Facebook, Inc. et al v. Nollen et al
Filing
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COMPLAINT against Leon Hedges, Arend Nollen, David Pasanen, Social Media Series Limited ( Filing fee $ 400, receipt number 0971-13292641.). Filed byFacebook Inc., Instagram, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit Exhibits 1-8, #2 Exhibit Exhibits 9-22, #3 Civil Cover Sheet)(Mortimer, Ann Marie) (Filed on 4/25/2019)
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Ann Marie Mortimer (State Bar No. 169077)
amortimer@HuntonAK.com
Jason J. Kim (State Bar No. 221476)
kimj@HuntonAK.com
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
550 South Hope Street, Suite 2000
Los Angeles, California 90071-2627
Telephone: (213) 532-2000
Facsimile: (213) 532-2020
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Attorneys for Plaintiffs
FACEBOOK, INC. and INSTAGRAM, LLC
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Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
550 South Hope Street, Suite 2000
Los Angeles, California 90071-2627
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
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SAN FRANCISCO DIVISION
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FACEBOOK, INC., a Delaware
corporation and INSTAGRAM, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company,
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COMPLAINT; DEMAND FOR JURY
TRIAL
Plaintiffs,
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CASE NO.: 3:19-cv-02262
v.
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AREND NOLLEN, LEON HEDGES,
DAVID PASANEN, and SOCIAL
MEDIA SERIES LIMITED,
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Defendants.
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Plaintiffs Facebook, Inc. (“Facebook”) and Instagram, LLC (“Instagram”), allege
the following:
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INTRODUCTION
1.
Since at least July 9, 2018, to the present, Defendants Arend Nollen, Leon
business using the website Likesocial.co. Defendants’ business artificially inflates the
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“likes,” “views,” and “followers” of Instagram accounts (known as “fake
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engagement”). Defendants use a network of computers or “bots” and Instagram
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accounts to deliver automated likes to their customers’ Instagram accounts, in violation
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Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Hedges, David Pasanen, and Social Media Series Limited, have operated an unlawful
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550 South Hope Street, Suite 2000
Los Angeles, California 90071-2627
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of Instagram’s Terms of Use (“TOU”), Community Guidelines, and California and
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federal law. Through their business, Defendants interfered and continue to interfere
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with Instagram’s service, create an inauthentic experience for Instagram users, and
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attempt to fraudulently influence Instagram users for their own enrichment. Facebook
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and Instagram bring this action for injunctive relief to stop any continued and future
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misuse of its platform by Defendants in violation of Instagram’s TOU and Community
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Guidelines. Facebook and Instagram also bring this action to obtain compensatory,
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punitive, and exemplary damages under California Penal Code § 502 and the Computer
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Fraud and Abuse Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1030.
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PARTIES
2.
Plaintiff Facebook is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of
business in Menlo Park, California.
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Plaintiff Instagram is a Delaware limited liability company with its
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principal place of business in Menlo Park, California. Instagram is a subsidiary of
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Facebook.
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4.
Defendant Nollen is a resident of Upper Hutt, New Zealand. Exhibit 1.
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5.
Defendants Hedges and Pasanen are residents of Lower Hutt, New
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Zealand. Exhibits 2 and 3.
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Defendant Social Media Series Limited (“Social Media Series”) is a New
Zealand limited liability company. Exhibit 4.
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On or about January 8, 2016, Defendants Nollen, Hedges, and Pasanen
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incorporated and registered Social Media Series as a New Zealand limited company.
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Exhibits 4 and 5. Defendants Nollen, Hedges, and Pasanen each own 33% of Social
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Media Series. Exhibits 5-8. And each Defendant has served in the role of Director of
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Social Media Series since January 8, 2016. Exhibits 1-5. According to corporate
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registration documents, the company has an office located at 9 McCarthy Grove,
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Clouster Park, Upper Hutt, 5018 New Zealand. Exhibit 4.
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8.
