Opinion ID: 866348
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Copyright Interests

Text: Although it does not really explain Tilmon-Jones’s litigation strategy, it is helpful to know who was entitled to what copyright interests in “Smart.” The following is clear: (1) Based on their assigned interest in the initial copyright, Plaintiffs had the right to sue for infringing acts occurring up through December 31, 2002, see 17 U.S.C. § 501(b) (“The legal or beneficial owner of an exclusive right under a copyright is entitled, subject to the requirements of section 411, to institute an action for any infringement of that particular right committed while he or she is the owner of it.”), and they had three years after that date to bring a cause of action. See 17 U.S.C. § 507(b) (“No civil action shall be maintained under the provisions of this title unless it is commenced within three years after the claim accrued.”); Dassault Systemes, SA, v. Childress, 663 F.3d 832, 844 (6th Cir. 2011), cert. denied, 133 S. Ct. 286 (2012); (2) Because Tilmon died prior to the renewal term, Tilmon’s contingency interest in the renewal copyright passed to Tilmon-Jones and Tilmon’s children, on January 1, 2003. See 17 U.S.C. § 304(a)(1)(C); Roger Miller Music, Inc. v. Sony/ATV Publ’g, LLC, 672 F.3d 434, 437-39 (6th Cir. 2012).