First Bank of Berne and K4 Architecture Sued by DEI for Copyright Infringement

Fort Wayne, Indiana – Copyright lawyers for DEI Incorporated of Cincinnati, OH, have filed a lawsuit alleging First Bank of Berne of Berne, IN, and K4 Architecture LLC of Cincinnati, OH, have infringed a work titled FIRST BANK OF BERNE, JOB 511, SKETCHES, RENDERINGS, FLOOR PLANS, AND DRAWINGS, which has been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Plaintiff alleges that it was engaged by the First Bank of Berne to design a new bank branch and, after providing the bank with three sets of schematic designs, was informed that it would not be utilized in plan finalization and construction of the branch. The complaint states that, subsequently, the bank retained K4 Architecture to perform additional architectural services and/or construct the branch, in the process copying all or a substantial part of plaintiff’s copyrighted designs and drawings. The plaintiff’s complaint also recites claims for breach of contract, unfair competition, and tortuous interference with a contract.

This case has been assigned to Chief Judge Philip P. Simon and Magistrate Judge Roger Cosbey in the Northern District of Indiana, and assigned case no. 1:10-cv-00102-PPS-RBC.

Practice Tip: Copyright protection attaches automatically once an original creative work is fixed on a “tangible medium” such as paper or on a computer disc, and infringement occurs when, without authorization, the work is reproduced, distributed, publicly displayed or performed, or a derivative work is prepared. Complaint – DEI v. First

Further information about this case is as follows:

Filed: April 6, 2010 as 1:2010cv00102 Updated: August 19, 2010 02:28:25
Last Document Filed: April 7, 2010

Plaintiff: DEI Incorporated

Defendants: First Bank of Berne and K4 Architecture LLC

Presiding Judge:Philip P Simon

Referring Judge:Roger B Cosbey

Cause Of Action: Copyright Infringement

Court:Seventh Circuit > Indiana > Northern District Court