Source: http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/complaint-for-damages-getty-images-us-09710/
Timestamp: 2015-07-04 20:26:02
Document Index: 499291610

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1331', '§ 101', '§ 1400', '§ 1391', '§ 504', '§ 504', 'arty 63']

Complaint for Damages | GETTY IMAGES (US), INC v GESTALT VENTURES, INC., dlb ELEMENTAL CONSULTING | Timothy McCormack - JDSupra
GETTY IMAGES (US), INC v GESTALT VENTURES, INC., dlb ELEMENTAL CONSULTINGComplaint for Damages
Plaintiff Getty Images brings this action to recover damages resulting from
copyright infringements by Defendant Gestalt Ventures, Inc., dlb/a Elemental Consulting ("Elemental Consulting") of a photographic image exclusively licensed to Getty Images.
Defendant Elemental Consulting has reproduced, displayed, distributed and otherwise misused the protected image on its website, www.goelemental.com, without authorization and without paying Getty Images the required commercial license fee. Defendant's conduct violates the rights of Getty Images and the rights of the photographer that Getty Images represents.
Plaintiff Getty Images is a New York corporation with its principal place of
business in New York, New York.
Defendant Gestalt Ventures is a Texas corporation with its principal place of business in San Antonio, Texas. Gestalt Ventures has registered the assumed name of Elemental
Consulting with the Bexar County Clerk in San Antonio, Texas. Elemental Consulting is the registered owner of the website www.goelemental.com. Upon information and belief, Elemental Consulting directly participated in the wrongful conduct alleged in this Complaint, and/or had the right and ability to supervise, direct and control the wrongful conduct of others, and derived a direct financial benefit from that wrongful conduct. Download PDF UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO DIVISION GETTY IMAGES (US), INC., a New York § corporation, § § Plaintiff, § § v. § § GESTALT VENTURES, INC., dlbla § ELEMENTAL CONSULTING, a Texas § corporation, § § Defendant. § § CIVIL NO. FILED JAN 1 7 2014 CLERK. U.S. DITQ'r)tOURT WESTERN D$ST C aY_ rx*s DEPU COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES Plaintiff GETTY IMAGES (US), iNC. ("GETTY IMAGES"), by and through its undersigned attorneys, sues Defendant GESTALT VENTURES, INC., dfb/a ELEMENTAL CONSULTING and alleges as follows: INTRODUCTION 1. Plaintiff Getty Images brings this action to recover damages resulting from copyright infringements by Defendant Gestalt Ventures, Inc., dlb/a Elemental Consulting ("Elemental Consulting") of a photographic image exclusively licensed to Getty Images. Defendant Elemental Consulting has reproduced, displayed, distributed and otherwise misused the protected image on its website, www.goelemental.com, without authorization and without paying Getty Images the required commercial license fee. Defendant's conduct violates the rights of Getty Images and the rights of the photographer that Getty Images represents. I Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 1 of 8PARTIES 2. Plaintiff Getty Images is a New York corporation with its principal place of business in New York, New York. 3. Defendant Gestalt Ventures is a Texas corporation with its principal place of business in San Antonio, Texas. Gestalt Ventures has registered the assumed name of Elemental Consulting with the Bexar County Clerk in San Antonio, Texas. Elemental Consulting is the registered owner of the website www.goelemental.com. Upon information and belief, Elemental Consulting directly participated in the wrongful conduct alleged in this Complaint, and/or had the right and ability to supervise, direct and control the wrongful conduct of others, and derived a direct financial benefit from that wrongful conduct. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 4. This Court has original jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 1338(a), as this action involves claims brought under federal law, the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 101, etseq. 5. Defendant Elemental Consulting is subject to personal jurisdiction in this Court because it is a resident of the State of Texas andlor purposefully aimed its activities at the State of Texas from which the claims asserted in this Complaint arise. Additionally, Elemental Consulting displays its website, www.goelemental.com, throughout the State of Texas, purposefully directs that website to residents of the State of Texas, and otherwise is engaged in business in the State of Texas. Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 2 of 86. Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1400(a), as Elemental Consulting or its agent resides or may be found in this District. Upon information and belief, venue is also proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b), as a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claims asserted in this Complaint occurred in the District. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 7. Getty Images is one of the world's leading digital content providers, supplying imagery, video and music to business customers. Getty Images licenses content for a wide variety of uses, including use online, in websites, books, newspapers, magazines, television and film productions; advertisements, marketing materials, products and packaging. Getty Images generates revenue from licensing the rights to use its content, including imagery, and from providing related services. 8. Getty Images was the first company to license imagery via the Internet and today delivers virtually all of its visual content digitally. Visitors to Getty Images' website, www.gettyimages.com, can search through and view millions of images and obtain licenses for those images online. 9. Getty Images owns some of the content that it licenses. Getty Images also acts as the distributor for more than 150,000 content suppliers contributors, such as individual photographers, illustrators, filmmakers, media organizations, other stock photo agencies, and independent musicians. Content suppliers typically prefer to retain ownership of their work and, as a result, copyright to content remains with the artists in most cases, while Getty Images obtains by contract the right to market, distribute, and license that content to third parties. Some of this content is licensed to Getty Images on an exclusive basis. 3 Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 3 of 810. In or about July 2011, Getty Images identified a photographic image, with the catalog description "2001873 19-004 (RM) Three leafcutter ants (atta cephalotes) carrying leaves, close-up," that had been reproduced, displayed, and distributed by Defendant Elemental Consulting on its website, www.goelemental.com, without authorization. The identified image was at that time and is still today exclusively licensed to Getty Images. 11. The photographic image described in the preceding paragraph is the subject of copyright Certificate of Registration VA 1-876-258 (dated September 23, 2013). Attached as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the Certificate of Registration. 12. Getty Images brings this action to recover damages for the harm it has sustained, and for such further relief as sought herein. COUNT I (Copyright Infringement, 17 U.S.C. 501, et seq.) 13. Getty Images repeats and incorporates by this reference each and every allegation set forth in paragraphs 1 through 12, inclusive. 14. Getty Images is the exclusive licensee of the photographic image that is the subject of this action. Among the rights granted to Getty Images is the exclusive right to market and sublicense the right to copy, reproduce and display the image. Additionally, Getty Images is granted the exclusive right to make and control claims related to infringements of copyrights in the image. A copy of the copyright Certificate of Registration VA 1-876-258 issued by the United States Copyright Office, for the subject image, is attached as Exhibit A. 15. Defendant Elemental Consulting has reproduced, displayed, distributed and made other infringing uses of the protected image, without authorization by Getty Images, including Defendant's infringing use of that image on www.goelemental.com. Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 4 of 816. As a result of its conduct, Elemental Consulting is liable to Getty Images for copyright infringement. PRAYER FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Getty Images respectfully requests that this Court grant the following relief: a. That the Court enter a judgment against Defendant finding that it has infringed Getty Images' rights in the photographic image listed in Exhibit A; b. That the Court enter an order, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504(b), declaring that Defendant holds in trust, as constructive trustees for the benefit of Getty Images, all profits received by Defendant from its reproduction, distribution, display or other infringing uses of the photographic image listed in Exhibit A, and requiring Defendant to provide Getty Images a full and complete accounting of all profits received by Defendant; c. That the Court order Defendant to pay damages to Getty Images, in an amount to be proved at trial, including