Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-03925/USCOURTS-cand-3_14-cv-03925-4/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 490
Nature of Suit: Cable/ Satellite TV
Cause of Action: 47:553 Communications Act of 1994

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

J & J SPORTS PRODUCTIONS, INC.,

Plaintiff,

v.

IGNACIO BERMUDEZ,

Defendant.

Case No. 14-cv-03925-VC 

ORDER GRANTING DEFAULT 

JUDGMENT

Re: Docket No. 20

J & J Sports Production, Inc. has sued the defendant, for unlawfully intercepting and 

broadcasting a boxing match for which J & J Sports owned the television distribution rights. 

Default was entered on February 3, 2015. J & J Sports now moves for a default judgment against 

the defendant pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(b)(2). 

The factors set forth by the Ninth Circuit in Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471-92 (9th 

Cir. 1986), weigh in favor of entering a default judgment. First, because default has been entered, 

J & J Sports' factual allegations are accepted as true, except for those relating to the amount of 

damages. Second, if the motion were denied, J & J Sports would be without a remedy and would 

be prejudiced. Third, the amount of money at stake is moderate. Fourth, default was not the result 

of excusable neglect. The defendant was properly served and has not appeared in this case. See 

Docket No. 14. 

Conversion

Taken as true, J & J Sports' factual allegations support a conversion claim: (1) J & J Sports 

purchased licensing rights to the program at issue, (2) the defendant did not have the right to 

broadcast it, and (3) the defendant's establishment has a capacity of approximately 65 people, so it 

would have been required to pay $2,200 for a subleasing agreement. Accordingly, J & J Sports is 

entitled to damages for conversion and is awarded $2,200 for this claim. 

Case 3:14-cv-03925-VC Document 28 Filed 04/24/15 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

Statutory Damages 

J & J Sports also seeks damages under Section 605, but damages are more appropriate 

under Section 553 in this case. Section 605 prohibits "radio" or satellite interception, while 

Section 553 prohibits cable interception. See 47 U.S.C. §§ 605, 553. It also provides for higher 

penalties than Section 553. J & J Sports does not provide any evidence that the defendant

transmitted the program via satellite, and its investigator did not state that she saw a satellite dish 

on the property. See Declaration of Affiant, Yolanda Poblete. Accordingly, the Court will apply 

Section 553. See J & J Sports Prod., Inc. v. Sergura, 2014 WL 1618577, at *4 (N.D. Cal. April 

21, 2014) (applying Section 553, rather than Section 605, where the plaintiff's investigator did not 

state whether the broadcast was transmitted via satellite dish or cable box); J & J Sports Prod., 

Inc. v. Concepcion, 2011 WL 2220101, at *4 (N.D. Cal. June 7, 2011) (same). 

Under Section 553, a court may award up to $60,000 in statutory damages. 47 U.S.C. §

553(c)(3)(A)(ii) and (c)(3)(B). In this case, the defendant was showing the program on eight 

televisions, including a large projection screen, a 60 inch screen, and other screens of 

approximately 32 inches. There were approximately 28-35 patrons present. The defendant also 

required a minimum purchase of either a $20 food order or $50 bucket of beer to enter. See 

Declaration of Affiant, Yolanda Poblete. Based on this, the Court finds that a higher damages 

award is merited compared to the cases J & J Sports commonly brings in this Court. See, e.g., J &

J Sports Prod., Inc. v. Gonzalez, Case No. 14-cv-0392 (N.D. Cal. April 23, 2015); J & J Sports 

Prod., Inc. v. Phair, Case No. 12-cv-05781 (N.D. Cal. June 27, 2014). The Court finds that an 

award of $3,500 is sufficient to deter future violations by the defendant and to compensate the 

plaintiff. 

Accordingly, J & J Sports is awarded $5,700 in total damages. 

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 23, 2015

______________________________________

 VINCE CHHABRIA

 United States District Judge

Case 3:14-cv-03925-VC Document 28 Filed 04/24/15 Page 2 of 2