Friday, May 30, 2008

Parties file objections to Magistrate Judge's attorneys fee award in Atlantic v. Andersen

In Atlantic v. Andersen, both sides have filed objections to the Magistrate Judge's attorneys fee award of $107,834, the RIAA saying that the amount should not have exceeded $62,000, Ms. Andersen saying that the award should be multiplied due to the difficulty in finding counsel willing to take on such a case.

Defendant's objections*
Plaintiffs' objections*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation



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Thursday, May 29, 2008

RIAA brings third proceeding against University of Maine "John Does"; this time Court does not sign ex parte discovery order

The RIAA has commenced yet another case targeting University of Maine Students, BMG v. Does 1-11.

Like all other "John Doe" cases brought by the RIAA, it was brought ex parte.

This time, however, the judge declined to sign the proposed ex parte discovery order, noting that

I see no reason for the court to take immediate action in this case as there is no evidence that records are about to be destroyed.
The Court ordered the court papers to be unsealed, directed the RIAA to give copies of the motion to the University of Maine's legal counsel, and reserved ruling on the motion in light of the pending motions by the defendants in the 2 earlier cases.

The judge, Magistrate Judge Margaret J. Kravchuk, is the same judge who suggested an order to show cause for Rule 11 sanctions against the plaintiffs and their lawyers in Arista v. Does 1-27.

Order Reserving Decision on ex parte discovery application*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

[Ed. note. Is it just me, or has the stupidity of the RIAA lawyers attained new heights? To bring an ex parte discovery application before a judge who already has suggested they should be subjected to Rule 11 sanctions, based upon affidavits of "emergency" which have been previously shown to be false, and which are based on illegally procured evidence, at the same time that there is also a Rule 11 motion pending against them for bringing an unauthorized "action in aid of discovery"? Or is it the record companies who are stupid, since they're the ones actually paying these lawyers to do these things? -R.B.]

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In University of Maine case, Arista v. Does 1-27, RIAA files opposition to motions to vacate order and strike Linares declaration

In Arista v. Does 1-27, the Portland, Maine, case targetting 27 University of Maine students, the RIAA has filed its opposition to the motions by one group of John Does to vacate the ex parte discovery order, quash the subpoena issued pursuant to the order, and vacate the declaration of Carlos Linares.

This is the same case in which

-Magistrate Judge Kravchuk has suggested the imposition of Rule 11 sanctions based on false statements of fact made by the RIAA lawyers in order to justify the misjoinder of multiple John Does;
-one group of eight (8) students joined together and hired a prominent Portland, Maine, law firm to represent them;
-two other students are being represented by the University of Maine Law School's Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic; and
-the student attorneys of the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic have filed a Rule 11 motion against the plaintiffs and their attorneys.

RIAA Opposition to Motion to Vacate and Quash*
RIAA Opposition to Motion to Strike Carlos Linares Declaration*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation



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Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Recording Industry vs The People initiates partial coverage of Viacom v. YouTube

Although it is not strictly on topic for this blog, we have decided to initiate partial coverage of the case of Viacom v. YouTube. (By 'partial coverage' I mean that I will be selective, picking out some of the most important events, rather than attempt to be exhaustive.)

Viacom v. YouTube presents important issues in the war being waged by large content owners to try and shut down the internet as we know it ( a war that is familiar to anyone who has read up on the RIAA's creative "making available" and "offer to distribute" theories in the RIAA v. The People cases ).

YouTube's recent filing -- an answer to the amended complaint -- has received a lot of press attention, but I noticed that the press accounts did not provide the readers with actual copies of the litigation document.

That's where we come in.

YouTube's answer contains this statement, which pretty well sums up what is at stake:

Viacom’s lawsuit challenges the protections of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA") that Congress enacted a decade ago to encourage the development of services like YouTube. Congress recognized that such services could not and would not exist if they faced liability for copyright infringement based on materials users uploaded to their services. It chose to immunize these services from copyright liability provided they are properly responsive to notices of alleged infringement from content owners.

