George Clinton v. Will Adams et al

Filing 24

ANSWER to Complaint - (Discovery), Complaint - (Discovery), Complaint - (Discovery) 1 filed by Defendant Stacy Ferguson.(Pink, Jonathan)

George Clinton v. Will Adams et al

Doc. 24

1 BRYAN CAVE LLP

Jonathan Pink (California Bar No. 179685) 2 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414 3 Telephone: [phone] Facsimile: [phone] [e-mail] 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: [phone] Facsimile: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail] [e-mail]

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 OF DEFENDANT STACY FERGUSON, P/K/A FERGIE; 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;
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT
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
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

1

Defendants Stacy Ferguson, p/k/a Fergie (hereinafter referred to as

2 "Defendant Ferguson") presents the following Answer to Plaintiff's Complaint 3 ("Complaint"): 4 5

NATURE OF THE ACTION 1. Answering Paragraph 1 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

6 that Plaintiff is asking for certain relief, but denies that Plaintiff is entitled to such 7 relief. Further, Defendant Ferguson admits "Shut Up" was first released in 2003 8 and two remixes were released in 2003 and 2009, respectively. Defendant Ferguson 9 denies the remaining allegations.
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10

2.

Answering Paragraph 2 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

11 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 2, and 12 on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 13

3.

Answering Paragraph 3 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

14 that Plaintiff is asking for certain relief, but denies that Plaintiff is entitled to such 15 relief, and further denies the remaining allegations of the paragraph. 16 17

JURISDICTION AND VENUE 4. Answering Paragraph 4 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits,

18 on information and belief, that this action appears to rise under the Copyright Act 19 and that this Court would appear to have subject matter jurisdiction. Defendant 20 Ferguson denies that the Complaint states any claim upon which relief can be 21 granted. 22

5.

Answering Paragraph 5 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

23 that she may be found in this district. As to the remaining allegations, Defendant 24 Ferguson lacks sufficient information to admit or deny them, and on that basis, 25 denies such allegations. 26

6.

Answering Paragraph 6 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

27 that she resides in Los Angeles County, California. As to the remaining allegations, 28 Defendant Ferguson lacks sufficient information to admit or deny them, and on that
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

1 basis denies such allegations. 2

7.

Answering Paragraph 7 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

3 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 7, and on that 4 basis denies each and every such allegation. 5

8.

Answering Paragraph 8 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

6 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 8, and on that 7 basis denies each and every such allegation. 8 9
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PARTIES 9. Answering Paragraph 9 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

10 Clinton is a well-known artist and composer. Defendant Ferguson is without 11 sufficient information to admit or deny the remaining allegations of Paragraph 9, 12 and on that basis denies such allegations. 13

10.

Answering Paragraph 10 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

14 that Defendant William Adams lives in California and is a founding member of the 15 musical group, The Black Eyed Peas, and has been credited as a producer and 16 songwriter for various songs released by that group. Except as otherwise admitted 17 in this Answer, Defendant Ferguson is without sufficient information to admit or 18 deny the allegations of Paragraph 10, and on that basis denies such allegations. 19

11.

Answering Paragraph 11 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

20 that Defendant Allan Pineda lives in California and is a founding member of the 21 musical group, The Black Eyed Peas, and has been credited as a songwriter for 22 various songs released by that group. Except as otherwise admitted in this Answer, 23 Defendant Ferguson is without sufficient information to admit or deny the 24 allegations of Paragraph 11, and on that basis denies such allegations. 25

12.

Answering Paragraph 12 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

26 that Defendant Jaime Gómez lives in California and is a founding member of the 27 musical group, The Black Eyed Peas, and has been credited as a songwriter for 28 various songs released by that group. Except as otherwise admitted in this Answer,
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

1 Defendant Ferguson is without sufficient information to admit or deny the 2 allegations of Paragraph 12, and on that basis denies such allegations. 3

13.

Answering Paragraph 13 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

4 that she is a resident of California, and that she first collaborated with The Black 5 Eyed Peas on the album "Elephunk" and performs vocally on certain remixes of the 6 song "Shut Up." Defendant Ferguson admits that "(Not Just) Knee Deep" was 7 sampled in certain remixes of "Shut Up" pursuant to a license. Except as otherwise 8 admitted in this Answer, Defendant Ferguson lacks information sufficient to form a 9 belief as to what Plaintiff is informed or believes, and on that basis denies the
Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414

10 remaining allegations in this paragraph. 11

14.