an award of actual damages suffered by Getty Images as a result of the infringements and all profits of Defendant that are attributable to those infringements, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504(b); d. That the Court order prejudgment interest on the amount of any award to Getty Images; and proper. e. That the Court grant to Getty Images such other and additional relief as is just and 5 Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 5 of 8Dated: January 17, 2014. Respectfully submitted, DAVIS, CEDILLO & MENDOZA, INC. McCombs Plaza, Suite 500 755 E. Mulberry Avenue San Antonio, Texas 78212 Telephone: (210) 822-6666 Facsimile: (210) 822-1151 By R6id E. Mendoza Texas Bar No. 13937700 rmendoza(1awdcm.com Ryan J. Tucker Texas Bar No. 24033407 rtucker@lawdcm.com Scott T. Wilsdon (pro hac vice pending) YARMUTH WILSDON PLLC 818 Stewart Street, Suite 1400 Seattle, Washington 98101 Telephone: (206) 516-3800 Facsimile: (206) 516-3888 wilsdon@yarmuth.com ATTORNEYS FOR PLAiNTIFF GETTY IMAGES (US), INC. Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 6 of 8EXHIBIT A Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 7 of 8Certificate of Registration .siADt. This Certificate issued under the seal of the Copyright Office in accordance with title 17, United States Code, attests that registration has been made for the work ' irientitieci below L he information on this certtfic4te has been made a part of the Copyright Office records. 'fl A I ii. 1-' /11 Register of Copyrights, United States of America Registration Number VA 1-876-258 Effective date of registration; September 23, 2013 Title Title of Work: Three leafcutter ants (atta cephalotes) carrying leaves, close-up (200187319-004) Completion/Publication Year of Completion: 2005 Date of 1st Publication: September 3, 2005 Nation of 1st Publication: United States Author Author; Tim Flach Photography Ltd. Author Created: photograph(s) Work made for hire: Yes Citizen of: United Kingdom Copyright claimant Copyright Claimant: Tim Flach Photography Ltd. 58 Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3QR, United Kingdom Transfer Statement: By written agreement Rights and Permissions Organization Name: GETTY IMAGES (US), INC. Certification Email: copyright@gettyimages.com '1'lephone: 206-925-5000 Address: 605 5th Avenue S, Suite 400 Seattle, WA 98104 Name; Cynthia Sharp, Getty Images Date: September 23, 2013 Page 1 of' 1 Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 8 of 8JS 44 (Rev. 12/12) CIVIL COVER SHEET The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This fonn, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FOR/il.) I. (a) PLAINTIFFS GETTY IMAGES (US), INC., a New York corporation (b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff New York (EXCEPT IN US. PLAINTIFF CASES) (c) Attorneys (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) SEE ATTACHMENT II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (P/ace an "X" inOneBox Only) 1 U.S. Governmeni 3 Federal Question Plaintiff (U.S. Gore rnment Not a Party) DEFENDANTS GESTALT VENTURES, INC., d/b/a ELEMENTAL CONSULTING, a Texas corporation County of Residence of First Listed Defendant Bexar (IN US. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY) NOTE; IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED. Attorneys (If Known) A14CAOO61 H III. CIlIZEINSHI? OF I'RINCII'AL I'AK lIES (Place an "X"inOneBoxforPlaint/f (For Diversity Cases Only) and One Box for Defendant) PTF DEF PTF DEF Citizen of This State 1 I Incorporated or Principal Place 4 4 of Business In This State 2 U.S. Government 4 Diversity Citizen of Another State 2 2 Incorporated andPrincipal Place 73 5 73 5 Defendant (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) of Business In Another State Citizen or Subject of a 73 3 73 3 Foreign Nation 73 6 73 6 Foreign Country IV IcATTTPc (Hi' .QTTIT "V' i..i5..,, I CONTRACT TORTS FORFEITURE/PENALTY BANKRUPTCY OTHERSTATUTES 1 73 110 Insurance PERSONAL INJURY PERSONAL INJURY 73 625 Dnig Related Seizure 73 422 Appeal 28 USC 158 73 375 False Claims Act 73 120 Marine 73 310 Airplane 73 365 Personal Injury -of Property 21 USC 881 73 423 Withdrawal 73 400 State Reapportionment 73 130 Miller Act 73 315 Airplane Product Product Liability 73 690 Other 28 USC 157 73 410 Aniitrust 73 140 Negotiable Instrument Liability 73 367 Health Care! 73 430 Banks and Banking 73 150 Recovery of Overpaymenl PROPERTY RICh'S & Enforcement of Judgment 73 320 Assault, Libel & Pharmaceutical Slander Personal Injury 73 450 Commerce 820 Copyrights 73 460 Deportation 73 151 Medicare Act 73 330 Federal Employers' Product Liability 73 830 Patent 73 