The Docket
Welcome to The Docket: The Legal Blog for Creatives & Entrepreneurs
The Docket is a curated legal blog from Zamani Thomas Legal, offering insights at the intersection of intellectual property, business, and culture. Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, artist, or independent brand, this space breaks down legal topics that impact your work, from copyright and trademarks to contracts and brand protection.
Explore legal commentary, industry updates, and strategic guidance on intellectual property, entertainment law, and creative rights, designed to help clients, collaborators, and creatives navigate the evolving creative economy with clarity and confidence.
“Sabotage”: Right to Say No
May 24, 2025
Beastie Boys Copyright Lawsuit: Artists’ IP Rights Don’t End After Death In a win for artistic control, the Beastie Boys and Universal Music Group have settled their lawsuit with Chili’s parent company, Brinker International, over the unlicensed use of their iconic 1994 track “Sabotage” in a 2022 ad campaign. The commercial mimicked the song’s original
Take it Down
May 23, 2025
Take it Down Act for Creatives | A Win for Artists On May 19, the Take It Down Act for creatives officially became law, marking a major step forward in the fight against digital exploitation. While the headlines focused on revenge porn and deepfake crackdowns, this legislation quietly delivers something long overdue: real federal protection
Protecting Your Sound
May 21, 2025
AI Voice Cloning: Protecting Your Sound What happens when your voice can be replicated and sold, without your permission? Welcome to the world of AI voice cloning. Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to clone a human voice. From music hooks to podcast narration, AI-generated voices are reshaping the creative and commercial landscape.
From Beats to Brands
May 20, 2025
Trademark Your Sound Your voice. Your intro drop. That unmistakable synth tag at the start of every track. These aren’t just creative flourishes, they’re brand assets. In an industry where streaming revenue fluctuates and social platforms reward originality, to trademark your sound may be the most powerful legal move you can make. Most artists understand
Drake vs Universal
January 17, 2025
Drake vs Universal: From Booth to Courtroom What started as a threat a month or so ago has now become an actual case. In Drake vs Universal (UMG)I guess this is what happens now when the two biggest names in rap clash. While I am not here to pass judgment on either side, there was
AI-Assisted vs AI-Generated
January 16, 2025
AI-Assisted vs AI-Generated The Year is now 2025 and the informational landscape has shifted drastically. There was a time not too long ago that the only question you had about someone’s blog, article or book was whether they wrote it with original ideas or stole the ideas from someone else. Now that question is murkier.
U.S. vs. Canadian Trademarks
January 16, 2025
U.S. vs. Canadian Trademarks | 6 Differences Canadians should consider trademarking their brands in the U.S. due to its much larger consumer market, for protection against cross border infringement and to secure their brand’s identity in cross-border trade (particularly now with e-commerce etc.). Without a U.S. trademark, many Canadian brands risk losing their competitive advantage
Establish Your Brand Identity
January 9, 2025
Legal Foundations to Establish Your Brand Identity One of the most important legal and strategic steps for entrepreneurs is to establish your brand identity. It sets the foundation for how your business is perceived, protected, and positioned for growth. Why You must Establish Your Brand Identity Early Based on the Oxford Dictionary definition a Trademark
Need clarity on an issue? Book a consultation with Zamani Thomas Legal for tailored legal guidance.
And for free tools and templates, explore The Creative Docket Toolkit. This is your go-to legal blog for creatives ready to protect, empower, and inform.