Since on or about July 9, 2018, Defendants controlled and operated the
website Likesocial.co through Social Media Series Limited.
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At all times material to this action, each Defendant was the agent,
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employee, partner, alter ego, subsidiary, or coconspirator of and with the other
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Defendants, and the acts of each Defendant were in the scope of that relationship. In
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doing the acts and failing to act as alleged in this Complaint, each Defendant acted with
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the knowledge, permission, and the consent of each of the other Defendants; and, each
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Defendant aided and abetted the other Defendants in the acts or omissions alleged in
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this Complaint.
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JURISDICTION AND VENUE
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The Court has federal question jurisdiction over the federal causes of
action alleged in this Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331.
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The Court has supplemental jurisdiction over the state law causes of action
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alleged in this Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367 because these claims arise out
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of the same nucleus of operative fact as Facebook and Instagram’s federal claim.
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In addition, the Court has jurisdiction over all the causes of action alleged
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in this Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332 because complete diversity between the
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Plaintiffs and each of the named Defendants exists, and because the amount in
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controversy exceeds $75,000.
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13.
The Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants because each
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Defendant personally used Instagram, their business used thousands of Instagram
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accounts, and, accordingly, they agreed to Instagram’s TOU. Instagram’s TOU require
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Defendants to submit to the personal jurisdiction of this Court for litigating any claim,
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cause of action, or dispute with Instagram.
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In addition, the Court has personal jurisdiction because Defendants
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knowingly directed their actions at Facebook and Instagram, which have their principal
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place of business in California. For example, Defendants’ entire business model
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depends on accessing and using Instagram in order to artificially manipulate Instagram
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accounts in exchange for money.
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Venue is proper in this Judicial District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b),
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as the threatened and actual harm to Facebook and Instagram occurred in this District.
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Venue is also proper with respect to each of the Defendants pursuant to
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28 U.S.C. §1391(c)(3) because none of the Defendants resides in the United States.
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Pursuant to Civil L.R. 3-2(c), this case may be assigned to the San
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Francisco Division because Facebook and Instagram are located in San Mateo County.
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FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
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A.
Background on Instagram and Facebook
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Facebook is a social networking website and mobile application that
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enables its users to create their own personal profiles and connect with each other on
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their personal computers and mobile devices. As of December 2018, Facebook daily
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active users averaged 1.52 billion and monthly active users averaged 2.32 billion,
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worldwide. Facebook has several products, including Instagram.
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Instagram is a photo and video sharing service, mobile application, and
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social network. Instagram users can post photos and videos to their profile. They can
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also view, comment on, and like posts shared by others on Instagram. As of June 2018,
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Instagram had over one billion active accounts.
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When an Instagram user posts a photo, other Instagram users can view the
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photo and choose to “like” it. For private accounts, followers of the account can see the
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post. For public accounts, anyone can see the post. When a photo is liked, that like can
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be seen by anyone who can see the post. For marketing and other commercial purposes,
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certain Instagram users strive to increase the number of followers, views, and likes they
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receive to increase their visibility and popularity on Instagram.
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Instagram users can gain followers, views, and likes, but only from other
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registered Instagram users. If a visitor to Instagram does not have an Instagram account
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and tries to like a post, the visitor is redirected to the Instagram login page to enter their
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Instagram credentials or to create a new Instagram account.
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Everyone who uses Instagram agrees to Instagram’s TOU1 and other rules
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that govern access to and use of Instagram, including Instagram’s Community
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Guidelines.2 The Instagram TOU state that because Instagram is a Facebook product,
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the Instagram TOU constitute an agreement between the Instagram users and
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Facebook.3
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Since at least April 2018, Instagram’s TOU prohibit users from (a)
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“do[ing] anything unlawful, misleading, or fraudulent or for an illegal or unauthorized
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purpose;” (b) “interfering or impairing the intended operation of [Instagram];” (c)
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“[a]ttempt[ing] to buy, sell, or transfer any aspect of [an Instagram] account;” (d)
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“creating accounts or collecting information in an automated way . . . ;” and (e) “violate
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(or help or encourage others to violate) [Instagram] terms or their policies including the
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Instagram Community Guidelines.”
