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No.

10-1743

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT, WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., and TURNER ENTERTAINMENT CO., Plaintiffs/Appellees,
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DAVE GROSSMAN CREATIONS, INC., GIFT OF SOUND LLC, X ONE X PRODUCTIONS d/b/a X ONE X MOVIE ARCHIVES, INC., A.V.E.L.A., INC. d/b/a ART & VINTAGE ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AGENCY and ART-NOSTALGIA.COM, INC., Defendants/Appellants.

Appeal from United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri-St. Louis Honorable Henry E. Autrey (Case No. 4:06-cv-00546)

APPELLANTS OPENING BRIEF


THE BALL LAW FIRM, LLP DOUGLAS D. WINTER 10866 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1400 Los Angeles, CA 90024 Telephone: (310) 446-6148 PAULE, CAMAZINE & BLUMENTHAL MICHAEL E. BUB 165 N. Meramec Ave., Suite 110 St. Louis, MO 63105 Telephone: (314) 727-2266

Attorneys for Defendants-Appellants

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SUMMARY OF THE CASE AND REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT This is a civil case for copyright infringement and other intellectual property claims. The District Court granted summary judgment for plaintiff Warner Bros. on its copyright claim and issued a permanent injunction based thereon. Defendants AVELA, Inc., et al. appeal the injunction and the predicate summary judgment order. Warner Bros. claims copyright ownership through chain of title of the 1939 films "The Wizard of Oz," "Gone With The Wind," and cartoons featuring "Tom and Jerry." AVELA has obtained and restored publicity materials relating to the films, including movie posters, photo stills and theatre lobby cards, and has licensed images and artwork from the publicity materials to third parties for use on merchandise. The publicity materials used by AVELA are in the public domain, and are not protected by copyright. The District Court determined that AVELAs use of the publicity material violated Warner Bros. copyright in the films, and found that Warner Bros. had sufficiently proved ownership of the copyrights through chain of title. AVELA submits that the District Courts order is unsupported as a matter of law. AVELA requests 20 minutes for oral argument, as the issues presented under the 1909 Copyright Act are complex and subtle. AVELA submits that oral argument would be of assistance to the Court in dealing with the issues.

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CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Appellants X One X Movie Archives, Inc., A.V.E.L.A., Inc. d/b/a Art & Vintage Entertainment Licensing Agency, and Art-Nostalgia.corn, Inc. hereby certify pursuant to Fed. R. App. P. 26.1 that each has no parent corporation and no publicly held corporation owns 10% or more of its stock.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT ...................................................... STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES PR~ESENTED FOR REVIEW .................... STATEMENT OF THE CASE ........................................................... STATEMENT OF FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY ...................... A. Relevant Facts ..................................................................... 1. 2. 3. B. Copyrights in the Motion Pictures and Cartoons and Warner Bros Chain of Title ...................................... 1 2 3 5 5 5

AVELAs Business and Use of Publicity Materials ........... 7 AVELAs Use of Publicity Materials Relating to "The Wizard of Oz," Gone With The Wind" and "Tom and Jerry" .......... 8 11 11

Relevant Procedural History ................................................ 1. 2. Warner Bros. Complaint ..........................................

Summary Judgment Motions and District Court Orders ...... 12 13 15 17

STANDARD OF REVIEW .............................................................. SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT ......................................................... ARGUMENT .............................................................................. I.

THE DISTRICT COURT ERRED IN DETERMINING THAT AVELAS COPYING OF THE PUBLICITY MATERIALS CONSTITUTES INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHTS IN THE MOTION PICTURES AND ERRED IN DETERMINING THAT WARNER BROS. PROVED COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP .................................................... 17 A. B. C. Copyright Protection and the 1909 Copyright Act ..................... 17 Infringement ................................................................ 19

All of the Publicity Materials Used by AVELA are in the Public Domain ...................................................................... 20

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D.

Substantial Similarity Between the Licensed Products and the Films IsIrrelevant. The Publicity Materials are not Derivative Works ........................................................................ 24 Copyright Protection in the Characters In the Films Is Inconsequential, Because AVELA Uses Only the Public Domain Materials ..........................................................26 The Copyright Act Does Not Limit Use of Public Domain Materials ..........................................................29 Warner Bros. Has Failed to Establish Copyright Ownership of the Films ..................................................................30

E.

F. G. II.

THE DISTRICT COURT ERRED IN ISSUING A PERMANENT INJUNCTION BECAUSE IT WAS BASED ON THE ERRONEOUS COPYRIGHT ORDER ...........................................................34

CONCLUSION ........................................................................... 36 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ................................................... 7 3 ADDENDUM ..............................................................................38

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TABLE OF AUTHORITIES CASES Cable Vision, Incv. KUTV,, Inc., 335 F.2d, 350 (gth Cir. 1964) (quoting Compco Corp., 376 U.S. at 237) ......... Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., 539 U.S. 23, 33 (2003) ................................................................... F.D.I. C. v. Bell, 106 F.3d 258, 262-63 (8th Cir. 1997) ................................................... Page 19

29

14

Fogie v. THORN Americas, Inc., 95 F.3d 645,649 (8th Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 520 U.S. 1166 (1997) ............ 14 Idaho Watersheds Project v. Hahn, 307 F.3d 815,824 (9th Cir. 2002) ...................................................... Lamb v. Starks, 949 F.Supp. 753,755 (N.D. Cal. 1996) ................................................ Maljack Productions, Inc. v. Goodtimes Home Video Corp. 964 F.Supp. 1416, 1420 (C.D. Cal. 1997) ............................................................ Mayview Corp. v. Rodstein, 480 F.2d 714, 719 (9th Cir. 1973) ....................................................... Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. v. Am. Honda Motor Corp., 900 F.Supp 1287, 1296-97 (C.D. Cal. 1995) .......................................

13

25

19

17

5, 26

Milton H. Greene Archives, Inc. v. BPI Communications, Inc., 378 F.Supp.2d 1189, 1197-1200 (C.D. Cal. 2005) .................... 2, 21, 22, 23, 24 Muleahy v. Cheetah Learning LLC, 386 F.3d 849, 850 (8th Cir. 2004) ................................................ 3, 13, 35 Pannonia Farms, Inc. v. USA Cable, 2004 WL 1276842 (S.D.N.Y. 2004) ................................. .......

2, 27, 29, 30

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Randolph v. Rodgers, 170 F.3d 850 (8th Cir. 1999) ................................................... Religious Technology Ctr. v. Netcom On-Line Comm. Servs, Inc., 923 F.Supp. 1231, 1241 (N.D. Cal. 1995) ......................................

1, 3, 13, 14

3, 30, 34

Rice v. Fox Broadcasting Co., 330 F. 3d 1170, 1175-76 (9th Cir. 2003) ............................................... 26 Rifl~n v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 78 F.3d 1277, 1280 (8th Cir. 1996) ...................................................... Russell v. Price, 612 F.2d 1123, 1128 (9th Cir. 1979) ................................................... Self-Realization Fellowship Church v. Ananda Church of Self-Realization, 206 F.3d 1322, 1325 (9th Cir. 2000) .................................................... Siegel v. Warner Bros. Entm t, supra, 542 F.Supp.2d 1098 ............................................................

14

25

17

2, 17, 18, 24

Sierra Club v. Robertson, 28 F.3d 753,760 (8th Cir. 1994) ......................................................... Silverman v. CBS, Inc., 870 F.2d 40, 50 (2d Cir. 1989) ................................................

14

27, 29, 30

Stewart v. Abend, 495 U.S. 207, 233 (1990) ............................................................ Taylor Corp. v. Four Seasons Greetings, LLC, 403 F.3d 958, 962-63 (8th Cir. 2005) ............................................... Twin Books v. Walt Disney, 83 F.3d 1162, 1165 (9th Cir. 1996) ................................................ United States v. Shumway, 199 F.3d 1093 (9th Cir. 1999) .........................................................

18, 29

19, 30

2, 18

3,33

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STATUTES 15 U.S.C. 1114 ............................................................................. 15 U.S.C. 1125(a) .......................................................................... 15 U.S.C. 1125(c) .......................................................................... 1 1 1

17 U.S.C. 1, et seq. (1909 Copyright Act (superseded 1976)) ..................... 17 17 U.S.C. 106 ............................................................................ 17

17 u.s.c. 204(a) .........................................................................


17 U.S.C. 501 ......................................................................... 17 U.S.C. 501(a) .......................................................................... 28 U.S.C. 1292 (a)(1) ............................ .................................... 28 U.S.C. 1367 ............................................................................

30
1, 19 19 1, 13 1

RULES Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e)(1) ................................................................ Fed. R. Evid. 602 ................................................................... 3, 30 3, 16, 33

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JURISDICTIONAL STATEMENT Original jurisdiction in the District Court was properly premised on 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338 because the complaint alleges copyright infringement (17 U.S.C. 50 l(a)) and infringement of both registered and unregistered trademarks (15 U.S.C. 1114, 1125 (a) and 1125(c)). Jurisdiction of the state law claims arises under the District Courts supplemental jurisdiction. 28 U:S.C. 1367. On March 20, 2009, the District Court granted summary judgment in favor of Plaintiffs-Appellees Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Inc. and Turner Entertainment Co. (collectively, "Warner Bros.") on the copyright infringement claim. On March 4, 2010, the District Court issued an order entering a permanent injunction against Defendants-Appellants X One X Movie Archives, Inc., A.V.E.L.A., Inc. d/b/a Art & Vintage Entertainment Licensing Agency, Art-Nostalgia.com, Inc. and Leo Valencia (collectively, "AVELA") based on the copyright order. AVELA timely appealed the permanent injunction order on April 1, 2010. This Court has jurisdiction under. 28 U.S.C. 1292(a)(1). Because the District Courts order granting summary judgment in favor of Warner Bros. on its copyright infringement claim is the predicate for the permanent injunction, this Court has jurisdiction to review the copyright order. 28 U.S.C. 1292(a)(1); Randolph v. Rodgers, 170 F.3d 850, 855-56 (8th Cir. 1999).
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STATEMENT OF THE ISSUES PRESENTED FOR REVIEW 1. The District Court erred as a matter of law in determining that AVELAs use of the publicity materials constituted infringement of Warner Bros. copyrights in "The Wizard of Oz," "Gone With The Wind" and "Tom and Jerry," because the publicity materials are all in the public domain. Even if the characters in the respective films are protectable under copyright, AVELA is entitled to copy and use images of the characters which fell into the public domain. Twin Books v. Walt Disney, 83 F.3d 1162 (9th Cir. 1996). Siegel v. Warner Bros. Entre t, 542 F.Supp.2d 1098 (C.D. Cal. 2008). Milton H. Greene Archives, Inc. v. BPI Communications, Inc., 378 F.Supp.2d 1189 (C.D. Cal. 2005), Pannonia Farms, Inc. v. USA Cable, 2004 WL 1276842 (S.D.N.Y. 2004) 1909 Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 19 1909 Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 24 2. The District Court erred in determining that Warner Bros. proved its ownership of copyrights in and to "The Wizard of Oz," "Gone With The Wind" and "Tom and Jerry" because Warner Bros. failed to present admissible evidence to establish a chain of title from the original copyright claimant.
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Religious Technology Ctr. v. Netcom On-Line Comm. Servs, Inc., 923 F.Supp. 1231 (N.D. Cal. 1995). 17 U.S.C. 204(a) United States v. Shumway, 199 F.3d 1093 (9th Cir. 1999). Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e)(1). Fed. R. Evid. 602 3. The District Court erred as a matter of law in issuing a permanent injunction because the injunction is premised and dependent upon the District Courts erroneous order granting summary judgment on the copyright infringement claim. Muleahy v. Cheetah Learning LLC, 386 F.3d 849 (8th Cir. 2004) Randolph v. Rodgers, 170 F.3d 850 (8th Cir. 1999). STATEMENT OF THE CASE Warner Bros. initiated this action on March 31, 2006, contending that AVELA infringed its copyright in the motion pictures "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone With The Wind" and its copyrights in and to various "Tom and Jerry" cartoon films. Warner Bros. also brought claims for trademark infringement and state law claims for violation of rights of publicity and unfair competition. (Appendix ("App.") 64-98.) AVELA filed counterclaims for libel, declaratory

