Allen v. Cooper

After North Carolina used copyrighted photos and videos of Blackbeard's shipwreck recovery without permission, the copyright holder sued the state. On March 23, 2020, the Supreme Court decided whether Congress could let private copyright owners seek money damages from states under the Copyright Remedy Clarification Act.

The case was argued on Nov. 5, 2019, and decided on March 23, 2020, but the prompt does not provide the vote or opinion lineup.

The answer affects whether photographers, filmmakers, and other creators can recover damages when a state uses copyrighted work without permission. For example, it matters if a state university, museum, or agency posts protected material online.

The Supreme Court has finished this docket action. The practical next step is for lower courts and future litigants to apply the decision in disputes over state use of copyrighted works.

The case asked whether Congress could remove a state's immunity and let copyright owners sue states for money damages under federal copyright law.

It affects creators and state agencies nationwide. A state museum, university, or office may use protected works, and the available remedies depend on this ruling.

The Supreme Court's work is over in this case. Lower courts and future parties will apply the decision in similar copyright fights involving states.