Dawson v. Hinshaw Music Inc.
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
905 F.2d 731 (1990), cert. denied, 498 US 981

- Written by Sarah Holley, JD
Facts
William L. Dawson (plaintiff) owned the copyright of a spiritual arrangement entitled “Ezekiel Saw De Wheel.” Gilbert M. Martin (defendant) composed an arrangement of the spiritual and thereafter granted to Hinshaw Music, Inc. (defendant) the exclusive rights to publish, distribute, and sell his arrangement. Dawson brought suit against Hinshaw and Martin for copyright infringement. The district court held for Hinshaw and Martin after concluding that Dawson had failed to show that an ordinary lay observer would find Martin’s work substantially similar to Dawson’s work. Dawson appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Murnaghan, J.)
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