close and Austin Padgett, is your go-to podcast for exploring the fascinating intersection of intellectual property and pop culture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.