George Clinton v. Will Adams et al

Filing 23

ANSWER to Complaint - (Discovery), Complaint - (Discovery), Complaint - (Discovery) 1 filed by Defendant Emi Blackwood Music Inc..(Pink, Jonathan)

Download PDF
George Clinton v. Will Adams et al Doc. 23 1 BRYAN CAVE LLP Jonathan Pink (California Bar No. 179685) 2 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 3 Telephone: (949) 223-7000 Facsimile: (949) 223-7100 jonathan.pink@bryancave.com 4 E-mail: 5 BRYAN CAVE LLP 6 7 8 9 Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 Kara E. F. Cenar (Pro Hac Vice Pending) Mariangela M. Seale (Pro Hac Vice Pending) 161 North Clark Street, Suite 4300 Chicago, Illinois 60601-3315 Telephone: (312) 602-5000 Facsimile: (312) 602-5050 E-mail: kara.cenar@bryancave.com merili.seale@bryancave.com 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Attorneys for Defendants WILL ADAMS (sued as WILL ADAMS, p/k/a will.i.am, individually and d/b/a WILL.I AM MUSIC PUBLISHING); ALLAN PINEDA (sued as ALLAN PINEDA, p/k/a apl.de.ap, individually and d/b/a JEEPNEY MUSIC PUBLISHING, an individual); JAIME GOMEZ (sued as JAIME GOMEZ, p/k/a Taboo, individually and d/b/a NAWASHA NETWORKS PUBLISHING, an individual); STACY FERGUSON (sued as STACY FERGUSON, p/k/a Fergie); WILL.I.AM MUSIC, INC.; CHERRY LANE MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.; TAB MAGNETIC, INC.; GEORGE PAJON, JR.; EMI BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ­ WESTERN DIVISION 19 GEORGE CLINTON, an individual, 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Case No. CV10-9476 ODW (PLAx) Hon. Otis D. Wright, II Courtroom 11 ANSWER AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES OF DEFENDANT EMI BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC.; JURY DEMAND Complaint Filed: Trial Date: December 10, 2010 Not Assigned Plaintiff, v. WILL ADAMS, p/k/a will.i.am, individually and d/b/a WILL.I AM MUSIC PUBLISHING; ALLAN PINEDA, p/k/a apl.de.ap, individually and d/b/a JEEPNEY MUSIC PUBLISHING, an individual; JAIME GOMEZ, p/k/a Taboo, individually and d/b/a NAWASHA NETWORKS PUBLISHING, an individual;STACY FERGUSON, p/k/a Fergie, an individual; GEORGE PAJON, JR., an individual; JOHN CURTIS, an individual; IR01DOCS477822.2 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT AND JURY DEMAND Dockets.Justia.com 1 Delaware corporation; UMG UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP, INC., a RECORDINGS, INC., a Delaware 2 corporation; and WILL I AM MUSIC, 3 LANE MUSIC PUBLISHING INC., a California corporation; CHERRY COMPANY, INC., a New York 4 corporation; EL CUBANO MUSIC, 5 BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC., a 6 MAGNETIC, INC., a California 7 8 9 Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 INC., a California corporation; EMI Connecticut corporation; TAB corporation; and DOES 1 through 10, Defendants. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 IR01DOCS477822.2 2 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 Defendant EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. ("Defendant EMI") presents the 2 following Answer to the Complaint of Plaintiff George Clinton ("Complaint"): 3 4 NATURE OF THE ACTION 1. Answering Paragraph 1 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that 5 Plaintiff is asking for certain relief, but denies that Plaintiff is entitled to such relief. 6 Further, Defendant EMI admits the accuracy of the release dates set forth in 7 Paragraph 1. As the remaining allegations of Paragraph 1, Defendant EMI denies 8 all such allegations. 9 Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 2. Answering Paragraph 2 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 10 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 2, and 11 on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 12 3. Answering Paragraph 3 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that 13 Plaintiff is asking for certain relief, but denies that Plaintiff is entitled to such relief, 14 and further denies the remaining allegations of the paragraph. 15 16 JURISDICTION AND VENUE 4. Answering Paragraph 4 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits, on 17 information and belief, that this action appears to rise under the Copyright Act and 18 that this Court would appear to have subject matter jurisdiction. Defendant EMI 19 denies that the Complaint states any claim upon which relief can be granted. 20 5. Answering Paragraph 5 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that it 21 may be found in this district. As to the remaining allegations, Defendant EMI lacks 22 sufficient information to admit or deny them, and on that basis, denies such 23 allegations. 24 6. Answering Paragraph 6 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 25 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations in Paragraph 6, and on that 26 basis denies each and every such allegation. 27 7. Answering Paragraph 7 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 28 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations in Paragraph 7, and on that IR01DOCS477822.2 3 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 basis denies each and every such allegation. 2 8. Answering Paragraph 8 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that 3 its conducts business in California, but Defendant EMI lacks sufficient information 4 to admit or deny the remaining allegations contained in Paragraph 8, and on that 5 basis denies each and every such allegation. 6 7 PARTIES 9. Answering Paragraph 9 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI is without 8 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 9, and on that 9 basis denies such allegations. Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 10 10. Answering Paragraph 10 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 11 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 10, 12 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 13 11. Answering Paragraph 11 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 14 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies 15 each and every such allegation. 16 12. Answering Paragraph 12 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 17 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies 18 each and every such allegation. 19 13. Answering Paragraph 13 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 20 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 13, 21 and on that basis, denies each and every such allegation. 22 14. Answering Paragraph 14 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that 23 Defendant George Pajon, Jr. is credited as a songwriter on "Shut Up Remix" and 24 "Shut the Phunk Up Remix." Except as otherwise admitted in this Answer, 25 Defendant EMI is without sufficient information to admit or deny the remaining 26 allegations of Paragraph 14, and on that basis denies such allegations. 