Ariana Grande, Louis C.K. Concert Rules Push Copyright Limits

Recently, several well-known entertainers, including Ariana Grande and Louis C.K., have attempted to restrict concert photography rights and the dissemination of jokes in ways which some intellectual property experts believe violate copyright laws. 

Earlier this year, Grande received criticism for requiring press photographers to sign over the copyrights to any photos they took at her concerts. Comedian Louis C.K. was similarly censured after threatening to sue audience members if jokes told at his live shows were reproduced "in any form." 

While efforts like these are part of a wider trend of performers seeking increased control over how their stage performances are accessed by viewers who haven't purchased tickets, they raise legal questions where lines have been blurring between editorial use, governed by copyright law, and commercial use, governed by right of publicity.