In case you missed them, the best stories of last week included an exploration of music copyright, scandal at SeaWorld, and a look at the hashtag #ThxBirthControl. Check out Law Street’s weekly installment of ICYMI it below:

#1 Copyrights, Sampling and Rock ‘n’ Roll: Intellectual Property in the Music Industry

America’s favorite (or least favorite, depending on who you ask) blonde is back in the headlines this week: Taylor Swift is being sued by musician Jessie Braham over the lyrics to her song “Shake it Off.” Even though neither the lyrics nor the melody of Braham’s song are identical to Swift’s song, he has launched a lawsuit worth $42 million, and has also demanded he receive writing credit on Swift’s song. Braham’s case seems less than credible and with the massive legal resources at her disposal, it is almost inevitable that Swift will never pay him a cent–yet Swift’s case is only the latest in a string of high profile intellectual property lawsuits involving pop stars. Copyright lawsuits against singers and songwriters are nothing new–but what are the legal bases for these kinds of suits? Click here to learn about the history of copyrights in music and the current cases in play.

#2 Post Blackfish: A Push to Change SeaWorld’s Practices

After the documentary “Blackfish” made waves, there was substantial outcry about SeaWorld’s actions, particularly as they related to orcas. Now, federal lawmakers are working to end some of SeaWorld’s most predatory practices. Representative Adam Schiff (D-California) announced a bill, the Orca Responsibility and Care Advancement Act (ORCA), on Friday that would prohibit the breeding of captive orcas, as well as prevent the wild capture of the animals for exhibit purposes. This would essentially lead to a phase-out of Orcas being used for show at SeaWorld parks. Read the full story here.

#3 #ThxBirthControl Empowers Women’s Right to Control Their Ovaries

Yesterday the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy celebrated National Thanks Birth Control Day, where women everywhere were encouraged to share the reasons why they love birth control on social media. The campaign aimed to dispel myths and raise awareness of all of the benefits of contraceptives, which makes perfect sense because birth control is pretty amazing. Read the full story here.

Anneliese Mahoney

Anneliese Mahoney is Managing Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post ICYMI: Best of the Week appeared first on Law Street.

Yesterday the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy celebrated National Thanks Birth Control Day, where women everywhere were encouraged to share the reasons why they love birth control on social media. The campaign aimed to dispel myths and raise awareness of all of the benefits of contraceptives, which makes perfect sense because birth control is pretty amazing.

Not only does it help prevent unplanned pregnancy, but it also stops cramps, regulates periods, clears acne-prone skin, and allows women to be able to have sex on their terms. All of these reasons account for why 99 percent of women have used birth control at some point in their lives.  Therefore talking about the subject shouldn’t be taboo or politically polarizing, but rather a celebration of women having power over their ovaries and their destinies!

Here are some of the best birth control shout outs women all across the country had on social media:

Birth control gives women power to plan their families & futures. Accessibility is essential. #ThxBirthControl pic.twitter.com/0aAsFCNVar

— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) November 10, 2015

#ThxBirthControl for helping me regulate my periods and lessen how long they last each month. Also I enjoy not having babies. — Katelyn (@katelyn0donnell) November 11, 2015

#ThxBirthControl for giving me my life back when endometriosis threatened to cripple it. @bedsider — Tracy L F (@stillsunflowers) November 11, 2015

I get to spend all the energy I would waste on worrying if I was pregnant on writing really fire tweets. #ThxBirthControl — Caitlin Van Horn (@HelloCVH) November 10, 2015

#Birthcontrol means families can plan, women can continue their educations, and kids are born into healthy families. #thxbirthcontrol

— Amanda O. (@colorcodedlife) November 10, 2015

#BirthControl lets us take charge of our own destinies. #ThxBirthControl! pic.twitter.com/xzwDgwBLVT — PP South Atlantic WV (@PPSATWV) November 10, 2015

Its #ThxBirthControl day! So many reasons to be grateful for contraception. And this sums it up. #bossbride pic.twitter.com/Zv1Z30GGj2 — Charreah Jackson (@Charreah) November 10, 2015

#ThxBirthControl for helping us shape our futures! (CC: @Bedsider) pic.twitter.com/iRwTbatHNQ — CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) November 10, 2015

Fur babies now. Real babies later. #ThxBirthControl for giving us options! pic.twitter.com/AuGX4l74E5

— SF State SHS (@SFStateSHS) November 10, 2015

I want to thank birth control for giving me the opportunity to not worry about unplanned pregnancy. #ThxBirthControl #R29xBedsider — Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) November 10, 2015

#ThxBirthControl for letting me have 2 kids when I was ready and spaced apart! -Amy pic.twitter.com/cCNX3pQTKR

— CenterforReproRights (@ReproRights) November 10, 2015

More than 99% of women have used birth control. I love being in good company. #ThxBirthControl — Ashley Rickards (@AshleyRickards) November 11, 2015

#ThxBirthControl For helping girls run the world #R29xBedsider pic.twitter.com/TfjNEUaAuV — Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) November 10, 2015

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

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