By Jessie Schuster
Edited by Elissa D. Hecker
Entertainment
Studios’ Offer to Writers May Lead to AI-Created Scripts That Are Copyrightable
The overlap of the SAG-AFTRA and writers’ strike along with the quickly evolving A.I. technology has led to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers including potential use of the technology to create scripts and storylines. These storylines are being argued to be copyrightable since the studio representatives are saying that humans will touch the material.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/amptp-ai-writers-guild-strike-1235573351/
Hollywood Studios Disclose Their Offer on Day 113 of Writers’ Strike
Hollywood Studios are switching up their tactics during the ongoing writers’ strike by making the details of their latest offer public. Studios claim that this offer represents the “highest wage increase” to writers in over 30 years, in an attempt to reach a middle ground that can get the film and TV industry back up and running.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/23/business/media/hollywood-writers-strike-negotiations.html?searchResultPosition=1
YouTube and Universal Music Group Partner to Develop A.I. Music Tools – Complete With ‘Protections’ for Artists and Rightsholders
As A.I. continues to raise questions in the music industry, YouTube and Universal Music have decided to partner up to create opportunities using the technology that will be profitable for music rightsholders. This new pairing aims to use all the positives of A.I. while restricting the negatives, such as using artists’ names, images, and likeness without credit.
https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/youtube-and-universal-music-group-partner-to-develop-ai-music-tools-complete-with-protections-for-artists-and-rightsholders/
A Judge Posted Rihanna Lip-Syncs to TikTok. Now He’s Trying to Avoid Serious Discipline
A New Jersey judge is learning the hard way that TikTok is not made to be used by everyone, especially when trying to fit in with trends that involve making videos to “vulgar” or inappropriate music. Judge Wilcox has acknowledged that his videos lip syncing to Rihanna songs was not appropriate conduct.
https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/judge-defends-tiktok-lip-sync-videos-misconduct-investigation-1235396767/
Reality TV Stars and Crew Want Out of “Draconian” NBCUniversal NDAs
NBC has found itself in deep water as many of the company’s reality stars from E! have “lawyered up” in attempts to get out of their NDAs, as the stars argue they have been grossly mistreated by the network.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/reality-tv-stars-ndas-nbcuniversal-1235571196/
Philadelphia Musicians Authorize Strike Ahead of New Season
Orchestra members in Philly authorize a potential strike as tensions between musicians and management rise over a new labor contract.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/20/arts/music/philadelphia-musicians-orchestra-strike.html?searchResultPosition=1
A Way to Feel Music Through Your Skin
“Feel the music” is taking on a whole new meaning as people can now wear backpacks that send vibrations through bodies to feel the music that the backpack is playing. The technology is called a “haptic suit” and will change the way deaf music listeners can experience listening to music.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/20/style/haptic-suits-deaf-music.html?searchResultPosition=1
Arts
Judge Rules That A.I.-Generated Art Is Not Protected by Copyright Law
It has been ruled in D.C. Federal Court that artwork created by A.I. will not be subject to copyright laws and protection since the work lacks “human involvement,” a decision that seems to follow the trend of previous A.I. decisions regarding copyright law, including the Copyright Office’s position.
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/us-judge-rules-ai-generated-art-is-not-protected-by-copyright-law-1234677410/
Vermont Law School Can Conceal Murals Deemed Racially Offensive, Against the Artist’s Wishes
The Second Circuit decided a case regarding whether the act of concealment qualifies as “modifying artwork.” At Vermont Law School, murals painted to commemorate the Underground Railroad were considered offensive by many, leading the school’s administration to cover the paintings in response to student criticism and the murder of George Floyd. The judge ruled that concealing the murals does not violate any law and concealment does not qualify as modification.
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/sam-kerson-murals-can-be-covered-up-court-rules-2352198
Auctioneer Who Helped Create Fake Basquiats Gets Probation
Michael Barzman is facing three years’ probation, along with 500 community service hours, and a $500 fine after admitting to creating fake artwork that he and one other person later sold as original Basquiat paintings. The fake art was displayed in the Orlando Museum of Art.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/18/arts/design/fake-basquiats-sentencing.html?searchResultPosition=1
Sports
Knicks Sue Toronto Raptors Alleging Stolen Scouting Reports
The NY Knicks and the Toronto Raptors are taking their rivalry off the basketball court as the Knicks sue the Raptors after claims arose regarding a former employee stealing scouting reports from the NY team and sharing them with the Raptors.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/ny-knicks-sue-toronto-raptors-alleging-stolen-scouting-reports
‘This Might Be More Physical Than Actual Football’: A Collison-Heavy Wheelchair Football Team in Buffalo is Giving Players Community and Purpose
A wheelchair football team in Buffalo and the other 12 teams in the USA Wheelchair Football League is giving athletes a chance to play a sport that is just as, or according to one player, more physical than, actual football.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/sports/football/wheelchair-football-buffalo.html
Casino Developers Are Funding Children’s Sports. Some Parents Object.