470 Racketeer Influenced and 73 152 Recovery of Defaulted Liability 73 368 Asbestos Personal 73 840 Trademark Corrupt Organizations Student Loans 73 340 Marine Injury Product 73 480 Consumer Credit (Excludes Veterans) 73 345 Marine Product Liability LABOR SOCIAL SECURITY 73 490 Cable/Sat TV 73 153 Recovery of Overpayment Liability PERSONAL PROPERTY 73 710 Fair Labor Standards 73 861 HIA (1395ff) 73 850 Securities/Commodities! of Veteran's Benefuis 73 350 Motor Vehicle 73 370 Other Fraud Act 73 862 Black Lung (923) Exchange 73 160 Stockholders' Suits 73 355 Motor Vehicle 73 371 Truth in Lending 73 720 Labor/Managemeni 73 863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) 73 890 Other Statutory Actions 73 190 Other Contract Product Liability 73 380 Other Personal Relations 73 864 SSII) Title XVI 63 891 Agricultural Ads 63 195 Contract Product Liability 63 360 Other Personal Property Damage 63 740 Railway Labor Ad 73 865 RSI (405(g)) 63 893 Environmental Matters 63 196 Franchise Injury 73 385 Property Damage 63 751 Family and Medical 63 895 Freedom of Information 73 362 Personal Injuiy -Product Liability Leave Act Act Medical Malpractice 63 790 Other Labor Litigation ,] 791 Employee Retirement Income Security Act 63 896 Arbitration 63 899 Administrative Procedure Act/Review or Appeal of REAU PROPERTY : . CIVIL RIGHTS : PRISON/ER PLTITIONS FEDERAL TAX SUITS 73 210 Land Condemnation 63 440 Other Civil Rights Habeas Corpus: 63 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff 63 220 Foreclosure 73 441 Voting 63 463 Alien Detainee or Defendant) Agency Decision 63 230 Rent Lease & Ejectment 73 442 Employment 63 510 Motions to Vacate 63 871 IRSThird Party 63 950 Constitutionality of 73 240 Torts to Land 63 443 Housing! Sentence 26 USC 7609 State Statutes 73 245 Tort Product Liability Accommodations 63 530 General 73 290 All Other Real Property 73 445 Amer. w/Disabilities -63 535 Death Penalty IMMIGRATION Employment Other: 63 462 Naturalization Application 63 446 Amer. w/Disabilities -63 540 Mandamus & Other 63 465 Other Immigralion Other 63 550 Civil Rights Actions 73 448 Education 63 555 Prison Condition 63 560 Civil Detainee -Conditions of Confinement V. ORIGIN (Place an "X" in One Box Only) 1 Original 63 2 Removed from 63 3 Remanded from 63 4 Reinstated or 63 5 Transferred from 6] 6 Multidistrict Proceeding State Court Appellate Court Reopened Another District Litigation (specify) Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are tiling (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity): 17 U.S.C. Sec. 501, et seq. VI. CAUSE OF ACTION Brief description of cause: Claim for damages for infringement of copyrights VII. REQUESTED IN CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION DEMAND $ CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint: COMPLAINT: UNDER RULE 23, F.R.Cv.P. JURY DEMAND: 6] Yes No VIII. RELATED CASE(S) (See instructions,) IF ANY JUDGE _________________________DOCKET NUMBER DATE Y OF RECORD R OFFICE USE ONLY RECEIPT # AMOUNT APPLYING IFP JUDGE MAG. JUDGE Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1-1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 1 of 3UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO DIVISION GETTY IMAGES (US), JINC., a New York § corporation, § § Plaintiff, § § v. § CIVIL NO. § GESTALT VENTURES, INC., dlb/a § ELEMENTAL CONSULTiNG, a Texas § corporation, § § Defendant. § § ATTACHMENT TO CIVIL COVER SHEET ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF Ronald E. Mendoza Ryan J. Tucker DAVIS, CEDILLO & MENDOZA, INC. 755 E. Mulberry Ave., Suite 500 San Antonio, Texas 78212 Telephone: (210) 822-6666 Fax: (210) 822-1151 Scott T. Wilsdon (pro hac vice pending) YARMUTH WILSDON PLLC 818 Stewart Street, Suite 1400 Seattle, Washington 98101 Telephone: (206) 516-3800 Fax: (206) 516-3888 T:\18000 -18999\18200-18299\18274.0001 Getty\Pldgs\Attach to Civil Cover Sheet.doc Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1-1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 2 of 3INTAKE COPY IlIIk![f liii. N DIM WkI] a DUPLICATE Court Name: TEXAS WESTERN Division: 5 Receipt Nuffiber: 500023823 Cashier ID: dgarci Transaction Date: 01/17/2014 Payer Nae: DAVIS CEDILLO MENDOZA, INC. CIVIL FILING FEE For: DAVIS CEDILLO MENDOZA, INC. Amount: $400.00 CHECK Check/Money Order Nu: 29255 Amt Tendered: $400.00 Total Due: $400.00 Total Tendered: $400.00 Change Amt: $0.00 SA-14CA-061. GETTY IMAGES (US), INC., A NEW YORK CORPORATION V. GESALT VENTURES, INC., 0/8/A ELEMENTAL CONSULTING, A TEXAS CORPORATION. Case 5:14-cv-00061-HLH Document 1-1 Filed 01/17/14 Page 3 of 3
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