May 16, 2013

Reconsideration in MP3Tunes Case

Capitol Records, Inc. v. MP3Tunes, LLC, No. 07-cv-9931 (S.D.N.Y. filed May 14, 2013) [Doc. 368].

All parties moved for reconsideration of the Court's October 25, 2011 order (821 F. Supp. 2d 627), springing from the 2nd Circuit's decision in Viacom Int'l v. YouTube, Inc., 676 F.3d 19 (2d Cir. 2012).  Plaintiff's motion was granted in part and denied in part: plaintiff's motion was granted as to the issue of willful blindness and "red flag" knowledge, and denied as to the inducement of copyright claim.  Defendant's motion regarding direct copyright infringement was granted in part and denied in part.  Defendant's motion for reconsideration regarding infringement of cover art, regarding personal jurisdiction and summary judgment as to his vicarious liability was denied.

There is an interesting discussion of "red flag" knowledge of infringement, under which service providers can lose the protection of the DMCA safe harbors if they have actual or apparent (i.e., "red flag") knowledge of infringing conduct.

May 13, 2013

Composer's Suit Against Orchestra Survives Summary Judgment

Currier v Brooklyn Philharmonic Symphony, No. 7661/2009 (N.Y. Sup. Ct., Kings Co. May 6, 2013).  Decision here.

Defendant symphony motion for summary judgment on Plaintiff's claims for breach of contract denied (though the claim for breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing was dismissed).  The dispute is based on the symphony's failure to perform the entirety of Plaintiff's 3-act piece, and on issues relating to the length of breaks and overtime for the musicians.