Recent Copyright Claims Filed in the Western District of Washington
For a change of pace, here are brief summaries of some of the recent copyright infringement complaints filed in the Western District of Washington:
Corbis Corp. v. Infinity Commercial Capital, LLC, No. CV09-00657 JPD, filed May 12, 2009
Corbis alleges that Infinity Commercial Capital ("ICC"), a business providing hotel and commercial mortgage lending services, downloaded, without authorization, at least 16 images from Corbis' website and uploaded and displayed those images on ICC's website. Corbis alleges claims for direct and vicarious copyright infringement, as well as breach of contract. In connection with the latter claim, Corbis alleges that, pursuant to the Corbis Content License Agreement, by using the Corbis images without authorization, ICC agreed to pay Corbis 10 times the licensing rate in addition to other fees, damages and penalties claimed by Corbis.
Complaint here (PDF, 22 pgs).
Global Research & Rescue v. Six Flags, Inc., No. CV09-00749 MJP, filed May 29, 2009
Global Research and Rescue ("GRR"), a non-profit "engaged in the activity of benefiting whales and other marine mammals by promoting public awareness of the existence of these animals," alleges that it is the owner of the copyrights in three films depicting killer whales in their natural habitat. In 2004, GRR provide complete copies of these films to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom for purposes of demonstrating GRR's capabilities. GRR alleges that Six Flags then used the films through at least the 2006 and 2007 tourist seasons at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Park in Vallejo, California without GRR's permission or authorization. GRR alleges claims for copyright infringement and unjust enrichment.
Complaint here (PDF, 5 pgs).
Blue Nile, Inc. v. Gem Stone King, Inc., No. C09-0828 RSL, filed June 16, 2009
Blue Nile, the market leader in the online diamond and fine jewelry retail industry, alleges that Gem Stone King willfully and without authorization copied Blue Nile's distinctive diamond photographs and displayed those photographs on Gem Stone King's website. Blue Nile alleges a single claim of copyright infringement against Gem Stone King.
Complaint here (PDF, 7 pgs).
