Copyright in martial arts

[fivecracked88]

I have a friend who is a Kung Fu intstructor with more than 30 years uninterrupted training. In 2007, after almost 28 years with the Shaolin Nam Pai Chuan Kung Fu System, he decided to leave. After a meeting, the chief instructor, Sifu Christopher Lai, agreed that he should continue to teach various forms. Initially Sifu Christopher Lai was fine with it and wished him well. However some 3.5 years later his Sifu has decided to sue him, claiming copyright infringement of the forms blah blah blah! Why did it take him so long. This sounds like bullying and a serious case of insecurity.

I wasn't aware that anyone could actually copyright the expression of human movement.. Has anybody else faced a similar problem? Please let me know.

[ChenPengFi]

This is relevant, but i doubt there is any cause for concern in your friend's situation.
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/20...to-the-people/

[Permalost]

Shaolin Do has an interesting history of copyrighting martial arts stuff. You should search some of their threads here.

[Diesel_tke]

I have a friend who is a Kung Fu intstructor with more than 30 years uninterrupted training. .

Is your friend the same person who told you about the school doing blood oaths?

[slamdunc]

Why did it take him so long. This sounds like bullying and a serious case of insecurity.

If your friend hadn't been very successful, it may have been moot. Any time someone has any degree of success, people come out of the woodwork with their hands out.
Sometimes they bring attorneys with them. Have your friend speak with an attorney that specializes in intellectual property law.

I wasn't aware that anyone could actually copyright the expression of human movement.. Has anybody else faced a similar problem? Please let me know.

Is he claiming patent or copyright infringement? Copyright is usually exclusive to reproducing, distributing or performing works (music or poetry) that are copyrighted.