Case Name: STATE ex rel FISHER BROADCASTING, INC., dba KATU-TV, Plaintiff-Relator, v. OLSEN, Defendant
Court: Oregon Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Oregon
Decision Date: 1985-12-24
Citations: 300 Or. 412
Docket Number: No. A8307-04653, SC S31114
Parties: STATE ex rel FISHER BROADCASTING, INC., dba KATU-TV, Plaintiff-Relator, v. OLSEN, Defendant.
Judges: LENT, J.
Reporter: Oregon Reports
Volume: 300
Pages: 412–414

Head Matter:
Argued and submitted January 31,
alternative writ dismissed December 24, 1985
STATE ex rel FISHER BROADCASTING, INC., dba KATU-TV, Plaintiff-Relator, v. OLSEN, Defendant.
(No. [ AXXXX-XXXXX ], SC S31114)
711 P2d 977
John R. Faust, Portland, argued the cause for plaintiff-relator. With him on the brief was Schwabe, Williamson, Wyatt, Moore & Roberts.
Ma Deva Anando, Rajneeshpuram, argued the cause for defendant. With her on the briefs was the Rajneesh Legal Services Corporation.
LENT, J.

Opinion:
LENT, J.
This mandamus proceeding involves another television broadcaster's demand to copy the same videotape that was the subject of our decision in State ex rel KOIN-TV v. Olsen, 300 Or 392, 711 P2d 966 (1985).
We have already discussed in that case all of the contentions made by plaintiff-relator (Fisher) in this case. Fisher does cite some different case law than did KOIN, but we find nothing in that additional authority to convince us that the common-law right to copy is absolute. Indeed, Fisher essentially acknowledges that the common law holds that the matter is within the discretion of the trial judge. Fisher's argument is that the defendant judge abused his discretion. We have concluded that the contrary is true.
The alternative writ is dismissed.