October Term 2000 · Docket 00-201
Can newspapers license freelance writers' work for digital databases?
Freelance writers sue newspapers over unauthorized digital licensing of their articles.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Tribe argued for the newspapers' licensing position.
The Chief Justice closed the oral argument session.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 11-13
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests copyright law limits on newspaper syndication rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 28, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
Newspapers want to keep licensing rights for digital use.
Writers want to control and sell their own digital rights.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
What each side says
Newspapers argue their contracts cover all future media uses.
Writers argue they retained exclusive rights to digital distribution.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
What the justices asked
Does a standard newspaper contract include digital database rights?
Do writers retain copyright over their individual contributions?
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 11-13
Why it matters
This dispute defines who controls freelance content in digital markets.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 11-13 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 11-13
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 47-1 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 47-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-35 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-35
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.