photography

August
16 2016

Doniger / Burroughs Wins Highly-Contested Motion to Dismiss in Suit against Universal Music

Venice, CA – Doniger / Burroughs has emerged victorious in a complex ongoing dispute regarding application of domestic and international right of publicity laws. The case addresses the unauthorized use by Universal Music of a photograph taken by a photographer represented by the firm of a model also represented by the firm. Universal exploited the image by removing the photographer’s watermark from the image and then using it as the cover art for singer Jeremih’s recent release. Below is the image captured by the Doniger / Burroughs client (top), and the unauthorized use by Universal Music (below):

rams img

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Universal and its co-defendants have refused to accept responsibility for this clear-cut case of copyright infringement. Instead, they filed motion paperwork asserting that Danish law should usurp California statutory law to preclude certain of the claims brought by Doniger / Burroughs’s clients. Substantial briefing and oral argumentation took place from November of 2015 until this week, when the Judge presiding over the case in the Southern District of New York issued a thorough ruling adopting the positions argued by Doniger / Burroughs. The case will now proceed toward trial.

Scott Alan Burroughs of Doniger / Burroughs represents the photographer and model in this action.

Linda M. Burrow of Caldwell Leslie & Proctor represents Universal Music in this action. 

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December
04 2015

Doniger / Burroughs Takes to Task AP, NBC, Huffington Post, LA Times, Al Jazeera, and Others for Copyright Infringement and DMCA Violations

Venice, CA – Doniger / Burroughs has brought a copyright infringement and DMCA action on behalf of photographer Kevin Pack (Silvertip Partners) against various media outlets for  the unauthorized use of his photographs and the removal of his copyright attribution information.

Mr. Pack, a former firefighter who works closely with Cal-Fire to photograph wildfires, allows his photographs to be used by news outlets  in connection with reporting on the fires photographed provided his copyright management information is retained. When he found his images being commercialized, used with altered or removed copyright information, and used in connection with unrelated fires, he took action.

The case is currently pending in U.S. District Court – Central Division of Los Angeles, and is being handled by Stephen M. Doniger and Howard Han of Doniger / Burroughs. For more information, call Grace Garcia at (310) 590-1820

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October
23 2015

Distractify Sued for Blatant Photography Theft

Venice, CA – Doniger / Burroughs has brought a copyright infringement action on behalf of acclaimed photographer Peter Menzel against Distractify, a click-bait site known to post lists of a certain number of things that you will make you feel a certain sort of way.

Distractify’s “content creators” copied from Mr. Menzel a number of photographs that he had created by traveling around the world, meeting with locals, and capturing them on film alongside the typical foods they consume on a daily basis.

Distractify then compiled those purloined photographs into a post they titled “20 People Around The World Share How Much Food They Eat Per Day… And You Might Be Surprised” and published it across their platform. Mr. Menzel’s copyright infringement suit followed.

The case is currently pending in U.S. District Court – Central Division of Los Angeles. Peter Menzel is represented by Scott Alan Burroughs and Justin M. Gomes of Doniger / Burroughs. For more information, call Grace Garcia at (310) 590-1820.

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  • About the Firm

    Doniger / Burroughs is California’s premier fashion, art, entertainment, and technology law boutique. The firm has resolved more than 1,000 disputes over the almost 20 years it has been in existence, and has represented all manner of individuals and businesses in the creative industries. Its lawyers have extensive state and federal court experience, and hail from well-regarded law schools. The firm has been on the forefront of cutting-edge copyright law, appearing often before judges, juries, and the Courts of Appeal. It has tried more copyright infringement cases than virtually any other firm over the last 5-10 years, and has obtained for its clients numerous six- and seven-figure verdicts and settlements.

    The firm is committed to representing artists and content creators, and enforcing intellectual property rights. It has litigated successfully against many of the nation’s largest retailers, film and television studios, web sites, and news organizations. Its partners speak and write often on art and copyright law issues, and devote significant time and resources to ensuring a level playing field for those responsible for the creation of art and content.