Casino developers are now placing their names and logos on the jerseys of children’s sports, showing their support and sponsorship for youth sport events and teams. Parents are quick to express their outrage on Facebook, as they feel that casinos are taking advantage of loopholes in advertising to children and they feel that promoting gambling to youth is wrong. States are trying to decipher if the sponsorship violates state laws prohibiting casinos from targeting minors in advertising and if not, how to handle this gray area.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/nyregion/nyc-casino-marketing-children.html?searchResultPosition=1
FIFA Suspends Spanish Soccer Federation Chief Involved in Post-Game Kiss
Disgraced Spanish Soccer president, Luis Rubiales, has been suspended by FIFA after kissing a players post-game. The suspension will only last 90 days, despite players’ hopes that he will be terminated indefinitely. The Spanish women’s soccer team demanded his removal.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/world/europe/soccer-spain-luis-ruiables-jennifer-hermoso-kiss.html
World Athletics Introduces New Athletes’ Representatives Licensing System and Safeguarding Reforms
A new Athletes’ Representatives Panel and a new exam focusing on ethics has been introduced by World Athletics to create and set minimum standards and professional development that will hopefully lead to a “better outcome for both athletes and agents” regarding safeguard reforms.
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1139909/world-athletics-council-meeting-budapest
Media & Technology
Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gershkovich’s Latest Appeal Denied By Russia Court
A Moscow court has denied an appeal by reporter Evan Gershkovich asking for relief from an extension of the reporter’s pre-trial detention.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/evan-gershkovhich-parents-russia-court-wall-street-journal-reporter-appeal-denied/
Microsoft Offers British Regulators Changes to Activision Deal
Microsoft is attempting to get approval of a $69B merger with Activision Blizzard under a new proposal that will avoid issues of concern regarding cloud gaming.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/business/microsoft-activision-deal-uk.html
A Stroke Stole Her Ability to Speak at 30. A.I. Is Helping to Restore It Years Later
Ann Johnson is a stroke survivor who is experiencing first-hand how A.I. can benefit humans. After losing her ability to speak, the new technology was able to turn her brain signals into language using an avatar on a screen and electrodes implanted into her brain.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/23/health/ai-stroke-speech-neuroscience.html
Chicago Public Schools Sued by Student Over Naviance Data Use
Naviance, an online platform used by many high schools and colleges to track and share student and college information to assist students during the application process, is the subject of a lawsuit that a Chicago school is facing. A student and his parents are suing the school for violating the student’s Fourth Amendment rights, the Illinois Act, and the California Invasion of Privacy Act, by illegally collecting personal data via Naviance.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/chicago-public-schools-sued-by-student-over-naviance-data-use
In Reversal Because of A.I., Office Jobs Are Now at Risk
A.I. has been making its way into everyday lives, but now it is taking over some white color professions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/upshot/artificial-intelligence-jobs.html?searchResultPosition=1
The U.S. Regulates Cars, Radio, and T.V., When Will it Regulate A.I.?
Throughout history, the U.S. has regulated new technology as it emerged. Now, experts are waiting and hoping that the government begins regulating A.I. systems before they continue rapidly growing.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/upshot/artificial-intelligence-regulation.html?searchResultPosition=1
Lachlan Murdoch Pays $840,000 to Site He Had Accused of Libel
CEO of Fox Corporation, Lachlan Murdoch, dropped a defamation lawsuit against an Australian publisher and paid the publisher $840,000 in legal fees after the publisher connected his family to the Jan. 6th riots. This comes after Fox News settled a different suit against Dominion Voting Systems for over $787M.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/business/media/lachlan-murdoch-crikey-libel.html?searchResultPosition=1
Canadian Officials Condemn Facebook for News Ban as Wildfires Burn
Following a Canadian law requiring tech companies like Meta to pay news outlets when using their content along with the recent Canadian Wild Fires, the city of Yellowknife is instructing their residents who are being mass-evacuated to use Google to specifically search “CPAC Canada” to get their news. Since Facebook has blocked news articles on its platform, the city has struggled to find an easy way to share links to helpful news sources.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/world/canada/canada-wildfires-meta-facebook.html?searchResultPosition=1
General News
‘I Have a Dream,’ Yesterday and Today
Decades after the Civil Rights Movement and the infamous Martin Luther King Jr. “I have a dream” speech, the National Mall held thousands of people who support continuing the “dream,” as Americans continue to fight for equality.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/us/march-on-washington-anniversary-mlk-speech.html?searchResultPosition=1
Trump Surrenders at Atlanta Jail in Georgia Election Interference Case
As unprecedented events continue to unfold with the former president, Donald Trump surrendered at Fulton County Jail via his private jet before going through the motions of the criminal proceeding. He was fingerprinted and had his mug shot taken. Bail was set at $200,000.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/us/trump-surrender-georgia-fulton-county-jail.html?searchResultPosition=1