27 15. Answering Paragraph 15 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 28 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies IR01DOCS477822.2 4 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 each and every such allegation. 2 16. Answering Paragraph 16 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI is without 3 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 16, and on that 4 basis denies such allegations. 5 17. Answering Paragraph 17 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 6 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 17, 7 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 8 18. Answering Paragraph 18 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 9 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 18, Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 10 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 11 19. Answering Paragraph 19 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI is without 12 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 19, and on that 13 basis denies such allegations. 14 20. Answering Paragraph 20 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI is without 15 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 20, and on that 16 basis denies such allegations. 17 21. Answering Paragraph 21 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that 18 Cherry Lane Music Publishing, Inc. is a music publisher, but denies the remaining 19 allegations of this paragraph. 20 22. Answering Paragraph 22 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 21 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies 22 each and every such allegation. 23 23. Answering Paragraph 23 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that 24 it is a Connecticut corporation, and is a publisher of the musical compositions "Shut 25 Up" and "Shut Up Remix," but denies the remaining allegations of this paragraph. 26 24. Answering Paragraph 24 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI is without 27 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 24, and on that 28 basis denies such allegations. IR01DOCS477822.2 5 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 25. Answering Paragraph 25 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 2 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 25, 3 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 4 26. Answering Paragraph 26 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 5 allegations in this paragraph. 6 27. Answering Paragraph 27 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 7 allegations in this paragraph. 8 9 Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 SAMPLING "(NOT JUST) KNEE DEEP" 28. Answering Paragraph 28 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 10 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies 11 each and every such allegation. 12 29. Answering Paragraph 29 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 13 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies 14 each and every such allegation. 15 30. Answering Paragraph 30 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 16 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies 17 each and every such allegation. 18 31. Answering Paragraph 31 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 19 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies 20 each and every such allegation. 21 32. Answering Paragraph 32 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 22 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 32, and on that 23 basis denies each and every such allegation. 24 33. Answering Paragraph 33 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 25 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 33, and on that 26 basis denies each and every such allegation. 27 34. Answering Paragraph 34 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 28 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 34, and on that IR01DOCS477822.2 6 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 basis, denies each and every such allegation. 2 35. Answering Paragraph 35 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 3 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 35, and on that 4 basis denies each and every such allegation. 5 36. Answering Paragraph 36 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 6 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 36, and on that 7 basis denies each and every such allegation. 8 37. Answering Paragraph 37 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 9 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 10 each and every such allegation. 11 38. Answering Paragraph 38 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 12 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies 13 each and every such allegation. 14 15 RELEASE OF SHUT UP REMIX 39. Answering Paragraph 39 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits The 16 Black Eyed Peas released the album Elephunk in 2003. Except as admitted herein, 17 Defendant EMI lacks sufficient information to admit or deny the remaining 18 allegations in this paragraph, and on that basis, denies the same. 19 40. Answering Paragraph 40 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits the 20 allegations in this paragraph. 21 41. Answering Paragraph 41 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 22 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations in this paragraph, and on that 23 basis, denies the same. 24 42. Answering Paragraph 42 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 25 sufficient information to admit or deny these allegations, and on that basis denies 26 each and every such allegation. 