Opinion ID: 866348
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Default Judgments

Text: On June 9, 2003, after the initial copyright ownership period had expired but prior to the expiration of the statutory limitations period, Plaintiffs sued Defendants in the Eastern District of Michigan for copyright infringement, asserting that the song “You & Me” infringed the composition “Smart.” Bridgeport Music, Inc. v. Smith, No. 2:03- No. 12-1523 Bridgeport Music, et al. v. Smith, et al. Page 4 cv-72211 (E.D. Mich. June 9, 2003). This action was filed before Judge Borman (“Judge Borman” or “District Court”). Defendants did not file an answer. On August 16, 2004, Judge Borman entered default judgments against Defendant Reel Life Productions and Smith. On March 9, 2005, the District Court granted Plaintiffs’ motion for attorney fees and entered judgment in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendants. The default judgments required Defendants to pay certain sums to Bridgeport, and declared Plaintiffs “the 100% owner of the entirety of Defendant Reel Life Productions’ ownership interest in the copyright in the infringing compositions and sound recordings effective as of the date of the creation of the composition.” The default judgment against Smith declared Plaintiffs “the 100% owner of the entirety of Defendant Esham’s ownership interest in the copyright in the infringing compositions and sound recordings effective as of the date of the creation of the composition.” On March 11, 2005, Plaintiffs recorded the default judgment against Smith with the United States Copyright Office.