Traverse Internet Law Federal Court Report: May 2012 - Copyright Infringement Cases

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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.


REGIONAL MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OF MINNESOTA, INC.
v. AMERICAN HOME REALTY NETWORK, INC.
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
0:12-CV-00965-JRT-FLN
FILED: 4/18/2012

The rule for copyright infringement is very simple: do not use the content from any third party without either obtaining legal clearance to do so or a written assignment or license for the right to use the copyright protected materials. 

The Plaintiff is a multiple listing real estate service company that serves more than 13,000 real estate brokers and agents in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.  The Defendant is a real estate search engine and is alleged to have used the copyright works produced by the Plaintiff without authorization.  The works include the selection, coordination, and arrangement of fields, descriptors, and other compilation content as well as photographic works.

Plaintiff Regional Multiple Listing Service alleges copyright infringement. The prayer for relief requests that the Court enter judgment that Defendant has willfully infringed the copyrighted works and that Defendant is preliminarily and permanently enjoined from further infringement. It also requests the destruction of all unauthorized copyrighted works and the award of actual damages, statutory damages, and full costs and attorneys’ fees, and any further relief as the Court deems just and appropriate.  Traverse Internet Law Cross Reference Number 1562.