Copyright Developments

Tangle, Inc. owns registered copyrights in seven “kinetic and manipulable sculptures” (also known as “The Original Fidget Toy Since 1981”), each made of “17 or 18 identical, connected, 90-degree curved tubular segments ... that can be twisted or turned 360 degrees where any two segments connect. By twisting or turning a segment, the sculpture can be manipulated to create many different poses.”

As noted, the original Tangle sculptures have been offered since 1981, when their creator, Richard E. Zawitz, registered his copyright claims in “Zawitz tangle ornamental sculpture[s]” in his own name; Zawitz subsequently transferred copyright ownership to Tangle, Inc.

Canadian clothier Aritzia owns and operates approximately 121 upscale “lifestyle apparel” stores, 49 of which are located in the U.S. In 2023, Aritzia decorated its retail store windows with sculptures made with 18 identical, connected, 90-degree curved tubular segments that can be twisted or turned 360 degrees where any two segments connect.