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relief, interference with economic and contractual relations and for unlawful restraint of trade. (App. 16, 61.) In March, 2008, Warner Bros. and AVELA filed cross-motions for summary judgment on Warner Bros. claims and Warner Bros. also sought summary judgment as to AVELAs counterclaims. (App. 99-106; 115-118.) On March 20, 2009, the District Court, the Honorable Henry E. Autrey, issued an order granting Warner Bros. motion for summary judgment as to its copyright claim only, denying the remainder of Warner Bros. motion and denying AVELAs motion ("Copyright Order"). (Part 1 of Addendum.) On March 4, 2010, the District Court granted Warner Bros. motion for permanent injunction based on the copyright order ("Injunction Order"). (Part 2 of Addendum.) AVELA appealed the permanent injunction order on April 1, 2010. (App. 1092.) // 11 11 // 11

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STATEMENT OF FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY A. Relevant Facts 1. Copyrights in the Motion Pictures and Cartoons and Warner Bros Chain of Title Warner Bros. is not the creator or author of the relevant motion pictures or animated films, and therefore alleges legal and/or beneficial copyright ownership of copyright in the works through chain of title. (App. 65, 107-109, 111-112.) The motion picture "TheWizard of Oz," which premiered on August 12, 1939, was released by Metro Goldwyn-Mayer ("MGM") and was based upon L. Frank Baums 1900 book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and the characters therein. (App. 652-653,662-674, 194-215.) Copyright for "TheWizard of Oz" was registered on August 7, 1939 by Loews Incorporated ("Loews") with the U.S. Copyright Office ("Copyright Office") as Original Registration No. L9039. (App. 107.) A renewal registration for "The Wizard of Oz" was filed in the Copyright Office on August 8, 1966 by Metro Goldwyn-Mayer ("MGM") as Renewal Certificate No. R390474. (App. 108.) The motion picture "Gone With the Wind" was released in 1939 by MGM, and was based upon Margaret Mitchells 1936 best selling novel of the same title, which also won a Pulitzer Prize. (App. 636, 125.)
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Copyright for the motion picture was registered on December 31, 1939 by Selznick International Pictures, Inc. ("Selznick") with the Copyright Office as Original Registration No. L9390. (App. 109.) A renewal registration for "Gone With The Wind" was filed in the Copyright Office on January 3, 1967 by MGM as Renewal Certificate No. R399224. (App. 109.) As to the "Tom and Jerry" film cartoons, Warner Bros. claims that Loews registered copyrights in more than 100 of the cartoons prior to 1960, and that Warner Bros. is the copyright holder for each of the approximate 255 animated shorts and pictures in which Tom and Jerry have appeared. (App. 110-111.) According to statements of Warner Bros. Senior Litigation Counsel, the chain of title leading to Warner Bros. is as follows: Loews changed its name to MGM in 1960. In 1980, MGM assigned all of its interest in the subject motion picture copyrights to MGM Film Co. ("Filmco"). In 1982, Filmco changed its name to MGM/UA Entertainment Co. ("MGM/UA"). In 1986, MGMiUA changed its name to MGM Entertainment Co., which merged into TBS Entertainment Co. ("TBS Entertainment"). TBS Entertainment changed its name to Turner Entertainment Co. (Plaintiff-Appellee herein) ("TEC"), and as of August 5, 1986, TEC was the owner of all intellectual property rights in and to the subject motion pictures. In 1994, Turner Entertainment Group ("TEG") became a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. ("TBS"), and all shares of TEC were transferred

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from TBS to TEG. In 1996, Time Warner, Inc. ("Time Warner") acquired TBS and, therefore, TEG and TEC, and all copyrights associated with the subject motion pictures. (App. 111-112.) TEC is wholly-owned by WTTA Incorporated, which is wholly-owned by Plaintiff-Appellee Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. (App. 66-67.) 2. AVELAs Business and Use of Publicity Materials AVELA is in the business of finding, buying, restoring, licensing and selling publicity works. (App. 136.) Specifically, AVELA identifies public domain publicity materials, such as vintage movie and theater posters, lobby display card and other publicity works used in the past to advertise plays, theatrical productions and motion pictures, and hires artists to carefully restore them, add new colors, pigments and creative expressions, and also to incorporate the old images into new and original works. (App. 136-137.) AVELA also acquires others original restorations of old public domain materials. Id. AVELA takes careful steps to ensure that it does not infringe other copyright holders rights by conducting extensive copyright searches to verify that the printed works, posters, photographs and other materials have in fact fallen into the public domain. (App. 137-138.) Before restoring the vintage works and before acquiring and using the restored works, AVELA confirms that the materials are in the public domain. (App. 138.) A number of AVELA restorations have been
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registered as derivative works, for which copyrights have been claimed by X One X. (App. 138, 760-789, 679-719.) AVELA enters into licensing agreements for the use of its works with third parties. The restored images taken from the publicity materials are licensed to third parties who affix them to consumer products, such as T-shirts, tin signs, water globes and figurines. (App. 142, 144-145.) 3. AVELAs Use of Publicity Materials Relating to "The Wizard of Oz," Gone With The Wind" and "Tom and Jerry" The artwork and images at issue are derived from publicity materials, including movie posters, photographs of actors or scenes, campaign or press books, and theater lobby displays and cards that were widely distributed to promote and advertise the upcoming 1939 releases of"The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone With The Wind." (App. 141-146, 154-160, 163,181,188, 301-303,340, 996-999, 10041005, 1007, 790-799, 833-873,251-299, 874-886, 629-632, 722.) In addition, movie posters used to promote trailers for "Tom and Jerry" cartoons as early as 1940 are also the subject of this matter. (App. 146-148, 955-972, 170-171.) AVELA has not published, copied or displayed any film clips, trailers or images appearing in the motion picture, "The Wizard of Oz." (App. 146, 152.) Instead, AVELA has used images from pre-production or publicity photographs or stills that were produced prior to completion of post-production of the release of
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the motion picture and before the deposit date of copyright in the film was affixed. (App. 153.) These photo stills are each numbered with the prefix "1060," which is the number assigned via the studios internal identification system reflecting that they were publicity stills relating to "The Wizard of Oz." (App. 834-873, 143, 1002-1003.) Although Loews received 287 copyright registrations in 1939 for still photographs taken on the set of"The Wizard of Oz," none of the registrations was renewed with the Copyright Office. (App. 800-820,143, 153.) AVELA has also used images from movie posters related to "The Wizard of Oz," which were published, issued and sold without any copyright notice being affixed or included. (App. 875-879, 153.) AVELA has also used images from movie lobby cards which were created from "Wizard of Oz" production stills produced prior to completion of postproduction of the motion picture. (App. 880-886, 153, 144.) The lobby cards were issued and sold without any copyright notice being affixed or included. (App. 153, 144.)

AVELA has licensed the restored images taken from the publicity materials described above relating to the "Wizard of Oz" to third parties who affix them to consumer products such as T-Shirts, tin signs, water globes and figurines. (App. 144-145.) Examples of the products are found at App. 1035-1063, 144-145, and charts depicting each product and the corresponding "Wizard of Oz" publicity
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material on which it is based is at App. 887-918, 1070. (See also App. 194-215, 629-632.) AVELA has similarly not used or copied any portion of the motion picture "Gone With The Wind." (App. 143, 154.) AVELA has instead used still photographs taken on the movie set during the production of "Gone With The Wind" and photo stills taken of the actors in costume that were used by MGM in publicity works. (App. 790-799, 154, 163, 181,188, 996-999, 1004-1007.) These stills were not deposited with the Copyright Office, and in fact were issued and distributed without any copyright notice being affixed or included. (App. 800-820,

141,154.)
AVELA has used images from promotional movie posters for "Gone With The Wind." (App. 141-142, 1111-1117.) The movie posters were issued and sold without any copyright notice being affixed or included. (App. 141, 154, 800-820.) AVELA has licensed to third parties the restored images taken from the publicity materials described above relating to "Gone With The Wind," and the images and artwork are affixed to products such as T-Shirts, tin signs, water globes and figurines. (App. 142.) Examples of the products are found at App. 1022-1033, and a chart depicting each product and the corresponding "Gone With The Wind" publicity material on which it is based is at App. 821-832, 633-646, 142-143.

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AVELA has not used or copied any scene or portion of any "Tom and Jerry" animated cartoon film. (App. 147, 154, 170-171.) Instead, AVELA has used images from MGM animation posters which were distributed by MGM to promote its "Tom and Jerry" trailers and which were either published and distributed without copyright notice being affixed or included or were published and distributed with a written copyright notice but with no deposit or renewal (the "Tom and Jerry Posters"). (App. 146-147, 301-339, 340-358, 955-972, 919-935.) AVELA restored the Tom and Jerry Posters, and has licensed a number of them to third parties. (App. 936-954, 146.) AVELAs licensees have created products using some of the images from the Tom and Jerry Posters, including TShirts and figurines, examples of which are depicted at App. 973-984. A chart illustrating how the licensed images are used to create these products is found at App. 985-991,148. B. Relevant Procedural History 1. Warner Bros. Complaint Warner Bros. alleges ownership of copyright registrations for the "Wizard of OZ" and "Gone With The Wind" motion pictures and for 255 "Tom and Jerry" cartoon films and that AVELA has infringed such copyrights. (App. 69, 78.) Warner Bros. does not allege ownership of any copyrights in and to any of the publicity materials relating to the above works. (Id.)
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2.

