Humphreys & Partners Architects, L.P. v. Lessard Design, Inc. et al

Filing 421

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge T. S. Ellis, III on 11/13/2015. (rban, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Alexandria Division

HUMPHREYS & PARTNERS

ARCHITECTS, L.P.,
Plaintiff,
Case No. l:13-cv-433
V.

LESSARD DESIGN, INC., et aL,
Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

At issue post-judgment and post-appeal in this copyrightinfringement case is defendants'

claim for attorney's fees and costs pursuant to Section 505 of the Copyright Act of 1976, which
provides that "the Court in its discretion may allow the recovery of full costs" and "reasonable

attorney's fees to the prevailing party." 17 U.S.C. § 505. This dispute arises from plaintiffs

recent copyright infringement suit, which, in the end, was resolved by entry of summary
judgment in favor of defendants. Plaintiffs appeal failed as the Court of Appeals for the Fourth
Circuit affirmed the grant of summary judgment. See Humphreys & Partners Architects, LP. v.
Lessard Design, Inc., 790 F.3d 532, 543 (4th Cir. 2015). Now at bar are defendants' fee claims,
which plaintiff disputes, raising the following issues:

(1) whether any award for attorney's fees and costs is appropriate here;
(2) whether the fees claimed by defendants are reasonable in the circumstances;

(3) whether defendants should recover the taxable costs they seek; and
(4) whether defendants should recover the non-taxable costs they seek.