The famous Celebes crested macaque, Naruto, has been denied
the copyright to a series of selfies she took using a camera belonging to
nature photographer David Slater, according to the latest ruling by a federal
judge on Wednesday.
the copyright to a series of selfies she took using a camera belonging to
nature photographer David Slater, according to the latest ruling by a federal
judge on Wednesday.
People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals, i.e. PETA, had
brought the case against Slater as a representative for Naruto, seeking
monetary damages owed to the monkey for copyright infringement. U.S. District
Judge William Orrick ruled against PETA and the monkey and pointed to a
declaration from the U.S. Copyright Office from 2014 that said works “produced
by nature, animals, or plants” cannot be given copyright protection.
brought the case against Slater as a representative for Naruto, seeking
monetary damages owed to the monkey for copyright infringement. U.S. District
Judge William Orrick ruled against PETA and the monkey and pointed to a
declaration from the U.S. Copyright Office from 2014 that said works “produced
by nature, animals, or plants” cannot be given copyright protection.
“I’m not the person to weigh into this,” Orrick said. “This
is an issue for Congress and the president. If they think animals should have
the right of copyright they’re free, I think, under the Constitution, to do
that.”
is an issue for Congress and the president. If they think animals should have
the right of copyright they’re free, I think, under the Constitution, to do
that.”
Orrick said he intends to dismiss the PETA lawsuit in an
upcoming order, though a small chance remains that he could allow the
organization to amend its lawsuit.
upcoming order, though a small chance remains that he could allow the
organization to amend its lawsuit.
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