Judge rules monkeys don’t own the copyright for the selfies they take

12 Sep Judge rules monkeys don’t own the copyright for the selfies they take

The news is sure to devastate selfie-taking monkeys all over the world. A judge has dismissed the case PETA brought against photographer David Slater claiming a macaque named Naruto was the copyright owner of the photograph when she picked up Slater’s camera in 2011 and took a selfie, reports the BBC. This case was an appeal to a previous case that ruled copyright protection could not be applied to monkeys, which caused PETA to appeal on the “monkey’s behalf.” After the ruling, PETA and Slater issued a joint statement saying the case “raises important, cutting-edge issues about expanding legal rights for nonhuman animals.” Slater also announced that 25% of future revenue from the photo will go to charities “dedicated to protecting the welfare or habitat of Naruto.”

Source: Fast Company