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In addition, Instagram’s Community Guidelines prohibit users from
artificially collecting positive account attributes (i.e., likes, followers, and shares).
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Instagram TOU can be found at https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870.
Instagram Community Guidelines can be found at
https://help.instagram.com/477434105621119.
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See https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870.
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B.
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Facebook and Instagram’s Past Enforcement Actions against
Defendants
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Since on or about July 23, 2015, Defendants have operated various
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websites offering fake engagement services including SocialEnvy.co, IGFamous.net,
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and Likesocial.co. Facebook and Instagram have taken multiple enforcement actions
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against Defendants for violating Instagram’s TOU and Community Guidelines,
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including sending cease and desist letters and disabling Instagram accounts associated
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with Defendants and their websites.
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SocialEnvy.co and IGFamous.net
According to corporate records, in 2015, Defendants Nollen and Hedges
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were the sole and equal shareholders of an entity called Social Envy Limited. Exhibits
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9-11. Social Envy Limited was incorporated and registered as a New Zealand Limited
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Company. Exhibit 9. Social Envy Limited is registered at 9 McCarthy Grove, Clouster
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Park, Upper Hutt, 5018 NZ, which is the same address used by Social Media Series.
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Exhibits 4 and 9.
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Between July 23, 2015, and February 2018, Defendants Nollen and Hedges
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controlled and operated the website SocialEnvy.co4 through Social Envy Limited.
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SocialEnvy.co sold artificial Instagram views and other fake engagement services.
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Exhibits 12 and 13.
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Between December 2, 2015, and February 2018, Defendants Nollen and
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Hedges controlled and operated the website IGFamous.net through Social Envy
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Limited. IGFamous.net sold artificial Instagram likes and other fake engagement
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services. Exhibit 14.
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On February 20, 2018, Facebook and Instagram sent a cease and desist
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letter to Defendants Nollen and Hedges for operating SocialEnvy.co and IGFamous.net.
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Exhibit 15.
At that time, Instagram also disabled multiple Instagram accounts
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Socialenvy.co is presently operated by individuals unassociated with Defendants.
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associated with SocialEnvy.co and Defendants Nollen and Hedges. Some of those
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accounts had been used by Defendants Nollen, Hedges, and Pasanen.
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In the February 20, 2018 cease and desist letter, Facebook and Instagram
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demanded that Defendants Hedges and Nollen stop violating Instagram’s TOU,
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including:
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Misleading Instagram users;
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Creating false or duplicate profiles;
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Collecting user credentials;
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Automating interactions between profiles that have no prior
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relationship;
Facilitating or encouraging others to violate Instagram’s [TOU].
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The February 20, 2018 cease and desist letter also informed Defendants that their
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actions may have violated state and federal laws, including Computer Fraud and Abuse
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Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1030, and California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud
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Act, Cal. Penal Code § 502(c).
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After receiving the February 20, 2018 cease and desist letter, Defendants
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stopped offering fake engagement services on Socialenvy.co and IGFamous.net but
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began selling fake engagement services on other websites, including Likesocial.co.
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2.
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Likesocial.co
Since on or about July 9, 2018, Defendants controlled and operated the
website Likesocial.co through Social Media Series.
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On December 18, 2018, Facebook and Instagram sent a cease and desist
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letter to Defendants Nollen and Hedges for offering fake engagement services through
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Likesocial.co. Exhibit 16. The December 2018 letter referenced the February 20, 2018
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letter:
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We first contacted you on February 20, 2018 demanding that you stop
selling Instagram Followers and Likes through your websites
SocialEnvy.co and IGFamous.net. Facebook is aware that you have
continued your improper activities through your current websites including
but not limited to, LikeSocial.co, Social10x.com, smseries.co.nz, and
SocialSteeze.net, where you continue to sell services that automate actions
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on Instagram including, followers, likes, and views.
