3 Count: FORE!

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1: Music Publishers Fire Back at Anthropic in AI Copyright Lawsuit

First off today, Blake Brittain at Reuters reports that music publishers have responded to the AI company Anthropic claiming that the company knew that their system would be used to reproduce song lyrics and was even trained to do so.

The lawsuit was filed by Universal Music Group and Concord Music Group alleging copyright infringement in Anthropic’s Claude AI system. They allege that the system was unlawfully trained using copyright-protected lyrics and can be used to reproduce those lyrics without permission. Anthropic, for their part, claims they already have guardrails in place to prevent such reproduction and that there’s no evidence anyone, other than publishers, have done so.

However, publishers argue that Anthropic’s own training data proves that it was trained to answer questions about lyrics and that it was a feature, not a bug, of the system. They are claiming that the guardrails in place are “porous” and also seeking to have the court keep them in place or strengthen them.

2: Birdie Bill Would Expand Copyright Protections to Golf Courses

Next up today, Michael McCann at Sportico reports that Bolstering Intellectual Rights against Digital Infringement Enhancement (BIRDIE) Act has been introduced to Congress, aiming to provide copyright protection to golf courses.

Under the current law, it is widely believed that there is no mechanism for using copyright to protect the design of a golf course. Though architectural and sculptural works are protected, those protections don’t extend to golf courses. That has resulted in many video games incorporating real-world courses without obtaining a license.

The BIRDIE Act hopes to change that but clearly protecting such courses. However, the act will not apply to miniature golf courses, though those likely enjoy greater protection as a sculptural work. The act would apply to all works created on or after December 1, 1990 and would also cover elements such as irrigation, practice facilities, lakes and more.

3: George Santos Sues Late-night Host Jimmy Kimmel for Tricking Him Into Making Videos to Ridicule Him

Finally today, The Associated Press reports that former United States Representative George Santos has filed a lawsuit against late night host Jimmy Kimmel over Kimmel’s use of Cameo videos that were used to mock Santos on the show.

Santos was expelled from the House following allegations of fraud. However, he launched an account on Cameo where he created personalized videos for patrons. However, according to Santos, at least 14 of those requests were made either directly or indirectly on behalf of Kimmel for the purpose of airing on his show as part of the “Will Santos Say It?” segment.

Santos is seeking a total of $750,000 in statutory damages for five of the videos he created that were played on the air and on various social media platforms. He claims that the fake requests and the use of the videos on the show violate the terms of use for Cameo, amounting to a copyright infringement.

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