Thursday, August 4, 2011

Traverse Internet Law Federal Court Report: August 2011 - Copyright Infringement Cases


The facts are unproven allegations of the Plaintiff and all commentary is based upon the allegations, the truthfulness and accuracy of which are likely in dispute.


MICHAEL EASTMAN and MICHAEL EASTMAN IMAGES, INC. v. NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC, ET AL.
EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
4:11-CV-01296
FILED: 7/26/2011

Copyright infringement isn’t just for the Internet. Here you have a situation in which a major company apparently used the creative work of a third party without “clearing” its use. Remember not to use images you find on the Internet since they may be copyright protected and owned by a third party.

The Plaintiff claims to be one of the world’s leading contemporary photographers. The Defendants allegedly used his creative work as a backdrop for one of the major scenes in the TV show “Million Dollar Decorators”. This is a television series broadcast on BRAVO TV.

Plaintiffs allege copyright infringement, violation of the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990, common law fraud, rescission, and breach of contract. The court is requested to grant preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, compensatory damages, punitive damages, costs, attorneys’ fees, and any further relief the court deems just. Traverse Internet Law Cross Reference Number 1517.