Looking at the online world today, there is no question that Congress made the correct policy choice. Legitimate services like YouTube provide the world with free and authorized access to extraordinary libraries of information that would not be available without the DMCA -- information created by users who have every right to share it. YouTube fulfills Congress’s vision for the DMCA. YouTube also fulfills its end of the DMCA bargain, and indeed goes far beyond its legal obligations in assisting content owners to protect their works. By seeking to make carriers and hosting providers liable for internet communications, Viacom's complaint threatens the way hundreds of millions of people legitimately exchange information, news, entertainment, and political and artistic expression.
Order and opinion denying plaintiffs the right to allege punitive damages in addition to statutory damages*
Amended complaint*
Answer to amended complaint*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

(Note: The excellent Groklaw site has perceived the same need, and has posted copies of the documents, as well as *txt versions. And of course, Groklaw's usual outstanding commentary and discussion is there too.)

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Sunday, May 25, 2008

Interesting article in Rolling Stone: "Rock's New Economy: Making Money When CDs Don't Sell"

Thanks to Steve Meyer of Disc & DAT for bringing this interesting article to my attention:

Rock's New Economy: Making Money When CDs Don't Sell
TV, games, tours and more: How smart bands thrive today

By FRED GOODMAN

For Austin rockers Spoon, 2007 was a breakthrough year — but not because they sold a lot of records. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, their album on the indie label Merge, garnered more radio play than any disc in their 15-year history and earned them an appearance on Saturday Night Live. So far the disc has moved just over 250,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan — about half of what Spoon's manager, Ben Dickey, believes it would have sold even five years ago. "But as far as the band is concerned, the record is a hit," says Dickey.

The reason? CD sales are no longer the yardstick the band uses. While hip-hop and pop artists ranging from Jay-Z to Britney Spears have long used recordings to sell every- thing from perfume to liquor, rockers are only just starting to think of album sales as a component — rather than the sum of — the commercial equation. Spoon have been actively licensing their music for use in films, television shows and a Jaguar commercial, making money, gaining exposure and moving up from clubs to 3,000-seat venues.

Album sales are down 25 percent since 2000, leading to widespread predictions of the record business' demise. But smart artists and managers are finding new ways to reach fans and make money. "For some bands we represent, there's more licensing income than record sales," says Carol Sue Baker, whose Ocean Park Music Group has been connecting independent artists with music supervisors for movies, TV and advertising agencies since the early 1990s.
Complete article



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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Voluntary dismissals because suit was brought against wrong party

A lawyer I know is researching cases in which the RIAA sued the wrong party (which is most of the cases, as near as I can tell), and then had to withdraw its claim against that party.

I sent him a partial list of cases off the top of my head where I believe that was the case:

Arista v. Greubel
Atlantic v. Andersen
Atlantic v. Zuleta
BMG v. Thao
Capitol v. Foster
Elektra v. Licata
Elektra v. Perez
Elektra v. Santangelo
Elektra v. Wilke
Interscope v. Leadbetter
Lava v. Amurao
Motown v. Nelson
Priority v. Chan
Virgin v. Marson(I think)
Warner v. Maravilla
Warner v. Paladuk
[Case removed at request of defendant]
Warner v. Stubbs

If you see any on the list that don't belong there, or if you can add to the list, please email me.

I know of a bunch of cases that will eventually be added to the list, because the RIAA sued the wrong party, but this list is just supposed to be cases where the claim has already been discontinued.

Thanks.

Ray



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Justia.com lists "Recording Industry vs. The People" as second most popular copyright law blog of all time

I work hard on this blog, for no pay, so if I can be excused a moment of unseemly, off-topic, self-congratulation...... Justia.com has "Recording Industry vs. The People" listed as the #2 all-time copyright law blog in terms of popularity, right behind David Donoghue's Chicago IP Litigation Blog.

Copyright Law Blog rankings ranked by all-time popularity, 5/24/08

(And if I can't be excused a moment of unseemly, off-topic, self-congratulation, I'm sure I'll hear about it in the comments section, which many consider, with good reason, the best part of this blog, since that's where the sharp-eyed, thoughtful, analysis and commentary which I'm unable to provide, takes place.)

But seriously, readers.... thank you for reading and contributing to "Recording Industry vs. The People."

Best regards,

Ray




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Friday, May 23, 2008

Arista v. Greubel continues under new case against children, UMG v. Greubel

We reported 2 weeks ago that the Fort Worth, Texas, case of Arista v. Greubel had been settled. This is the case in which Nettwerk Music was paying for the costs of the defense.

We have since learned, through a comment posted here, that the RIAA has sued Mr. Greubel's children. The name of the case is UMG v. Greubel.

The docket number is 06-860, N.D. Texas.