Summary Judgment Motions and District Court Orders

On March 24, 2008, Warner Bros. and AVELA filed cross-motions for summary judgment. Each requested oral argument pursuant to Eastern District Local Rule 4.02(B). On March 20, 2009, the District Court issued its Opinion, Memorandum and Order on the parties respective motions without any oral argument, a copy of which is attached hereto pursuant to Eighth Cir. R. 28A(b). The District Court granted Warner Bros. motion for summary judgment on the copyright infringement claim, and otherwise denied all other motions by the parties. On June 22, 2009, Warner Bros. filed a motion for permanent injunction based on the order granting summary judgment on the copyright claim. AVELA filed its opposition to the motion on July 6, 2009. On March 4, 2010, the District Court issued its Opinion, Memorandum and Order granting the motion, a copy of which is attached hereto pursuant to Eighth Cir. R. 28A(b) (the "Injunction Order"). The injunction was issued by the District Court based upon its entry of summary judgment in favor of Warner Bros. on the copyright infringement claim. (See Injunction Order attached as part of Addendum, pp. 1-5). The Injunction Order restrains AVELA from licensing or using images from the motion pictures and images of the characters therein and also from using the publicity materials in

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any manner that displays less than the full publicity material. (Injunction Order, pp. 6-7.) AVELA filed its Notice of Appeal of the Injunction Order on April 1, 2010. (App. 1092.) STANDARD OF REVIEW This Courts jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1292 (a)(1) to review the Injunction Order also extends to the copyright summary judgment order because the validity of the injunction is dependent upon the copyright ruling. Randolph v. Rodgers, supra, at 855-56. Although summary judgment that determines only liability or that disposes of less than all claims is not a final appealable order, jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1292 (a)(1) extends to all matters inextricably bound up with the injunctive order from which the appeal is taken. In Mulcahy v. Cheetah Learning LLC, 386 F.3d 849, 850 (Sth Cir. 2004), the district court granted partial summary judgment and issued a permanent injunction on plaintiffs copyright infringement claim. The court reviewed the propriety of the copyright summary judgment ruling, expressly recognizing that "[i]f summary judgment was improvidently granted on Mulcahys claim of copyright infringement, the permanent injunction must be vacated." Mulcahy, 386 F.3d at 852. See, also, Idaho Watersheds Project v. Hahn, 307 F.3d 815, 824 (gth Cir. 2002) (court has

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jurisdiction to review partial summary judgment where ruling is necessary predicate for later grant of injunctive relief). Therefore, if the District Court erred in granting summary judgment on the copyright claim, both the copyright order and the injunction must be vacated. The District Courts summary judgment decision is reviewed de novo. Randolph, supra, 170 F.3d at 856 (8th Cir. 1997). Summary judgment is appropriate only when there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Rijkin v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 78 F.3d 1277, 1280 (8th Cir. 1996). Using the same standards that apply to the district courts consideration of a motion for summary judgment, the reviewing court must decide whether the record, when viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, shows that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Sierra Club v. Robertson, 28 F.3d 753,760 (8th Cir. 1994). The District Courts order granting a permanent injunction is reviewed for abuse of discretion. F.D.LC. v. Bell, 106 F.3d 258, 262-63 (8th Cir. 1997). "Abuse of discretion occurs if the district court reaches its conclusion by applying erroneous legal principles or relying on clearly erroneous factual findings." Fogie v. THORNArnericas, Inc., 95 F.3d 645,649 (8th Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 520 U.S. 1166 (1997).
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SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT The District Court erred in granting summary judgment and injunctive relief in favor of Warner Bros. on its. copyright infringement claim. The evidence establishes that (1) AVELA uses only publicity materials which were published in advance of the subject motion pictures "The Wizard of Oz," "Gone With The Wind" and "Tom and Jerry;" and (2) such publicity materials were injected into the public domain when they lost copyright protection under the 1909 Copyright Act. The law recognizes, and in fact encourages, free copying of such material because it belongs to the public. The District Court correctly recognized that AVELA copies and otherwise uses only such public domain materials. However, the District Courts analysis then went seriously off-track. Focusing on the copyright protection of the film characters, which the District Court found became copyrightable through the development of character "idiosyncracies" in the subject films, the District Court concluded that AVELAs use of images of the characters constituted infringement. However, the evidence is that AVELA uses only the photos and images of the characters from the public domain materials, which it is freely entitled to do. The images used by AVELA do not embody any character traits or "idiosyncracies" which are developed in the films which are not already part of the public domain images. The District Court erred as a matter of law in concluding that AVELAs
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use of the public domain material constituted infringement of any copyrights owned by Warner Bros. The District Court further erred in finding that Warner Bros. proved ownership of the copyrights in the subject films. Since Warner Bros. did not create the films and was not the original copyright registrant, it has the burden to establish, through the introduction of admissible evidence, its chain of title of ownership of the copyright beginning with the original claimant. Warner Bros. failed to do so. Warner Bros. failed to present a single document establishing transfer(s) of copyright interests (even though copyright transfers are invalid unless in writing), and instead relied solely on the statements of its in-house counsel attesting to copyright assignments and corporate restructuring covering a period of approximately 60 years. The "evidence" relied upon by Warner Bros. to prove its chain of title was clearly inadmissible under Fed. R. Evid. 602, and Warner Bros. failure of proof is fatal to its infringement claim. Finally, the Injunction Order must be vacated because it is entirely dependent upon the erroneous finding of copyright infringement. Once the copyright order is reversed, there is no basis for injunctive relief.

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ARGUMENT I. THE DISTRICT COURT ERRED IN DETERMINING THAT AVELAS COPYING OF THE PUBLICITY MATERIALS CONSTITUTES INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHTS IN THE MOTION PICTURES AND ERRED IN DETERMINING THAT WARNER BROS. PROVED COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP A. Copyright Protection and the 1909 Copyright Act A copyright holder has certain exclusive rights to the copyrighted work, including the right to reproduce all or any part of the copyrighted work. 17 U.S.C. 106. It is well-settled, however, that a work may be copied unless it is covered by a valid patent or copyright. Mayview Corp. v. Rodstein, 480 F.2d 714, 719 (gth Cir.. 1973). The determination of when a copyright in a work is secured is when the material was protected by statute, meaning when the copyright in such a work secured protection under the copyright laws. Siegel v. Warner Bros. Entre t, 542 F.Supp.2d 1098, 1119 (C.D. Cal. 2008). The validity of a copyright in a work distributed before 1978 is determined by the 1909 Copyright Act. SelfRealization Fellowship Church v. ~4nanda Church of Self-Realization, 206 F.3d 1322, 1325 (gth Cir. 2000). Here, the relevant works were all distributed well before 1978, and the 1909 Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. 1, et seq. (superseded 1976) ("1909 Act") therefore applies.

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Under the 1909 Act, an unpublished work was protected by state common law copyright from the moment of creation until it was either published or until it received protection under the federal copyright scheme. Twin Books v. Walt Disney, 83 F.3d 1162, 1165 (9th Cir. 1996). When a work was published for the first time, it lost state common law protection, but the owner could obtain federal protection by complying with the 1909 Act requirements. Id. "If the owner failed to satisfy the 1909 Act requirements, the published work was interjected irrevocably into the public domain precluding any subsequent protection of the work under the 1909 Act." Id. "Section 10 of the 1909 Act provided that [a]ny person ... may secure copyright for his work by publication thereof with the notice of copyright required by this title." Id. "Section 19 of the 1909 Act delineated what constituted proper notice: The notice of copyright required by section 10 of this title shall consist of either the word Copyright, the abbreviation Copr., or the symbol , accompanied by the name of the copyright proprietor, and if the work be a printed literary, musical, or dramatic work, the notice shall include also the year in which the copyright was secured by publication." Siegel, 542 F.Supp.2d at 1119. A publication without this required statutory notice of copyright caused the work to fall into the public domain, precluding forever any subsequent copyright protection of the work. Twin Books, 83 F.3d at 1166; Stewart v. Abend, 495 U.S. 207, 233 (1990).
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Section 24 of the 1909 Act provided authors an initial 28-year term of copyright protection and a 28-year renewal term. If the initial copyright term expired without renewal, the work entered the public domain. Maljack Productions, Inc. v. Goodtimes Home Video Corp. 964 F.Supp. 1416, 1420 (C.D. Cal. 1997). The law permits and encourages imitation and copying of works that are in the public domain. See Compco Corp. v. Day-Brite Lighting, Inc., 376 U.S. 234, 237-38 (1964). "In Compco, the court emphasized that the federal policy found in Art. I, 8, cl. 8 of the Constitution and in implementing federal statutes is to allow *** free access to copy whatever the federal patent and copyright laws leave in the public domain." Cable Vision, Incv. KUTV, Inc., 335 F.2d, 350 (9th Cir. 1964) (quoting Compco Corp., 376 U.S. at 237). B. Infringement Copyright infringement occurs when one of the exclusive rights to a work held by a copyright owner is violated, giving the owner the right to sue for infringement. 17 U.S.C. 501. To establish copyright infringement, a plaintiff must prove ownership of a valid copyright and that the defendant copied original elements of plaintiffs copyrighted work. Taylor Corp. v. Four Seasons Greetings, LLC, 403 F.3d 958, 962-63 (8th Cir. 2005).

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Here, Warner Bros. cannot establish copyright protection for the publicity materials used by AVELA, because all of the materials are in the public domain. As such, Warner Bros. copyright claim fails as a matter of law. Warner Bros. alleged ownership of copyrights to the motion pictures is irrelevant, because AVELA has not copied them or any portions from them. In any event, Warner Bros. has not established through admissible evidence its ownership of the motion pictures, as discussed infra in section G. For this separate and additional reason, Warner Bros. copyright claim is without merit. C. All of the Publicity Materials Used by AVELA are in the Public Domain AVELA has licensed certain images derived from photo stills that were taken prior to, or during the filming of"The Wizard of Oz," some of which, as referenced above, are numbered with the prefix "1060." (App. 834-873.) Although copyrights were registered for 287 of these images in 1939 (prior to the release and registration of the film), none was renewed. (App. 800-820, 143, 153.) Under the 1909 Act, the initial copyright term for each expired in 1967, and all of the photos fell into the public domain. AVELA has also used and licensed images derived from movie posters, lobby cards, advertisements and still photos which were published before the release of"The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone With The Wind" and without the requisite copyright notice under the 1909 Act. (App. 152-156, 141,143,875-879,
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800-820.) Images from "Tom and Jerrry" animation posters have also been licensed by AVELA, and these posters were either published without copyright notice or were not renewed. (App. 919-935, 170-171,146-147.) Warner Bros. argued at summary judgment that these publicity materials may still be protected under the 1909 Act because their distribution without the requisite copyright notice only constituted a "limited publication." Warner Bros. is wrong. A limited publication occurs when a particular work is distributed to a select group of individuals, such as a restricted showing of a film to a limited number of critics, or shopping a manuscript to a limited number of potential publishers. In sharp contrast, the publicity materials in this case were used to publicize the upcoming films to the general public, and there were no limits placed on their distribution. Hence, upon their publication without the required notice under Section 19 of the 1909 Act, the materials were injected irretrievably into the public domain. This precise issue was considered in Milton H. Greene Archives, Inc. v. BPI Communications, Inc., 378 F.Supp.2d 1189, 1197-1200 (C.D. Cal. 2005), where the court addressed whether the distribution of publicity materials used to promote a film constituted a limited or general publication. The court set forth the applicable standard, mandating that all three of the following elements must be met before a court may consider a publication to be limited: "A publication is limited
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only where the work was distributed (1) to a definitely selected group, and (2) for a limited purpose, (3) without the right of further reproduction, distribution or sale. (citations) All three of the enumerated elements [must] exist or else the distribution may not be deemed limited and the copyright will not be valid." Id. at 1198. (internal quotes and citations omitted.) In Milton H. Greene Archives, the distribution of the publicity materials were found to constitute a general, and not limited publication because, as here, the materials were used to promote the films and were included in campaign books, which were sent to the theaters, newspapers and magazines. Milton H. Greene Archives, 378 F.Supp.2d at 1198-99. (See App. 154-160, 251-299, 301-302, 303339, 340-508, 554-632.) As an example, "The Wizard of Oz" publicity materials reflect that distribution reached audiences as high as 91 million people - "91,912, 853 -ACTUAL PUBLICATION CIRCULATION." (App. 1079.) Copies of the materials used by AVELA were distributed to the general public in the form of lobby cards, and other materials were freely posted in other public areas. (App. 153-158, 163, 181,188, 996-999, 1004-1007, 301-303,340.) Warner Bros. cannot meet the first required element to establish a limited publication. Neither can Warner Bros. establish the third required element, because the publicity materials were concededly distributed so that they could be sent to

