A Dancing Baby Helps Clarify Copyright Owners’ Responsibilities Online

This week, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued the latest opinion in an ongoing saga that has symbolized tensions in the DMCA notice and takedown process. The case, Lenz v. Universal Music Corp., carries many implications for creators who are trying to protect their works online. Specifically, it provides guidance on whether and to what extent a copyright owner has to consider fair use when sending a takedown notice for potentially infringing material.