Indiana Intellectual Property Law News
Indianapolis, Indiana – Attorney Richard Bell of McCordsville, Indiana filed suit in the Southern District of Indiana alleging that
Defendant, Leapgo, Inc. infringed its rights to the “Indianapolis Photo” registered on August 4, 2011 with the US Copyright Office, Registration No. VA0001785115. Plaintiff is seeking actual and statutory damages, attorneys’ fees, and any other relief as is just and proper.
Bell is notorious for suing over his copyrighted photo, having filed dozens of previous lawsuits against a variety of defendants across the country. In March 2000, Bell took a photo of the Indianapolis skyline, and has published it or licensed it for publication since that time. He registered the copyright for the photo in 2011. Additionally, Plaintiff uses the photo to promote his photography business.
Defendant Leapgo, Inc. is a website developer and digital marketing company based out of Wisconsin. According to the complaint, Defendant created a website at www.partybusrentals.co. Defendant allegedly used the Indianapolis photo on the website to help attract customers. Defendant allegedly claimed that it owned the copyrights to all photos appearing on its website.
Plaintiff alleges that Defendant has used the photo without permission or authorization and has refused to pay for its use or cease using it. Plaintiff has formally alleged copyright infringement.
The case was assigned to District Judge Richard L. Young and Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker in the Southern District and assigned Case 1:18-cv-01221-RLY-TAB.