Forgetting Functionality
University of Pennsylvania Law Review Online, Vol. 166, p. 119 (2017)
Cardozo Legal Studies Research Paper No. 525
9 Pages Posted: 22 Aug 2017 Last revised: 8 Nov 2017
Date Written: October 1, 2017
Abstract
In Star Athletica, LLC v. Varsity Brands, Inc., the U.S. Supreme Court had an opportunity to clarify copyright law’s treatment of product designs that incorporate functionality. Its opinion failed to do so in a host of different ways. In this comment (as part of the symposium From Shovels to Jerseys: A Guide to Apply Star Athletica v. Varsity Brands), we address just one of the opinion’s shortcomings: its failure to adequately define and distinguish between a design’s functional and expressive features. Not only does the Court’s neglect produce uncertainty for creators, litigants, and judges, the opinion makes it substantially easier for copyright claimants to obtain protection for utilitarian aspects of designs, contrary to copyright statute and policy.
Keywords: Copyright, Patent, Design, Function, Utility, PGS, Useful Articles, Statutory Interpretation, Cheerleading, Dress, Clothing, Garment
JEL Classification: K39
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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