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Indiana Intellectual Property Blog

~ Trademark and Copyright Law Updates in Indiana

Indiana Intellectual Property Blog

Category Archives: Copyright

Fort Wayne Dad sued for Copyright Infringement by Christian Nonprofit

05 Friday Jul 2024

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Authors, Bloggers, Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana

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Federal Copyright Infringement, Holly A. Brady, Susan L. Collins

The plaintiff in the latest Indiana copyright lawsuit is a privately funded Christian non-profit that provides public school families with released time religious instruction. The defendant, an individual from Fort Wayne, Indiana, is alleged to have posed as a volunteer of plaintiff in order to gain access to internal documents and curriculum, which he then posted to his own website criticizing the nonprofit.

Attempts to “reason” with the defendant were apparently met with a snarky meme response, usually a great way to escalate a legal dispute. The defendant allegedly then made a false DMCA Counter Notice, leading directly to this lawsuit. Stay tuned to find out whether the defendant is willing to defend his position that “it’s called fair use bitch.”

LifeWise, Inc. v. Parrish

Court Case Number: 1:24-cv-00268-HAB-SLC
File Date: July 2, 2024
Plaintiff: LifeWise, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Joseph P. Asbrook, Chris-John Bosch, James S. Kresge of Ashbrook Byrne Kresge LLC
Defendant: Zachary Parrish
Cause: Federal Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Holly A. Brady
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Complaint:

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Copyright Lawsuit filed against Indiana Conservative News Site over New York Migrant Hotel Photo

05 Friday Jul 2024

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Southern District of Indiana

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Direct Copyright Infringement, Kellie M. Barr, Photography, Removal and Alteration of Copyright Management Information, Sarah Evans Barker

Here is yet another copyright lawsuit over the unauthorized use of a photograph. The plaintiff is a New York-based photographer and the defendant is a conservative news site based in Clark County, Indiana. The photograph was of a group of migrants being kicked out of the Watson Hotel in New York City.

Stay tuned to see whether the conservative site decides to pay an attorney and assert a fair use defense or simply settle the lawsuit by paying a license fee.

Miller v. Empire News LLC

Court Case Number: 4:24-cv-00091-SEB-KMB
File Date: June 26, 2024
Plaintiff: William Miller
Plaintiff Counsel: Renee Aragona of Sanders Law Group
Defendant: Empire News LLC
Cause: Direct Copyright Infringement, Removal and Alteration of Copyright Management Information
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Kellie M. Barr

Complaint: 

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May 2024 Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation Update

15 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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Litigation Update

May in Indy! While most people are spending their time at the racetrack, Indiana IP litigators are still hard at work. There were numerous settlements in the last month, perhaps because the parties realized they would rather be at the track than in court. Read on below for updates on all pending Indiana trademark and copyright litigation.

Forest River, Inc. v. inTech Trailers, Inc. (ND, filed 8/31/2021) – Now post-judgment, the parties are busy figuring out how much the attorneys should be paid.

Gabet et al. v. Amazon.com. Inc. et al. (ND, filed 1/20/2022) – There were over 2 dozen filings since last month, so if you’re following this case closely, you’ll want to go check out PACER.

The Evolutionary Level Above Human, Inc. v. Havel et al (ND, filed 5/18/2022) – No update this month.

Oakley, Inc. v. Batter’s Box Training, LLC et al (SD, filed 8/11/2022) –  No update this month. The lawsuit is still awaiting the Court’s action on the plaintiff’s Stipulation of Dismissal filed on January 18, 2024.

Honest Abe Roofing franchise, Inc. v. DCH & Associates, LLC et al. (SD, filed 9/7/2022) –  No update this month.

The Center for Gestalt Development, Inc. v. Bowman (SD (11/09/2022) – No update this month. 

1.4G Holdings, LLC v. North Central Industries, Inc. et al. (SD 1/05/2023) –  The lawsuit was dismissed on May 7, 2024.

Sak Group, Inc. v. Blue Hill Hospitality, Inc. (ND 4/25/2023) – No update this month.

National College Resources Foundation v. The Strong Friends LLC et al. (ND 5/4/2023) –  No update this month.

Sadowski v. Restoration 1 by J&D, LLC (SD 7/12/2023) –  On April 17, 2024, the parties filed a Joint Notice of Settlement. Dismissal papers must be filed by May 30, 2024.

Nickel and Dimes Incorporated v. Noah’s Arcade LLC et al (ND 7/25/2023) – On May 14, 2024, the Plaintiff filed a Motion to Compel Discovery and accompanying Brief in Support.

Banjo Corporation v. Green Leaf, Inc. (SD 9/29/2023) – A Telephonic Discovery Conference is scheduled on May 22, 2024. Position statements are due by May 16, 2024.

Perma-Green Supreme, Inc. v. Dr. Permagreen, LLC et al. (ND 10/06/2023) – No update this month.