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newspapers, magazines and other publications to promote the films. (App. 301303,996-997, 252-299, 157-158.) As reported by the Library of Congress: As part of its $250,000 promotional campaign, MGM ran full-page, color advertisements in the Sunday comic section of newspapers to generate excitement in advance of the opening of The Wizard of Oz ... By placing the ads in an estimated twenty-nine newspapers in twentyone large cities in August 1939, publicists reached an audience in the millions. In addition to the newspaper campaign, MGM placed advertisements in large-circulation national magazines. (App. 722.) No copyright protection was placed on these materials because the studios wanted them to be readily distributed to the public. (App. 301-303,340.) Further, the studios did not use actual images from the films, because such distribution without notice would effect the loss of copyright protection for those portions of the films. Warner Bros. has further argued that under certain language in an NSS agreement (National Screen Agreement), the publication is rendered limited because some of the materials were to be distributed to the theaters for lease only and then returned. This exact argument was rejected by the court in Milton H. Greene Archives, in which the following language appeared on the distributed materials: "Licensed for display only in connection with the exhibition of this picture at your theatre. Must be returned immediately thereafter." Milton H. Greene Archives, 378 F.Supp.2d at 1199. The court determined that a general publication occurred "even if restrictions are placed upon the use of the work." Id.
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at n. 10. (emphasis in original). The forfeiture resulting from publication occurs as a matter of law regardless of the authors intent in distributing the work. Id. The case of Siegel v. Warner Bros. Entrn t, supra, 542 F.Supp.2d 1098, which was decided during the parties respective summary judgment briefing, is directly on point. In Siegel, the court noted that a publicity poster for a Superman comic book that was distributed prior to the release of the actual comic book would have fallen into the public domain if it was released without the requisite copyright notice: If published without copyright notice "then any of the copyrightable material in the works (including the promotional announcements) was never secured ... but instead was injected into the public domain." Id. at 1119. D. Substantial Similarity Between the Licensed Products and the Films Is Irrelevant. The Publicity Materials are not Derivative Works. Warner Bros. has argued that there is copyright infringement because the works created by AVELA and its licensees are substantially similar to the motion pictures and scenes therein. This argument misses the point. The publicity materials were created and published prior to the respective films. AVELA, and the rest of the public, are free to copy the publicity materials because they are in the public domain. Because the products were created from public domain publicity materials, the similarities with the films are irrelevant. Milton H. Greene Archives, 378 F.Supp.2d at 1197.

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In a futile effort to avoid the public domain status of the publicity materials used by AVELA, Warner Bros. argued to the District Court that the publicity materials are somehow derivative works of the films, and that therefore only the new matter contained in the publicity material would have fallen into the public domain. It is true that if a derivative work enters the public domain, the matter contained therein which derives from a work still covered by statutory copyright is not dedicated to the public. Russell v. Price, 612 F.2d 1123, 1128 (9th Cir. 1979). Here, of course, the publicity materials were published months before the completion and release of the films, and were separately published by the studios for the express purpose of promoting the films. They are not derivative of the films. The case of Lamb v. Starks, 949 F.Supp. 753,755 (N.D. Cal. 1996), cited by Warner Bros. in support of its contention that the publicity materials are derivative works, actually further demonstrates that the materials are not derivative works. In Lamb, the court determined that a movie trailer was a derivative work of the underlying film because the trailer contained actual scenes from the film and the film was published before the trailer. Lamb v. Starks, 949 F.Supp. at 755-56. Here, not a single scene from the film was ever used in the publicity materials, and the publicity materials were published months before the completion and release of the films.
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E.

Copyright Protection in the Characters In the Films Is Inconsequential, Because AVELA Uses Only the Public Domain Materials. Characters in a particular work may be entitled to copyright protection.

"Characters that have received copyright protection have displayed consistent, widely identifiable traits." See, e.g. Rice v. Fox Broadcasting Co., 330 F. 3d 1170, 1175-76 (gth Cir. 2003). (citing Toho Co., Ltd. v. William Morrow & Co., Inc., 33 F.Supp.2d 1206-1215-16 (C.D. Cal. 1998) (recognizing copyright protection for the character "Godzilla")); Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. v. Am. Honda Motor Corp., 900 F.Supp 1287, 1296-97 (C.D. Cal. 1995) (recognizing protection for James Bond). The District Court concluded that the Tom and Jerry cartoon characters are protectable and further determined that each of the characters in "The Wizard of Oz" and in "Gone With The Wind," is entitled to copyright protection: The remaining characters, Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, ... Clark Gable as Rhett Butler ...can be seen as more akin to a comic book character than a literary character based on their distinct characteristics and idiosyncracies in their portrayal of the character. Each character has widely identifiable traits and is especially distinctive. Each has been extensively developed through the films. (Copyright Order, p. 17.) However, the District Court failed to consider the fact that that the films

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themselves are admittedly derivative of L. Frank Baums 1900 book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and Margaret Mitchells 1936 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, "Gone With The Wind." The protections afforded to a derivative work are limited solely to the new elements contained in the derivative work that are distinguished from the original works. Stewart v. Abend, 495 U.S. at 233. All of "The Wizard of Oz" characters, such as Dorothy, Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, etc. were first created by L. Frank Baum in his 1900 book, and have long-since fallen into the public domain. Pannonia Farms, Inc. v. USA Cable, 2004 WL 1276842, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. 2004) ("copyright in a particular work in a series will not protect the character as contained in such series if the work in the series in which the character first appeared has entered the public domain"). Likewise, the characters in "Gone With The Wind," including Rhett Butler and Scarlett OHara, were all part of Margaret Mitchells original book, and none is original to Warner Bros. The District Courts focus solely on the 1939 motion pictures neglects to take into account the development, characteristics and traits of the characters which existed in the original underlying works from which each character was derived. Even if the characters were separately protectable, Warner Bros. would only be entitled to ownership of the "increments of expression added by" the 1939 films to the characters. Silverman v. CBS, Inc., 870 F.2d 40, 50 (2d Cir. 1989). For this reason, the District Courts analysis is fatally flawed.
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In any event, the extent to which the characters are entitled to copyright protection is irrelevant because AVELA did nothing more than copy the public domain materials. Even though the District Court reaches an erroneous conclusion, the District Court illustrates the distinction between copying the publicity materials and using the "idiosyncracies" of protectable character traits: [AVELAs ] argument that, even if the characters would be entitled to copyright protection, the characters are no longer protected because of the publication of the characters in the public domain materials caused them to become public domain material as well, is unavailing. The publicity materials with pictures of the actors in costume are just that- pictures of actors. It is necessarily through the films that the characters become copyrightable. But for the films, these characters would remain literary figures without the particular idiosyncracies that have established each character as a unique icon in American culture ... ... Notwithstanding [AVELA] ha[s] copied only the publicity materials, such actions violate the component parts of [Warner Bros.] copyrights in the films.
(Copyright Order, pp. 18-19) (emphasis in original)

As expressly recognized by the District Court, the evidence is that AVELA


copied only the publicity materials, not from the films. As discussed at length above, copying public domain material is perfectly lawful. The images used by AVELA do not embody the "idiosyncracies in the portrayal of the characters" or any other traits which according to the District Court constitute the copyrightable features of the film characters which do not exist in the publicity materials themselves. AVELAs works are, to use the District Courts language, "just ...
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pictures of actors" as they appear in the publicity materials. That is, AVELA copied precisely the aspects of the characters that are in the public domain. This cannot constitute copyright infringement, because the publicity materials are not protected by copyright. F. The Copyright Act Does Not Limit Use of Public Domain Materials Warner Bros. made the assertion below that even if the movie posters and other publicity materials have irretrievably been injected into the public domain, AVELAs use is somehow limited to only making new posters. This self-created limitation has no support in law, because once a work falls into the public domain, the public is free to copy that work and create whatever derivative works it wishes, and the new creative elements added to the derivative work are protectable. Silverman, 870 F.2d at 50. The public may make an exact replica of the work, or may freely copy a portion of the work. Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., 539 U.S. 23, 33 (2003) ("The right to copy, and to copy without attribution, once a copyright has expired ... passes to the public."); See Compco,, supra, 236 U.S. at 237. In Pannonia Farms, the court described as "plainly baseless" the contention made here by Warner Bros. - that one can use the public domain materials only in the manner in which they appear in the public domain: "[W]here a work has gone into the public domain, it does in fact follow that any individual is entitled to
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develop this work in new ways. This is because anyone may use material found in the public domain." Pannonia Farms, 2004 WL 1276842, at *9 (citing Silverman, 870 F.2d at 50) (emphasis in original). AVELA is not limited to making posters from the publicity materials. The law recognizes that AVELA is free to develop the public domain materials in new ways, and AVELA has done exactly that. G. Warner Bros. Has Failed to Establish Copyright Ownership of the Films As set forth above, Warner Bros. must prove ownership of copyright to prevail on its infringement claim. Taylor Corp. 403 F.3d at 962-63. Warner Bros. claims ownership of the relevant copyrights in and to the films by "chain of title." Since it is neither the author nor creator of the films, it is Warner Bros. burden to prove its chain of title through the original copyright claimant. Religious Technology Ctr. v. Neteom On-Line Comm. Servs, Inc., 923 F.Supp. 1231, 1241 (N.D. Cal. 1995). Copyright transfers are invalid unless they are in writing. 17 U.S.C. 204(a) ("A transfer of copyright ownership, other than by operation of law, is not valid unless an instrument of conveyance, or a note or memorandum of the transfer, is in writing and signed by the owner of the rights conveyed or such owners duly authorized agent.") It is well-settled, of course, that the evidence presented on summary judgment must be admissible. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e)(1). 3O
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Warner Bros. "evidence" in support of its chain of title theory is entirely based on the statements of its legal counsel, Katherine Chilton ("Ms. Chilton"). Warner Bros. presented no written copyright assignments or any other documentary evidence on summary judgment to support its chain of title theory. Warner Bros. failed to present admissible evidence establishing its ownership of the copyrights. Ms. Chilton states that Loews registered "The Wizard of Oz" copyright in 1939, and that MGM renewed the copyright in 1966. (App. 107.) For "Gone With The Wind," Ms. Chilton avers that Selznick purchased the rights from Margaret Mitchell, that Selznick recognized in a 1938 agreement that it and Loews were jointly granted the copyright to the film, and that Selznick registered the copyright in 1939. According to Ms. Chilton, Selznick thereafter assigned its copyright to Loews and itself. In 1961, Mitchells beneficiaries and MGM entered into an agreement recognizing MGMs copyright ownership in the film, and in 1967 MGM renewed the copyright. Yet another agreement referenced by Ms. Chilton from 1990 purportedly confirms TECs ownership of certain rights to Mitchells novel. (App. 108-109.) According to Ms. Chilton, Loews changed its name to MGM in 1960, and in 1980, MGM assigned its copyrights in the film to Filmco. Thereafter, according to Ms. Chilton, several more name changes and/or mergers involving corporate
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restructuring occurred, culminating with TECs purported ownership of the films. (App. 111-112.)
Warner Bros. failed to attach or submit any of the documents referenced by Ms. Chilton, including any of the purported assignments of copyright interests. Instead, Ms. Chilton simply stated in her declaration that she was the Vice President and Senior Litigation Counsel for Warner Bros., and that the information forming the basis of her statements "is derived from corporate documents, and other materials that I have reviewed ..." (App. 107.) Naturally, AVELA objected to this "evidence" as purportedly establishing the requisite chain of title. In this regard, AVELA stated: "[Warner Bros.] relies on the Declaration of its present day in house lawyer Ms. Chilton who does not attach any documents or authenticate any documents to support her factual allegations. Ms. Chilton does not have personal knowledge of the facts to which she purports to attest. Local Rule 7-4.01 (E) requires citation to the record for each asserted uncontested fact. [Warner Bros] has the burden of proving it has holds (sic) rights to these properties and these bald accusations are insufficient to meet this standard. The chain of title has not been established by [Warner Bros]." (App. 1106, 1107-1109.)

