People in Asia are celebrating the Year of the Monkey, but in the U.S., a judge has handed down some unhappy news to one primate. He issued a legal opinion stating that a monkey cannot hold a copyright.
In 2011, a British photographer set up a camera on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, but it was a macaque that tripped the shutter. The resulting photograph was published by the photographer.
Last year, a U.S.-based animal rights group filed a lawsuit on behalf of the macaque, which the group calls "Naruto." The group wants Naruto to be declared owner of the copyright and receive damages for infringement. The photographer claims that he owns the copyright because he set up the camera and the tripod.
The issue has generated considerable interest in the U.S. The animal rights group is considering its legal options.
◆primate 霊長類の動物
◆macaque マカク（猿の種類）
◆tripped the shutter シャッターを切る
◆filed a lawsuit 訴訟を起こす
◆on behalf of ～の代理で
◆damages （通例は複数形で）損害賠償金
◆infringement （権利などの）侵害
◆legal options 法的選択肢
