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Intellectual Property
Copyright Infringement
Unlicensed Song Lyrics

Peermusic III, Ltd.; Songs of Peer, Ltd.; Peer International Corp.; Peermusic Ltd.; PSO Ltd.; Southern Music Publishing Co. Inc.; WB Music Corp.; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.; Unichappell Music Inc.; Bug Music Inc.; Windswept Holdings LLC; Hitco Music Publishing LLC v. LiveUniverse Inc.; Brad Greenspan

Published: Nov. 10, 2012 | Result Date: Oct. 9, 2012 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 2:09-cv-06160-GW-PLA Bench Decision –  $6,600,000

Court

USDC Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Ross J. Charap

Eric Roman

Jeffrey R. Makin
(Arent Fox LLP)

Paul M. Fakler

Michael L. Turrill
(Hogan Lovells US LLP)


Defendant

Andrew R. Kislik
(Nassiri & Jung LLP)

Joel R. Bennett

Peter C. Bronstein

Kassra P. Nassiri
( Nassiri & Jung LLP)


Facts

A group of music publishers filed a copyright suit against LiveUniverse Inc., a web operator, for posting unlicensed song lyrics on various web sites. Among the songs whose copyrighted lyrics were displayed without permission were popular hits such as "China Girl" by David Bowie, "Moondance" by Van Morrison, "Waterfalls" by TLC, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day, "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll" by Bob Seger, and "Georgia on My Mind" by Ray Charles. LiveUniverse illegally posted 528 compositions.

Result

The Court made a finding of willful infringement, granted a permanent injunction, and awarded the publishers $6.6 million in damages plus attorney's fees.

Other Information

Defendant Brad Greenspan is in pro per.


#111676

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