The District Court dispensed with the chain of title issues in a footnote in its
Copyright Order, concluding that, inter alia, since Ms. Chilton stated she had

personal knowledge of the facts, they are true and accurate:

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[AVELA] argue[s] that [Wamer Bros.] ha[s] failed to sufficiently delineate through admissible evidence the chain of title to the subject films. [Warner Bros.] ha[s] submitted the affidavit of Katherine Chilton, Vice President and Senior Litigation Counsel for Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., in which Ms. Chilton avers that she has personal knowledge of the facts set forth in her affidavit. This personal knowledge was obtained through corporate documents and other materials which she reviewed, and which have been produced to [AVELA] through discovery. [AVELA] ha[s] failed to present any evidence to controvert the averments contained in the affidavit. The Court, therefore concludes that the facts set forth above are true and accurate.
(Copyright Order, p. 3, n. 2) The District Courts handling of this evidentiary issue was clearly in error.

First, the fact that Ms. Chilton swears to personal knowledge does not establish personal knowledge. Rather, the declaration itself must contain facts showing the declarants connection with the matters stated therein. See Fed. R. Evid. 602;
United States v. Shumway, 199 F.3d 1093, 1104 (9th Cir. 1999). Ms. Chilton was

not Warner Bros. legal counsel during the time that the relevant transfers of copyright ownership occurred, and was not even alive for some of them. As such,
Ms. Chiltons "knowledge" of these matters could only be derived from the documents themselves. Ms. Chilton, however, failed to identify or produce the

written documents evidencing the purported transfers and chain of title, and therefore she did not set forth any facts which demonstrate her personal knowledge of the chain of title and transfers of ownership. Warner Bros. chain of title theory
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relies upon several assignments of copyright interests, which are invalid unless in writing. Nevertheless, Warner Bros. failed present a single written assignment on summary judgment. The District Courts statement that AVELA failed to present evidence controverting Ms. Chiltons statements reflects an improper shifting of the burden of proof. Warner Bros., as the party claiming ownership of copyright, has the burden to establish ownership through chain of title. Religious Technology Ctr., 923 F. Supp at 1241. AVELA has no burden to disprove Warner Bros. ownership. AVELA may controvert Warner Bros. proof if and when Warner Bros. presents admissible evidence purporting to establish ownership. Warner Bros. failed to meet its burden. Warner Bros. failed to submit admissible evidence demonstrating its ownership in and to the relevant film copyrights. This failure independently warrants dismissal of the copyright infringement claim in this case. II. THE DISTRICT COURT ERRED IN ISSUING A PERMANENT INJUNCTION BECAUSE IT WAS BASED ON THE ERRONEOUS COPYRIGHT ORDER The District Courts Injunction Order was based entirely on the Copyright Order - that is, because the District Court determined that AVELA had infringed Warner Bros. copyrights in the films, Warner Bros. was entitled to an injunction restraining AVELA from future infringement.
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The District Court recited its Copyright Order granting summary judgment on the copyright claim, cited statutory and case law recognizing that injunctions regularly and/or presumptively issue pursuant to the Copyright Act, and determined that Warner Bros. was entitled to injunctive relief. (Injunction Order, pp. 1-5.) As demonstrated above, the District Court plainly erred in granting summary judgment on the copyright claim. AVELAs use of the publicity materials does not constitute infringement as a matter of law. Further, Warner Bros. has not established ownership of copyrights in the subject films. Since summary judgment on the copyright claim was improperly granted, the injunction based thereon must be vacated. Mulcahy, 386 F.3d at 850 (8th Cir. 2004). // // // // // // // //

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CONCLUSION For all the foregoing reasons, the District Courts order granting summary judgment on Warner Bros. copyright infringement claim must be reversed, and the Court should direct summary judgment for AVELA. The District Courts order granting a permanent injunction based on the copyright order should be vacated. Respectfully submitted, Dated: July 21, 2010 THE BALL LAW FIRM, LLP

By:

/s/ Douglas D. Winter DOUGLAS D. WINTER

Attomeys for Appellants

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CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE The undersigned attorney for Appellants certifies as required by Rule 32(a)(7)(C) that Appellants Opening Brief complies with the word limitations contained in Rule 32 (a)(7)(B)(i). The number of words used in the Opening Brief attached hereto is shown to be 8,059 by the word count of the word processing system used in preparing the Opening Brief. In accordance with Eighth Cir. Rule 28A(c), the Opening Brief was prepared using Microsoft Word, version 2007, with a Times New Roman font in 14 point size.
Dated: July 21, 2010

THE BALL LAW FIRM, LLP

By:

/s/ Douglas D. Winter DOUGLAS D. WINTER

Attorneys for Appellants

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ADDENDUM Part 1 - March 20, 2009 Opinion, Memorandum and Order (Copyright Order) Part 2 -March 4, 2010 Opinion, Memorandum and Order (Injunction)

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Case 4:06-cv-00546-HEA Document 249 Filed 03/20/09 Page 1 of 38

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI EASTERN DIVISION WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT, INC., et al., Plaintiffs, vs. ) )

)
)

Case No. 4:06CV546 HEA

DAVE GROSSMAN CREATIONS, INC., ) et al., ) Defendants.

) ) )

OPINION, MEMORANDUM AND ORDER This matter is before the Court on Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment, [Doc. No. 183] and Defendants A.V.E.LA., Inc. d/b/a Art & Vintage Entertainment Licensing Agency, Art-Nostalgia.corn, Inc., Leo Valencia, and X One X Movie Archives, Inc.s Motion for Summary Judgment, [Doc. 211], and Plaintiffs Motion to Strike Exhibits, to Supplement Motions for Sanctions and for Conference and for Appointment of Special Master. Oppositions to the respective motions for summary judgment have been filed. For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment is granted in part and denied in part. Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment is denied and Plaintiffs Motion to Strike Exhibits, to Supplement Motions for Sanctions and for Conference and for Appointment of

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Special Master is denied. Facts and Background Plaintiffs brought this action alleging they are the legal and/or beneficial owners of all copyrights, trademarks, commercial use and merchandising rights, publicity rights and related rights associated with the motion pictures "Gone With the Wind" and "Wizard of Oz" and multiple Tom & Jerry animated motion pictures.1 Plaintiffs further allege Defendants have infringed their copyright and trademark rights, have engaged in unfair competition, and are trading on the goodwill of Plaintiffs. Defendants counterclaim, alleging libel, injurious falsehood, tortious interference with contract, unfair competition, unlawful restraint of trade, and unlawful tying and exclusive dealing arrangements. Both Plaintiffs and Defendants seek declaratory relief seeking findings that they are, respectively, entitled to copyright and trademark protection. Both Plaintiffs and Defendants have moved for summary judgment on Plaintiffs claims. Plaintiffs also argue that they are entitled to summary dismissal of Defendants counterclaims. Copyrights and Chain of Title

~ For ease of reference, the Court will refer to Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind and the Tom and Jerry films as "the subject films" or the subject motion pictures," unless context requires specifically naming them individually. -2-

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Plaintiffs are the owners of the copyrights in the subject films, as established through the following:2 Turner Entertainment Co.,TEC, is wholly-owned by WTTA Incorporated, WTTA, which is wholly-owned by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., WBEI. On August 7, 1939, Loews Incorporated registered its copyright in the Wizard of Oz, with the U.S. Copyright Office. The original certificate of registration was numbered L9039. On February 25, 1960, Loews changed its name to MGM. On August 8, 1966, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., successor in interest to Lowe s, renewed the copyright in the Wizard of Oz with the Copyright Office. That renewal certificate of copyright registration was numbered R390474. On July 30, 1936, Selznick International Pictures, Inc., (Selznick), and Margaret Mitchell Marsh, (Mitchell), entered into an agreement, whereby Selznick purchased the motion picture rights to Mitchells novel, Gone With The Wind. On August 25, 1938, Loews and Selznick entered into an agreement whereby Loews agreed to loan Clark Gables services to Selznick, provide financing and distribute
2 Defendants argue that Plaintiffs have failed to sufficiently delineate through admissible evidence the chain of title to the subject films. Plaintiffs have submitted the affidavit of Katherine Chilton, Vice President and Senior Litigation Counsel for Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., in which Ms. Chilton avers that she has personal knowledge of the facts set forth in her affidavit. This personal knowledge was obtained through corporate documents and other materials which she reviewed, and which have been produced to Defendants through discovery. Defendants have failed to present any evidence to controvert the averments contained in the affidavit. The Court, therefore concludes that the facts set forth above are true and accurate. -3-

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the film, in exchange, Selznick agreed to share its revenues and pay a distribution fee. The agreement also provided that Loews was to copyright Gone With The Wind jointly in its own name and in the name of Selznick. On December 31, 1939, Selznick registered its copyright for the motion picture, Gone With The Wind, with the Copyright Office. The original certificate of registration was numbered L9390. On January 31, 1940, Loews requested Selznick comply with the agreement. Shortly thereat~er, Selznick assigned its copyright in the motion picture, Gone With The Wind, to Loews and itself. On December 4, 1961, the Stephens Mitchell Trust and MGM, entered into an agreement,, whereby Mitchells beneficiaries confnmed that MGM owned picture rights to Mitchells novel, Gone With The Wind, including all copyrights and renewals of any such copyrights, as well as merchandising rights and certain other rights in the novel itself. On January 3, 1967, MGM renewed the copyright in the motion picture, Gone With The Wind, with the Copyright Office. The renewal certificate of copyright registration was numbered R399224. On July 1, 1990, the Stephens Mitchell Trust and TEC entered into another agreement, whereby the parties once again confirmed TECs ownership in certain
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rights associated with the novel, Gone With The Wind, the similarly titled motion picture, and all merchandising rights related thereto. William Hanna and Joseph Barbera were employed by Loews and MGM from May 19,1937 and August 11, 1937, respectively through 1957. While employed by Loews and MGM, and on their behalf, Hanna and Barbera created the characters, Tom and Jerry and the vast majority of the animated motion pictures in which Tom and Jerry appeared. Tom and Jerry have appeared in at least 255 animated shorts and motion pictures. Warner Bros. is the registered copyright holder for each of these films. On February 29, 1980, MGM assigned all of its right, title and interest in its motion picture copyrights to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Film Co. Film Co. changed its name to MGM/UA Entertainment Co. on April 12, 1982. On March 25, 1986, MGM/UA changed its name to MGM Entertainment Co. On August 4, 1986, MGM Entertainment merged into TBS Entertainment Co. TBS Entertainment changed its name to TEC on August 8, 1986. Effective August 5, 1986, it was the owner of all MGMs motion picture library, including all copyrights and other intellectual property rights associated with the motion pictures, Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind and the entire Tom and Jerry animated motion picture series.
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On May 13, 1994, Turner Entertainment Group, Inc., TEG, was incorporated as a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., TBS. On August 1, 1994, all shares of TEC were transferred from TBS to TEG. Time Warner, Inc acquired TBS, and therefore TEG and TEC in October, 1996. Since 1996, Time Warner and its wholly owned and direct and indirect subsidiaries, including TEC have owned MGMs classic motion picture library, including all copyrights, trademarks, other intellectual Property rights, publicity rights, and merchandising rights associated with the motion pictures at issue herein.

