Tag Archives: Mark J. Dinsmore

Miami (OH) Student Apartments sued over ANNEX Trademark

21 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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Since 2013, Plaintiff has used the trademark THE ANNEX in connection with nine student housing facilities in three states. Seven of the student housing facilities are in Indiana and one is in Marion, Ohio (one hour north of Columbus). Plaintiff has no trademark registration.

Defendant recently built a student housing facility in Oxford, Ohio (home of the Miami University RedHawks) called, you guessed it, Annex.

With plans to expand to other college towns, Plaintiff maintains that Defendant’s use of a similar name will cause consumer confusion. Unable to resolve their dispute with cease-and-desist communications, Plaintiff has filed this lawsuit to assert its rights to THE ANNEX in the Midwest.

Whether they wind up being called “Annex” or not, the new Oxford apartments should do fine. A nice pool and allegedly the largest clubhouse in Oxford. Looking at their Facebook page though, it will be a big shame to lose of all the cool Annex swag. They even have an “Annex”-branded shuttle bus. Based on Plaintiff’s dependence on common law rights and Defendant’s already substantial investment, I could see the Oxford team putting up a strong defense.

Stay tuned for updates.

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Mecca Companies Inc. d/b/a Annex Student Living v. Trinitas Ventures LLC

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-02499-WTL-MJD
File Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Plaintiff: Mecca Companies Inc. d/b/a Annex Student Living
Plaintiff Counsel: Bradley M. Stohry of Reichel Story LLP
Defendant: Trinitas Ventures
Cause: Trademark Infringement, Unfair Competition, Violation of Ohio Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Common Law Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: William T. Lawrence
Referred To: Mark J. Dinsmore

Complaint:

Rich Bell sues Aramark Corporation over unauthorized use of Indianapolis skyline photograph

29 Monday Aug 2016

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

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This time around Mr. Bell has snagged a big fish, the Aramark Corporation, specifically the Indianapolis branch of their Refreshment Services Division.

Somebody has unwisely used Mr. Bell’s skyline photograph on the Indianapolis branch’s website: http://www.aramarkrefreshments.com/webstore/nav/locations/Indianapolis.action

Use the “Richard Bell” tag at left to view his other litigation.

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Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-02291-SEB_MJD
File Date: Friday, August 26, 2016
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Aramark Corporation
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Mark J. Dinsmore

Complaint:

Exhibit B (Screen Shot of Defendant’s website):

Today’s Richard Bell copyright targets…wholesale insurance brokerage, IT company and judgment enforcement agency

19 Thursday May 2016

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

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Skyline photographer Richard Bell has filed three additional copyright infringement lawsuits, this time against a wholesale insurance brokerage, an IT company and a judgment enforcement agency.

Use the “Richard Bell” tag at left to view his other litigation.

Screen Shot 2016-05-16 at 4.10.54 PM

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-01211-SEB-DML
File Date: Monday, May 16, 2016
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Knapp, Judgment Recovery of Indiana
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Debra McVicker Lynch

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-01225-WTL-DKL
File Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Future Technology Solutions, LLC
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: William T. Lawrence
Referred To: Denise K. LaRue

Court Case Number: 
File Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: AmWINS Group Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Larry J. McKinney
Referred To: Mark J. Dinsmore

Representative Complaint:

Today’s Richard Bell copyright targets…Marian University, a business brokerage, 2 real estate firms and a moving company

16 Monday May 2016

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

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Proving that he’s neither superstitious nor a resting man, Richard Bell has filed five more copyright infringement lawsuits, two on Friday the 13th and three on Saturday. No rest for the wicked…at least those wicked enough to find Mr. Bell’s Indianapolis skyline photo on Google Images and use it on their website without permission.

Today’s targets include Marian University, a business brokerage, 2 real estate firms and a moving company.

Use the “Richard Bell” tag at left to find his other litigation.

