Denise K. LaRue | Indiana Intellectual Property Blog

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Architectural Drawings, Christopher A. Nuechterlein, Copyright Infringement, Debra McVicker Lynch, Denise K. LaRue, Jane Magnus-Stinson, John E. Martin, Jon E. DeGuilio, Joseph S. Van Bokkelen, Litigation Update, Mark J. Dinsmore, Paul R. Cherry, Philip P. Simon, Richard L. Young, Susan L. Collins, Tanya Walton Pratt, Theresa L. Springmann

Design Basics, LLC, an Omaha, Nebraska-based home plan designer, has filed several copyright lawsuits against Indiana home builders involving misappropriated architectural drawings. All home builders should know that architectural drawings are protected by copyright law.

[Updated 2/16/16 with additional lawsuit]

[Updated 4/1/16 with additional lawsuits]

[Updated 5/18/16 with additional lawsuit]

[Updated 5/20/16 with additional lawsuits]

[Updated 5/23/16 with additional lawsuits]

[Updated 5/31/16 with additional lawsuit]

[Updated 6/15/16 with additional lawsuit]

[Updated 7/14/16 with additional lawsuits]

Design Basics, LLC v. Lancia Homes, Inc.

Court Case Number: 1:2016-cv-00047
File Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Lancia Homes, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC v. Carriage Place Homes, Inc. et al

Court Case Number: 1:2016-cv-00048
File Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Carriage Place Homes, Inc. et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Jon E. DeGuilio
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC v. Culver Construction, Inc. et al

Court Case Number: 1:2016-cv-00049
File Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Culver Construction, Inc. et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Jon E. DeGuilio
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Quality Crafted Homes Inc.

Court Case Number: 1:2016-cv-00050
File Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Quality Crafted Homes Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Jon E. DeGuilio
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC v. Windsor Homes, Inc. et al

Court Case Number: 1:2016-cv-00051
File Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Windsor Homes, Inc. et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC v. Big C Lumber Co Inc.

Court Case Number: 3:2016-cv-00053
File Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Big C Lumber Co Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Philip P. Simon
Referred To: Christopher A. Nuechterlein

[Update 2/16/16]

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Shrader

Court Case Number: 1:2016-cv-00364
File Date: Monday, February 15, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC, Plan Pros, Inc., Carmichael & Dame Designs, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Michael Shrader d/b/a Palladian Home Design, Palladian Home Designs, Palladian Blueprints, Palladian Drafting & Design Services, Palladian Architectural Drafting & Design Services, and Palladian Design/Build
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Jane Magnus-Stinson
Referred To: Mark J. Dinsmore

Representative Complaints:

View this document on Scribd

[Update 4/1/16]

Design Basics, LLC v. Straight Talk Construction, Inc.

Court Case Number: 3:2016-cv-00193
File Date: Thursday, March 31, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn
Defendant: Straight Talk Construction, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Christopher A. Nuechterlein

Design Basics, LLC v. W R Birkey & Associates Inc. et al

Court Case Number: 3:2016-cv-00195
File Date: Thursday, March 31, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn
Defendant: W R Birkey & Associates et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Christopher A. Nuechterlein

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Kerstiens Homes & Designs, Inc. et al

Court Case Number: 1:2016-cv-00726
File Date: Thursday, March 31, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn
Defendant: Kerstiens Homes & Designs, Inc. et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Tanya Walton Pratt
Referred To: Denise K. LaRue

Representative Complaint:

View this document on Scribd

[Updated 5/18/16]

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Premier Homes of Southern Indiana, Inc.

Court Case Number: 4:16-cv-00073-RLY-DML
File Date: Monday, May 16, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Premier Homes of Southern Indiana, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Richard L. Young
Referred To: Debra McVicker Lynch

Complaint:

View this document on Scribd

[Updated 5/20/16]

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Precision Homes, Inc.

Court Case Number: 2:16-cv-00179-PPS-JEM
File Date: Thursday, May 19, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Precision Homes, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Philip P. Simon
Referred To: John E. Martin

Design Basics, LLC v. Westport Homes of Fort Wayne, Inc. et al.

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-00170-JD-SLC
File Date: Thursday, May 19, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Westport Homes of Fort Wayne, Inc.; Westport Homes, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Jon E. DeGuilio
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Representative Complaint:

View this document on Scribd

[Updated 5/23/16]

Design Basics, LLC v. Slattery Builders LLC

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-00174
File Date: Friday, May 20, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Slattery Builders, LLC
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: TBD
Referred To: TBD

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Heller & Sons, Incorporated et al.

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-00175
File Date: Sunday, May 22, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC; W.L. Martin Home Designs LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Heller & Sons, Incorporated d/b/a Heller Homes; Heller Development Corporation
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: TBD
Referred To: TBD

Representative Complaint:

View this document on Scribd

[Updated 5/31/16]

Design Basics, LLC et al. v. Fireside Homes Inc et al.