Instagram’s terms of service.
This violates
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In the December 2018 letter, Facebook and Instagram again demanded that Defendants
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stop abusing Instagram and violating Instagram’s TOU. Facebook and Instagram
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advised Defendants that their conduct may have violated the California Penal Code §
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502(c) and 18 U.S.C. § 1030. Facebook and Instagram also revoked Defendants’ access
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to Facebook and Instagram at that time and told Defendants that “you, your agents,
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employees, affiliates, or anyone acting on your behalf . . . may not access the Facebook
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or Instagram websites, Platforms, or networks for any reason whatsoever.”
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33.
In addition, Facebook and Instagram have taken other enforcement actions
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against Defendants, including blocking millions of artificial likes originating from
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Defendants’ service and disabling accounts associated with Defendants.
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In response to Facebook and Instagram’s past enforcement actions,
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Defendants attempted to conceal their association with the website Likesocial.co. For
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example, in the terms of service for Likesocial.co affiliates, Defendants used the
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company name “New Zealand Like Social LLC.” Exhibit 17. In fact, no such company
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is registered in New Zealand. Defendants also used a domain privacy service to register
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the domain Likesocial.co.
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C.
Defendants Used an Automated Process, Bots, and Instagram
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Accounts to Artificially Inflate Instagram Users’ Likes and Interfere
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with Instagram’s Service and Computer Network
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Since July 2018 and continuing to the present, Defendants have marketed
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their fake engagement services and conducted financial transactions with their
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customers on the website Likesocial.co. Exhibits 18 and 19. Defendants offered
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“automatic Instagram likes” using a “system [that] monitors your Instagram account
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24/7 and detects your latest posts within seconds. Instagram Likes start delivering to
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your post immediately after it is detected.” Exhibit 20.
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36.
Defendants charge a fixed weekly price for their fake engagement services.
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The cost of the service depends on the number of automatic likes being purchased and
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ranges from $10 to $99 per week. The image shown below lists Defendants’ pricing
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structure as of March 19, 2019, (Exhibit 19), from their website Likesocial.co:
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37.
Defendants used PayPal to accept payments for their services. The PayPal
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account used to receive payments from customers was in the name of Social Media
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Series. Exhibits 21 and 22.
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Defendants used a network of bots and Instagram accounts that they
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controlled to deliver millions of automated likes to their customers. Some of the
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Instagram accounts controlled by Defendants were responsible for tens of thousands of
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likes on a daily basis.
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For example, on November 28, 2018, after purchasing 500 likes on
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Likesocial.co, an Instagram user posted a photo of an empty gym on their Instagram
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account. Although the account had no followers and the photo had no comments, the
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photo received approximately 500 likes within seconds. All the likes came from
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Defendants’ network of Instagram accounts using two internet service providers located
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in Turkey.
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Between on or about March 14, 2019 and March 22, 2019, multiple photos
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were posted by the same Likesocial.co customer.
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followers and the photos had no comments, each photo received between 500 and 600
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likes shortly after the photos were posted. Defendants used a network of thousands of
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Instagram accounts to deliver these likes.
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D.
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Although the account had no
Defendants Unjustly Enriched Themselves and Their Unlawful Acts
Have Caused Damage and a Loss to Facebook and Instagram
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Defendants’ breaches of Instagram’s TOU and Community Guidelines
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have caused Facebook and Instagram substantial harm. Defendants interfered and
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continue to interfere with Instagram’s service and burden Facebook and Instagram’s
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computer network. Moreover, Defendants created and continue to create an inauthentic
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experience for Instagram users who used, viewed, and relied on Defendants’ fake
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engagement services, thus damaging Instagram’s brand.
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42.
Defendants’ actions injured Facebook and Instagram’s reputation, public
trust, and goodwill.
43.
Facebook and Instagram have suffered damages attributable to the efforts
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and resources it has used to address this Complaint, investigate and mitigate
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Defendants’ illegal conduct, and attempt to identify, analyze, and stop their fraudulent
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and injurious activities.
