What is a copyright infringement

Everett Collection Netflix straight up jacked the characters and plot for its hit show "Outer Banks" from an already published book ... at least according to the author of a novel, who's now out for some legal revenge. The streaming giant is being sued by Jeff Wilson , who claims there are way too many similarities between a book he wrote, "Queen Anne's Revenge," and 'OB' for it to be pure coincidence. "Queen Anne's Revenge" by Jeffrey Wilson/Amazon According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Wilson says in 2013 he published his novel, which follows 4 friends on a treasure hunt from a famous shipwreck near the outer banks of North Carolina. Wilson says his book was even promoted by Discovery and History Channel, and he claims the 'OB' creators have even confessed ... they relied on other books and authors for inspiration to write the scripted series. The author claims his book was drawn from heavily ... he says the main cast and their … [Read more...] about Netflix Sued Over ‘Outer Banks’ Show, Novelist Claims Series Ripped Off Book

If producers use artificial intelligence to simulate an actor’s performance, they’re going to have to bargain for it, SAG-AFTRA said Friday in a statement on the use of AI and digital doubling. “The terms and conditions involving rights to digitally simulate a performer to create new performances must be bargained with the union,” the guild said in a statement. “These rights are mandatory subjects of bargaining under the National Labor Relations Act,” the guild says. “Companies are required to bargain with SAG-AFTRA before attempting to acquire these rights in individual performers’ contracts. To attempt to circumvent SAG-AFTRA and deal directly with the performers on these issues is a clear violation of the NLRA.” The WGA has staked out a similar position . It its pattern of demands for its upcoming contract talks, which begin Monday, the writers guild seeks to “regulate use of material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies.” “Human … [Read more...] about SAG-AFTRA Says Use Of AI To Simulate Actors’ Performances Must Be Bargained For

Steve Jobs was vigilant in protecting his copyrights ... and now the photographer who shot his most iconic portrait is following Steve's lead ... and suing two artists who allegedly ripped him off ... TMZ has learned. The man behind the suit is Albert M. Watson -- a prolific photographer who's considered one of the most influential people to ever wield a camera. He shot Steve's famous portrait during a 2006 photo shoot ... and claims he owns the rights to the work. FYI -- the shot was used as the cover art on Walter Isaacson's biography, "Steve Jobs." But in his lawsuit, filed in federal court in NY, Watson claims two well known artists -- Alex Guofeng Cao and David Datuna -- used his famous "Steve Jobs" portrait as the basis for new pieces ... but they never got proper permission. Watson claims one of the unauthorized works, "Steve Jobs vs. Neil Armstrong, After Watson," has become popular and is being sold in multiple galleries across the country. He also … [Read more...] about Steve Jobs — Iconic Portrait Was RIPPED OFF … Says Photog

The Department for Professional Employees , AFL-CIO , with which a dozen entertainment industry unions are affiliated, has set its policy agenda for the 118th Congress , centered on creating diverse talent pipelines, incentivizing diversity in hiring and strengthening creative professionals’ workplace rights. Dorning told Deadline, however, that achieving those goals in this Congress – with a majority of Republicans in the House and a slim majority of Democrats in the Senate – will be no easy task. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge. We see that,” she said. “But we see this as a long-term investment on our part, and our affiliates to create systematic change. So we don’t expect to get everything that we want right away. We’re definitely in it for the long haul, and we’re going to working a lot to try to make change.” Passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act is DPE’s top priority, though it remains a legislative long shot. Recently reintroduced … [Read more...] about AFL-CIO’s Department For Professional Employees Sets Legislative Agenda

The Writers Guild of America is taking on the robots. The guild has clarified its position on the use of artificial intelligence in the writing process as it’s in the third day of negotiations with the AMPTP . The WGA highlighted AI , which has been on the rise as a result of services such as ChatGPT, in its Pattern of Demands , saying that it plans to “Regulate use of material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies”. The union has now gone further following reports that it would allow writers to use AI to write scripts. “The WGA’s proposal to regulate use of material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies ensures the Companies can’t use AI to undermine writers’ working standards, including compensation, residuals, separated rights and credits,” it noted. The guild added that AI can’t be used as source material to “create MBA-covered writing or rewrite MBA-covered work, and AI-generated text cannot be considered … [Read more...] about WGA Takes On AI & Lays Out Position As AMPTP Talks Continue