If you’re in a photo, you own it… right? Not under U.S. copyright law.

In this episode of Love and Law, Elizabeth Yang unpacks the surprising legal reality behind Jennifer Lopez being sued for posting a photo of herself on Instagram. The rule is simple—but shocking: the person who takes the photo owns it, not the person in it. And in California, that’s only half the story.

📸 Why being the subject of a photo doesn’t give you copyright ownership

⚖️ How California’s right of publicity law adds a second layer of legal risk

💼 What small businesses, parents, influencers, and brands need to know before posting

From school portraits and influencer campaigns to brand collaborations and TikTok videos, the digital world has blurred the lines between sharing and commercial use. One casual post can trigger copyright claims, takedown notices, or even lawsuits—especially if money or marketing is involved.

This episode breaks down intellectual property in plain English and explains why written licenses, clear agreements, and proactive planning are no longer optional in the age of social media.

🎧 Now streaming on all major podcast platforms.

📖 Read more about IP Licensing in California

What if the reason a global pop star managed a quiet, private divorce in the age of viral tweets wasn’t luck—but strategy?

In this episode of Love and Law, Elizabeth Yang breaks down how Ariana Grande’s prenup reflects a powerful shift in modern relationship planning. This wasn’t just about dividing bank accounts. It was about protecting digital assets, online reputation, confidentiality, and social media behavior in a world where screenshots last forever.

📱 Why social media clauses are becoming standard in modern prenups

💻 How courts are handling TikTok accounts, YouTube revenue, crypto, and influencer income

🔒 What “digital privacy planning” actually looks like under California law

Digital assets in divorce have surged dramatically in recent years, and most people don’t even realize how much of their net worth lives online. From joint blogs to personal brands, your digital life is part of your legal life now.

Ariana’s quiet, efficient divorce wasn’t accidental. It was structured. It was planned. And it may be the blueprint for how modern couples protect both love and legacy.

🎧 Now streaming on all major podcast platforms.

Ariana Grande Prenup

🎙️ Episode 24: From DMs to Discord – How Divorce Got Digitally Complicated

Think your group chats are private? Think again. In today’s world, a single screenshot can reshape custody, finances, and even your credibility in court.

In this episode of Love and Law, Elizabeth Yang dives into the digital revolution of modern divorce—where everything from Instagram rants to crypto wallets can become legal evidence. Using the public chaos and private resolution of Kim and Kanye’s split as a lens, we explore what divorce really looks like in 2026.

📱 Why social media posts, DMs, and even AI chats are showing up in court

💸 How assets like NFTs, crypto, and influencer income are now part of settlement talks

🧠 What “strategic privacy” means—and how it could save your future

Whether you're navigating a breakup or just scrolling through someone else’s, this episode unpacks the legal and emotional realities of separating in a hyper-documented age.

🎧 Now streaming on all major podcast platforms.

📖 Read the full blog here

🎙️ Episode 23: AI Took My Art—Now What? The Copyright Battle Reshaping Creative Work

What happens when a machine can replicate your life's work in seconds—without ever asking permission? Thousands of artists are discovering their distinctive styles showing up in AI-generated images, sparking one of the most consequential copyright battles of our time. This isn't just about art—it's about who controls creativity in the age of artificial intelligence.

In this episode of Love and Law, Elizabeth Yang unpacks the landmark lawsuit against AI giants like Stability AI and Midjourney, where artists are fighting back against unauthorized use of billions of their images. From courtroom victories to emerging protections, this case is rewriting the rules for creators, businesses, and anyone using AI tools.

🎨 What happened when AI companies scraped 5 billion images without permission—and got sued

⚖️ Why a federal judge's August 2024 ruling changed everything for copyright law

🤖 How businesses using AI tools could face unexpected legal liability (even if they didn't train the models)

Whether you're an artist protecting your work, a business using AI, or simply curious about the future of creativity and technology, this episode reveals what's at stake—and what you need to know before the rules change for good.

🎧 Listen now on all major podcast platforms.

