Indiana Intellectual Property Law News
Indianapolis, IN – Intellectual property lawyers for DirecTV, LLC sued Roger York, Dianna York and D.L.Y., Inc. d/b/a Marty’s Pub of Converse, IN alleging the commercial use of satellite programming sold at the residential rate.
This suit was brought under the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, 47 U.S.C. §521, et seq., and 47 U.S.C. §605. It alleges that Roger York and Dianna York, in their capacity as owners, and individuals with close control over internal operating procedures, of Marty’s Pub willfully and unlawfully used a residential subscription to DirecTV 
in a commercial establishment.
The three-count complaint cites three causes of action. Count One: Damages for Violations of Cable Communications Policy Act under 47 U.S.C. §605(e)(3)(c); Count Two: Damages for Violations of 18 U.S.C. §2511; and Count Three: Civil Conversion.
DirecTV asks for the following: a declaration that the defendants’ use of DirecTV was a violation of §2511, that such violations were willful and for the purpose of commercial advantage; an injunction against further violations; statutory damages under 18 U.S.C. §2511; statutory damages under 47 U.S.C. §605; punitive damages and costs and interest.
Practice Tip: As part of its complaint, DirecTV claims that its goodwill and reputation have been usurped. It will be interesting to see what evidence it offers as proof that, as a result of allegedly receiving a lower monthly fee for the programming provided to the defendants – a circumstance presumably known to few other than the Yorks – its goodwill or reputation have been impacted.
This case has been assigned to The Honorable Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen and Magistrate Judge Christopher A. Nuechterlein in the Northern District of Indiana, and assigned Case No. 3:13-cv-170.
Complaint – DirecTv v Marty’s Pub
Directv LLC v. York et al
Filed: March 7, 2013 as 3:2013cv00170 Updated: March 9, 2013 02:10:11
Plaintiff: Directv LLC
Defendants: Roger York, Dianna York and DLY Inc Cause Of Action: Federal Communications Act of 1934 Court: Seventh Circuit > Indiana > Northern District Court
Type: Other Statutes > Cable/Satellite TV