Screen Shot 2016-05-16 at 4.10.54 PM

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-01197-SEB-MJD
File Date: Friday, May 13, 2016
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Sunbelt Business Advisors of Indiana
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Mark J. Dinsmore

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-01199-SEB-MJD
File Date: Friday, May 13, 2016
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Marian University, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Mark J. Dinsmore

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-01207-SEB-MJD
File Date: Saturday, May 14, 2016
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Vivona & Peyton
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Mark J. Dinsmore

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-01208-TWP-MPB
File Date: Saturday, May 14, 2016
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Top Class Moving, Inc.
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Tanya Walton Pratt
Referred To: Matthew P. Brookman

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-01209-SEB-DML
File Date: Saturday, May 14, 2016
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Profusion 360
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Debra McVicker Lynch

Representative Complaint:

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – Oak Motors, Inc. (Indiana) v. Oak Motors, Inc. (California)

21 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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Plaintiff has been operating as “Oak Motors” since 1985, buying and selling automobiles and providing financial services related to the purchase and sale or automobiles. Plaintiff has five primary physical locations and also advertises via its website.

Defendant, a California company providing similar services, began operating as “Oak Motors” in February 2014. Plaintiff first learned of Defendant’s adoption of the name in March 2015 and sent a cease-and-desist letter citing its prior rights and federal registration. Defendant allegedly first agreed to discontinue use of the “Oak Motors” mark but did not follow through and continues to use the trademark (and similar domain names), hence this lawsuit.

Oak Motors, Inc. (Indiana) v. Oak Motors, Inc. (California)

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-00595-JMS-MJD
File Date: March 16, 2016
Plaintiff: Oak Motors, Inc. (Indiana)
Plaintiff Counsel: Jonathan G. Polak, Zach Gordon of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Defendant: Oak Motors, Inc. (California)
Cause: False Designation of Origin, False Description, Common Law Trademark Infringement, Unfair Competition, Cybersquatting, Declaratory Judgment
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Jane Magnus-Stinson
Referred To: Mark J. Dinsmore

Complaint:

Indiana publication Rough Notes sues over “plaque” solicitations

09 Tuesday Feb 2016

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

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Most professionals will be familiar with the type of solicitation involved in this lawsuit.

Defendant, based in Connecticut, sells customized plaques for people and companies that have been featured in newspapers or magazines. Defendant promotes its product by directly emailing (repeatedly) the individuals featured in the magazine/newspaper with a solicitation to purchase a customized plaque featuring the article. (See examples in the photo and Exhibit C below.) Defendant’s products consist of a scanned copy of the article and publication’s title inserted into an acrylic, wood or aluminum frame. Defendant has allegedly sold over 200,000 plaques.

Plaintiff, a long-standing Indiana publication focused on insurance agents, is one target of Defendant’s activities. Notably, Plaintiff also provides its own free high-quality reprint plaques to individuals profiled in its magazine. Plaintiff brings this lawsuit against Defendant based on the unauthorized use of its trademark and copyrighted materials, among other claims.

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The Rough Notes Company, Inc. v. That’s Great News, LLC

Court Case Number: 1:2016-cv-00319
File Date: Monday, February 8, 2016
Plaintiff: The Rough Notes Company, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: David J. Carr, Paul C. Sweeney, Jana E. Harris of Ice Miller LLP
Defendant: That’s Great News, LLC
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, False Designation of Origin, Federal Trademark Infringement, Common Law Trademark Infringement, Federal Trademark Dilution, Common Law Unfair Competition, Unjust Enrichment
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Mark J. Dinsmore

Complaint:

Exhibit C (Sample e-mail solicitations):

Nebraska Home Designer Files Copyright Lawsuits Over Misappropriated Architectural Drawings

05 Friday Feb 2016

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

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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:

 

[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:

 

[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:

 

[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:

 

[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:

 

[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:

 

[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

Richard Bell Files Two More Copyright Complaints

03 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by in Copyright, Indiana, Indianapolis, Intellectual Property, Southern District of Indiana

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Richard Bell has added two more cases to his docket (prior cases here, here, here, here, here, here, and here).