Trademark and Unfair Competition Claims Plaintiffs have registered numerous words and phrases from the subject motion pictures with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The first of the registrations occurred in 1995 and various different registrations continued through 2005. Rights of Publicity Contracts Warner Bros., by contracts dated September 27, 1935 and June 12, 1939, owns, holds, and or controls the exclusive publicity rights--the right to use the name, voice, signature photograph, or likeness--to Frances Gumm, professionally known as Judy Garland in her character as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz.
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Warner Bros., by contracts dated April 11, 1936, June 4, 1937, January 3, 1938, March 17, 1938, and June 12, 1939, owns, holds, and or controls the exclusive publicity rights--the right to use the name, voice, signature photograph, or likeness-- to Ray Bolger in his character as Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz. Warner Bros., by contracts dated November 4, 1938 and June 30, 1939, owns, holds, and or controls the exclusive publicity rights--the right to use the name, voice, signature photograph, or likeness--to Jack Haley in his character as Tin Man from Wizard of Oz. Warner Bros., by contracts dated September 9, 1939 and May 17, 1939, owns, holds, and or controls the exclusive publicity rights--the right to use the name, voice, signature photograph, or likeness--Bert Lahr in his character as Cowardly Lion from Wizard of Oz. Warner Bros., by contracts dated January 16, 1939, owns, holds, and or controls the exclusive publicity rights--the right to use the name, voice, signature photograph, or likeness--to Vivien Leigh in her character as Scarlett OHara from Gone With The Wind. Warner Bros., by contracts dated November 1, 1991, owns, holds, and or controls the exclusive publicity rights--the right to use the name, voice, signature photograph, or likeness--to Clark Gable in his character as Rhett Butler from Gone
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With The Wind. Further, Warner Bros., by contract dated November 1, 1991 also owns, holds and/or controls the exclusive publicity rights--the right to use the name, voice, signature photograph, or likeness--to Clark Gable the artist. Defendants Acquisition of Movie Items Defendant Leo Valencia, (Valencia) is the President, CEO and sole shareholder of Defendants A.V.E.L.A., d/b/a Art & Vintage Entertainment Licensing Agency, (AVELA), Art-Nostalgia.Com, Inc. (Art Nostalgia) and X One X, d!b/a X One X Movie Archives, Inc. (X One X). Since at least 1985, Defendants have been collecting artwork and photographs related to classic movies, television programs, musical performances and other areas of entertainment. Defendants operate a multimedia licensing and merchandising agency. Defendants derive their images, which they subsequently license to others, fiom publicity materials3 they contend have fallen into the public domain. They have filed copyright registrations in the restored movie publicity artwork, although there is no evidence that any Defendant is aware of what restorations have taken place. Defendants sell license rights in their restored publicity artwork which permits the licensees to use all or part of the artwork.
3 The publicity materials include movie posters, theater lobby displays and card, prewritten press stories, newspaper and magazine advertisements with photographs of actors or scenes, press books, souvenirs to be sold to movie goers and news bulletins. 8

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Included within this license are the rights to produce merchandise, such as figurines, t-shirts, banks, and the like. Some of these acquisitions were obtained as follows: Picture Perfect, which began operating sometime in 1994, was in the business of restoring, stabilizing and preserving movie paper, other art and collectibles. Shortly after Picture Perfect opened Valencia asked Joe Hernandez, owner of Picture Perfect to restore several hundred pieces of artwork that he had purchased from an artist in the Philippines. These pieces of art had nothing to do with movie paper or motion pictures. Valencia told Hernandez that he was fascinated by old movie paper, and that he had been sold transparencies containing old movie paper, such as lobby cards, one sheets, and six sheets. The transparencies were described as being professionally taken photographs. Picture Perfect offered its customers a professional photograph service, whereby it would take a professional photograph of its customer s collectible, and then, transform that photograph into a transparency. Some customers had Picture Perfect photograph their un-restored pieces of movie paper, while others had it photograph their restored, stabilized and preserved pieces of movie paper. Valencia ultimately asked Hernandez if he would sell him any of the
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transparencies commissioned by Picture Perfects other customers. Hernandez began to sell transparencies to Valencia. Picture Perfect sold Valencia approximately $2,000-$3,000 worth of transparencies. With respect to fully restored pieces, Valencia never saw the un-restored version of each respective piece of movie paper from Picture Perfect. Picture Perfect went out of business in 1998. Studio Conservation, Inc., (Studio C) is in the business of preserving movie paper, other art and collectibles. Studio C provides a service whereby its customers are able to restore, stabilize and preserve their old, damaged and dilapidated movie paper, other art and collectibles. Diane Jeffrey is the President and CEO of Studio C. Prior to the opening of Studio C, Jeffrey was the office manager for Picture Perfect, Inc. Jeffrey, as President of Studio C, sold transparencies to Valencia, in the approximate amount of $4,000-$5,000. Prior to the sale of transparencies by Studio C, and at the request of Valencia, Jeffrey signed an agreement on behalf of Studio 12 assigning the "artistic contributions during the restoration process of movie publicity artwork." Plaintiffs contend Defendants actions of licensing images from the movie publicity artwork infringe their copyrights, trademarks, publicity rights and unfairly
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compete with Plaintiffs and are trading on the goodwill of Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs seek damages and injunctive relief, and seek declaratory relief in the form of a cancellation of Defendants registered copyrights. Plaintiffs also seek dismissal of

the counter-claims filed by Defendants. Defendants seek summary judgment in their favor on Plaintiffs claims.
Discussion Summary Judgment Standard The standards for summary judgment are well settled. In determining whether summary judgment should issue, the Court must view the facts and inferences from the facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587 (1986); Woods v. DaimlerChrysler Corp., 409 F.3d 984, 990 (8th Cir. 2005); Littrell v. City of Kansas City, Mo., 459 F.3d 918, 921 (Sth Cir. 2006). The moving party has the burden to establish both the absence of a genuine issue of material fact and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247 (1986); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986); Enterprise Bank v. Magna Bank, 92 F.3d 743,747 (8th Cir. 1996). Once the moving party has met this burden, the nonmoving party may not rest on the allegations in his pleadings but by affidavit or other evidence must set forth specific
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facts showing that a genuine issue of material fact exists. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e); Anderson 477 U.S. at 256; Littrell, 459 F.3d at 921. "The party opposing summary judgment may not rest on the allegations in its pleadings; it must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial." United of Omaha Life Ins. Co. v. Honea, 458 F.3d 788, 791 (8th Cir.2006) (quoting Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e)); "Only disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude the entry of summary judgment. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986)." Hitt v. Harsco Corp., 356 F.3d 920, 923 (8th Cir. 2004). An issue of fact is genuine when "a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party" on the question. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248; Woods, 409 F.3d at 990. To survive a motion for summary judgment, the "nonmoving party must substantiate his allegations with sufficient probative evidence [that] would permit a finding in [his] favor based on more than mere speculation, conjecture, or fantasy. Wilson v. Intl Bus. Machs. Corp., 62 F.3d 237, 241 (8th Cir. 1995)(quotation omitted)." Putman v. Unity Health System, 348 F.3d 732, 733-34 (8th Cir. 2003). A party may not merely point to unsupported self-serving allegations, but must substantiate allegations with sufficient probative evidence that would permit a finding in the plaintiffs favor. Wilson v. Intl Bus. Math. Corp., 62 F.3d 237, 241 (8th Cir. 1995). "The mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of the [party s]
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position will be insufficient; there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably fred for the plaintiff." Anderson, 477 U.S. 242 at 252; Davidson & Associates v. Jung 422 F.3d 630, 638 (8th Cir. 2005). Summary Judgment will be granted when, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and giving the nonmoving party the benefit of all reasonable inferences, there are no genuine issues of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Samuels v. Kansas City Mo. Sch. Dist., 437 F.3d 797, 801 (8th Cir.2006). "Mere allegations, unsupported by specific facts or evidence beyond the nonmoving partys own conclusions, are insufficient to withstand a motion for summary judgment." Thomas v. Corwin, 483 F.3d 516, 526-7(8th Cir. 2007).