Among the things we have learned through an examination of the docket sheet is that

-one of the four defendants is a minor;
-a motion for appointment of a guardian ad litem had been made, and was then withdrawn;
-a settlement conference was held at which Matthew Oppenheim, instead of any record company representatives, was the sole "client" representative;
-the RIAA has attempted to subpoena, from the father, David Greubel, his communications with his attorneys and with Nettwerk Music;
-Mr. Greubel has made a motion to quash the subpoena, and the motion has been referred to the Magistrate Judge; and
-a hard drive inspection was done under a stipulated protective order similar to the protective order in SONY v. Arellanes.

We have posted a sampling of miscellaneous documents from the Court file.

Hard drive protective order*
Amended complaint*
Motion to file reference list under seal*
Answer of Adam Greubel*
Reply memorandum in support of motion to appoint guardian ad litem for minor child*
Withdrawal of motion to appoint guardian ad litem for minor child*
Defendants' report of settlement conference*
Motion to quash subpoena served upon defendants' father*
Order referring motion to quash to Magistrate Judge*

[Ed. note. The report of settlement conference is interesting. Once again Matthew "the Enforcer" Oppenheim was there to insist upon his pound of flesh. For how much suffering has this one man been responsible? -R.B.]

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

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Marie Lindor asks Magistrate Levy to reconsider ruling allowing MediaSentry to refuse to answer subpoena in UMG v. Lindor

Marie Lindor has made a motion for reconsideration in UMG v. Lindor, asking the Magistrate to recall his previous decision denying her motion to compel MediaSentry to respond to the subpoena duces tecum she had served.

Letter of Ray Beckerman to Hon. Robert M. Levy (reconsideration of May 16th order denying motion to compel MediaSentry response)*
Exhibit A -- May 16th order*
Exhibit B -- November 14, 2007, Subpoena*
Exhibit C -- May 13, 2007, article from Chronicle of Higher Education*
Exhibit D -- May, 2007, declaration of Tom Mizzone*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation




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To contribute to Marie Lindor's legal defense, see below.

















The above donation button links to a PayPal account established by Marie Lindor's family for people who may wish to make financial contributions to Ms. Lindor's legal defense in UMG v. Lindor. Contributions are not tax deductible.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Reconsideration motion denied in Elektra v. Barker

The defendant's reconsideration motion in Elektra v. Barker was denied, for the reasons that:

-it was untimely;
-the authorities cited (Atlantic v. Howell, London-Sire v. Doe 1, and Capitol v. Thomas) are not "controlling" authorities; and
-the authorities cited were issued subsequent to the Court's decision, and therefore had not been "overlooked".

May 22, 2008, Opinion and Order denying motion for reconsideration*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation



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Answers filed by defendants in Andersen v. Atlantic class action

In the Oregon class action against the RIAA and its codefendants, Andersen v. Atlantic, the defendants have filed their answers to the complaint.

Answer of RIAA, Settlement Support Center LLC, and record companies*
Answer of SafeNet a/k/a MediaSentry*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation

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Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Briefing deadlines extended, and oral argument date adjourned, in Capitol v. Thomas

In Capitol v. Thomas, the Court has adjourned the briefing schedules for the determination of whether it had committed a "manifest error of law" when it accepted the RIAA's proposed jury instruction that merely "making available" constituted an infringement of the distribution right and overlooked the controlling Eighth Circuit case, National Car Rental System v. Computer Associates, which had held that there can be no infringement of the 17 USC 106(3) "distribution right" without actual dissemination of copies or phonorecords.

The new schedules are:

For the plaintiffs and defendant:

Briefs due June 23rd, at noon.
"Reply" briefs due June 30th, at noon.
Oral argument: Monday, August 4, 2008, 10:00 A.M., Federal courthouse, Duluth, MN

For amicus curiae:

Amicus curiae briefs, and motions for permission to file, due June 13th, at noon.
Opposition to any motion for leave to file amicus curiae brief due June 17th, at noon.

May 20, 2008, Order enlarging time periods for briefing schedule*
May 20, 2008, Order establishing procedures and schedule for briefing by amicus curiae*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation



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RIAA opposes reconsideration in Elektra v. Barker

In Elektra v. Barker, the RIAA has filed a letter opposing Ms. Barker's request for waiver of a pre-motion conference in connection with her planned motion for reconsideration.

May 20, 2008, Letter of Richard L. Gabriel and Timothy J. Reynolds to Hon. Richard J. Sullivan (opposition to waiver of pre-motion conference for reconsideration motion)*

* Document published online at Internet Law & Regulation



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