27 43. Answering Paragraph 43 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 28 sufficient information to admit or deny the remaining allegations in this paragraph, IR01DOCS477822.2 7 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 and on that basis, denies the same. 2 44. Answering Paragraph 44 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 3 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations in this paragraph, and on that 4 basis, denies the same. 5 45. Answering Paragraph 45 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 6 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations in this paragraph, and on that 7 basis, denies the same. 8 46. Answering Paragraph 46 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 9 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations in this paragraph, and on that Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 10 basis, denies the same. 11 47. Answering Paragraph 47 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 12 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations in this paragraph, and on that 13 basis, denies the same. 14 48. Answering Paragraph 48 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 15 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations set forth in this paragraph, 16 and on that basis denies the same. 17 18 RELEASE OF "SHUT THE PHUNK UP REMIX" 49. Answering Paragraph 49 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 19 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 49, 20 and on that basis, denies each and every allegation. 21 50. Answering Paragraph 50 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 22 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 50 of 23 the Complaint, and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 24 51. Answering Paragraph 51 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that 25 The Black Eyed Peas album, "The E.N.D." was released on or about June 3, 2009, 26 and that the deluxe edition of the album contains a track entitled "Shut the Funk 27 Up." Defendant EMI denies the remaining allegations of this paragraph. 28 52. IR01DOCS477822.2 Answering Paragraph 52 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits the 8 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 allegations in this paragraph. 2 53. Answering Paragraph 53 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits the 3 allegations in this paragraph. 4 54. Answering Paragraph 54 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 5 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations in this paragraph, and on that 6 basis, denies the same. 7 55. Answering Paragraph 55 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 8 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 55, 9 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 10 56. Answering Paragraph 56 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 11 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations in this paragraph, and on that 12 basis, denies the same. 13 57. Answering Paragraph 57 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 14 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 57, 15 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 16 58. Answering Paragraph 58 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 17 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 58, 18 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 19 59. Answering Paragraph 59 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 20 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 59, 21 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 22 60. Answering Paragraph 60 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 23 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 60, 24 and on that basis, denies each and every such allegation 25 61. Answering Paragraph 61 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 26 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 61, 27 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 28 62. IR01DOCS477822.2 Answering Paragraph 62 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 9 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 62, 2 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 3 4 LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF SAMPLING 63. Answering Paragraph 63 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 5 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in this paragraph, 6 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 7 64. Answering Paragraph 64 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 8 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in this paragraph, 9 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 10 11 LIABILITY OF EACH DEFENDANT AND DAMAGES TO PLAINTIFF 65. Answering Paragraph 65 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 12 allegations in this paragraph. 13 66. Answering Paragraph 66 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 14 allegations in this paragraph. 15 67. Answering Paragraph 67 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that 16 exploitations of sound recordings that embody performances by The Black Eyed 17 Peas generate income, and further, admits that "(Not Just) Knee Deep" was sampled 18 pursuant to an express, written license agreement ostensibly executed by Plaintiff or 19 his authorized representatives. 20 68. Answering Paragraph 68 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 21 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 68, 22 and on that basis, denies each and every such allegation. 23 69. Answering Paragraph 69 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 24 allegations in this paragraph. 25 70. Answering Paragraph 70 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 26 allegations in this paragraph. 27 71. Answering Paragraph 71 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 28 allegations in this paragraph. IR01DOCS477822.2 10 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 72. Answering Paragraph 72 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 2 allegations in this paragraph. 3 4 5 6 7 FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Copyright infringement (sound recording) relating to "(Not Just) Knee Deep"; against all named defendants and DOES 1 through 10) 73. Answering Paragraph 73 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI 8 incorporates its answers and responses to Paragraphs 1-72 above, as if fully restated 9 herein. Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 10 74. Answering Paragraph 74 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 11 allegations in this paragraph. 12 75. Answering Paragraph 75 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 13 allegations in this paragraph. 14 76. Answering Paragraph 76 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 15 allegations in this paragraph. 16 77. Answering Paragraph 77 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 17 allegations in this paragraph. 18 78. Answering Paragraph 78 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 19 allegations in this paragraph. 20 79. Answering Paragraph 79 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 21 allegations in this paragraph. 22 80. Answering Paragraph 80 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 23 allegations in this paragraph. 