Richard N. Bell v. American Dream Coalition et al

Court Case Number: 1:15-cv-01014-LJM-MJD
File Date: Saturday, June 27, 2015
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: American Dream Coalition, Thoreau Institute
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge Larry J. McKinney
Referred To: Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore

*Dismissed August 4, 2015*

Richard N. Bell v. Randolph Ventures LLC

Court Case Number: 1:15-cv-01037-SEB-TAB
File Date: Thursday, July 02, 2015
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Randolph Ventures LLC
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker

*Dismissed January 7, 2016*

Indiana Copyright Litigation Update – Bell v. Find Tickets

20 Saturday Jun 2015

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

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Richard Bell is once again alleging copyright infringement for unauthorized use of a photograph of the downtown Indianapolis skyline. This complaint is nearly identical to complaints he has previously filed. In some of those cases, the court has awarded Mr. Bell statutory damages of $2,500. However, the ruling in each of those cases was a default judgment because the defendants failed to answer and defend the allegations. On multiple occasions the court has granted the defendant’s motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim. District Judge Tanya Pratt has, on multiple occasions, called out Mr. Bell for improper practice:

In his pleadings, Mr. Bell has alleged, but has not shown, that he is entitled to relief. His complaint contains formulaic labels and conclusions, but not facts. For example, the complaint under his copyright claim generically alleges that all-originally, twenty-two in total-Defendants: downloaded the Indianapolis Photo; willfully, recklessly, and falsely claimed that it owned the copyright to the photograph; published the photograph for commercial use; engaged in unfair trade practices and competition; and willfully engaged in these acts with oppression, fraud, and malice. . . . 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)

When looking to Mr. Bell’s motivation for filing this action, the Court finds that Mr. Bell’s motivation is questionable. Mr. Bell has filed a multiplicity of suits in this Court, each involving the same or similar infringement allegations. In many of these copyright infringement suits, Mr. Bell has improperly joined several defendants, thereby saving him extensive filing fees. In this case alone, Mr. Bell sued forty-seven defendants and then quickly offered settlements to defendants who were unwilling to pay for a legal defense. In some of Mr. Bell’s lawsuits, the district court determined that the improperly joined defendants should be severed, and severance was granted. Further, in this case, Mr. Bell lacked any evidentiary support for his claims against Mr. Lantz. The Court is persuaded by Mr. Lantz’s argument that the motivation of Mr. Bell in filing this action appears to be an attempt to extract quick, small settlements from many defendants instead of using the judicial process to protect his copyright against legitimate infringing actors. . . . In this case, Mr. Lantz took a stand against a plaintiff who was using his knowledge and status as a practicing attorney to file meritless suits and to attempt to outmaneuver the legal system.

Bell v. Lantz, No. 1:13-CV-00035-TWP, 2015 WL 3604174, at *2 & *3 (S.D. Ind. June 8, 2015)

After a cursory search, it appears that Mr. Bell has been awarded statutory damages of $40,000 ($2,500 x 16) from default judgments. In Bell v. Lantz, quoted above, Mr. Bell had to pay Mr. Lantz’s attorney’s fees, totaling $33,974.65.

Richard N. Bell v. Find Tickets, LLC

Court Case Number: 1:15-cv-00973-JMS-MJD
File Date: Friday, June 19, 2015
Plaintiff: Richard N. Bell
Plaintiff Counsel: Richard N. Bell of Bell Law Firm
Defendant: Find Tickets, LLC
Cause: Copyright Infringement and Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge Jane Magnus-Stinson
Referred To: Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – HRHH Hotel/Casino v. Bella Vita

21 Thursday May 2015

Posted by in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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The Hardrock Hotel and Casino has been hosting a popular daytime party, The Rehab Pool Party, since 2004. Plaintiffs own multiple trademarks referring to daytime parties, and the Rehab name and logo. For the past few years, Bella Vita Lakeside restaurant and bar in Indianapolis has hosted weekly pool parties called “Rehab+ Sundays.” Plaintiffs allege that Defendant’s party logo is confusingly similar to Plaintiffs’ owned trademarks. In fact, a local blog claimed “Bella Vita borrowed the “Rehab” theme from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.” Plaintiffs allege that Defendants have refused to cease their infringing use and intend to continue to organize and host the “Rehab+ Sundays” pool parties in the Summer of 2015.

HRHH Hotel/Casino LLC et al v. Bella Vita LLC et al

Court Case Number: 1:15-cv-00791-WTL-MJD
File Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Plaintiff: HRHH Hotel/Casino LLC, HRHH IP, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: Gregory F. Hahn, Craig E. Pinkus of Bose McKinney & Evans LLP
Defendant: Bella Vita LLC, Henri B. Najem
Cause: False Designation of Origin and Unfair Competition, Trademark Infringement, Dilution, Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge William T. Lawrence
Referred To: Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore