Headlight Flashing: Obstruction of Justice or Protected Speech?

Michael Elli was ticketed after he flashed his headlight as a warning to oncoming motorists.  The moving violation was later dropped but Elli filed suit against the city of Ellisville, Missouri  claiming that headlight warnings are a form of protected speech. Elli’s lawyer is quoted as saying “if communicating the presence of a speed trapContinue reading “Headlight Flashing: Obstruction of Justice or Protected Speech?”

9th Circuit Holds the Bat Mobile is a Character Protected by Copyright

DC Comics recently sued the manufacturer of Bat Mobile replicas claiming that these copies constituted copyright infringement (DC Comics v. Towle).  The Ninth Circuit recently agreed, holding that “especially distinctive” characters are entitled to copyright protection, finding that the Bat Mobile is not just a car; it is a distinctive character. Click here for fullContinue reading “9th Circuit Holds the Bat Mobile is a Character Protected by Copyright”