Radic v. AllCity Adjusting LLC et al (ND 11/03/2023) –  The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed on May 9, 2024.

Tempur Sealy International, Inc. et al. v. Luxury Mattress & Furniture, LLC (ND 11/09/2023) – No update this month.

Stross v. Homestead Properties, Inc. (SD 11/09/2023) – The Defendant’s deadline to file a Reply to its Motion to Dismiss has been extended to May 16, 2024.

Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. et al v. CNB Retailers, LLC et al. (ND 2/08/2024) – A Tentative Notice of Settlement was filed by the Plaintiff on May 9, 2024.

Baskin-Robbins Franchising LLC et al v. Blu Moo Ice Cream Inc. et al. (SD 2/14/2024) – On April 23, 2024, the Plaintiff filed Notice of Defendant’s Failure to Show Cause. On May 7, 2024, the Magistrate Judge recommended that the Plaintiff’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction be granted and entry of a default judgment.

Sadowski v. Circle City Broadcasting I, LLC d/b/a WISH-TV (SD 2/21/2024) – The Defendant filed its Answer on April 19, 2024, including the following affirmative defenses:

  1. Plaintiff has failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
  2. Plaintiff has not been damaged as a result of Defendant’s alleged conduct.
  3. Defendant’s alleged conduct was fair use under 17 U.S.C. § 107.
  4. Defendant’s alleged conduct was authorized by or through Plaintiff or its
    licensees or agents, such as the New York Post, through distribution of the accused image on websites, news services, and/or social media accounts subject to terms permitting reuse and/or redistribution.
  5. Defendant’s alleged conduct was de minimis and therefore not actionable.
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Valcrum, LLC v. Dexter Axle Company, LLC (SD 3/1/2024) – The Defendant filed its Answer on April 22, 2024.

View this document on Scribd

Rigsby v. All Seasons Roofing (ND 3/14/2024) – An Amended Complaint was filed on May 3, 2024.

Optical Tactics, LLC d/b/a Fort Wayne Printing Company v. Allen & Goes Marketing Company (ND 3/29/2024) – The lawsuit was dismissed on May 9, 2024 via a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal.

Guangzhou Shima Decoration Materials Co., Ltd v. Shenzhen Ruimingxiang Technology Co., Ltd. et al. (SD 4/11/2024) –

Peugh et al. v. Nadler et al. (SD 5/3/2024) – No update yet.

April 2024 Updates – March 2024 Updates – February 2024 Updates – January 2024 Updates

December 2023 Updates – December 2022 Updates –  December 2021 Updates

“Diamond Tile” Copyright Lawsuit Refiled Against Hong Kong Resident

18 Thursday Apr 2024

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Southern District of Indiana

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Copyright Infringement, James R. Sweeney II, Mario Garcia

This new copyright lawsuit is a refile of the recently-terminated January lawsuit between two Chinese corporations, now also naming an individual defendant living in Hong Kong. The lawsuit involves alleged infringing sales on Amazon.com of a knockoff of plaintiff’s “Diamond Tile,” a square or rectangular wall panel having a three-dimensional design formed by various diamond-like elements.

Guangzhou Shima Decoration Materials Co., Ltd v. Shenzhen Ruimingxiang Technology Co., Ltd. et al.

Court Case Number: 1:24-cv-00644-JRS-MG
File Date: April 11, 2024
Plaintiff: Guangzhou Shima Decoration Materials Co., Ltd
Plaintiff Counsel: Michael A. Swift, Harold C. Moore, Travis W. Baxter of Maginot, Moore & Beck, LLP
Defendant: Shenzhen Ruimingxiang Technology Co., Ltd., Shi Lei
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: James R. Sweeney II
Referred To: Mario Garcia

Complaint:

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April 2024 Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation Update

15 Monday Apr 2024

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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Litigation Update

It has been a mostly quiet month in Indiana IP litigation, with a few dismissals and several judge reassignments. Read on below for updates on all pending Indiana copyright and trademark litigation. Leave a comment about which case(s) you are following most closely.

Forest River, Inc. v. inTech Trailers, Inc. (ND, filed 8/31/2021) –On March 29, 2024, the Plaintiff received a judgment for $2 million, along with a permanent injunction. On April 3, 2024, the Plaintiff filed a Motion for Attorney Fees requesting an additional $1.26 million for attorneys’ fees, $5.56 million for profit disgorgement, and $244,000 in prejudgment interest.

View this document on Scribd

View this document on Scribd

Gabet et al. v. Amazon.com. Inc. et al. (ND, filed 1/20/2022) – Over the last month, the parties made numerous filings pertaining to discovery disputes and attorney fees.

View this document on Scribd

The Evolutionary Level Above Human, Inc. v. Havel et al (ND, filed 5/18/2022) – On March 21, 2024, Defendant Bartel filed a response to the Court’s Order to Show Cause addressing whether he should be sanctioned for repetitive and baseless motions.

