Righthaven LLC v. Gardner

Filing 1

COMPLAINT and Demand for Jury Trial against Eriq Gardner (Filing fee $ 350, Receipt Number 36345) Summons Issued, filed by Righthaven LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Civil Cover Sheet, # 5 Receipt)(lyg, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLORADO
Civil Action No.:_________________________
RIGHTHAVEN LLC, a Nevada limited-liability company,
Plaintiff,
v.
ERIQ GARDNER, an individual,
Defendant.

COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

Righthaven LLC (“Righthaven”) complains as follows against Eriq Gardner (“Mr.
Gardner”) on information and belief, and at all times relevant to this lawsuit, unless otherwise
specifically indicated herein to the contrary:

NATURE OF ACTION
1.

This is an action for copyright infringement pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 501.

PARTIES
2.

Righthaven is a Nevada limited-liability company with its principal place of

business in Nevada.
3.

Righthaven is in good standing with the Nevada Secretary of State.

4.

Mr. Gardner reproduced an unauthorized copy of the photograph entitled: “TSA

Agent performs enhanced pat-downs” (the “Work”), attached hereto as Exhibit 1, on the Internet
Domain found at <arstechnica.com> (the “Domain”; the content accessible through the Domain
and the Domain itself collectively known herein as the “Website”).

5.

Mr. Gardner displayed said unauthorized copy (the “Infringement”), attached

hereto as Exhibit 2, on the Website.

JURISDICTION
6.

This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter and the parties under the

copyright laws of the United States, 17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq., as well as jurisdictional provisions
of 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 28 U.S.C. § 1338(a).
7.

Righthaven is the owner of the copyright in and to the Work.

8.

On or about December 9, 2010, Mr. Gardner willfully reproduced the Work on an

unauthorized basis, from a source emanating from Colorado.
9.

On or about December 9, 2010, Mr. Gardner displayed, and continues to display,

the Infringement on the Website.
10.

The composition, at least in part, of the Work and the Infringement, is a

Transportation Security Administration Agent performing an enhanced pat-down search in the
Denver, Colorado airport.
11.

The focal point of the Infringement is Denver, Colorado.

12.

The only geographic location that is associated with, and related to, the Work is

Denver, Colorado.
13.

The Work was originally published in The Denver Post.

14.

Mr. Gardner knew that the Work was originally published in The Denver Post.

15.

Mr. Gardner knew that the Work originally emanated from Colorado.

16.

The Infringement, as publicly displayed on the Website, was and is accessible to

persons in Colorado.
17.

The Infringement occurred and continues to occur in Colorado.

18.

Mr. Gardner’s display of the Infringement was and is purposefully directed at

Colorado residents.

19.

The harm caused by the Infringement, was experienced, at least in part, in

Colorado.

VENUE
20.

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado is an appropriate

venue, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1400 (a), because Mr. Gardner is subject to personal jurisdiction
in Colorado.
21.

The United States District Court for the District of Colorado is an appropriate

venue, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2), because a substantial part of the events giving rise to
the claim for relief are situated in Colorado.

FACTS
22.

The Work constitutes copyrightable subject matter, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §

102(a)(5).
23.

Righthaven is the owner of the copyright in and to the Work.

24.

The Work was originally published on or about November 18, 2010.

25.

On December 8, 2010, the United States Copyright Office (the “USCO”) granted

Righthaven the registration to the Work, copyright registration number VA0001751279 (the
“Registration”) and attached hereto as Exhibit 3 is evidence of the Registration in the form of a
printout of the official USCO database record depicting the occurrence of the Registration.
26.

On or about December 9, 2010, Mr. Gardner displayed, and continues to display,

the Infringement on the Website.
27.

Mr. Gardner did not seek permission, in any manner, to reproduce, display, or

otherwise exploit the Work.
28.

Mr. Gardner was not granted permission, in any manner, to reproduce, display, or

otherwise exploit the Work.

CLAIM FOR RELIEF: COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
29.

Righthaven repeats and realleges the allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 through

28 above.
30.

Righthaven holds the exclusive right to reproduce the Work, pursuant to 17

U.S.C. § 106(1).
31.

Righthaven holds the exclusive right to prepare derivative works based upon the

Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 106(2).
32.

Righthaven holds the exclusive right to distribute copies of the Work, pursuant to

17 U.S.C. § 106(3).
33.

Righthaven holds the exclusive right to publicly display the Work, pursuant to 17

U.S.C. § 106(5).
34.

Mr. Gardner reproduced the Work in derogation of Righthaven’s exclusive rights

under 17 U.S.C. § 106(1).
35.

Mr. Gardner created an unauthorized derivative of the Work in derogation of

Righthaven’s exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. § 106(2).
36.

Mr. Gardner distributed, and continues to distribute, an unauthorized reproduction

of the Work on the Website, in derogation of Righthaven’s exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. §
106(3).
37.

Mr. Gardner publicly displayed, and continues to publicly display, an

unauthorized reproduction of the Work on the Website, in derogation of Righthaven’s exclusive
rights under 17 U.S.C. § 106(5).
38.

Mr. Gardner has willfully engaged in the copyright infringement of the Work.

39.

Mr. Gardner’s acts as alleged herein, and the ongoing direct results of those acts,

have caused and will continue to cause irreparable harm to Righthaven in an amount Righthaven
cannot ascertain, leaving Righthaven with no adequate remedy at law.

40.

Unless Mr. Gardner is preliminarily and permanently enjoined from further

infringement of the Work, Righthaven will be irreparably harmed, and Righthaven is thus
entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against further infringement by Mr.
Gardner of the Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 502.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF
Righthaven requests that this Court grant Righthaven’s claim for relief herein as follows:
1.

Preliminarily and permanently enjoin and restrain Mr. Gardner, and Mr.

Gardner’s officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, related companies, partners, and all
persons acting for, by, with, through, or under Mr. Gardner, from directly or indirectly infringing
the Work by reproducing the Work, preparing derivative works based on the Work, distributing
the Work to the public, and/or displaying the Work, or ordering, directing, participating in, or
assisting in any such activity;
2.

Direct Mr. Gardner to preserve, retain, and deliver to Righthaven in hard copies or

electronic copies:
a.

All evidence and documentation relating in any way to Mr. Gardner’s use

of the Work, in any form, including, without limitation, all such evidence and
documentation relating to the Website;
b.

All evidence and documentation relating to the names and addresses

(whether electronic mail addresses or otherwise) of any person with whom Mr. Gardner
has communicated regarding Mr. Gardner’s use of the Work; and
c.

All financial evidence and documentation relating to Mr. Gardner’s use of

the Work;
3.

Award Righthaven statutory damages for the willful infringement of the Work,

pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504(c);

4.

Award Righthaven costs, disbursements, and attorneys’ fees incurred by

Righthaven in bringing this action, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505;
5.

Award Righthaven pre- and post-judgment interest in accordance with applicable

law; and
6.

Grant Righthaven such other relief as this Court deems appropriate.

DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Righthaven requests a trial by jury pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure.
Dated this 25th day of March, 2011.
By: /s/ Steven G. Ganim
STEVEN G. GANIM, ESQ.
Righthaven LLC
9960 West Cheyenne Avenue, Suite 210
Las Vegas, Nevada 89129-7701
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
SHAWN A. MANGANO, ESQ.
SHAWN A. MANGANO, LTD.
9960 West Cheyenne Avenue, Suite 170
Las Vegas, Nevada 89129-7701
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
Attorneys for Plaintiff Righthaven LLC