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Since July 2018, Defendants unjustly enriched themselves at the expense
of Facebook and Instagram in the amount of approximately $9,430,000.
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FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
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(Breach of Contract)
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Facebook and Instagram incorporate all other paragraphs as if fully set
forth herein.
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46.
Each individual Defendant created a personal Instagram account and
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agreed to Instagram’s TOU and Community Guidelines. The Instagram service is
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owned and operated by Facebook, Inc. Since April 2018, the Instagram TOU have
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stated that Instagram is a Facebook product and that the Instagram TOU constitute an
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agreement between Instagram users and Facebook.
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In addition, since at least July 2018, Defendants used thousands of
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Instagram accounts to provide their services, which were also governed by Instagram’s
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TOU and Community Guidelines. Because Defendants’ unlawful business used and
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targeted Instagram users, each Defendant agreed to Instagram’s TOU and Community
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Guidelines.
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Social Media Series, through the website Likesocial.co, continually used
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Instagram and caused it to be accessed and used to conduct Defendants’ fraudulent
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business. As the shareholders and Directors of Social Media Services, which operates
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the website Likesocial.co, each individual Defendant was bound by Instagram’s TOU
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and Community Guidelines.
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49.
Despite each Defendant’s agreement to Instagram’s TOU and Community
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Guidelines, they repeatedly breached them. Not only did Defendants and their fake
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engagement service violate Instagram’s TOU and Community Guidelines, they have
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helped other Instagram users violate them—itself a violation of the TOU and
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Community Guidelines.
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Defendants breached Instagram’s TOU and Community Guidelines by
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taking the actions described above, including by accessing Instagram to fraudulently
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and artificially inflate the likes associated with certain Instagram accounts using
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thousands of other Instagram accounts, all in an attempt to influence other Instagram
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users and enrich themselves while damaging Facebook and Instagram.
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Facebook and Instagram have performed all conditions, covenants, and
promises required of it in accordance with its agreements with Defendants.
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52.
Defendants’ many breaches have caused Facebook and Instagram to incur
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damages in the amount of at least $9,430,000, in addition to an amount to be determined
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at trial.
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SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
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(California Penal Code § 502)
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Facebook and Instagram incorporate all other paragraphs as if fully set
forth herein.
54.
Defendants knowingly accessed and without permission otherwise used
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Facebook and Instagram’s data, computers, computer system, and computer network in
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order to (A) devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud and deceive, and (B) to
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wrongfully control or obtain money, property, or data, in violation of California Penal
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Code § 502(c)(1).
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55.
Defendants knowingly and without permission used or caused to be used
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Facebook and Instagram’s computer services in violation of California Penal Code
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§ 502(c)(3).
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56.
By artificially inflating certain Instagram users’ likes and impairing the
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intended operation of Instagram, Defendants knowingly and without permission
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disrupted or caused the disruption of computer services of Facebook and Instagram’s
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computers, computer systems, and/or computer networks in violation of California
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Penal Code § 502(c)(5).
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57.
Defendants knowingly and without permission accessed and caused to be
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accessed Facebook and Instagram’s computers, computer systems, and/or computer
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networks in violation of California Penal Code § 502(c)(7). Defendants accessed
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Facebook and Instagram’s computer network after Facebook and Instagram disabled
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their Instagram accounts, and sent cease and desist letters to the Defendants revoking
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their access.
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58.
Because Facebook and Instagram suffered damages and a loss as a result
of Defendants’ actions and continues to suffer damages as result of Defendant’s actions,
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Facebook and Instagram are entitled to compensatory damages, in the amount of at least
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$9,430,000, attorney fees, and any other amount of damages proven at trial, and
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injunctive relief under California Penal Code § 502(e)(1) and (2).
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59.
