WB Music Corp. et al. Sues Langel’s, Inc. and Its President for Copyright Infringement for Unauthorized Performance of Songs

Hammond, IN – Copyright lawyers for WB Music Corporation and six other music companies filed a copyright infringement suit alleging Langel’s, Inc. of Highland, Indiana infringed three copyrighted songs. Specifically, the songs at issue are: VOGUE by Madonna, FALLIN by Alicia Keys, and HEART OF ROCK AND ROLL by Huey Lewis, all of which have been registered by the US Copyright Office. WB Music has also filed the claims against Rodney D. Langel, the president of Langel’s, Inc.

The complaint alleges that Langel’s owns and operates Rodney’s Sports Bar and Langel’s Pizza in Highland, Indiana. WB alleges that the three songs at issue were performed at these establishments without license from the copyright owners in May 2008. The plaintiffs in this suit are the owners of the rights to these songs. WB Music and the others allege that Langel’s Inc. and Mr. Langel had been warned by the American Society of Composers, Artists, and Publishers (ASCAP) about its liability for copyright infringement. The complaint makes three claims of copyright infringement pursuant 17 U.S.C. § 501.

Practice Tip: In this case, the plaintiffs have sued Mr. Langel, the president of Langel’s, Inc., personally. Copyright laws allow an officer of a corporation to be held liable for the corporation’s copyright infringement if the officer contributes to the infringement by inducing or encouraging the infringement. An officer can also be liable for copyright infringement if the officer supervises the infringing conduct and has a direct financial benefit from the infringement.

This case has been assigned to Judge Theresa Springmann and Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry in the Northern District of Indiana, and assigned case no. 2:11-cv-00166-TLS-PRC.

Complaint – WB Music v. Langel’s, Inc.(function() { var scribd = document.createElement(“script”); scribd.type = “text/javascript”; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = “https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();

Further Information about the case is as follows:

Filed: May 13, 2011 as 2:2011cv00166 Updated: May 13, 2011 20:10:58

Plaintiffs: Bleu Disque Music Co Inc , EMI April Music Inc , Hulex Music , Lellow Productions Inc , Lexor Music Inc and others

Defendants: Langel’s Inc and Rodney D Langel

Presiding Judge: Theresa L Springmann

Referring Judge: Paul R Cherry

Cause Of Action: Copyright Infringement

Court: Seventh Circuit > Indiana > Northern District Court