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AICopyright Law

AI & Creators: How to Play it Smart in Brand Deals in the Era of AI

The rise of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and ElevenLabs has opened exciting new creative opportunities for influencers and content creators. From…
AICopyright Law

Anthropic Wins a Landmark Case for AI Training

On June 23, 2025, a US District Court judge delivered a significant ruling that has major implications for how AI companies can train their models…
AIGaming

SAG-AFTRA “Strikes Back” After Epic Games Uses AI to Recreate James Earl Jones’ Voice in Fortnite

James Earl Jones is an actor who is famous for many memorable roles in films throughout the 20 th and 21 st centuries. Jones has…
Copyright LawInfluencer LawOnline Privacy

Uncertainty Around TikTok Ban Continues as June 19 Deadline Approaches

Since President Trump extended the TikTok ban’s deadline on April 4th, not much has changed. When asked earlier this month if he would delay the…
Copyright LawTrademark Law

What Duke and Pepperdine Are Teaching Us About Trademarks On-Screen

Fictional storytelling often leans on real-world details to feel authentic. For example, familiar logos, and recognizable places increasingly appear in film, TV, and other content.…
AIInfluencer Law

What the Reintroduction of the NO FAKES Act of 2024 Means for Creators

On the heels of the Senate introduction of a companion bill in late July 2024, U.S. Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Nathaniel…
Trademark Law

Meghan Markle’s Trademark Trouble: A Lesson for Business Owners

Meghan Markle’s recent trademark battle over her lifestyle brand, “As Ever,” proves that even high- profile figures with legal teams can run into serious intellectual…
Online Privacy

TikTok Ban Still Pending as Deadline Looms: Will the App Avoid a U.S. Ban by April 5th ?

With just days to go ahead of the deadline, TikTok finds itself at a critical crossroads that could determine whether the app continues to thrive…
Trademark Law

USPTO 2025 Trademark Fee Increases

Effective January 18, 2025, the USPTO rolled out fee increases that impact everything from new applications to renewals, petitions, and appeals. If you are thinking…
AICopyright Law

AI Training Using Copyrighted Works Ruled Not Fair Use

We have been closely following, and have written about, the ongoing cases regarding AI companies using copyrighted materials to train their AI models. See: https://sharmalawpllc.com/the-new-york-times-challenges-openai-and-microsoft-over-the-use-of-its-content-to-train-ai-chatbots-in-openai-copyright-battle/…
Online Privacy

TikTok Returns to App Store Amid Uncertain Future: The Latest Ban Updates

Just when it seemed like TikTok might be gone from the U.S. for good, many users were surprised to find it back on Apple and…
Influencer Law

Kidfluencers Under the Law: California’s Coogan Law Updates and the Child Content Creator Rights Act

Assembly Bill 1880 and Senate Bill 764 took effect in California earlier this year. The 2 Bills enact new rules and regulations for child influencers…
AI

FTC’s New Rule: No More Social Media Smoke and Mirrors

  We’ve all heard it before: social media is fake. Now it might get a legal wake-up call. In an effort to combat AI-generated reviews…
AICopyright Law

California Passes Laws to Protect Performers Against Unauthorized Use of Their Digital Likeness

  Governor Gavin Newsom, with the support of the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA, has signed two new bills into law which will help protect current and…
Online Privacy

Recent TikTok Legal Developments: Federal Court Upholds TikTok Ban

  On Friday, December 6th, the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit upheld a law that would force TikTok to divest from its parent company,…
Online Privacy

Recent TikTok Legal Developments: TikTok and the US Justice Department Battle in Court

  Attorneys for the United States government on one side and Tiktok + ByteDance, Ltd. (the parent company of TikTok) on the other side, recently…
AICopyright LawEndorsement

NO FAKES: Potential Remedies for Deepfakes and Digital Forgery

  For content creators, their likeness is often their most valuable asset. Their audience can trust when endorsement of a certain product or service comes…
AICopyright Law

SAG and Narrativ Strike a Deal to Allow Narrativ to use SAG Member Voices for Audio Ads

  A landmark deal with the on-line platform Narrativ, will allow members of the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA to license an AI replica of their voice…
AICopyright LawInfluencer Law

Navigating YouTube’s AI Detection: What Creators Need to Know About Copyright

  The recent announcement of YouTube’s new AI detection tools marks a significant shift in how creators – actors, musicians, and digital content creators –…
AICopyright Law

Major Record Labels Sue AI Music Generating Software

  The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), on behalf of the major music labels, including Sony, Universal, and Warner Brothers, has sued the AI…