Copyright Claims A copyright holder has certain exclusive rights to the copyrighted work, including the right to reproduce all or any part of the copyrighted work. 17 U.S.C. 106. One infringes a copyright when he or she violates one of the exclusive rights to a work held by a copyright owner, and the owner has the right to sue for infringement. See 17 U.S.C. 501. To establish its claim for copyright infringement, Plaintiffs are required to prove "ownership of a valid copyright and copying of original elements." Taylor Corp. v. Four Seasons Greetings, LLC, 403
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F.3d 958, 962-63 (8th Cir.2005) (intemal quotations omitted). "Copying may be established (1) by direct evidence or (2) by showing that the defendants had access to the copyrighted materials and showing that substantial similarity of ideas and expression existed between the alleged infringing materials and the copyrighted materials. Hartman v. Hallmark Cards, Inc., 833 F.2d 117, 120 (8th Cir.1987)." Rottlund Co. v. Pinnacle Corp., 452 F.3d 726, 731 (8th Cir. 2006). There is no dispute that the characters contained within publicity artwork and the characters in the subject films are the same. Thus, the question of substantial similarity is not at issue; the actors and cartoon characters from the films are indeed the very same actors and cartoon characters as those featured in the publicity materials. Initially, Defendants contend that Plaintiffs copyright claims must fail because Defendants have not copied any of Plaintiffs films. Rather, according to Defendants, they have only copied artwork that has fallen into the public domain. They argue, therefore, Plaintiffs cannot establish the second element of copyright infringement since there has been no copying of Plaintiffs copyrighted motion pictures. Plaintiffs position is that their copyrights for the motion pictures encompass the characters contained therein as well as the film itself. It is elementary that literary characters are entitled to somewhat limited
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copyright protection, and courts, have afforded cartoon characters even greater protection. Because a cartoon character has physical as well as conceptual qualities, it is more readily suitable than literary characters for copyright protection. See Sid & Marty Krofft Television Prods., Inc. v. McDonalds Corp., 562 F.2d 1157, 1169 (9th Cir. 1977). See also, Walt Disney Prods. v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751,755 (9th Cir. 1978)(finding copyright protection available for a comic book character "which has physical as well as conceptual qualities[,]" and recognizing that "comic book characters.., are distinguishable from literary characters"); Silverman v. CBS Inc., 632 F. Supp. 1344, 1355 ("Cartoons, and other graphic representations of characters, have been afforded greater copyright protection than characters described only by words."); Suntrust Bank v. Houghton Mifflin Co., 268 F.3d 1257, 1266 (1 lth Cir. 2001) (explaining regarding literary characters that "[a]t one end of the spectrum, scenes a faire -the stock scenes and hackneyed character types that "naturally flow from a common theme" - are considered "ideas," and therefore are not copyrightable. But as plots become more intricately detailed and characters become more idiosyncratic, they at some point cross the line into "expression" and are protected by copyright (internal citations omitted)). "Characters that have received copyright protection have displayed consistent, widely identifiable traits." Where a character "is only the chessman in the game of telling the story he is
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not within the area of the protection afforded by the copyright." Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. v. Columbia Broad. Sys., Inc., 216 F.2d 945, 950 (9th Cir.1954), Warner Bros. held that a character could only be granted copyright protection if it "constituted the story being told." Id. This is because literary characters are difficult to delineate and may be based on nothing more than an unprotected idea that the protection is to be limited. Id.; see WaltDisney Prods. v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 755 (9th Cir, 1978). Air Pirates, however, distinguished cartoon characters from literary characters, based on the reasoning that comic book characters have "physical as well as conceptual qualities, [and are] more likely to contain some unique elements of expression." Id., 581 F.2d at 755. Similarly, copyright protection for characters that are especially distinctive, has been recognized. See Olson v. Natl Broad. Co., 855 F.2d 1446, 1452 (9th Cir. 1988). Olson noted, consistent with Air Pirates, that copyright protection "may be afforded to characters visually depicted in a television series or a movie;" Olson, 855 F.2d at 1452 (citing Silverman v. CBS, Inc., 632 F.Supp. 1344, 1355 (S.D.N.Y. 1986)). "Characters that have received copyright protection have displayed consistent, widely identifiable traits." Rice v. Fox Broad. Co., 330 F.3d 1170, 1175 (9th Cir.2003) (citing Toho Co., Ltd. v. William Morrow & Co., Inc., 33 F. Supp.2d 1206, 1215-16 (C.D. Cal. 1998) (recognizing copyright protection for
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Godzilla)); Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. v. Am. Honda Motor Corp., 900 F.Supp. 1287, 1296-97 (C.D.Cal. 1995) (recognizing copyright protection for James Bond); Anderson v. Stallone, No. 87-0592, 1989 WL 206431, *7 (C.D.Cal. Apr.25, 1989) (recognizing copyright protection for Rocky Balboa). With respect to the cartoon characters Tom and Jerry, the above analysis ends inquiry. Tom and Jerry have physical as well as conceptual qualities, and contain unique elements of expression such that they are entitled to copyright protection. The remaining characters, i.e., Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, Ray Bolger as Scarecrow, Jack Haley as Tin Man, and Bert Lahr as Cowardly Lion in Wizard of Oz and Vivian Leigh as Scarlett OHara and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind, can be seen as more akin to a comic book character than a literary character based on their distinct characteristics and idiosyncracies in their portrayal of the character. Each character has widely identifiable traits and is especially distinctive. Each has been extensively developed through the films. Be it Dorothys inherent wisdom coupled with her Midwestern farm girl innocence, Scarlett OHaras seemingly ruthless will coupled with her beauty and charm, Rhett Butlers strength and endurance and "un-flappability," coupled with his inexplicable devotion to Scarlett, or the apparent inconsistencies of Scarecrow, (without a brain vs. wisdom and leader), Tin Man (without a heart vs. compassion and tendemess) and Cowardly
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Lion, (without courage vs. bravery and chivalrousness), they are especially distinctive; they consistently display widely identifiable traits throughout the movies; they are like no others; and they are "the stor[ies] being told." See Rice, 330 F.3d at 1175; Olson, 855 F.2d at 1452. Thus, these characters are entitled to copyright protection because of their "physical as well as conceptual qualities [and] ... unique elements of expression" Air Pirates, 581 F.2d at 755; Halicki Films, LLC v. Sanderson Sales and Marketing 547 F.3d 1213, 1224 -1225 (9th Cir. 2008). Defendants argument that, even if the characters would be entitled to copyright protection, the characters are no longer protected because the publication of the characters in the public domain materials caused them to become public domain material as well, is unavailing. The publicity materials with pictures of the actors in costume are just that--pictures of actors. It is necessarily through the films that the characters become copyrightable. But for the films, these characters would remain literary figures without the particular idiosyncracies that have established each character as a unique icon in American culture. Defendants admittedly copy the publicity materials. Plaintiffs have stated that they would have no quarrel, except with respect to their state law right of publicity claims, with the mere copying of the movie artwork. However, Defendants do not merely copy the movie artwork, rather, they pluck from these pages images of
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Plaintiffs copyrighted characters such that Defendants images are no longer innocently copied publicity ads, but are indeed the characters themselves, to be embossed onto any number of trinkets, clothing and other collectibles, within Defendants catalogs. Notwithstanding Defendants have copied only the publicity materials, such actions violate the component parts of Plaintiffs copyrights in the films. Trademark and Unfair Competition Claims Defendants contend that because they only copy those images in the public domain Plaintiffs have no trademark protection, relying on Dastar Corp. v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., 539 U.S. 23 (2003). The Supreme Court held in Dastar, that Section 43(a) [of the Lanham Act] applies only to the producer of tangible goods that were offered for sale, not the author of any idea, concept, or communication embodied in those goods. Id., at 37. The Court further held that once a copyright has expired, the right to copy the work passes to the public and trademark protection does not, in essence, resurrect copying rights. The right to copy, and to copy without attribution, once a copyright has expired, like "the right to make [an article whose patent has expired]-including the right to make it in precisely the shape it carried when patented-passes to the public." Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Stiffel Co., 376 U.S. 225,230, 84 S.Ct. 784, 11 L.Ed.2d 661 (1964); see also Kellogg Co. v. National Biscuit Co., 305 U.S. 111, 121-122, 59 S.Ct. 109, 83 L.Ed. 73 (1938). "In general, unless an
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intellectual property right such as a patent or copyright protects an item, it will be subject to copying." TrafFix Devices, Inc. v. Marketing Displays, Inc., 532 U.S. 23, 29, 121 S.Ct. 1255, 149 L.Ed.2d 164 (2001). The rights of a patentee or copyright holder are part of a "carefully crafted bargain," Bonito Boats, Inc. v. Thunder Craft Boats, Inc., 489 U.S. 141,150-151,109 S.Ct. 971, 103 L.Ed.2d 118 (1989), under which, once the patent or copyright monopoly has expired, the public may use the invention or work at will and without attribution. Id. at 33-34. Defendants reliance, however, is misplaced by virtue of the existing copyrights in the films and the component parts thereof, as set forth above. Moreover, Plaintiffs are seeking to enforce their trademarks on tangible goods which embody the characters and scenes from the films, not the ideas, concepts, or communications of films themselves. Plaintiffs have brought this action seeking recovery under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114, 1125(a), 1125(c).4 Plaintiffs urge.summary judgrnent based on
4 These sections provide, in pertinent part: 1114. Remedies; infringement; innocent int~ingement by printers and publishers (1) Any person who shall, without the consent of the registrant-2. (a) use in commerce any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a registered mark in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising of any goods or services on or in connection with which such use is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive; or (b) reproduce, counterfeit, copy, or colorably imitate a registered mark and apply such reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation to labels, signs, prints, packages, wrappers, receptacles or advertisements intended to be used in - 20 -

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commerce upon or in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising of goods or services on or in connection with which such use is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive, shall be liable in a civil action by the registrant for the remedies hereinafter provided. Under subsection (b) hereof, the registrant shall not be entitled to recover profits or damages unless the acts have been committed with knowledge that such imitation is intended to be used to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive. As used in this paragraph, the term "any person" includes the United States, all agencies and instrumentalities thereof, and all individuals, firms, corporations, or other persons acting for the United States and with the authorization and consent of the United States, and any State, any instrumentality of a State, and any officer or employee of a State or instrumentality of a State acting in his or her official capacity. The United States, all agencies and instrumentalities thereof, and all individuals, firms, corporations, other persons acting for the United States and with the authorization and consent of the United States, and any State, and any such instrumentality, officer, or employee, shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter in the same manner and to the same extent as any nongovernmental entity. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the remedies given to the owner of a right infringed under this chapter or to a person bringing an action under section 1125(a) or (d) of this title shall be limited as follows: (A) Where an infringer or violator is engaged solely in the business of printing the mark or violating matter for others and establishes that he or she was an innocent infringer or innocent violator, the owner of the right infringed or person bringing the action under section 1125(a) of this title shall be entitled as against such infringer or violator only to an injunction against future printing.

(B) Where the infringement or violation complained of is contained in or is part of paid advertising matter in a newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical or in an electronic communication as defined in section 2510(12) of Title 18, the remedies of the owner of the right in~inged or person bringing the action under section 1125(a) of this title as against the publisher or distributor of such newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical or electronic communication shall be limited to an injunction against the presentation of such advertising matter in future issues of such newspapers, magazines, or other similar periodicals or in future transmissions of such electronic communications. The limitations of this subparagraph shall apply only to innocent infringers and innocent violators.
(C) Injunctive relief shall not be available to the owner of the right infringed or person bringing the action under section 1125(a) of this title with respect to an -21 -

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issue of a newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical or an electronic communication containing inl~inging matter or violating matter where restraining the dissemination of such infringing matter or violating matter.in any particular issue of such periodical or in an electronic communication would delay the delivery of such issue or transmission of such electronic communication after the regular time for such delivery or transmission, and such delay would be due to the method by which publication and distribution of such periodical or transmission of such electronic communication is customarily conducted in accordance with sound business practice, and not due to any method or device adopted to evade this section or to prevent or delay the issuance of an injunction or restraining order with respect to such infringing matter or violating matter.
15 U.S.C.A. 1114

1125. False designations of origin, false descriptions, and dilution forbidden (a) Civil action (1) Any person who, on or in connection with any goods or services, or any container for goods, uses in commerce any word, term, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof, or any false designation of origin, false or misleading description of fact, or false or misleading representation of fact, which-(A) is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive as to the affiliation; connection, or association of such person with another person, or as to the origin, sponsorship, or approval of his or her goods, services, or commercial activities by another person, or (B) in commercial advertising or promotion, misrepresents the nature, characteristics, qualities, or geographic origin of his or her or another persons goods, services, or commercial activities, shall be liable in a civil action by any person who believes that he or she is or is likely to be damaged by such act. (2) As used in this subsection, the term "any person" includes any State, instrumentality of a State or employee of a State or instrumentality of a State acting in his or her official capacity. Any State, and any such instrumentality, officer, or employee, shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter in the same manner and to the same extent as any nongovernmental entity. (3) In a civil action for trade dress infringement under this chapter for trade dress not registered on the principal register, the person who asserts trade dress protection has the burden of proving that the matter sought to be protected is not functional. - 22 -

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15 U.S.C.A. 1125(a). (c) Dilution by blurring; dilution by tarnishment (1) Injunctive relief Subject to the principles of equity, the owner of a famous mark that is distinctive, inherently or through acquired distinctiveness, shall be entitled to an injunction against another person who, at any time after the owners mark has become famous, commences use of a mark or trade name in commerce that is likely to cause dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment of the famous mark, regardless of the presence or absence of actual or likely confusion, of competition, or of actual economic injury. (2) Definitions (A) For purposes of paragraph (1), a mark is famous if it is widely recognized by the general consuming public of the United States as a designation of source of the goods or services of the marks owner. In determining whether a mark possesses the requisite degree of recognition, the court may consider all relevant factors, including the following: (I) The duration, extent, and geographic reach of advertising and publicity of the mark, whether advertised or publicized by the owner or third parties. (ii) The amount, volume, and geographic extent of sales of goods or services offered under the mark. (iii) The extent of actual recognition of the mark. (iv) Whether the mark was registered under the Act of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, or on the principal register. (B) For purposes of paragraph (1), "dilution by blurring" is association arising l~om the similarity between a mark or trade name and a famous mark that impairs the distinctiveness of the famous mark. In determining whether a mark or trade name is likely to cause dilution by blurring, the court may consider all relevant factors, including the following:

(I) The degree of similarity between the mark or trade name and the famous mark.
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(ii) The degree of inherent or acquired distinctiveness of the famous mark. (iii) The extent to which the owner of the famous mark is engaging in substantially exclusive use of the mark. (iv) The degree of recognition of the famous mark. (v) Whether the user of the mark or trade name intended to create an association with the famous mark.
(vi) Any actual association between the mark or trade name and the famous mark. (C) For purposes of paragraph (1), "dilution by tarnishment" is association arising from the similarity between a mark or trade name and a famous mark that harms the reputation of the famous mark. (3) Exclusions

The following shall not be actionable as dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment under this subsection:
(A) Any fair use, including a nominative or descriptive fair use, or facilitation of such fair use, of a famous mark by another person other than as a designation of source for the persons own goods or services, including use in connection with--

(I) advertising or promotion that permits consumers to compare goods or services; or (ii) identifying and parodying, criticizing, or commenting upon the famous mark owner or the goods or services of the famous mark owner.
(B) All forms of news reporting and news commentary. (C) Any noncommercial use of a mark. (4) Burden of proof - 24 -

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In a civil action for trade dress dilution under this chapter for trade dress not registered on the principal register, the person who asserts trade dress protection has the burden of proving that-(A) the claimed trade dress, taken as a whole, is not functional and is famous; and (B) if the claimed trade dress includes any mark or marks registered on the principal register, the unregistered matter, taken as a whole, is famous separate and apart from any fame of such registered marks. (5) Additional remedies In an action brought under this subsection, the owner of the famous mark shall be entitled to injunctive relief as set forth in section 1116 of this title. The owner of the famous mark shall also be entitled to the remedies set forth in sections 1117(a) and 1118 of this title, subject to the discretion of the court and the principles of equity if-(A) the mark or trade name that is likely to cause dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment was first used in commerce by the person against whom the injunction is sought after October 6, 2006; and (B) in a claim arising under this subsection--

(I) by reason of dilution by blurring, the person against whom the injunction is sought willfully intended to trade on the recognition of the famous mark; or (ii) by reason of dilution by tarnishment, the person against whom the injunction is sought willfully intended to harm the reputation of the famous mark. (6) Ownership of valid registration a complete bar to action
The ownership by a person of a valid registration under the Act of March 3, 1881, or the Act of February 20, 1905, or on the principal register under this chapter shall be a complete bar to an action against that person, with respect to that mark, that-(A)(I) is brought by another person under the common law or a statute of a State; and - 25 -

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their registration of words and phrases from the films, certain images and common law trademark. To prevail on their claims for trademark infringement and unfair competition under the Lanham Act, Plaintiffs must prove (1) that they own valid, distinctive trademarks and (2) a likelihood of confusion between the registered mark and the alleged infringing use by Defendants.5 See First Bank v. First Bank Sys., Inc., 84 F.3d 1040,1044 (8th Cir.1996). Registration of a trademark is prima facie evidence of the validity of the mark. See 15 U.S.C. 1057. In addition, registered trademarks "are presumed to be distinctive." Aromatique, Inc. v. Golden Seal, Inc., 28 F.3d 863, 869 (8th 1994).

