3 Count: A Long, Long Climb

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1: Rap Duo Salt-N-Pepa Ask Second Circuit to Revive UMG Copyright Case

First off today, Josh Russell at Courthouse News Service reports that members of the band Salt‑N‑Pepa are asking the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to revive their copyright termination lawsuit against Universal Music Group.

The band sued UMG in 2025, seeking to reclaim ownership of the master recordings of their first four albums. Copyright termination is a legal doctrine in the United States that allows original creators of copyrighted works to terminate copyright transfers or exclusive licenses that were granted to third parties after a period of time, namely 35 years in this case.

However, UMG argued that the band never had control over the works to make the transfer. They allege that, upon creation, the albums were owned by the band’s producer and his label. The band is seeking a reversal of that decision, which could also open the doors for many other artists to seek copyright termination as well.

2: D.C. Judge Pauses Perlmutter Suit as Copyright Office Bill Awaits Senate Action

Next up today, Rose Esfandiari at IP Watchdog reports that a federal judge has paused the ongoing lawsuit filed by Shira Perlmutter, the current Register of Copyrights at the U.S. Copyright Office, pending potential action from the U.S. Senate.

Perlmutter filed the lawsuit in May 2025 after the Trump Administration attempted to remove her and other federal officials from their positions. She argued that the Copyright Office is part of the Library of Congress and is not subject to presidential control or oversight.

Though a judge initially denied her request for a preliminary injunction, an appeals court reversed that and allowed her to remain in office as the lawsuit was ongoing. However, now the Senate is considering a bill that would place the Copyright Office under the control of the President, prompting the judge to pause the lawsuit until December.

3: Tuscola High School Adopts New Logo Years After ‘Mountaineer’ Logo Came Into Question

Finally today, Deanna Sipe at ABC 13 News reports that, in Haywood County, North Carolina, a high school has completed a four‑year‑long process of transitioning to a new logo to avoid a potential copyright‑infringement lawsuit.

The story began in 2022 when the Haywood County Schools received a call from the General Counsel at Appalachian State University (ASU). ASU felt that Tuscola High School’s logo was too similar to the university’s “Appalachian” logo.

The two schools began working together almost immediately to phase out the old logo and select a new one. However, the process of transitioning to a new logo took four years. The new logo, which was decided in May 2025, was sent through a variety of certifications to ensure that it did not infringe on any other copyrights or trademarks. Now, the new logo has finally been implemented fully.

The 3 Count Logo was created by Justin Goff and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.