Court Skips AI Copyright Showdown

The U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to take up a closely watched dispute over whether works created entirely by artificial intelligence can qualify for copyright protection. The case involved computer scientist Stephen Thaler, who tried to register copyright for an image produced by his AI system called DABUS. The U.S. Copyright Office rejected the request, stating that copyright law requires a human author. Federal courts agreed, ruling that human authorship is a core requirement of the law. By declining to hear the appeal, the Supreme Court leaves those decisions intact. For now, creations generated solely by AI cannot receive copyright protection in the United States.

Surprise Drop in U.S. Jobs

The U.S. labor market unexpectedly shrank in February, with employers cutting about 92,000 jobs while the unemployment rate edged up to 4.4%. Economists had expected modest job growth, making the decline a sharp surprise and one of the largest monthly losses since the pandemic era. Several factors contributed, including a major health care strike that temporarily reduced employment in that sector, along with job losses in manufacturing, information services, and transportation. The labor force participation rate also slipped to its lowest level in several years. Despite the weak headline numbers, wages continued to rise about 3.8% from a year earlier and layoffs remained relatively low.

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Ford — “Every Ground Is Our Proving Ground”

Ford is blending storytelling and marketing with a new docuseries tied to its return to Formula 1. Instead of traditional commercials, the brand created short documentary style episodes that can run during ad breaks, giving viewers behind the scenes insight into the engineering, strategy, and people involved in the racing effort. The approach turns what would normally be a standard ad slot into part of the narrative, aiming to keep audiences engaged rather than reaching for the remote. As brands look for new ways to hold attention in a streaming first world, the project reflects a broader shift toward entertainment driven advertising that feels more like content than a commercial.

Merrell — “It Starts Outside”

As Merrell marks 45 years of making outdoor footwear, the company is rolling out a new global brand platform called “It Starts Outside.” The idea is simple: getting outdoors can spark energy, creativity, and a stronger connection to the world around us. The campaign introduces a fresh creative direction that will show up across advertising, retail, and digital channels, giving the brand a more unified look and feel worldwide. It’s part of a broader push to stay competitive in the growing outdoor market while connecting with both longtime hikers and a new generation discovering the joy of being outside.

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