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Indiana Intellectual Property Blog

~ Trademark and Copyright Law Updates in Indiana

Indiana Intellectual Property Blog

Category Archives: Copyright

February 2023 Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation Update

15 Wednesday Feb 2023

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

The last four weeks have been relatively quiet for Indiana trademark and copyright lawsuits. A few lawsuits settled unceremoniously. Several telephonic conferences were held and some follow-up conferences have been scheduled. A few motions are now fully-briefed, so next month could see several important court orders.

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC v. Lynn Retail, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/4/2021) – On January 27, 2023, the Court, following advisement by counsel that settlement was reached, ordered that dismissal documents be filed within 30 days.

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. AMI Stores Management, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/6/2021) –  AMI has requested a two-day extension of time to February 17, 2023 to reply to the Noble Roman’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.

Forest River, Inc. v. inTech Trailers, Inc. (ND, filed 8/31/2021) – A hearing is schedule on February 22, 2023 on Defendant’s fully-briefed Motion to Compel Documents from Plaintiff.

Thomas v. ooShirts, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 9/24/2021) – The parties held a telephonic status conference on February 9, 2023 and another is scheduled on March 8, 2023.

Edutainment Live, LLC v. Video Game Palooza et al. (SD, filed 10/11/2021) –  The parties held a telephonic status conference on February 2, 2023 and another is scheduled on February 22, 2023.

Gabet et al. v. Amazon.com. Inc. et al. (ND, filed 1/20/2022) – The parties held a telephonic status conference on February 10, 2023 and another is scheduled on March 23, 2023.

NuStar Enterprises LLC v. Reloaded Merch LLC et al. (ND, filed 4/1/2022) – On January 27, 2023, the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, all parties bearing their own costs and attorneys’ fees.

The Evolutionary Level Above Human, Inc. v. Havel et al (ND, filed 5/18/2022) –  Motions, responses, and replies, oh my. This case has seen nearly 20 filings in the last month, so if you’re following along with this lawsuit, go check out PACER for all the details.

PUMA SE et al. v. Brooks Sports, Inc. (SD, filed 7/8/2022) – On January 20, 2023, the lawsuit was transferred to the Western District of Washington and assigned case number 2:23-cv-00116.

Broadcast Music, Inc. et al v. Thirty-Six Saloon, LLC d/b/a Thirty Six Saloon et al. (SD, filed 7/27/2022) – On January 27, 2023, BMI filed a Motion for Default Judgment.

Schwartz v. Kilroy’s North America, LLC et al (SD, filed 8/5/2022) – The parties held a telephonic status conference on January 9, 2023 and a settlement conference is scheduled on March 13, 2023.

Oakley, Inc. v. Batter’s Box Training, LLC et al (SD, filed 8/11/2022) – The parties held a telephonic status conference on February 6, 2023 and a settlement conference is scheduled on March 2, 2023.

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

Phoenix USA RV, Inc. v. Hoosier Custom Cruisers LLC et al. (ND, removed 10/7/2022) – The Court modified a non-dispositive motion deadline but there we no other updates this month.

MaddenCo Inc. v. Reed et al. (SD, filed 10/31/2022) – On January 26, 2023, Defendant Darby filed a Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction. A telephonic pretrial conference is scheduled for February 22, 2023.

The Center for Gestalt Development, Inc. v. Bowman (SD (11/09/2022) – As of February 10, 2023, the Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Venue is now fully-briefed.

1.4G Holdings, LLC v. North Central Industries, Inc. et al. (SD 1/05/2023) – A telephonic pretrail conference is scheduled on April 11, 2023.

Stross v. Lynn Boolman Auto Sales Limited Liability Company et al. (ND 1/25/2023) – No update yet.

Albert’s Diamond Jewelers, Inc. v. AaLand Diamond Jewelers LLC (ND 2/01/2023) – No update yet.

Delta Faucet Company v. Watkins et al. (SD 2/01/2023) – No update yet.

January 2023 Updates

December 2022 Updates –  December 2021 Updates

Austin-based Photographer sues Portland, Indiana Car Dealership for Copyright Infringement

27 Friday Jan 2023

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

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Addition of False Copyright Management Information, Copyright Infringement, Damon R. Leichty, Michael G. Gotsch, Photography, Removal of Copyright Management Information

The plaintiff in this copyright lawsuit is a professional photographer from Austin, Texas. His work is focused on architectural and landscape photography.

One defendant, Lynn Boolman Auto Sales (“Boolman”), is a used car dealership in Portland, Indiana.

The other defendant, Carsforsale.com, is an online auto marketplace operating out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It seems from the Complaint (below) that both defendants made an unauthorized use of one of the plaintiff’s landscape photographs, including cropping the photograph to remove the photographer’s signature.

