Judge: Lawsuit about Blackbeard shipwreck can continue

A federal judge has ruled that a videographer can proceed with a lawsuit charging that North Carolina officials illegally copied his videos of the shipwreck of Blackbeard's flagship, then passed a law to legalize their actions.

The Fayetteville Observer reports U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Boyle ruled last week on the lawsuit filed by videographer Rick Allen.

While Boyle dismissed part of the lawsuit, he allowed Allen to proceed with the parts regarding his copyright on photos and videos of Queen Anne's Revenge and the legality of the copyright law that passed in 2015.

The law says photos, videos and other documentary material from derelict vessels are public record while in the custody of state government.

Blackbeard's ship went aground in May 1718 in what's now called Beaufort Inlet.

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