Bikram Requests Extension to Consider Rehearing of Yoga Copyright Case

Bikram’s appellate counsel has asked the 9th Circuit for an extension of time to consider whether to file for a rehearing in his yoga copyright case. Apparently the self-proclaimed yoga guru intends to seek another bite of the apple and possibly file a Petition for Panel Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc in a bid to overturn a district court ruling that his yoga sequence is not copyrightable subject matter.

In asking for an extension, Bikram’s counsel wrote “good cause exists for the requested extension on account of the complexity of the issues presented in this case, the schedules of counsel of record, and the need for review and analysis of the Court’s opinion.” Citing “novel issues of copyright law,” his attorneys acknowledged “that any petition for rehearing necessarily requires careful analysis and deliberation.” Appellee/defendant Evolation Yoga apparently will not offer any objection to such an extension.

This latest filing follows the 9th Circuit’s ruling earlier this month that the Bikram Yoga Sequence is not a proper subject of copyright protection either as a stand-alone compilation or a work of choreography.

Photo by Minnaert,  CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.