The “Monkey Selfie” Case: The Legal Battle Over Photo Copyright (Grades 9-12)
Who owns the rights to a photograph taken by a monkey? This intriguing question was at the heart of a groundbreaking legal case involving PETA, representing Naruto, a crested macaque who snapped a series of selfies with an unattended camera, and photographer David Slater, the camera’s owner. Slater discovered Naruto’s selfies after retrieving his camera from the Indonesian jungle, where Naruto lived. He claimed copyright over these photographs and profited from their sales, which led to a debate over intellectual property rights. The case raised fundamental questions about the extent of copyright law and whether an animal could be granted such rights. The legal battle highlighted the ethical considerations of animal rights in the context of modern intellectual property laws, making it a landmark case that drew significant media attention and public interest.
TeachKind has created this nonfiction reading comprehension worksheet to educate high school students about the groundbreaking legal battle involving Naruto and his famous selfies. Through this unique story, students will delve into the ethical and legal dilemmas surrounding animal rights and copyright law. As they explore Naruto’s case, they will be encouraged to think critically about the rights of animals and the importance of their protection. The widespread interest and discussion generated by Naruto’s selfies make this a captivating topic for classroom assignments and projects.
Students in grades 9–12 will be fascinated by Naruto’s astonishing case (and his wonderful selfies) and inspired by PETA’s dedicated efforts to ensure that his unique creation would benefit both Naruto and his habitat.
You can use this worksheet to address the following Common Core English language arts standards:
- Grades 9–10
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.1
- Grades 11–12
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.1
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