Answering Paragraph 14 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

12 that Defendant George Pajon, Jr. is credited as a songwriter on various songs 13 released by the group, The Black Eyed Peas. Except as otherwise admitted in this 14 Answer, Defendant Ferguson is without sufficient information to admit or deny the 15 allegations of Paragraph 14, and on that basis denies such allegations. 16

15.

Answering Paragraph 15 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

17 that Defendant John Curtis is credited as a songwriter on various songs released by 18 the group, The Black Eyed Peas. Except as otherwise admitted in this Answer, 19 Defendant Ferguson is without sufficient information to admit or deny the 20 allegations of Paragraph 15, and on that basis denies such allegations. 21

16.

Answering Paragraph 16 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

22 that the remaining defendants are commercial entities within the music industry. 23 Except as otherwise admitted in this Answer, Defendant Ferguson is without 24 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 16, and on that 25 basis denies such allegations. 26

17.

Answering Paragraph 17 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

27 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 17, 28 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation.
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1

18.

Answering Paragraph 18 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

2 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 18, 3 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 4

19.

Answering Paragraph 19 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson is

5 without sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 19, and 6 on that basis denies such allegations. 7

20.

Answering Paragraph 20 of the Complaint, lacks information sufficient

8 to form a belief as to what Plaintiff is informed or believes, and on that basis denies 9 the allegations in this paragraph.
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21.

Answering Paragraph 21 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

11 information sufficient to form a belief as to what Plaintiff is informed or believes, 12 and on that basis denies the allegations in this paragraph. 13

22.

Answering Paragraph 22 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

14 information sufficient to form a belief as to what Plaintiff is informed or believes, 15 and on that basis denies the allegations in this paragraph. 16

23.

Answering Paragraph 23 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

17 information sufficient to form a belief as to what Plaintiff is informed or believes, 18 and on that basis denies the allegations in this paragraph. 19

24.

Answering Paragraph 24 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

20 information sufficient to form a belief as to what Plaintiff is informed or believes, 21 and on that basis denies the allegations in this paragraph. 22

25.

Answering Paragraph 25 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

23 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 25, 24 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 25

26.

Answering Paragraph 26 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

26 the allegations in this paragraph. 27

27.

Answering Paragraph 27 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

28 the allegations in this paragraph.
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1 2

SAMPLING "(NOT JUST) KNEE DEEP" 28. Answering Paragraph 28 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

3 that certain remixes of "Shut Up" contain authorized samples of "(Not Just) Knee 4 Deep" pursuant to a license. Except as expressly admitted, Defendant Ferguson 5 denies the allegations in this paragraph. 6

29.

Answering Paragraph 29 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

7 that certain remixes of "Shut Up" contain authorized samples of "(Not Just) Knee 8 Deep" pursuant to a license. Except as expressly admitted, Defendant Ferguson 9 denies the allegations in this paragraph.
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30.

Answering Paragraph 30 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

11 that certain remixes of "Shut Up" contain authorized samples of "(Not Just) Knee 12 Deep" pursuant to a license. Defendant Ferguson further admits that sound 13 recordings of the musical compositions "Shut Up" and "Shut Up Remix" have been 14 exploited since their creation. Except as admitted herein, Defendant Ferguson 15 denies the allegations in this paragraph. 16

31.

Answering Paragraph 31 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

17 that, upon information and belief, a recording of "(Not Just)" Knee Deep" appears 18 on Funkadelic's album "Uncle Jam Wants You," and on information and belief it 19 has been sampled by many musical artists. Defendant Ferguson lacks sufficient 20 information to admit or deny the remaining allegations of Paragraph 31, and on that 21 basis, denies such remaining allegations. 22

32.

Answering Paragraph 32 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

23 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 32, and on that 24 basis denies each and every such allegation. 25

33.

Answering Paragraph 33 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

26 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 33, and on that 27 basis denies each and every such allegation. 28

34.
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Answering Paragraph 34 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

1 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 34, and on that 2 basis, denies each and every such allegation. 3

35.

Answering Paragraph 35 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

4 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 35, and on that 5 basis denies each and every such allegation. 6

36.

Answering Paragraph 36 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

7 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations of Paragraph 36, and on that 8 basis denies each and every such allegation. 9
Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414

37.

Answering Paragraph 37 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

10 the allegations in this paragraph. 11

38.

Answering Paragraph 38 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

12 the allegations in this paragraph. 13 14

RELEASE OF SHUT UP REMIX 39. Answering Paragraph 39 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

15 the allegations in this paragraph. 16

40.

Answering Paragraph 40 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

17 the allegations in this paragraph. 18

41.

Answering Paragraph 41 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

19 information sufficient to form a belief as to what Plaintiff is informed or believes, 20 and on that basis denies the allegations in this paragraph. 21

42.

