Source: http://www3.ce9.uscourts.gov/jury-instructions/print/book/export/html/269
Timestamp: 2016-06-26 02:40:07
Document Index: 628405744

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 201', '§ 201', '§\u300010', '§ 10', '§ 204', '§ 204', '§ 204']

Home > Manual of Model Civil Jury Instructions > 17. COPYRIGHT > 17.12 Copyright Interests—Exclusive Licensee (17 U.S.C. § 201(d)(2))
17.12 Copyright Interests—Exclusive Licensee (17 U.S.C. § 201(d)(2))
A copyright owner may [transfer] [sell] [convey] exclusively to another person any of the rights comprised in the copyright. [To be valid, the [transfer] [sale] [conveyance] must be in writing.] The person to whom this right is transferred is called a licensee.
[An exclusive licensee has the rights to exclude others from copying the work [to the extent of the rights granted in the license]]. An exclusive licensee is entitled to bring an action for damages for copyright infringement of the right licensed.
An exclusive license, other than one granted by operation of law, must be in writing if it was granted after 1978. See 3 M. Nimmer & D. Nimmer, Nimmer on Copyright §　10.03[A][1]. If it was granted prior to 1978, however, an exclusive license may be oral or implied by conduct. See id. at § 10.03[B][1]; see also Micro Star v. Formgen, Inc., 154 F.3d 1107, 1113 (9th Cir.1998); Effects Assocs. Inc. v. Cohen, 908 F.2d 555, 557-58 (9th Cir.1990) (holding that exclusive licenses, because they transfer copyright ownership, must be in writing). The writing must be signed by the owner of the rights conveyed and be the product of the parties’ negotiations. 17 U.S.C. § 204(a) (requiring that transfers of copyright be in writing); Radio Television Espanola v. New World Entm’t, Ltd., 183 F.3d 922, 926-27 (9th Cir.1999) (holding that § 204(a) is satisfied by writing demonstrating transfer of copyright, indicating terms of license). "No magic words must be included in a document to satisfy § 204(a). Rather, the parties’ intent as evidenced by the writing must demonstrate a transfer of a copyright." Id.
Questions regarding the ownership of a copyright are governed by state law. See Scholastic Entm’t, Inc. v. Fox Entm’t Group, Inc., 336 F.3d 982, 983, 988 (9th Cir.2003); Rano v. Sipa Press, Inc. 987 F.2d 580(9th Cir.1993).
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