Legal Opinion
Esquire, Inc. v. Barbara A. Ringer
Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
Decided September 22, 1978No. 76-1732PublishedCited by 65 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
BAZELON, Circuit Judge:
This case presents the question whether the overall shape of certain outdoor lighting fixtures is eligible for copyright as a “work of art.” The Register of Copyrights determined that the overall shape or configuration of such articles is not copyrightable. The district court disagreed, and issued a writ of mandamus directing the Register to enter the claim to copyright. Esquire, Inc. v. Ringer, 414 F.Supp. 939 (D.D.C.1976). For the reasons expressed below, we reverse.
I
Although the issues involved are fairly complex, the facts may be briefly stated. Appellee, Esquire,…
2Cases cited22 opinions
- Udall v. TallmanSupreme Court of the United States · 1965
- Bowles v. Seminole Rock & Sand Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1945
- Mazer v. SteinSupreme Court of the United States · 1954
- Federal Housing Administration v. Darlington, Inc.Supreme Court of the United States · 1959
- Bleistein v. Donaldson Lithographing Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1903
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3Cited by65 opinions
- Durham Industries, Inc. v. Tomy CorporationCourt of Appeals for the Second Circuit · 1980
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- General Motors Corporation, a Delaware Corporation v. William D. Ruckelshaus, Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency, (3 Cases)Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit · 1984
- Duraco Products, Inc. v. Joy Plastic Enterprises, Ltd., D/B/A Backyard Products Travis Products, IncCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit · 1994
- Universal Furniture International, Inc. v. Collezione Europa USA, Inc.Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit · 2010
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