New Hampshire

Computer Associates v. Altai in New Hampshire Law

How Computer Associates v. Altai applies in New Hampshire: state-specific rules, key cases, and bar exam notes for Copyright / Intellectual Property.

State Approach

New Hampshire law acknowledges the importance of the 'abstraction-filtration-comparison' test established in Computer Associates v. Altai when determining substantial similarity in copyright infringement cases. This approach aligns with how New Hampshire navigates the balance between protecting intellectual property and allowing fair use.

State Rule
In New Hampshire, the substantial similarity between copyrighted works is evaluated using the abstraction-filtration-comparison test, which assesses the work's elements at varying levels of abstraction and filters out unprotectable elements.
Significant State Cases

Bain v. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

The court applied the abstraction-filtration-comparison test to determine whether the elements of a design were entitled to copyright protection.

Granite State Insurance Co. v. Goss

The court discussed the boundaries of copyright infringement and the application of substantial similarity rules in the context of insurance policy language.

Morrison v. Franklin Pierce University

The court examined the concept of originality in the context of copyright protection in educational materials, referencing the principles established in Altai.

Comparison to Federal Law

New Hampshire's application of the abstraction-filtration-comparison test mirrors the federal standard as articulated in Ninth Circuit cases. However, New Hampshire courts may place greater emphasis on local precedential cases and specific contexts in which the copyright is claimed.

Bar Exam Note

Understanding the abstraction-filtration-comparison test is crucial for the New Hampshire bar exam, particularly in questions concerning copyright infringement and intellectual property rights.

Practice Pointers
  • Be prepared to analyze the originality of works in academic and commercial contexts.
  • Familiarize yourself with the nuances in local state cases that may diverge from federal law.
  • Develop a structured approach to applying the abstraction-filtration-comparison test in hypothetical scenarios.

Master State-Specific Law with Briefly

Get AI-powered state case analyses, bar exam prep, and comprehensive study tools.