It is not clear whether there is any other connection between the two defendants besides both using the photograph. Jurisdiction over Carsforsale.com seems tenuous. At least from the Complaint and related Exhibit (below), I don’t see any action that Carsforsale.com took in Indiana, either if they first posted the photograph online or if Boolman posted it to their website.

In addition to the Copyright Infringement claim, the Complaint also includes a claim for Removal of Copyright Management Information, based on the cropping of the author’s signature. However, one of the more interesting and unusual aspects of the lawsuit is the plaintiff’s third claim for Addition of False Copyright Management Information, based on the car dealership overlaying its own logo and contact information onto the (cropped) plaintiff’s photograph. Presumably, the dealership will maintain that the information added to the photograph does not identify the author or copyright owner, and thus doesn’t qualify as “copyright management information” (see definition here).

The plaintiff made prior unsuccessful attempts to negotiate with the defendants in December 2021 and January 2022. Finding no satisfactory resolution, the plaintiff now seeks the intervention of the Court. Photography copyright lawsuits often settle quickly, but stay tuned for updates.

Stross v. Lynn Boolman Auto Sales Limited Liability Company et al

Court Case Number: 3:23-cv-00061-DRL-MGG
File Date: January 25, 2023
Plaintiff: Alexander Bayonne Stross
Plaintiff Counsel: Evan A. Andersen of SRIPLAW, P.A.
Defendants: Lynn Boolman Auto Sales Limited Liability Company, Carsforsale.com, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Removal of Copyright Management Information, Addition of False Copyright Management Information
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Damon R. Leichty
Referred To: Michael G. Gotsch, Sr.

Complaint:

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Exhibit 2:

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December 2022 Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation Update

15 Thursday Dec 2022

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

There were no new trademark or copyright lawsuits filed in Indiana in the last month. However, there were some interesting developments in existing cases. A Florida husband/wife marketing team never appeared and received a judgment against them for $159,000. Youtube Celebrity Omi in a Hellcat filed an Amended Counterclaims further asserting his ownership of the RELOADED brand and momentarily rendering moot a Motion to Dismiss. Puma has filed its answer to Brooks’ counterclaims, setting up an epic shoe design battle that could last all of next year. The Court in The Center for Gestalt Development lawsuit is currently deliberating on a fully-briefed Motion to Stay of Proceedings and to Require Plaintiff to Pay Defendant’s Costs of Previously Dismissed Suit. Read on below for details on all pending lawsuits.

Happy holidays to everyone. See you in January for all the latest Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation Updates.

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC v. Lynn Retail, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/4/2021) – No update this month.

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. AMI Stores Management, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/6/2021) – No update this month.

AWGI, LLC et al. v. CLD Trucking Co. d/b/a Atlas Moving Systems AMS (SD, filed 7/22/2021) – No update this month. 

Forest River, Inc. v. inTech Trailers, Inc. (ND, filed 8/31/2021) – Deadlines in the Scheduling Order have been continued via motion.

Thomas v. ooShirts, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 9/24/2021) – An Amended Complaint was filed on November 29, 2022. On December 14, 2022, the parties filed a Joint Status Report hinting at an impending discovery dispute.

View this document on Scribd

Edutainment Live, LLC v. Video Game Palooza et al. (SD, filed 10/11/2021) –  The parties have filed their Witness and Exhibit Lists.

Innovative Sports Management Inc. v. La Jalisco LLP (SD, filed 12/15/2021) –  A Motion for Default Judgment was filed by the Plaintiff on November 21, 2022.

Gabet et al. v. Amazon.com. Inc. et al. (ND, filed 1/20/2022) – The case has been assigned to Mark J. Dinsmore. The new case number is 1:22-cv-02246-JPH-MJD.

Reid v. Stephenson (SD, filed 1/27/2022) – The case has been assigned to Mark J. Dinsmore. The new case number is 1:22-cv-00205-JRS-MJD.

NuStar Enterprises LLC v. Reloaded Merch LLC et al. (ND, filed 4/1/2022) – The Plaintiff filed its Answer to Counterclaims on November 22, 2022. The Defendants then filed an Amended Answer to Complaint on December 7, 2022. The Plaintiff has until December 23, 2022 to reply to the Amended Counterclaims.

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Mapes v. Top Tier Marketers LLC d/b/a Artfily et al. (SD, filed 4/4/2022) – On December 8, final judgment was entered and the Plaintiff was awarded $150,000 in statutory damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees in the amount of $7,714.22 and reasonable costs in the amount of $2,007.52.

