This Day in Legal History: Copyright Act of 1976
On October 27, 1978, key provisions of the Copyright Act of 1976 officially took effect, modernizing U.S. copyright law for the first time in nearly 70 years. Although signed by President Gerald Ford in 1976, the Act delayed implementation of its core provisions until this date to allow for public and institutional adjustment. The law marked a major shift in how copyright was conceived, particularly by aligning U.S. law more closely with international standards.
One of the most important changes was the extension of copyright protection to unpublished works, which had previously existed in a murky legal space. The Act also introduced the concept of works being protected once they were “fixed in a tangible medium of expression”, rather than requiring publication or registration, making protection more automatic and accessible. It moved away from the fixed-term system—previously 28 years with a renewal—toward a life-plus-50-years standard for most works, further updated to life-plus-70 years in 1998.
Additionally, the law provided for fair use codification, laying out a four-factor test still used by courts today. It also clarified authorship and ownership rights, especially in the context of work-for-hire arrangements, and created clearer paths for compulsory licensing of certain works, including music.
The Copyright Act of 1976 thus ushered in a more author-centric and technologically adaptive framework. It was designed with an eye toward the emerging digital era, even though it predates the internet. The Act remains the backbone of American copyright law today, regularly referenced and amended as new challenges arise.
What I guess could be broadly considered a feel-good story, Isaac Stein’s pivot from federal tax attorney to full-time hot dog vendor during the government shutdown is equal parts charming and quietly damning. With the IRS idled and thousands of public workers furloughed, Stein has taken his sidelining as an opportunity to live out a childhood dream — running a hot dog cart named SHYSTERS, complete with Moon Pies, RC Cola, and a slogan that reads, “The Only Honest Ripoff in D.C.” Wearing his usual business suit, he blends satire and performance art while serving construction workers, telecommuters, and other locals near the D.C. Metro.
What began as a quirky weekend hobby has become a daily operation thanks to the indefinite work stoppage. Stein, 31, brings a regulatory lawyer’s precision to the permitting process and a people person’s flair to sidewalk commerce, referencing old-school D.C. aesthetics and childhood nostalgia with every dog he serves. Customers who can explain the cultural significance of RC Cola and Moon Pies even get a nickel off — an appropriately ironic twist in a city where billions of dollars are stuck in limbo.
But the charm of this setup — a suit-clad lawyer slinging hot dogs under a punny sign — shouldn’t distract from the underlying issue: Stein, like hundreds of thousands of other federal workers, is benched not by choice but by political dysfunction. He can afford to make it into an art project; others can’t. The shutdown has real economic and emotional consequences, and not everyone has the resources or flexibility to turn lost income into a pop-up business. As clever and good-humored as SHYSTERS is, it also reminds us that “doing something fun” is not a substitute for stable governance or paychecks that come on time.
Washington lawyer on furlough lives out dream of running a hot dog cart | Reuters
President Donald Trump has appointed Michael Selig as chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), signaling a continued push to make the U.S. a global hub for digital assets. Selig, currently the CFTC’s chief counsel for its crypto task force, confirmed his selection alongside David Sacks, the White House’s lead official for AI and crypto policy. Both praised the move as aligning with broader goals to modernize financial regulations and support innovation in digital markets.
Selig stated he would prioritize freedom, competition, and innovation while helping establish the U.S. as the “Crypto Capital of the World.” His appointment follows a series of pro-crypto policy moves under Trump, including passage of the GENIUS and CLARITY Acts, both aimed at creating clearer regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies.
Selig replaces Brian Quintenz, whose stalled nomination was reportedly derailed by lobbying efforts from Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss. The episode highlighted tensions within the crypto industry over regulatory leadership. Selig brings both public and private sector experience to the role, having previously worked at the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher before joining the CFTC in March 2025. His appointment reflects the administration’s continued alignment with digital asset advocates and its willingness to reshape financial oversight around emerging technologies.
Trump names Michael Selig to chair CFTC; Selig cites crypto capital goal | Reuters
Exxon Mobil has filed a lawsuit against the state of California, challenging two newly enacted climate disclosure laws that require large companies to publicly report greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks. In its complaint filed in federal court, Exxon argues that Senate Bills 253 and 261 violate its First Amendment rights by compelling it to endorse views on climate reporting it disagrees with. The company contends that California’s mandated frameworks are misleading, unnecessary, and conflict with existing voluntary disclosures and federal regulations.
SB 253, set to take effect in 2026, targets companies earning over $1 billion annually and requires them to report both direct and indirect emissions — including those from suppliers and consumers. SB 261 applies to firms with over $500 million in revenue and mandates disclosure of climate-related financial risks and mitigation strategies. Exxon says the laws amount to forced speech and overreach by the state, particularly given the overlap with federal disclosure requirements.
While tech giants like Apple, Ikea, and Microsoft backed the legislation, major industry groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Farm Bureau Federation opposed it, calling the mandates burdensome. California has defended similar environmental policies in the past, but the outcome of this case could shape how far individual states can go in regulating corporate climate disclosures, especially when federal standards already exist.
Exxon sues California over climate disclosure laws | Reuters