Answering Paragraph 42 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson, upon

22 information and belief, admits the allegations in this paragraph. 23

43.

Answering Paragraph 43 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

24 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations set forth in this paragraph, 25 and on that basis denies the same. 26

44.

Answering Paragraph 44 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

27 certain remixes have been exploited in singles. Defendant Ferguson lacks 28 information as to which remixes Plaintiff is referring to, and on that basis denies the
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

1 remaining allegations of the paragraph 2

45.

Answering Paragraph 45 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

3 that certain remixes contain authorized samples. Defendant Ferguson lacks 4 information as to which remixes Plaintiff is referring to, and on that basis denies the 5 remaining allegations of the paragraph. 6

46.

Answering Paragraph 46 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

7 information as to which remixes Plaintiff is referring to, and on that basis denies the 8 remaining allegations of the paragraph. 9
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47.

Answering Paragraph 47 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

10 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations set forth in this paragraph, 11 and on that basis denies the same. 12

48.

Answering Paragraph 48 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

13 the allegations in this paragraph. 14 15

RELEASE OF "SHUT THE PHUNK UP REMIX" 49. Answering Paragraph 49 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

16 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 49, 17 and on that basis, denies each and every allegation. 18

50.

Answering Paragraph 50 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

19 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 50 of 20 the Complaint, and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 21

51.

Answering Paragraph 51 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

22 that The Black Eyed Peas album, "The E.N.D." was released in or about June of 23 2009, and that certain deluxe editions of the album contains a track entitled "Shut 24 the Phunk Up." Defendant Ferguson denies the remaining allegations of this 25 paragraph. 26

52.

Answering Paragraph 52 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

27 that "The E.N.D." was nominated by the Grammy Awards for "Album of the Year" 28 and won a Grammy Award for the "Best Pop Vocal Album" on or about January 31,
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1 2010. Defendant Ferguson denies the remaining allegations in this paragraph. 2

53.

Answering Paragraph 53 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

3 sufficient to form a belief as to what Plaintiff is informed or believes, and on that 4 basis denies the allegations in this paragraph. 5

54.

Answering Paragraph 54 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

6 sufficient to form a belief as to what Plaintiff is informed or believes, and on that 7 basis denies the allegations in this paragraph. 8

55.

Answering Paragraph 55 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

9 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 55,
Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414

10 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 11

56.

Answering Paragraph 56 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

12 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 56, 13 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 14

57.

Answering Paragraph 57 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

15 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 57, 16 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 17

58.

Answering Paragraph 58 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

18 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 58, 19 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 20

59.

Answering Paragraph 59 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

21 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 59, 22 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 23

60.

Answering Paragraph 60 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

24 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 60, 25 and on that basis, denies each and every such allegation 26

61.

Answering Paragraph 61 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

27 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 61, 28 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation.
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

1

62.

Answering Paragraph 62 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

2 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 62, 3 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 4 5

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF SAMPLING 63. Answering Paragraph 63 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

6 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in this paragraph, 7 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 8

64.

Answering Paragraph 64 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

9 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in this paragraph,
Bryan Cave LLP 3161 Michelson Drive, Suite 1500 Irvine, California 92612-4414

10 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 11 12

LIABILITY OF EACH DEFENDANT AND DAMAGES TO PLAINTIFF 65. Answering Paragraph 65 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

13 the allegations in this paragraph. 14

66.

Answering Paragraph 66 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

15 the allegations in this paragraph. 16

67.

Answering Paragraph 67 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

17 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 67, 18 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation. 19

68.

Answering Paragraph 68 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

20 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 68, 21 and on that basis, denies each and every such allegation. 22

69.

Answering Paragraph 69 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

23 the allegations in this paragraph. 24

70.

Answering Paragraph 70 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

25 the allegations in this paragraph. 26

71.

Answering Paragraph 71 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

27 the allegations in this paragraph. 28

72.
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Answering Paragraph 72 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

1 the allegations in this paragraph. 2 3 4 5 6

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 Ferguson

7 incorporates her answers and responses to Paragraphs 1-72 above, as if fully restated 8 herein. 9
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74.

Answering Paragraph 74 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

10 the allegations in this paragraph. 11

75.

Answering Paragraph 75 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

12 the allegations in this paragraph. 13

76.

Answering Paragraph 76 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

14 the allegations in this paragraph. 15

77.

Answering Paragraph 77 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

16 the allegations in this paragraph. 17

78.

Answering Paragraph 78 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

18 the allegations in this paragraph. 19

79.

