Whether the scènes à faire (and merger) doctrine should be applied at the copyrightability stage or at the infringement/substantial-similarity stage of a copyright analysis

The other side of the split

Decisions the acknowledging court(s) named as the opposing or joined side, quoted in the acknowledging opinion's own words.

• Discussed · 7th Cir.Reed-Union Corp. v. Turtle Wax, Inc.77 F.3d 909

  “Turtle Wax, Inc., 77 F.3d 909 , 914 (7th Cir.1996) (holding the doctrine of scenes á faire is separate from the doctrine regarding the validity of a copyright); Ets-Hokin v.” — Lexmark International, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc., acknowledging the split

• Discussed · 9th Cir.Ets-Hokin v. Skyy Spirits, Inc.225 F.3d 1068

  “Skyy Spirits, Inc., 225 F.3d 1068 , 1082 (9th Cir.2000) (recognizing the split and citing Reed-Union favorably on this question); Taylor Corp.” — Lexmark International, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc., acknowledging the split

• Discussed · 8th Cir.Taylor Corp. v. Four Seasons Greetings LLC315 F.3d 1039

  “Four Seasons Greetings LLC, 315 F.3d 1039 , 1042-3 (8th Cir.2003) (finding that the scenes á faire doctrine determined whether substantial similarity existed); Hoehling v.” — Lexmark International, Inc. v. Static Control Components, Inc., acknowledging the split

• Discussed · 2nd Cir.Hoehling v. Universal City Studios, Inc.618 F.2d 972
• Discussed · 6th Cir.Stromback v. New Line Cinema384 F.3d 283

What the split turns on

Doctrines & tests:

scènes à faire doctrine ·

merger doctrine