Indiana Intellectual Property Law News
Indianapolis, Indiana – Attorney Richard Bell of McCordsville, Indiana filed suit in the Southern District of Indiana alleging National
Association of Realtors (“Realtors”) infringed his rights in United States Copyright No. VA0001785115, the “Indianapolis Photo”. Bell is seeking actual and statutory damages, costs, attorneys’ fees, and any other relief the court finds just and proper.
Attorney Bell has filed several copyright infringement lawsuits similar to this case. The Complaint in this case alleges Realtors published the Indianapolis Photo on its website to advertise its business. Bell claims after conducting a search in February 2019, he discovered Realtors published the Indianapolis Photo between the years of 2015 to 2018. However, he states he will not know the actual date of first publication until further investigations.
Bell is claiming copyright infringement against Realtors as he alleges it knowingly published the Indianapolis Photo without his authorization. Further, Bell claims Realtors refuses to pay for the unauthorized use of the Indianapolis Photo and will not agree to be enjoined from further use. Finally, Bell claims Realtors permitted third parties to view and download the Indianapolis Photo, and as such, is vicariously liable for any such downloaded copy.
The case was assigned to District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt and Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker in the Southern District and assigned Case 1:19-cv-01262-TWP-TAB.