Article Title

Curing Cablevision: Prescribing a Functional Solution to a Technical Astigmatism

Authors

Adam Adler

First Page

122

Document Type

Note

Rights

Abstract

In a string of recent copyright cases, judges have increasingly adopted a technical approach to copyright law. Rather than evaluating contested technologies based on how the technologies are used, courts have focused their analysis on technical details of implementation. As a consequence, courts have constructed rules that limit technologies not in what they do, but how they do it. In this Article, I argue that courts should evaluate technologies based on functional considerations. I argue that this functional approach is constitutionally, statutorily, and practically preferable to a technical approach. Finally, I show that a functional approach would lead to decisions that are clearer, easier to understand, and better-reasoned.

Recommended Citation

Adam Adler, Curing Cablevision: Prescribing a Functional Solution to a Technical Astigmatism, 10 Buff. Intell. Prop. L.J. 122 (2014).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.buffalo.edu/buffaloipjournal/vol10/iss1/5