📖 Read the full breakdown on our blog →

🎙️ Episode 22: Are You Ready for 2026? New California Laws Reshaping Everyday Life

What happens when the law suddenly touches almost every corner of your daily routine? In 2026, California is rolling out a wave of new laws that will change how we rent, work, run businesses, and even decide when to go to court. From refrigerators in rentals to revamped worker protections, the rules of everyday life are about to shift.

In this episode of Love and Law, Elizabeth Yang breaks down the most important changes coming in 2026 and explains what they mean in plain English—whether you’re a tenant, landlord, small business owner, employee, or someone thinking about filing a lawsuit in California.

📦 How new tenant protection laws will affect rental housing and appliance requirements

💼 What businesses and employers must change now in contracts and workplace policies

⏰ Why waiting until 2026 to prepare could cost you time, money, and legal risk

From budgeting for new obligations to understanding expanded rights, this episode is your practical roadmap to staying ahead of California’s 2026 legal overhaul—before it’s already here.

🎧 Listen now on all major podcast platforms.

📖 Read our blog for a deeper dive into California’s 2026 law changes.

🎙️ Episode 21: When Brands Become Everyday Words – The Taco Tuesday Trademark Battle

Can a phrase everyone uses still “belong” to one company? For decades, a small regional chain quietly owned the federal trademark for “Taco Tuesday” while millions of people—and even celebrities—used it like it was public property. By 2023, that ownership finally cracked under cultural pressure.

In this episode of Love and Law, Elizabeth Yang breaks down how a fun weekly ritual turned into a high-profile legal showdown involving Taco John’s, Taco Bell, and LeBron James—and what happens when a catchy slogan becomes so common it loses its legal edge.

🌮 How “Taco Tuesday” went from registered trademark to public phrase
⚖️ What “genericide” is—and how brands can become victims of their own success
📲 Why social media and viral culture are forcing trademark law to evolve

From made-up words like “Kodak” to everyday expressions like “Taco Tuesday,” this episode shows where the law draws the line between protectable brands and shared cultural language—and why that line matters for businesses, creators, and consumers alike.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify and all major podcast platforms.⁠📖 Read our blog on trademarks.

🎙️ Episode 20: Scarlett Johansson vs. Disney – When One Line in a Contract Costs Millions

What does “theatrical release” really mean in the age of streaming? For Scarlett Johansson, that single phrase became the center of a multimillion-dollar legal battle with Disney—and a cautionary tale for anyone signing a contract in today’s digital world.

In this episode of Love and Law, Elizabeth Yang unpacks how a clause in Johansson’s Black Widow agreement led to one of the most talked-about lawsuits in entertainment law, and why it changed how contracts are written for actors, influencers, and creators alike.

📽️ How streaming transformed what used to be “standard” contract terms

📄 Why vague definitions can destroy compensation models

📆 What California law says about interpreting contracts and deadlines to sue

From ambiguous language to overlooked email chains, this episode reveals the high-stakes details that can make or break a deal—whether you're a Hollywood A-lister or a digital creator on the rise.

🎧 Listen now on all major podcast platforms.

📖 Read our blog on contracts.

🎙️ Episode 19: Apple’s $634M Problem – A Patent War Over One Sensor

What do you get when a single blood oxygen sensor sparks a $634 million jury verdict, an import ban, and a global tech scramble? Welcome to the world of modern patent warfare.

In this episode of Love and Law, Elizabeth Yang breaks down the high-stakes legal battle between Apple and medical tech company Masimo—and what it reveals about the future of innovation, product strategy, and IP enforcement. From courtroom drama to customs showdowns, this case shows how a tiny feature can shake an entire industry.

⚖️ Why Apple’s blood oxygen feature triggered a massive patent dispute

📦 How the International Trade Commission halted product imports overnight

🔍 What founders, engineers, and entrepreneurs can learn from Apple’s response playbook

Whether you're building the next big device—or just wearing one—this episode unpacks how patent strategy can make or break a product line.

🎧 Now streaming on all major podcast platforms.

📖 Read our blog on patents and this case