Business Case Study Analysis: Copyright and Business Implications

This case study examines the case of Robert S. Davidson v. The United States, focusing on copyright law and its implications for businesses. The case revolves around the infringement of copyright related to a replica of the Statue of Liberty. The plaintiff, Davidson, obtained copyright for his replica and sued the United States Postal Service for using a similar design without permission. The court ruled in favor of Davidson, holding that the defendant infringed on his copyright. The case highlights the importance of information literacy in legal studies, emphasizing the need to understand copyright provisions, fair use, and their impact on businesses, specifically IT and insurance organizations. The judgment prohibits imitation of others' creations without permission, protecting inventors' interests and intellectual property rights. The case underscores the legal impacts of copyright, safeguarding the unique terms and benefits of policies and computer programs.

Running head: BUSINESS CASE STUDY
ROBERT S. DAVIDSON v. THE UNITED STATES
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Table of Contents
Importance of information literacy............................................................................................2
The case study: Facts.................................................................................................................2
Judgment....................................................................................................................................3
Impacts on business....................................................................................................................3
Impacts on specific organisation................................................................................................3
Reference....................................................................................................................................4

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Importance of information literacy
According to the US National Forum, information literacy is one of the most essential parts
of legal study. The law students are expected to provide and collect much information while
dealing with a case study. The main purpose of such concept is to make the student able to
concisely define the law points inherent in the case study and it further, helps the student to
identify the impact on the case on the business and the specific organisation.
The case study: Facts
In the current case, certain important provisions of the Copy Right Law have been discussed.
Provisions regarding the fair use of copyright Act and provisions on mixed licence have been
discussed under the case study.
In the first paragraph of the background of the case, it has been observed that the plaintiff has
made a replica of Statute of Liberty for his hotel in the year 1996 and in the year 2013, he has
obtained copyright for such replica. However, dispute has been arisen when the same replica
has been regenerated by the postal service of United States. It has been alleged by the
plaintiff that the defendant has used the similar pattern to that of the replica without taking
any permission from him and therefore, he is liable to get the compensation from the
defendant under 28 U.S.C. § 1498(b) (2012).
In the second paragraph, it has been observed that defendant has opined that they did not
imitate the replica; but the pattern of the replica is quite similar to that of the plaintiff. In this
regard, they have prayed for the defences mentioned under 17 U.S.C. § 107 (2012).

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The question put before the Trial Court is that whether the plaintiff can claim protection
under the Copyright Act or not and whether the defendant can claim defences under 17
U.S.C. § 107 (2012) or not.
It is clear from the brief history of the case that the plaintiff has asked for the copyright of the
replica after statutory presumption of validity. However, the sculpture of Las Vegas Lady
Liberty is considered as his personal work and he has testified the same under the observation
of senior public relations representative. Further, evidences have been adduced from Shawn
Quinn, program manager for technology acquisition that the US postal Service has used the
replica after it has been discovered by the plaintiff. The former manager of the stamp
development has also testified that the processes of postal service have been generated after
observing the replica used by the plaintiff (Handke, Quintais & Bodó, 2018).
Judgment
Hence, the court has made the decision that the plaintiff can claim compensation under 28
U.S.C. § 1498(b) (2012).
Impacts on business
The impacts of the case are quite important on other businesses as it prohibits any person to
imitate the creation of others without taking proper permission from the person (Joyce et al.,
2016). From this case study, the reader will learn about the legal impacts of copyright and
how it helps to secure the interest of the inventors.
Impacts on specific organisation
The judgment of this case is effective in case of IT organisations and insurance organisations.
Various computer-oriented programs have been created by specific programmers. Copyright

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will help them to protect their rights. Further, in insurance organisations, specific terms and
benefits of the policies will be protected from being imitated by others.
Reference
Docket for DAVIDSON v. United States, 1:13-cv-00942 - CourtListener.com. (2019).
Retrieved 24 September 2019, from
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/4198628/davidson-v-united-states/
Handke, C. W., Quintais, J., & Bodó, B. (2018). Truce in the Copyright War? The Pros and
Cons of Copyright Compensation Systems for Digital Use. Review of Economic
Research on Copyright Issues, 15(2), 23-56.
Joyce, C., Ochoa, T. T., Carroll, M. W., Leaffer, M. A., & Jaszi, P. (2016). Copyright
law (Vol. 85). Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press.