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/former-president-donald-trumps-bail-set-200000-102541342
Trump Shakes Up His Georgia Legal Team Ahead of Atlanta Booking
Criminal defense attorney Steve Sadow was hired by Trump just before the latter’s booking in an Atlanta jail, as Trump decided to switch up his legal team by letting go three of his attorneys on the case.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/24/us/trump-georgia-lawyers.html
In Georgia Case Against Superstar Rapper, Hints of How Trump Case Could Unfold
While the two cases can be distinguished, Trump’s Atlanta case could be compared to that of Rapper Young Thug who has also been indicted under Racketeering laws and will be tried by the same prosecutor. The Rapper’s case could be looked at to provide a preview to Trump’s case.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/20/us/trump-young-thug-rico.html?searchResultPosition=1
Witness in Trump Documents Case Changed Lawyers, and Then Testimony
A witness in the Trump Documents case and employee of the former president changed his testimony and obtained new lawyers after the Justice Department speculated that there was a conflict of interest since the original attorney represented both the employee and another defendant in the case.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/us/politics/witness-trump-documents-lawyer.html?searchResultPosition=1
Pence Undercuts Trump’s Defense in Classified Documents Case
Former Vice President Pence is claiming that he knew nothing of the former president’s declassified documents claim.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/20/us/politics/pence-trump-classified-documents.html
Giuliani Surrenders at Jail in Georgia Election Case
Former mayor and Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani surrendered at the Atlanta jail in the racketeering case against himself and other close Trump allies. Giuliani paid a $150,000 bond before claiming that the case is “an attack on the American people.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/23/us/trump-giuliani-georgia-surrender.html
Sidney Powell Asks for Speedy Trial in Georgia Election Interference Case
One of Trump’s former attorneys and a defendant in the Georgia election interference case has filed a motion for a speedy trial alongside another defendant, Kenneth Chesebro. The motions have led to questions over how the trial will proceed, as an October date has been suggested, but the former president opposed that date.
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4171987-sidney-powell-asks-for-speedy-trial-in-georgia-election-interference-case/
Supreme Court Is Asked to Hear a New Admissions Case on Race
Following a Supreme Court decision on college admissions and affirmative action, the Court is now being asked to hear a case with a similar issue at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The Court of Appeals ruled that the school’s admissions process was not discriminatory; however, a libertarian law group is hoping the Supreme Court will overturn the Court of Appeals decision.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/us/politics/supreme-court-thomas-jefferson-high-school-admissions.html?searchResultPosition=1
Two Justices Clash on Congress’s Power Over Supreme Court Ethics
Justices Alito Jr. and Kagan, who have had clashing opinions many times in the past, continue to have differing opinions over whether Congress has the constitutional authority to regulate aspects of the Court’s work. Justice Alito has expressed his controversial stance that “no provision in the Constitution gives [Congress] the authority to regulate the Supreme Court,” while Justice Kagan has stated, “Of course Congress can regulate various aspects of what the Supreme Court does.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/26/us/supreme-court-ethics-alito-kagan.html
Republican Candidates Fight Each Other, and Mostly Line Up Behind Trump, at the First Debate
Republican presidential candidates fought to replace Trump as a front-runner for the 2024 election during the first debate hosted by Fox News. Gov. Ron DeSantis, Gov. Chris Christie, VP Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Ambassador Nikki Haley, and Sen. Tim Scott made their voices heard as they debated key issues they would face as President.
https://apnews.com/article/first-republican-debate-2024-elections-gop-89812d5aa1ed6a4ebe7373ff36858250
Missouri Judge Declines to Block Ban on Gender-Affirming Care
Judge Steven Ohmer from St. Louis Circuit Court wrote an order rejecting a to request a block of Missouri gender-affirming care ban, which will ban gender-affirming health care for transgender minors and some adults. The judge reasoned that “petitioners have not clearly shown a sufficient threat of irreparable injury absent injunctive relief.”
https://thehill.com/homenews/4172278-missouri-judge-declines-to-block-ban-on-gender-affirming-care/
India’s Moon Landing Made History at a Low Cost
India has become the fourth country to land on the moon and the first to land on the moon’s south pole. The achievement has been done even after costing the mission less than $1B.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/23/india-chandrayaan-3-moon-landing-came-at-small-cost.html
5 Things to Know About Japan’s Fukushima Water Release in the Pacific
Treatment of radioactive water in Japan has begun as workers have started releasing the water into the Pacific Ocean, leading to a suspension of aquatic imports. While other nations are expressing concerns over the release, the Japanese government has expressed that this is its safest option to treat the radioactive water.
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/24/1195419846/fukushima-radioactive-water-japan