Because Defendants willfully violated California Penal Code § 502, and
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there is clear and convincing evidence that Defendants committed “fraud” as defined
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by section 3294 of the Civil Code, Facebook and Instagram are entitled to punitive and
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exemplary damages under California Penal Code § 502(e)(4).
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THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
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(Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1030)
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60.
Facebook and Instagram incorporate all other paragraphs as if fully set
forth herein.
61.
Defendants’ access and use of Facebook and Instagram’s computers and
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computer systems was unauthorized because Defendants accessed Facebook and
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Instagram’s computer network after Facebook and Instagram disabled their Instagram
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accounts and sent cease and desist letters to Defendants revoking their access.
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62.
Facebook and Instagram computers and servers are protected computers as
defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1030(e)(2).
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Defendants violated 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(4) because they knowingly and
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with intent to defraud accessed Facebook and Instagram-protected computers by
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sending unauthorized commands to Facebook and Instagram computers. Defendants
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sent the commands to Facebook and Instagram computers to manipulate Instagram’s
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service by fraudulently inflating likes of certain Instagram accounts. Defendants did
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these acts in exchange for profit.
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64.
Defendants violated 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(A) because they knowingly
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and intentionally caused the transmission of a program, information, code, or command,
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and, as a result of such conduct, intentionally damaged Facebook and Instagram-
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protected computers.
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65.
Defendants violated 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(B) by intentionally accessing
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a protected computer without authorization, and, as a result of such conduct, recklessly
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causing damage to Facebook and Instagram-protected computers.
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Defendants violated 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(C) by intentionally accessing
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a protected computer without authorization, and, as a result of such conduct, causing
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damage to Facebook and Instagram-protected computers and a loss.
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67.
Defendants violated 18 U.S.C. § 1030(b) by conspiring or attempting to
commit the violation alleged in the preceding paragraph.
68.
Defendants’ conduct has caused a loss to Facebook and Instagram during
a one-year period in excess of $5,000.
69.
Defendants’ actions caused Facebook and Instagram to incur losses and
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other economic damages, including, among other things, the expenditure of resources
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to investigate and respond to Defendants’ fraudulent scheme. Facebook and Instagram
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are entitled to be compensated for losses and damages in the amount of at least
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$9,430,000, and any other amount proven at trial.
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70.
Facebook and Instagram have no adequate remedy at law that would
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prevent Defendants from continuing their unlawful scheme. Permanent injunctive relief
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is therefore warranted.
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FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
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(Unjust Enrichment)
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71.
Facebook and Instagram incorporate all other paragraphs as if fully set
forth herein.
72.
Defendants’ acts as alleged herein constitute unjust enrichment of the
Defendants at Facebook and Instagram’s expense.
73.
Defendants accessed and used, without authorization or permission,
26
Facebook and Instagram’s service, platform, and computer network, all of which belong
27
to Facebook and Instagram.
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3:19-cv-02262
Case 3:19-cv-02262 Document 1 Filed 04/25/19 Page 15 of 18
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74.
Defendants used Facebook and Instagram’s service, platform, and
2
computer network to, among other things, defraud and deceive Instagram users,
3
artificially inflate certain Instagram users’ likes, impair the intended operation of
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Instagram, interfere with Instagram’s service, platform, and computer network, and
5
wrongfully obtain money from the operation of their unlawful business.
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Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
550 South Hope Street, Suite 2000
Los Angeles, California 90071-2627
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75.
Defendants received a benefit by profiting off of their unauthorized use of
Facebook and Instagram’s service, platform, and computer network.
76.
Defendants’ retention of the profits derived from their unauthorized use of
Facebook and Instagram’s service, platform, and computer network would be unjust.
77.
Defendants’ unauthorized use of Facebook and Instagram’s service,
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platform, and computer network has injured Facebook and Instagram’s reputation,
12
public-trust, and goodwill.
13
78.
Defendants’ unauthorized use of Facebook and Instagram’s service,
14
platform, and computer network has damaged Facebook and Instagram, including but
15
not limited to the time and money spent investigating and mitigating Defendants’
16
unlawful conduct.
