10 Landmark Copyright Cases That Shaped the Entertainment Industry
- Mar 4, 2023
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 7
By Kate Holtz — Staff writer for Massive Action Media covering entertainment news, including music, film, and celebrity lifestyles.
Copyright law is a cornerstone of the entertainment industry, protecting the intellectual property rights of creators and fostering creativity and innovation. Over the years, numerous landmark copyright cases have left a lasting impact on the entertainment landscape, shaping the way intellectual property is understood, protected, and enforced. Here are 10 famous copyright cases that have had a significant influence on the entertainment industry:
1. MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd. (2005)
In this case, the Supreme Court held that peer-to-peer file-sharing services could be held liable for copyright infringement if they actively encouraged users to share copyrighted material illegally. This decision had far-reaching implications for online copyright enforcement and the liability of technology companies for facilitating copyright infringement. No major updates (08-07-2025), but note that this case's principles continue to influence lawsuits against modern platforms like torrent sites and streaming services.
2. Harper & Row, Publishers, Inc. v. Nation Enterprises (1985)
This case involved the unauthorized publication of excerpts from former President Gerald Ford's memoirs by The Nation magazine. The Supreme Court ruled that The Nation's use of the excerpts constituted copyright infringement, affirming the rights of authors and publishers to control the distribution of their works.
3. A&M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc. (2001)
Napster, a pioneering file-sharing service, faced legal action from major record labels for facilitating the unauthorized sharing of copyrighted music. The court found Napster liable for contributory and vicarious copyright infringement, leading to its shutdown and setting a precedent for the liability of online platforms for copyright infringement by their users.
4. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. v. 321 Studios (2004)
This case involved software designed to circumvent DVD encryption measures, allowing users to make unauthorized copies of DVDs. The court ruled that the software violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), highlighting the importance of protecting technological measures that control access to copyrighted works.
5. Bridgeport Music, Inc. v. Dimension Films (2005)
In this case, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held that unauthorized sampling of a copyrighted song, even a small portion, constituted copyright infringement. This decision clarified the legal standards for sampling in music production and reinforced the rights of copyright holders to control the use of their works.
No major updates (08-07-2025) but this ruling continues to affect music sampling. A 2016 case, VMG Salsoul v. Ciccone (Madonna), partially contradicted it, allowing de minimis sampling in some jurisdictions, creating a circuit split.
6. Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc. (1984)
Commonly known as the "Betamax case," this landmark decision established the legality of home video recording for personal use. The Supreme Court ruled that the sale of videocassette recorders (VCRs) did not constitute contributory copyright infringement, affirming the rights of consumers to make recordings of copyrighted television programs for time-shifting purposes.
No major updates (08-07-2025) but this case is still relevant for time-shifting and personal use, but its principles are now applied to cloud DVR services and streaming disputes.
7. Authors Guild, Inc. v. Google, Inc. (2015)
This case involved Google's scanning and digitization of millions of books for its Google Books project. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that Google's use of copyrighted works for indexing and snippet view constituted fair use, marking a significant victory for digital access to books and transformative uses of copyrighted material.
No major updates (08-07-2025), but the fair use precedent supports AI training data debates, like those involving large language models scraping copyrighted content.
8. Capitol Records, LLC v. ReDigi Inc. (2013)
ReDigi, a digital marketplace for "used" MP3 files, faced legal action from major record labels for facilitating the resale of digital music files. The court ruled that ReDigi's service constituted copyright infringement, highlighting the limitations of the first-sale doctrine in the digital realm and the challenges of reselling digital content.
No major updates (08-07-2025), but adding this: 2018 Second Circuit ruling upheld the original decision, reinforcing that digital resale violates copyright law. This impacts NFT and digital collectible markets.
9. Mattel, Inc. v. MGA Entertainment, Inc. (2011)
This case involved a dispute over the ownership of the Bratz doll franchise. The court ruled that MGA Entertainment's founder had conceived the idea for the Bratz dolls while employed by Mattel, leading to a protracted legal battle over intellectual property rights and trade secrets in the toy industry.
No major updates (08-07-2025), but adding this: The dispute continued with appeals, but MGA retained Bratz rights. Recent cases in the toy industry, like Spin Master v. Mattel (2020), build on this precedent.
10. Perfect 10, Inc. v. Google, Inc. (2007)
Perfect 10, a publisher of adult content, sued Google for copyright infringement over the display of thumbnail images and hyperlinks to unauthorized copies of its images in Google's search results. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that Google's use of thumbnail images constituted fair use, establishing important precedent for the display of copyrighted works in search results.
No major updates (08-07-2025) but adding this: The fair use ruling for thumbnails remains influential, especially in AI-generated image disputes and search engine indexing cases.
Conclusion
These landmark copyright cases have shaped the legal landscape of the entertainment industry, influencing the rights of creators, the responsibilities of technology companies, and the boundaries of fair use and infringement in the digital age. As technology continues to evolve and new forms of creative expression emerge, copyright law will remain a crucial tool for protecting and promoting innovation in the entertainment sector.
About the Author
Kate Holtz is senior editor and staff writer for Massive Action Media. Born in Miami, Florida, she earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from Miami Dade College before relocating to Los Angeles. With over 20 years of experience, Kate covers music, film, celebrity lifestyle, action sports, and more.
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