Justices Set to Cross Swords Over Blackbeard Shipwreck Footage

Online footage of Blackbeard’s shipwreck is in the spotlight as the Supreme Court hears a dispute today over whether the filmmaker can bring a copyright suit against the state of North Carolina.

Queen Anne’s Revenge: Videographer Rick Allen, who’s documented the wreckage and recovery efforts of the legendary pirate’s early 18th century flagship Queen Anne’s Revenge, claims the state copied and posted years’ worth of his photos and videos on the internet. He wants the high court to uphold a decades-old copyright law that says plaintiffs can sue states for infringement in federal court.

Constitutional Clash: The justices ...