The “Monkey Selfies”: Reflections on copyright in photographs of animals Naruto v Slater, 888 F.3d 418 (9th Cir. 2018)

Abstract

While brief, the two opinions delivered by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Naruto v. Slater tell us a great deal about what property is, if only we are willing to look. On their face, the opinions consider the role of standing for animals in relation to copyright claims involving photographs. Upon deeper reflection, however, these two short opinions tell us about the nature and content of property, whether it is real or personal, tangible or intangible.