Statute treatment: 17 U.S.C. § 412

Ranked leading cases interpreting this statute, drawn from 604 citation events across 385 distinct cases.

604citations total

385distinct interpreting cases

85distinct courts

166citations in last 5y

1982–2025year range

Top 20 leading cases

#1 Knitwaves, Inc., Plaintiff-Appellee-Cross-Appellant v. Lollytogs Ltd. (Inc.) D/B/A French Toast, Defendant-Appellant-Cross-Appellee (1995) ca2 327 own cites 4× in case

#2 Derek Andrew, Inc. v. Poof Apparel Corp. (2008) ca9 126 own cites 3× in case

#3 Whelan Associates, Inc. v. Jaslow Dental Laboratory, Inc. (1985) paed 25 own cites 6× in case

#4 On Davis v. The Gap, Inc. (2001) ca2 224 own cites 2× in case

#5 Fischer v. Forrest (2018) ilsd 75 own cites 3× in case

#6 Ez-Tixz, Inc. v. Hit-Tix, Inc. (1996) nysd 41 own cites 4× in case

#7 Eden Toys, Inc., Cross-Appellee v. Florelee Undergarment Co., Inc., Cross-Appellant (1982) ca2 160 own cites 2× in case

#8 Graham v. Prince (2017) nysd 16 own cites 6× in case

#9 U-Neek, Inc. v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (2001) nysd 28 own cites 4× in case

#10 Jack MacKie v. Bonnie Rieser Seattle Symphony Orchestra Public Benefit Corporation, a Washington Nonprofit Corporation (2002) ca9 90 own cites 2× in case

#11 Zito v. Steeplechase Films, Inc. (2003) cand 16 own cites 5× in case

#12 Getaped. Com, Inc. v. Cangemi (2002) nysd 22 own cites 4× in case

#13 Troll Company v. Uneeda Doll Company, Docket No. 05-6487-Cv (2007) ca2 53 own cites 2× in case

#14 Harolds Stores, Inc. v. Dillard Department Stores, Inc. (1996) ca10 274 own cites 1× in case

#15 Bouchat v. Baltimore Ravens Football Club, Inc. (2003) ca4 662 own cites 2× in case

#16 Lois B. Morris v. Business Concepts, Inc., James J. Maher and Petra H. Maher (2001) ca2 42 own cites 2× in case

#17 Independent Living Aids, Inc. v. Maxi-Aids, Inc. (1998) nyed 12 own cites 4× in case

#18 Levine v. Elliot Landy & Landyvision, Inc. (2011) nynd 12 own cites 4× in case

#19 Montgomery v. Noga (1999) ca11 163 own cites 1× in case

#20 Venegas-Hernandez v. Sonolux Records (2004) ca1 155 own cites 1× in case

Ranking method: leading_score = ln(1 + own_citation_count) × √(mentions_in_case) × flag_factor, where flag_factor = 1.0 green · 0.6 unknown · 0.5 neutral · 0.4 yellow · 0.3 procedural · 0 red. Red-flagged cases excluded — their interpretation has been undermined and shouldn't lead the list. Top 20 returned per statute. Open any case for full G Cite, trajectory, and per-circuit treatment.