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-00181-JVB-SLC
File Date: Thursday, May 26, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC, Plan Pros, Inc., W.L. Martin Home Designs LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Fireside Homes Inc., Fireside Development Company, LLC, Hearth Homes, Inc., Willies Development Corporation, Oakbrook Homes, Inc. d/b/a/ Juniper Homes, Oakbrook Homes, Willie’s Oakbrook Homes, Riverview Lumber and Building Supply Co., Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Joseph S. Van Bokkelen
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Complaint:

View this document on Scribd

[Updated 6/15/16]

Design Basics, LLC v. KAM Construction, LLC et al

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-00212
File Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: KAM Construction, LLC et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: TBD
Referred To: TBD

[Updated 7/14/16]

Design Basics, LLC v. Miller Builders Inc

Court Case Number: 3:16-cv-00390-PPS-CAN
File Date: Thursday, June 23, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Miller Builders Inc
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Philip P. Simon
Referred To: Christopher A. Nuechterlein

Design Basics, LLC v. Citation Homes Inc. et al

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-00232-TLS-SLC
File Date: Friday, June 24, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Citation Homes Inc. et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Sky Hill Homes, Inc., By Larry Myers et al

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-00247-TLS-SLC
File Date: Saturday, June 25, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Sky Hill Homes, Inc., By Larry Myers et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Milakis Homes, LLC et al

Court Case Number: 4:16-cv-00053-TLS-SLC
File Date: Friday, July 8, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Milakis Homes, LLC et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC v. DeVon Custom Home, Inc. et al

Court Case Number: 3:16-cv-00448-TLS-SLC
File Date: Friday, July 8, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: DeVon Custom Home, Inc. et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC v. Dabrowski Construction, Inc.

Court Case Number: 2:16-cv-00322-PPS-JEM
File Date: Friday, July 8, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Dabrowski Construction, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Philip P. Simon
Referred To: John E. Martin

Design Basics, LLC v. Eenigengurg Builders, Inc.

Court Case Number: 2:16-cv-00323-JD-PRC
File Date: Friday, July 8, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Eenigengurg Builders, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Jon E. DeGuilio
Referred To: Paul R. Cherry

Design Basics, LLC v. Regal Homes of Southern Indiana, L.L.C. et al

Court Case Number: 3:16-cv-00135-RLY-MPB
File Date: Friday, July 8, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Regal Homes of Southern Indiana, L.L.C. et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Richard L. Young
Referred To: Matthew P. Brookman

Design Basics, LLC v. Henderlong Homes LLC et al

Court Case Number: 2:16-cv-00324-TLS-SLC
File Date: Saturday, July 9, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Henderlong Homes LLC et al
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Cook Builders.com, Inc.

Court Case Number: 2:16-cv-00325-TLS-SLC
File Date: Saturday, July 9, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Cook Builders.com, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Design Basics, LLC v. T.K. Constructors Inc.

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-01841-SEB-DML
File Date: Saturday, July 9, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: T.K. Constructors Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Debra McVicker Lynch

Design Basics, LLC v. Rusk Builders Inc.

Court Case Number: 3:2016-cv-00459
File Date: Wednesday, July 13, 2016
Plaintiff: Design Basics, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: John D. LaDue, Sean J. Quinn of LaDue | Curran | Kuehn
Defendant: Rusk Builders Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: TBD
Referred To: TBD

Tags

Copyright Infringement, Denise K. LaRue, Jane Magnus-Stinson, Litigation Update, Photography, Richard Bell, Unfair Competition

Richard Bell is suing another website for allegedly using an unauthorized copy of his photograph of downtown Indianapolis. In a previous ruling against Mr. Bell (more here), the court was less than pleased with shortcomings in his complaint:

While providing specific facts is not necessary in a complaint, Mr. Bell is required to do more than recite legal conclusions of conduct with generic applicability to various defendants. . . . Legal conclusions are not afforded the assumption of truth. . . . [T]he Court will not afford the assumption of truth to the legal conclusions in Mr. Bell’s complaint. Neither does the Court find any factual allegations that are not legal conclusions, which could entitle him to relief and satisfy the standard of review.

Bell v. McCann, No. 1:13-CV-00799-TWP, 2014 WL 900961, at *2 (S.D. Ind. Mar. 7, 2014)

Mr. Bell did offer more than legal conclusions in this most recent Complaint (see below) by adding a factual allegation. And although he needed to allege “only enough facts to state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face,” Mr. Bell decided to unnecessarily add proof of these alleged facts. Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570 (2007). He included a link to a screenshot of the alleged infringement, although the link just resolves to a blank page.

In any case, don’t use pictures you find on the internet without authorization. Just don’t.

Richard N. Bell v. Proact Search LLC

Court Case Number: 1:15-cv-01005-JMS-DKL
File Date: Thursday, June 25, 2015
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Proact Search LLC
Cause: Copyright Infringement and Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson
Referred To: Magistrate Judge Denise K. LaRue

View this document on Scribd

*Dismissed August 5, 2015*

Indiana Intellectual Property Blog

~ Trademark and Copyright Law Updates in Indiana

Tag Archives: Denise K. LaRue

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Nebraska Home Designer Files Copyright Lawsuits Over Misappropriated Architectural Drawings

Design Basics, LLC v. Lancia Homes, Inc.

Design Basics, LLC v. Carriage Place Homes, Inc. et al

Design Basics, LLC v. Culver Construction, Inc. et al

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Quality Crafted Homes Inc.

Design Basics, LLC v. Windsor Homes, Inc. et al

Design Basics, LLC v. Big C Lumber Co Inc.

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Shrader

Design Basics, LLC v. Straight Talk Construction, Inc.

Design Basics, LLC v. W R Birkey & Associates Inc. et al

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Kerstiens Homes & Designs, Inc. et al

Design Basics, LLC et al v. Premier Homes of Southern Indiana, Inc.

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – All Star Heating & Cooling v. All Star Air

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Another Richard Bell Copyright Suit

Richard N. Bell v. Proact Search LLC