Oakley, Inc. v. Batter’s Box Training, LLC et al (SD, filed 8/11/2022) –  No update this month. The lawsuit is still awaiting the Court’s action on the plaintiff’s Stipulation of Dismissal filed on January 18, 2024.

Honest Abe Roofing franchise, Inc. v. DCH & Associates, LLC et al. (SD, filed 9/7/2022) –  On April 4, 2024, a Closed Final Judgment was entered. The Plaintiff was awarded $186,000 in contractual damages and $84,000 in contractual attorney fees.

The Center for Gestalt Development, Inc. v. Bowman (SD (11/09/2022) – No update this month.

1.4G Holdings, LLC v. North Central Industries, Inc. et al. (SD 1/05/2023) –  No update this month.

Sak Group, Inc. v. Blue Hill Hospitality, Inc. (ND 4/25/2023) – On March 25, 2024, the case was reassigned to Judge Gretchen S. Lund for all further proceedings. Judge Philip P. Simon is no longer assigned to the case.

National College Resources Foundation v. The Strong Friends LLC et al. (ND 5/4/2023) –  On March 25, 2024, the case was reassigned to Judge Cristal C. Brisco for all further proceedings. Judge Philip P. Simon is no longer assigned to the case.

Sadowski v. Restoration 1 by J&D, LLC (SD 7/12/2023) –  An initial pretrial conference is scheduled on May 8, 2024.

Nickel and Dimes Incorporated v. Noah’s Arcade LLC et al (ND 7/25/2023) – On March 25, 2024, the case was reassigned to Judge Cristal C. Brisco for all further proceedings. Judge Damon R. Leichty is no longer assigned to the case.

Hoffman v. Lauth Investigations International Inc. (SD 9/18/2023) – A Joint Stipulation of Dismissal was filed on March 18, 2024 and the case was dismissed by the Court the following day.

Banjo Corporation v. Green Leaf, Inc. (SD 9/29/2023) – A Status Conference was held on March 27, 2024. An in-person settlement conference is scheduled on September 23, 2024.

Perma-Green Supreme, Inc. v. Dr. Permagreen, LLC et al. (ND 10/06/2023) – On March 25, 2024, the case was reassigned to Judge Gretchen S. Lund for all further proceedings. Judge Philip P. Simon is no longer assigned to the case.

Secada Medical LLC d/b/a Ventris Medical, LLC v. Nexxt Spine, LLC (SD 11/01/2023) – A Joint Stipulation of Dismissal was filed on March 22, 2024 and the case was dismissed by the Court on March 25, 2024.

Radic v. AllCity Adjusting LLC et al (ND 11/03/2023) –  A Notice of Settlement was filed on April 9, 2024. The Court has ordered the filing of dismissal papers by May 10, 2024.

Tempur Sealy International, Inc. et al. v. Luxury Mattress & Furniture, LLC (ND 11/09/2023) – On March 25, 2024, the case was reassigned to Judge Gretchen S. Lund for all further proceedings. Judge Philip P. Simon is no longer assigned to the case.

Stross v. Homestead Properties, Inc. (SD 11/09/2023) – The Court has ordered the Plaintiff to refile its two prior-filed Motions to Dismiss as a single motion, which the Plaintiff did on April 5, 2024.

Guangzhou Shima Decoration Materials Co., Ltd v. Shenzhen Ruimingxiang Technology Co., Ltd. (SD 1/08/2024) – A Notice of Voluntary Dismissal was filed by the Plaintiff on April 11, 2024 and the case was terminated.

Nutramax Laboratories, Inc. et al v. CNB Retailers, LLC et al. (ND 2/08/2024) – On March 25, 2024, the case was reassigned to Judge Gretchen S. Lund for all further proceedings. Judge Damon R. Leichty is no longer assigned to the case.

Baskin-Robbins Franchising LLC et al v. Blu Moo Ice Cream Inc. et al. (SD 2/14/2024) – The Defendants failed to appear at an Status Conference on April 12, 2024. The Defendants have been ordered to show good cause for their failure to appear by April 22, 2024.

Sadowski v. Circle City Broadcasting I, LLC d/b/a WISH-TV (SD 2/21/2024) – An initial pretrial conference is scheduled on May 8, 2024.

Valcrum, LLC v. Dexter Axle Company, LLC (SD 3/1/2024) – The Defendant’s time to answer has been extended by agreed notice to April 22, 2024. G. Thomas Williams III has appeared pro hac vice on behalf of the Defendant.

Rigsby v. All Seasons Roofing (ND 3/14/2024) – No update yet.

Optical Tactics, LLC d/b/a Fort Wayne Printing Company v. Allen & Goes Marketing Company (ND 3/29/2024) – No update yet.

March 2024 Updates – February 2024 Updates – January 2024 Updates

December 2023 Updates – December 2022 Updates –  December 2021 Updates

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