Answering Paragraph 79 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

20 the allegations in this paragraph. 21

80.

Answering Paragraph 80 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

22 the allegations in this paragraph. 23

81.

Answering Paragraph 81 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

24 the allegations in this paragraph. 25

82.

Answering Paragraph 82 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

26 the allegations in this paragraph. 27

83.

Answering Paragraph 83 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

28 the allegations in this paragraph.
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1 2 3 4

SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Declaratory Judgment; against all named defendants and DOES 1 through 10) 84. Answering Paragraph 84 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson

5 incorporates her answers and responses to Paragraphs 1-83 above, as if fully restated 6 herein. 7

85.

Answering Paragraph 85 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson lacks

8 sufficient information to admit or deny the allegations contained in Paragraph 85, 9 and on that basis denies each and every such allegation.
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86.

Answering Paragraph 86 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

11 that, upon information and belief, Plaintiff seeks declaratory relief, but denies that 12 he is entitled to such relief. As to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 86, 13 Defendant denies each and every such allegation. 14

87.

Answering Paragraph 87 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits

15 that, upon information and belief, Plaintiff seeks declaratory relief, but denies that 16 he is entitled to such relief. As to the remaining allegations of Paragraph 87, 17 Defendant denies each and every such allegation. 18 19 20 21

THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Permanent injunction; (against all named defendants and DOES 1 through 10) 88. Answering Paragraph 88 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson

22 incorporates her answers and responses to Paragraphs 1-87 above, as if fully restated 23 herein. 24

89.

Answering Paragraph 89 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

25 the allegations in this paragraph. 26

90.

Answering Paragraph 90 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

27 the allegations in this paragraph. 28

91.
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Answering Paragraph 91 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson admits
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

1 that, upon information and belief, Plaintiff seeks an injunction, but denies that 2 Plaintiff is entitled to an injunction of any sort, and further, notes that an injunction 3 is a species of relief, not a discrete claim for relief. 4

92.

Plaintiff's Complaint does not include a Paragraph 92, and therefore,

5 no response is given for that numbered paragraph. 6

93.

Plaintiff's Complaint does not include a Paragraph 93, and therefore,

7 no response is given for that numbered paragraph. 8 9
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NATURE OF LIABILITY 94. Answering Paragraph 94 of the Complaint, Defendant Ferguson denies

10 the allegations of this paragraph. 11 12

PRAYER FOR RELIEF Defendant Ferguson denies that Plaintiff is entitled to any of the relief

13 requested in his Prayer for Relief. 14 15 16 17

AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES FIRST DEFENSE (Failure to State a Claim) 1. The Complaint and all claims for relief alleged therein fail to state a

18 claim upon which relief can be granted. 19 20 21

SECOND DEFENSE (License) 2. Plaintiff's claims and the relief requested are barred based on the

22 existence of a valid license that authorized each of the Defendants to engage in the 23 allegedly infringing conduct. 24 25 26 27 28
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THIRD DEFENSE (Statute of Limitations) 3. The Complaint is barred by the applicable statute of limitations. FOURTH DEFENSE (Consent)
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ANSWER TO COMPLAINT

1

4.

Plaintiffs claims and the relief requested because he consented to

2 allegedly wrongful conduct stated in the Complaint. 3 4 5

FIFTH DEFENSE (Waiver) 5. Plaintiff's claims and relief requested are barred by the equitable

6 doctrine of waiver. 7 8 9
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SIXTH DEFENSE (Acquiescence) 6. Plaintiff's claims and relief requested are barred by the equitable

10 doctrine of acquiescence. 11 12 13

SEVENTH DEFENSE (Estoppel) 7. Plaintiff's claims and relief requested are barred by the equitable

14 doctrine of estoppel. 15 16 17

EIGHTH DEFENSE (Laches) 8. This Complaint is barred in whole or in part by the equitable doctrine

18 of laches. 19 20 21

NINTH DEFENSE (Unclean Hands) 9. Plaintiff's claims and requested relief are barred by the equitable

22 doctrine of unclean hands. 23 24 25 26 27 28

RESERVATION OF RIGHTS Defendant Ferguson reserves the right, upon completion of her investigation and discovery, to advance such additional defenses and/or counterclaims as they may be appropriate.
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1

WHEREFORE, having fully answered Plaintiff's Complaint, Defendant

2 Ferguson prays for judgment against Plaintiff and awarding Defendant Ferguson her 3 4 5 6 7 8 Dated: March 4, 2011 9
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costs, interest, reasonable attorneys' fees, together with such other and further relief as the Court may deem proper. Respectfully submitted, 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.

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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 Ferguson 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
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