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Law360 Reports on DONIGER / BURROUGHS victory in copyright case against Target

The reportage can be found here (subscription req’d): http://www.law360.com/articles/273735/target-clothing-infringed-fabric-maker-s-design-judge

New York Metro Reports on Progress of Feral Childe v. Forever 21

Get the scoop here: http://www.metro.us/newyork/local/article/944710–forever-21-print-theft-in-fashion

Apparel News Reports on Doniger / Burroughs Victory in Fashion Industry Copyright Case

The reportage is here: http://www.apparelnews.net/news/manufacturing/080111-Target-to-Pay-389000-in-EKB-Textiles-Copyright-Case

Doniger / Burroughs - The Number One Copyright Law Firm in Los Angeles

August 1, 2011 - A review of the rankings of the Central District of California copyright verdicts entered over the last two years reveals what many artists, companies, attorneys, and judges already know: Doniger /Burroughs is unsurpassed when it comes to litigating copyright cases.

The rankings reflect that Doniger / Burroughs was the law firm of record on all four of the top four copyright verdicts entered over the last two years.*:

  1.       United Fabrics International, Inc.  v. Lane Bryant, Inc.; et al., 2010 WL 2734439 (C.D.Cal. January 15, 2010), (NO. 08CV06865).  RESULT: Verdict-Plaintiff.

            The jury found for Doniger / Burroughs client United Fabrics and awarded it $447,670.60.

2.         EKB Textiles, Inc. v. Target Corporation, CV-10-4443 (C.D. Cal. July 27, 2011). RESULT: Verdict-Plaintiff.

            The jury found for Doniger / Burroughs client EKB Textiles and awarded it $389,638.00.

3.         L.A. Printex Industries Inc. vs. G&G Multitex, Inc., 2010 WL 6648986(C.D.Cal. December 08, 2010), (NO. 09CV03812). RESULT: Verdict-Plaintiff.

            The jury found for Doniger / Burroughs client L.A. Printex and awarded it $150,000.00.

4.         Alchemist Evolution LLC vs. Smash, Inc., 2011 WL 2029097 (C.D.Cal. January 11, 2011), (NO. 10CV04445). RESULT: Verdict - Plaintiff.

            The jury found for Doniger / Burroughs client Alchemist Evolution LLC and awarded it $40,750.00.

Source: WESTLAW

*These verdicts do not include awards of costs and attorneys’ fees. 

Doniger / Burroughs and Caribbean Blues Prevail at Trial over Target and LF USA

Breaking: In a copyright case involving the unlawful use of a fabric design, the jury has returned a verdict in favor of firm client Caribbean Blues, and against Target Corp. and LF USA.

LF USA obtained one of Caribbean Blues’ proprietary textile design by procuring a garment bearing that design from a company in Korea. LF USA then modified the design slightly, printed it on garments, and attempted to pass them off as an “exclusive” to Target. LF USA and Target subsequently sold hundreds of thousands of units of this infringing product.

The defendants’ attorneys had asked the jury to award to the plaintiff no more than $50,000.00. Clearly rejecting the defense attorneys’ arguments, the jury returned a verdict of $389,000.00 in favor of Plaintiff. This award is one of the largest fashion copyright verdicts of 2011.

Doniger / Burroughs Client United Fabrics Reverses District Court on Appeal, Prevails on Summary Judgment

In a case filed by fabric company United Fabrics alleging copyright infringement against Macys and its vendors, the situation looked dire when the district court judge dismissed the case sua sponte, finding that the copyright registration for the design at issue was invalid. Undaunted by this setback, Doniger / Burroughs partner Scott Burroughs appealed the decision to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Before a panel of three appellate judges, Mr. Burroughs pleaded his client’s case, noting that Macys’ attorneys had urged a misapplication of the law, and there was no evidence or precedent to support the district court decision.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals was persuaded by Mr. Burroughs’ argument, finding unanimously in favor of his client, and reinstating the case. Back at the district court level, Mr. Burroughs requested a renewed ruling on the Motion for Summary judgment that had previously been denied at the same time the case was dismissed. The judge agreed, and partially granted the motion.

As the Doniger / Burroughs trial team was preparing the matter for the jury, more than two and a half years after the case had been filed, and just one day before trial was set to commence, Macys settled, agreeing to pay a substantial six-figure sum to avoid the jury trial.

Doniger / Burroughs Client Feral Childe Fights Back against Forever 21 in Federal Court

And, the blogs take note:

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/07/forever_21_faces_another_copyr.html

http://ecosalon.com/fast-fashion-giant-forever-21-steals-sustainable-label-feral-childes-design/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Ecosalon+%28EcoSalon+Main+Feed%29

http://consumerist.com/2011/07/forever-21-sued-again-for-allegedly-swiping-a-textile-design.html

http://jezebel.com/5821563/forever-21-gets-sued-for-copying–again

http://www.ecouterre.com/feral-childe-slaps-forever-21-with-copyright-infringement-lawsuit/

http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/forever-21-sued-by-feral-childe/

http://kaightnyc.blogspot.com/2011/07/support-feral-childe-not-forever21.html

http://fashionablyjust.com/2011/07/the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black-forever-21-busted-for-copyright-infringement/

http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-forever-21-rips-off-indie-designers-print/

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/07/is-forever-21-an-eco-fashion-design-thief-photos.php

http://www.ecouterre.com/feral-childe-slaps-forever-21-with-copyright-infringement-lawsuit/feral-childe-forever-21-1/

http://www.emcblue.com/blog/2011/07/forever-21-in-another-copyright-infringement-scandal/

http://la.racked.com/archives/2011/07/18/forever21_knocks_off_ad_infinitum.php

Forbes Reports on Scott Burroughs’ Representation of Blogger in Dispute with Forever 21

Mr. Burroughs is defending fashion blogger Rachel Kane in connection with claims of copyright and trademark leveled at her by “fast-fashion” retailer Forever 21. All of the scoop is here: Forbes Article - Doniger / Burroughs - Forever 21

Doniger / Burroughs Attains Six Figure Award in a Copyright Infringement and Contempt Case

Doniger / Burroughs client, J. Steger, a high-end rock-inspired clothing line, achieved a total victory in a copyright infringement case filed against retailer Elite and its vendor Smash Men’s, Inc.  On April 18, 2011, the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California entered judgment ruling that Smash Men’s willfully violated an injunction granted in September 2009, which barred it from selling knock-off garments bearing J. Steger artwork. 

            In 2009, after the release of its premiere line, J. Steger discovered knock-offs of its original designs on hoodies and jackets sold at Planet Funk retail stores.  After J. Steger’s filing of its first lawsuit, the Court entered a judgment against Planet Funk and Smash Men’s for copyright infringement.  However, less than one year later, J. Steger found infringing shirts with the “Smash” label selling in different retail stores and online. 

J. Steger filed its second lawsuit in 2010, which resulted in a jury finding that Smash Men’s was liable for willful infringement in violation of the 2009 injunction, and awarding $40,750 in statutory damages.  Additionally, this Court awarded J. Steger its attorney fees in the amount of $81, 707.50. 

“This ruling is especially important because the defendants knew they were selling apparel that should have been destroyed after the first case,” said attorney Regina Yeh. “We’re grateful to the jurors for their service, and for protecting the integrity of our client’s artwork.”

California Apparel News Quotes Burroughs in Article on Doniger / Burroughs’ 9th Circuit Victory

Burroughs discusses how the ruling is a victory for designers and artists: California Apparel News