24 81. Answering Paragraph 81 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 25 allegations in this paragraph. 26 82. Answering Paragraph 82 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 27 allegations in this paragraph. 28 83. IR01DOCS477822.2 Answering Paragraph 83 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 11 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 allegations in this paragraph. 2 3 4 5 SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Declaratory Judgment; against all named defendants and DOES 1 through 10) 84. Answering Paragraph 84 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI 6 incorporates its answers and responses to Paragraphs 1-83 above, as if fully restated 7 herein. 8 85. Answering Paragraph 85 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI lacks 9 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 85, Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 10 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 11 86. Answering Paragraph 86 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that, 12 upon information and belief, Plaintiff seeks declaratory relief, but denies that he is 13 entitled to such relief. As to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 86, Defendant 14 denies each and every such allegation. 15 87. Answering Paragraph 87 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that, 16 upon information and belief, Plaintiff seeks declaratory relief, but denies that he is 17 entitled to such relief. As to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 87, Defendant 18 denies each and every such allegation. 19 20 21 22 THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Permanent injunction; (against all named defendants and DOES 1 through 10) 88. Answering Paragraph 88 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI 23 incorporates its answers and responses to Paragraphs 1-87 above, as if fully restated 24 herein. 25 89. Answering Paragraph 89 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 26 allegations in this paragraph. 27 90. Answering Paragraph 90 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 28 allegations in this paragraph. IR01DOCS477822.2 12 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 91. Answering Paragraph 91 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI admits that, 2 upon information and belief, Plaintiff seeks an injunction, but denies that Plaintiff is 3 entitled to an injunction of any sort, and further, notes that an injunction is a species 4 of relief, not a discrete claim for relief. 5 92. Plaintiff's Complaint does not include a Paragraph 92, and therefore, 6 no response is given for that numbered paragraph. 7 93. Plaintiff's Complaint does not include a Paragraph 93, and therefore, 8 no response is given for that numbered paragraph. 9 Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 NATURE OF LIABILITY 94. Answering Paragraph 94 of the Complaint, Defendant EMI denies the 10 11 allegations of this paragraph. 12 13 GENERAL RESPONSE Answering generally to all paragraphs of the Complaint, unless specifically 14 and expressly admitted, all allegations are denied. 15 Answering generally to Plaintiff's Prayer for Relief, Defendant EMI denies 16 that the Complaint states a claim upon which relief should be granted, and 17 Defendant EMI denies that Plaintiff is entitled to the relief requested. Defendant 18 EMI respectfully requests that the Complaint be dismissed with prejudice, and that 19 Plaintiff's request for relief be denied, and for an award of attorneys' fees and costs. 20 21 22 23 AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES FIRST DEFENSE (Failure to State a Claim) 1. The Complaint and all claims for relief alleged therein fail to state a 24 claim upon which relief can be granted. 25 26 27 SECOND DEFENSE (License) 2. Plaintiff's claims and the relief requested are barred based on the 28 existence of a valid license that authorized each of the Defendants to engage in the IR01DOCS477822.2 13 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 allegedly infringing conduct. 2 3 4 5 6 7 THIRD DEFENSE (Statute of Limitations) 3. The Complaint is barred by the applicable statute of limitations. FOURTH DEFENSE (Consent) 4. Plaintiffs claims and the relief requested because he consented to 8 allegedly wrongful conduct stated in the Complaint. 9 Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 FIFTH DEFENSE (Waiver) 5. Plaintiff's claims and relief requested are barred by the equitable 10 11 12 doctrine of waiver. 13 14 15 SIXTH DEFENSE (Acquiescence) 6. Plaintiff's claims and relief requested are barred by the equitable 16 doctrine of acquiescence. 17 18 19 SEVENTH DEFENSE (Estoppel) 7. Plaintiff's claims and relief requested are barred by the equitable 20 doctrine of estoppel. 21 22 23 EIGHTH DEFENSE (Laches) 8. This Complaint is barred in whole or in part by the equitable doctrine 24 of laches. 25 26 27 NINTH DEFENSE (Unclean Hands) 9. Plaintiff's claims and requested relief are barred by the equitable 28 doctrine of unclean hands. IR01DOCS477822.2 14 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 2 RESERVATION OF RIGHTS Defendant EMI reserves the right, upon completion of its investigation and 3 discovery, to advance such additional defenses and/or counterclaims as they may be 4 appropriate. 5 WHEREFORE, having fully answered Plaintiff's Complaint, Defendant EMI 6 prays for judgment against Plaintiff and awarding Defendant EMI its costs, interest, 7 reasonable attorneys' fees, together with such other and further relief as the Court 8 may deem proper. 9 Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 Respectfully submitted, Dated: March 4, 2011 BRYAN CAVE LLP Jonathan S. Pink Kara E. F. Cenar Mariangela M. Seale By: /s/ Jonathan S. Pink Jonathan S. Pink Attorneys for Defendants WILL ADAMS; ALLAN PINEDA; JAIME GOMEZ; STACY FERGUSON; WILL.I.AM MUSIC, INC.; CHERRY LANE MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.; TAB MAGNETIC, INC.; GEORGE PAJON, JR.; EMI BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 IR01DOCS477822.2 15 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 JURY TRIAL DEMAND Defendant EMI hereby demands a jury trial. Respectfully submitted, Dated: March 4, 2011 BRYAN CAVE LLP Jonathan S. Pink Kara E. F. Cenar Mariangela M. Seale By: /s/ Jonathan S. Pink Jonathan S. Pink Attorneys for Defendants WILL ADAMS; ALLAN PINEDA; JAIME GOMEZ; STACY FERGUSON; WILL.I.AM MUSIC, INC.; CHERRY LANE MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC.; TAB MAGNETIC, INC.; GEORGE PAJON, JR.; EMI BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 IR01DOCS477822.2 16 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.


Why Is My Information Online?