The Supreme Court Decision on Fair Use: What It Means for Our Clients
September 19, 2023 | Carole Clark Isakson
The landscape of copyright law is in transition after a recent Supreme Court decision that could redefine how we approach fair use. The Andy Warhol Foundation v. Goldsmith case has significant implications for our clients, particularly those who regularly use or create copyrighted materials. Here’s our breakdown of this landmark Supreme Court decision on fair use and what it might mean for you. Protecting Original Work At the heart of copyright law is the protection of original work. When you create something unique, you automatically receive the exclusive right to use and distribute that creation. The purpose of this right is to stimulate innovation and creativity, assuring creators that they will benefit from their work. The Fair Use Doctrine and Permitting Unlicensed Use Often considered a life-saving exception for content creators, educators, journalists, and others, the fair use doctrine is a crucial component of copyright law. It’s essentially a legal doctrine that promotes freedom of expression by permitting the unlicensed use of copyright-protected works in certain circumstances. Specific Circumstances Under the Fair Use Doctrine The fair use doctrine does not offer a free pass to use copyright-protected works indiscriminately, but instead provides a framework where certain types of usage are considered legally permissible. It’s worth noting that there are no rigid rules about…
Read MoreBarna, Guzy & Steffen and the Minnesota Trucking Association’s Annual Conference
August 31, 2023 | Carole Clark IsaksonAs it does each August, BGS sent members of its Transportation Department to attend the Minnesota Trucking Association’s Annual Conference. Carole Clark Isakson, Jim Wills and Rachel Schwankl connected with trucking company owners and vendors from throughout the state of Minnesota and attended educational programs covering topics from business succession to driver retention. BGS also sponsored Stephen Shapiro, the conference keynote speaker, who spoke about innovative problem solving. The three-day event is well attended and enjoyed by all. With more than four decades of experience representing nationwide motor carriers, Jim is both well respected and well known in this unique area of law. Having worked together for more than twenty years, Jim and Carole have worked with trucking companies, shippers, brokers, freight forwarders, and those who rely on transportation services. Carole Clark Isakson is also the President of the Minnesota Trucking Association Foundation.
Read MoreBack To School – Watch Out for School Buses
August 29, 2023 | Adriel B. Villarreal
Our children’s safety is probably one of the most critical aspects of road safety, especially during their daily commute to and from school. School buses play a vital role in providing a safe and convenient means of transportation for students. Unfortunately, accidents can still happen, and there are moments when children have been injured while waiting for or boarding the school bus. As the new school year begins, it’s essential to understand the laws and guidelines related to school buses. Continue reading our blog as we discuss some tips to help you watch out for school buses. Stop for School Buses and Be Cautious One of the most important rules to remember when driving is to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and the stop sign extended. This indicates that children are either boarding or exiting the bus. It’s important to give them enough space and time to do so safely. Whether you’re approaching from behind or from the opposite direction on a two-lane road, you must come to a complete stop until the lights stop flashing and the stop sign is retracted. When driving near bus stops, watch out for pedestrians and be prepared to stop. Keep a Safe Following Distance When driving behind a school bus, you…
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