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

PUMA SE et al. v. Brooks Sports, Inc. (SD, filed 7/8/2022) – Puma filed its Answer to Counterclaims on November 23, 2022.

View this document on Scribd

Broadcast Music, Inc. et al v. Thirty-Six Saloon, LLC d/b/a Thirty Six Saloon et al. (SD, filed 7/27/2022) – No update this month. 

Schwartz v. Kilroy’s North America, LLC et al (SD, filed 8/5/2022) – Trial has been set for March 11, 2024 (Yes, that’s 2024. “The wheels of justice grind slow but grind fine.” – Sun Tzu).

Oakley, Inc. v. Batter’s Box Training, LLC et al (SD, filed 8/11/2022) – A telephonic status conference is scheduled for January 6, 2023.

Honest Abe Roofing franchise, Inc. v. DCH & Associates, LLC et al. (SD, filed 9/7/2022) – The plaintiff filed a Motion for Clerk’s Entry of Default on December 6, 2022.

Phoenix USA RV, Inc. v. Hoosier Custom Cruisers LLC et al. (ND, removed 10/7/2022) – The Court entered a Scheduling Order on December 6, 2022.

MaddenCo Inc. v. Reed et al. (SD, filed 10/31/2022) – On December 5, 2022, Defendant filed a Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction.

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The Center for Gestalt Development, Inc. v. Bowman (SD (11/09/2022) – On November 29, 2022, the case was reassigned to Judge Richard L. Young and Magistrate Tim A. Baker. The new case number is 1:22-cv-02185-RLY-TAB. The Court has yet to rule on the Defendant’s fully-briefed Motion to Stay of Proceedings and to Require Plaintiff to Pay Defendant’s Costs of Previously Dismissed Suit.

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View this document on Scribd

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November 2022 Updates – October 2022 Updates – September 2022 Updates – August 2022 Updates – July 2022 Updates

June 2022 Updates – May 2022 Updates – April 2022 Updates – March 2022 Updates

February 2022 Updates– January 2022 Updates – December 2021 Updates

Pro Se Copyright (?) Complaint filed against OnStar General Motors – U.K.

07 Monday Nov 2022

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

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James Patrick Hanlon, Mario Garcia

Pro se complaints are often a bit unusual, typically foregoing many of the requisite formalities of a proper federal lawsuit initiating document, but this case will certainly require an Amended Complaint. I’ll leave it to the blog readers to decipher what could be a complaint for copyright infringement of a work uniform and hats. The Complaint (below) doesn’t elaborate on how the defendants, OnStar General Motors – U.K. and Terri Harris (apparently a Support Assistant at the Library of Congress), are involved.

I wonder if this was meant to be a copyright application. However, the first page at least is styled like a Complaint and it was mailed to the Southern District of Indiana, so we’ll have to wait and see. Stay tuned for updates.

Mickles v. OnStar General Motors – U.K.

Court Case Number: 2:22-cv-00496-JPH-MG
File Date: November 4, 2022
Plaintiff: Terrell Mickles, Canietra Brown, Andrea Shoots, Carlette Mitchell
Plaintiff Counsel: Pro Se
Defendants: OnStar General Motor – U.K., Terri Harris @ Library of Congress
Cause: Copyright Infringement (?)
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: James Patrick Hanlon
Referred To: Mario Garcia

Complaint:

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Evansville Software Company sues Ex-Developers and their New Employer over Stolen Software Code

01 Tuesday Nov 2022

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

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Breach of Contract, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Common Law Unfair Competition, Copyright Infringement, Declaratory Judgment, False Advertising, False Designation of Origin, False Representation, Federal Unfair Competition, Matthew P. Brookman, Reverse Passing Off, Richard L. Young, Tortious Interference

The plaintiff in this lawsuit, MaddenCo, Inc., is an Evansville, Indiana-based software developer. Specifically, they develop software systems for independent tire dealers and truck stop service centers.

The defendants include two ex-employees of the plaintiff, a software development manager and software developer, who have allegedly developed infringing software code for a competing Louisiana company (also a named defendant) in violation of contractual obligations and fiduciary duties. The plaintiff’s software code has been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Stay tuned for updates.

MaddenCo Inc. v. Reed et al.

Court Case Number: 3:22-cv-173
File Date: October 31, 2022
Plaintiff: MaddenCo Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Michael T. McNally of Delk McNally LLP
Defendants: James Reed, Dru Darby, HG AutoTech LLC
Cause: Breach of Contract, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Tortious Interference, Copyright Infringement, False Advertising, False Representation, False Designation of Origin, Reverse Passing Off, Federal Unfair Competition, Common Law Unfair Competition, Declaratory Judgment
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Richard L. Young
Referred To: Matthew P. Brookman

Complaint:

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