Skyhorse Publishing, which published Woody Allen’s memoir last year after it was dropped by Hachette, is upset over a new HBO documentary that includes snippets of Allen’s audiobook (narrated by Allen). Skyhorse argues the use is infringing and that they may take legal action. However, the creators of the documentary believe their use is protected under the law and would be considered fair use. Since there is no bright-line rule determining what’s fair use versus copyright infringement, it would be up to the courts to decide.
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
Jane’s expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, The Today Show, Wired, The Guardian, Fox News, and BBC. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. She reaches thousands through speaking engagements and workshops at diverse venues worldwide, including NYU’s Advanced Publishing Institute, Frankfurt Book Fair, and numerous MFA programs.
