The Mazer v. Stein case in 1953 was a landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that established copyright protection for works of art, even when they are used in a functional context. The plaintiffs, June Lamp Manufacturing Co., accused Reglor of California of infringing their copyrights on lamp bases which were designed as sculptures but also served a utilitarian purpose as lamps. The defendants argued that these designs should not be protected under copyright law because they serve a practical function beyond just being artistic creations. However, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs stating that if an object's form does not affect its ability to function and it is aesthetically pleasing enough to qualify as art then it can be copyrighted regardless of whether or not it serves any other purpose.

In the dissenting opinion for Mazer v. Stein, Justice Jackson expressed concern over extending copyright protection to works of industrial design. He argued that such an extension would grant monopolies to manufacturers and potentially stifle competition in the industry. Furthermore, he pointed out that Congress had repeatedly rejected bills aimed at providing this type of protection, suggesting a clear legislative intent not to extend copyright law in this way. Justice Jackson also noted potential practical difficulties with applying traditional concepts of originality and creativity to industrial designs, which are often influenced by functional considerations rather than purely artistic ones.