Digital Graveyard: Database of RIAA Litigation

Ray Beckerman of the blog "Recording Industry vs. The People" has a database of litigation documents from a large number of copyright infringement cases initiated by the recording music industry. This is a great resource for those interested.

The Battle Over the Beatles: Capitol Records v. BlueBeat

Earlier this week BlueBeat began offering 25 cent downloads of the Beatles' catalog of music. Only problem: BlueBeat did not have a licensing right to do so. Further, the Beatles' catelog is not available anywhere legally for digital download. EMI has now filed suit seeking a temporary restraining order. EMI's (Through Capital Records) Complaint, BlueBeat's reply, and EMI's response to the reply are below. Head over to Copyright & Campaigns for analysis of the case.

Capitol Records v. BlueBeat Complaint

Defendants' Opposition to TRO in Capitol v. BlueBeat

Plaintiffs' Reply in support of TRO in Capitol v. Bluebeat

Law Prof. Drops Suit Against 'Above The Law' Blog

According to Above the Law blog, Prof. Donald Jones has voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against Above the Law blog publisher David Minkin and Breaking Media.

Pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(i)(B), the dismissal is without prejudice. But if Professor Jones were to attempt to refile at this point in time, he would encounter a statute of limitations problem.

There was NO SETTLEMENT in this case. Above the Law has made no changes to our prior posts, and we have paid no money to Professor Jones. The case was dismissed by the plaintiff without anything from our side, except a letter from our lawyer.

For analysis of the legal insufficiency of the complaint that undoubtedly led to the voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit, head over to the Copyrights & Campaigns Blog and The Volokh Conspiracy.

Jones v. Minkin Complaint

The Fight Over Fallout: Bethesda Softworks LLC v. Interplay Entertainment Corporation

Two greats in the video game industry are battling it out in the courtroom. On September 9th, Bethesda Softworks LLC (maker of Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind) initiated a lawsuit against Interplay Entertainment Corporation (maker of Fallout, Fallout 2, and Balder's Gate). Bethesda is alleging that Interplay breached an Asset Purchase Agreement and Trademark License Agreement, engaged in Unfair Competition, and infringed Bethesda's Trademark in FALLOUT. Bethesda purchased all rights, title, and interest in the FALLOUT mark from Interplay on April 4, 2007, for $5,750,000. Bethesda asked the court to enjoin Interplay from the use, manufacture, distribution, sale and promotion of Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout Collection, Fallout Trilogy, and Saga Fallout.

Bethesda Softworks LLC v. Interplay Entertainment Corporation Complaint