Rentmeester v. Nike: Copyright Protection for Photography

On February 27, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that photographer Jacobus Rentmeester had failed to demonstrate that Nike infringed Rentmeester’s copyright in a photograph of Michael Jordan.  The decision triggered extensive debate about the scope of copyright protection for photographs.  On December 3, 2018, Rentmeester filed a petition for certiorari in the United States Supreme Court, asserting that the Ninth Circuit’s decision conflicts with the law of the First, Second, and Eleventh Circuits.  Nike’s opposition is due on February 6, 2019.  These are filings to watch.  The Ninth Circuit’s decision and the parties’ competing filings raise critical questions about photography that impact the law of substantial similarity and, indirectly, the hotly debated topic of fair use.

To read the full memorandum, click here. 

If you have any questions about the issues addressed in this memorandum, or if you would like a copy of any of the materials mentioned in it, please do not hesitate to reach out to:

Luke Nikas
Email: lukenikas@quinnemanuel.com
Phone: 212-849-7228

Maaren Shah
Email: maarenshah@quinnemanuel.com
Phone: 212-849-7452