Los Angeles, CA – Conan Properties International, LLC filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Prion Books Ltd., Carlton Publishing Group, and HarperCollins UK for the sale of “Conan the Barbarian” book. The fictional “Conan” character was created by the late Robert E. Howard, a prolific writer of fantasy stories published…
Los Angeles, CA – Breakdown Services, Ltd. prepares script analyses and summaries, commonly known as “breakdowns,” to the entertainment community. The breakdowns are distributed via the Internet to authorized theatrical and other talent agencies and management companies. Plaintiff has applied for copyright registration of the material and alleges that all…
Los Angeles, CA – Jewelry designer David Rasnick sued Jewelry and Minerals of Las Vegas for copyright infringement. Rasnick has been designing jewelry for over 20 years and designed a teardrop shaped humpback whale loop earring. Rasnick registered the work with the Copyright Office on May 22, 1989. Rasnick alleges…
Los Angeles, CA – Chrome Hearts, LLC sued clothing and accessories designer Affliction, Inc. for trademark infringement, Lanham Act § 43(a) unfair competition, copyright infringement, and breach of settlement agreement. Chrome Hearts is also in the clothing and accessories business and has registered the “CH Plus” design trademark – depicted…
Santa Ana, CA – Quest Software, Inc. sued DIRECTV Operations, LLC for copyright infringement and breach of software license agreement. Quest creates smart systems management software that allow its customers to detect, diagnose to the root cause, and resolve performance and availability problems in their information technology environment. The software…
Los Angeles, CA – Jacoby Entertainment, Ltd. sued Netflix, Inc. and Tango Entertainment, Inc. over releas and distribution of “I Am Waiting No More” motion picture. Plaintiff is owned by Joseph Jacoby, a motion picture director-writer-producer. In 1971, he completed the screenplay for the motion picture “Hurry Up, Or I’ll…
Los Angeles, CA – Cybersitter, LLC filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against CBS Interactive, Inc. accusing it of software piracy, “wherein two Chinese companies, backed by the Chinese government, stole approximately 3,000 lines of code from [Cybersitter’s] software program, and disseminated it to tens of millions of end users in…
Los Angeles, CA – Screenwriter Yolanda Buggs sued Dreamworks and Paramount Pictures for copyright infringement over the release of the animated feature “Flushed Away.” Buggs was enrolled in the American Film Institute’s screenwriting program in 1999 when she met Chris Kuser, a fellow student who was also an intern at…
Los Angeles, CA – Screenwriters Greg D. Crowder and Tony Freitas sued (complaint available here) NBC Universal and sought a temporary restraining order against the release of the movie “Love Happens,” starring Jennifer Aniston. Since the movie was released last weekend, you can probably guess that Plaintiffs were unsuccessful. Plaintiffs…
PRACTICE NOTE: It would have been interesting to see how the Court would have ruled on a motion to dismiss Plaintiff’s trade dress claim. Unfortunately, it was not part of Defendant’s motion. (Read BNA article regarding the viability of website trade dress claims). Los Angeles, CA – Legaljiffy.com sued rival…