Venice, CA – Earlier this year, Doniger / Burroughs tried to a jury a copyright infringement case against retail chain Urban Outfitters. The claims at issue were that Urban Outfitters had copied one of the plaintiff’s fashion designs at an overseas mill, and then sold garments with the knock-off design to its customers under its “FREE PEOPLE” label. Urban Outfitters denied all charges, claiming a variety of defenses that were all found to be bogus. A unanimous jury returned a finding of willful infringement against Urban Outfitters, and Doniger / Burroughs thereafter filed a motion to recover the attorneys’ fees incurred in prosecuting the infringement claim.

Urban Outfitters argued that no fees should be awarded, but this position was also rejected. Late last week the Court awarded over $357,000.00 in attorneys’ fees, and another $9,000.00 in costs, under the Copyright Act.

Scott A. Burroughs and Trevor W. Barrett of Doniger / Burroughs represented the plaintiff.

Miles D. Scully and Tara L. Martin of Gordon & Reese represented the defendants.