17
79.
Facebook and Instagram seek injunctive relief and damages in an amount
18
to be proven at trial, as well as disgorgement of Defendants’ ill-gotten profits in the
19
amount of approximately $9,430,000.
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80.
As a direct result of Defendants’ unlawful actions, Facebook and
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Instagram have suffered and continue to suffer irreparable harm for which there is no
22
adequate remedy at law, and which will continue unless Defendants’ actions are
23
enjoined.
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REQUEST FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs Facebook and Instagram request judgment against
Defendants as follows:
1.
That the Court enter judgment against Defendants that Defendants have:
a. Violated the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, in violation of
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COMPLAINT; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
3:19-cv-02262
Case 3:19-cv-02262 Document 1 Filed 04/25/19 Page 16 of 18
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18 U.S.C. 1030;
2
b. Violated the California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and
3
Fraud Act, in violation of California Penal Code § 502;
4
c. Breached Defendants’ contracts with Facebook and Instagram in
5
violation of California law;
6
d. Been unjustly enriched at the expense of Facebook and Instagram in
7
8
violation of California law.
2.
That the Court enter a permanent injunction enjoining and restraining
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Defendants and their agents, servants, employees, successors, and assigns, and all other
10
550 South Hope Street, Suite 2000
Los Angeles, California 90071-2627
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persons acting in concert with or conspiracy with any of them or who are affiliated with
11
Defendants from:
12
a. Accessing or attempting to access Facebook and Instagram’s service,
13
platform, and computer systems;
14
b. Creating or maintaining any Instagram accounts in violation of
15
Instagram’s TOU;
16
c. Engaging in any activity that disrupts, diminishes the quality of,
17
interferes with the performance of, or impairs the functionality of
18
Facebook and Instagram’s service, platform, and computer systems; and
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d. Engaging in any activity, or facilitating others to do the same, that
20
violates Instagram’s TOU, Community Guidelines, or other related
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policy referenced herein.
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3.
That Facebook and Instagram be awarded damages, including, but not
23
limited to, compensatory, statutory, and punitive damages, as permitted by law and in
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such amounts to be proven at trial.
25
4.
That Defendants account for, hold in constructive trust, pay over to
26
Facebook and Instagram, and otherwise disgorge profits derived from Defendants’
27
unjust enrichment, which is estimated to be $9,430,000.
28
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Case 3:19-cv-02262 Document 1 Filed 04/25/19 Page 17 of 18
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2
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5.
That Facebook and Instagram be awarded its reasonable costs, including
reasonable attorneys’ fees.
6.
That Facebook and Instagram be awarded pre- and post-judgment interest
as allowed by law.
5
7.
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just and proper.
That the Court grant all such other and further relief as the Court may deem
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Dated: April 25, 2019
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
9
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
550 South Hope Street, Suite 2000
Los Angeles, California 90071-2627
10
By:
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/s/ Ann Marie Mortimer
Ann Marie Mortimer
Jason J. Kim
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
FACEBOOK, INC. and
INSTAGRAM, LLC
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Jessica Romero
Michael Chmelar
Stacy Chen
Platform Enforcement and
Litigation
Facebook, Inc.
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Case 3:19-cv-02262 Document 1 Filed 04/25/19 Page 18 of 18
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JURY TRIAL DEMAND
Plaintiffs hereby demand a trial by jury on all issues triable to a jury.
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4
Dated: April 25, 2019
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
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6
By:
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8
9
/s/ Ann Marie Mortimer
Ann Marie Mortimer
Jason J. Kim
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
FACEBOOK, INC. and
INSTAGRAM, LLC
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
550 South Hope Street, Suite 2000
Los Angeles, California 90071-2627
10
Jessica Romero
Michael Chmelar
Stacy Chen
Platform Enforcement and
Litigation
Facebook, Inc.
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099900.12852 EMF_US 73690998v1
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COMPLAINT; DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
3:19-cv-02262
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