(ii) seeks to prevent dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment; or (B) asserts any claim of actual or likely damage or harm to the distinctiveness or reputation of a mark, label, or form of advertisement. (7) Savings clause Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to impair, modify, or supersede the applicability of the patent laws of the United States. 15 U.S.C.A. 1125 (c)

5 Trademark-infiingement claims and unfair-competition claims under the Lanham Act are both subject to this two-part test. See Jeld-Wen, Inc. v. Dalco Indus., Inc., No. 99-1005, 1999 WL 1024002, at *2 (Sth Cir. Nov. 10, 1999) (citing Hubbard Feeds, Inc. v. Animal Feed Supplement, Inc., 182 F.3d 598, 601 (8th Cir.1999)). - 26 -

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The likelihood of customer confusion is the "hallmark of any trademark infringement claim." Northlandlns. Cos. v. Blaylock, 115 F.Supp.2d 1108, 1117 (D.Minn.2000) (quoting Polymer Tech. Corp. v. Mimran, 37 F.3d 74, 80 (2d Cir. 1994)). In evaluating whether a likelihood of confusion exists, the Court considers the following factors: (1) the strength of the owners mark; (2) the similarity between the owners mark and the alleged inffingers mark; (3) the degree to which the products compete with each other; (4) the alleged infringers intent to "pass off its own goods as those of the trademark owner; (5) incidents of actual confusion; and (6) whether the degree of care exercised by a consumer can eliminate a likelihood of confusion that would otherwise exist. Hubbard Feeds, 182 F.3d at 602; see also SquirtCo v. Seven-Up Co., 628 F.2d 1086, 1091 (Sth Cir. 1980). "These factors do not operate in a mathematically precise formula; rather, [courts] use them at the summary judgment stage as a guide to determine whether a reasonable jury could find a likelihood of confusion." Duluth New-Tribune v. Mesaba Publg Co., 84 F:3d 1093, 1096 (Sth Cir.1996). "[N]o one factor controls, and because the inquiry is inherently case-specific, different factors may be entitled to more weight in different cases." Kemp v. Bumble Bee Seafoods, Inc., 398 F.3d 1049, 1054 (8th Cir. 2005). Plaintiffs have offered evidence that certain words, phrases and images from
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the subject films are federally registered. Plaintiffs also claim common law trademark rights in the brand names Gone With The Wind, Wizard of Oz and Tom & Jerry. Plaintiffs assert that as. a result of the promotion and popularity of these films since their inception 70 years ago6, the marks have become indelibly woven into Americas fabric and that the goodwill associated with the marks is invaluable. Plaintiffs argue that their marks are therefore strong because they have been used in commerce in connection with film memorabilia for approximately 65 years. The strength of the marks has been established and this factor weighs in favor the likelihood of confusion. Plaintiffs assert that the marks used by Defendants are virtually identical to theirs. Defendant in essence has copied a large variety of items from the publicity materials containing the actual actors in costume and the actual cartoon drawings of Tom & Jerry. They again, argue, however, the copying is legitimate based upon their public domain argument discussed above. Thus, faced with such undisputed evidence in the record that the images and phrases are virtually identical, therefore, the Court finds that this factor also weighs in favor of the likelihood of confusion. See Davis, 430 F.3d at 903-04 (holding that the use of a mark that is "almost
6 The longevity of Tom & Jerry is probably a few years longer, see supra. -28 -

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identical" to the owners mark weighs in favor of a finding of a likelihood of confusion).

Plaintiffs claim to have used the marks in connection with various consumer merchandise. Defendants have used images from the film artwork to license the use on various consumer merchandise. There is nothing in the record to suggest that the products of Plaintiffs and those of Defendants, both of which relate to the production of consumer film memorabilia, are not engaged in direct competition with each other. The degree of competition, therefore, weighs in favor of the
likelihood of confusion.

The problem with Plaintiffs position regarding use of the marks is that it assumes too much. While Plaintiffs are clearly incensed by Defendants actions, they assume that the registered marks, encompass every aspect taken from the films. This Court agrees with Judge Cooper in her assessment:
Plaintiff appears to be basing some or all of its trademark il~ingement claims on the use of images of the Betty Boop cartoon character. However, Plaintiff does not address how its registered trademarks encompass the use of the image of Betty Boop; nor does Plaintiff separately address the nature or source of its common law trademark rights, if any, in Betty Boop images. Among the other questions before the Court with these cross-motions for summary judgment are: (a) whether the products Defendants sell and the rights Defendants license to others constitute a use of one or more of the marks Plaintiff owns, and (b) whether Defendants use is likely to create confusion as to the origin of the products. Plaintiffs evidence of its trademark registrations indicate protection for a "word. mark" for "Betty Boop."

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Fleischer Studios, Inc. v. A. V.E.L.A., Cause Number 2:06cv6229-FMC-MANx (U.S. Dist. Calif. December 16, 2008). Plaintiffs registrations are for words, phrases and an image of Tom & Jerry. Nowhere do Plaintiffs explain how these registrations establish trademark protection to, for example, the actors in costume or the scenes from the films, to wit, registration of"Gone With The Wind" including a picture of Rhett Butler holding Scarlett OHara, or registration of Wizard of Oz and Dorothy including Dorothy dabbing the Cowardly Lions tears. Likewise, with respect to their common law trademark claims, although Plaintiffs frequently point out that the films are famous, emblematic, and have become part of the fabric of American culture, Plaintiffs do not provide sufficient evidence that they are entitled to trademark protection in all aspects of the films. Merely stating they have been using the marks for over 65 years does not necessarily give rise to trademark protection in light of the fact that, as Defendants point out, there are indeed numerous other reproductions of characters and scenes available. Put another way, the Court is not convinced that summary judgment is proper considering the magnitude of items available from sources other than Plaintiffs. The final factor in the infringement analysis considers whether the degree of purchaser care can eliminate any likelihood of confusion that would otherwise exist. Plaintiffs allegations of infringement include Defendants representations to their
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licensees that the films are "evergreen," "tried and true," etc. Plaintiffs argue that Defendants representations are based on Plaintiffs trademarks rather than anything from Defendants and because of this, licensees will be confused as to the origin of the goods, and will be unable to distinguish between Plaintiff s goods and those of Defendants; the licensees will assume that the items are coming from Plaintiffs because of the films long successful history. This factor again favors Plaintiffs establishing a likelihood of confusion. In sum, while Plaintiffs have established several facts, which for subsequent rulings have been determined, Plaintiffs have yet to present sufficient evidence to establish the fundamental element of trademark protection, i.e., that they are the owners ofprotectable trademarks in those aspects of the films that are the subject of the controversy. As such, summary judgment is not appropriate at this time on the trademark claims. Right of Publicity Claims Plaintiffs also seek summary judgment on their right of publicity claims under Cal.Civ.Code 3344.1.7 The record is not sufficiently established on this
7 Section 3344.1 provides: a)(1) Any person who uses a deceased personalitys name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness, in any manner, on or in products, merchandise, or goods, or for purposes of advertising or selling, or soliciting purchases of, products, merchandise, goods, or services, without prior consent from the person or Persons specified in subdivision (c), shall be liable for any damages -31 -

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sustained by the person or persons injured as a result thereof. In addition, in any action brought under this section, the person who violated the section shall be liable to the injured party or parties in an amount equal to the greater of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) or the actual damages suffered by the injured party or parties, as a result of the unauthorized use, and any profits from the unauthorized use that are attributable to the use and are not taken into account in computing the actual damages. In establishing these profits, the injured party or parties shall be required to present proof only of the gross revenue attributable to the use and the person who violated the section is required to prove his or her deductible expenses. Punitive damages may also be awarded to the injured party or parties. The prevailing party or parties in any action under this section shall also be entitled to attorneys fees and costs. (2) For purposes of this subdivision, a play, book, magazine, newspaper, musical composition, audiovisual work, radio or television program, single and original work of art, work of political or newsworthy value, or an advertisement or commercial announcement for any of these works, shall not be considered a product, article of merchandise, good, or service if it is fictional or nonfictional entertainment, or a dramatic, literary, or musical work. (3) Ifa work that is protected under paragraph (2) includes within it a use in connection with a product, article of merchandise, good, or service, this use shall not be exempt under this subdivision, notwithstanding the unprotected uses inclusion in a work otherwise exempt under this subdivision, if the claimant proves that this use is so directly connected with a product, article of merchandise, good, or service as to constitute an act of advertising, selling, or soliciting purchases of that product, article of merchandise, good, or service by the deceased personality without prior consent from the person or persons specified in subdivision (c). (b) The rights recognized under this section are property rights, freely transferable or descendible, in whole or in part, by contract or by means of any trust or any other testamentary instrument, executed before or after January 1, 1985. The rights recognized under this section shall be deemed to have existed at the time of death of any deceased personality who died prior to January 1, 1985, and, except as provided in subdivision (o), shall vest in the persons entitled to these property rights under the testamentary instrument of the deceased personality effective as of the date of his or her death. In the absence of an express transfer in a testamentary instrument of the deceased personalitys rights in his or her name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness, a provision in the testamentary instrument that provides for the disposition of the residue of the deceased personalitys assets shall be effective to transfer the rights recognized under this section in accordance with the terms of that provision. The rights established by this section shall also be freely transferable or descendible by contract, trust, or any other testamentary instrument by any subsequent owner of the deceased personalitys rights as recognized by this section. Nothing in this section shall be construed to render invalid or unenforceable any contract entered into by a deceased personality during his or her lifetime by which the deceased personality assigned the rights, in whole or in part, to use his or her name, voice, signature, photograph or likeness, regardless of whether the contract was entered into before or after January 1, 1985. - 32 -

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(c) The consent required by this section shall be exercisable by the person or persons to whom the right of consent, or portion thereof, has been transferred in accordance with subdivision (b), or if no transfer has occurred, then by the person or persons to whom the right of consent, or portion thereof, has passed in accordance with subdivision (d).
(d) Subject to subdivisions (b) and (c), after the death of any person, the rights under this section shall belong to the following person or persons and may be exercised, on behalf of and for the benefit of all of those persons, by those persons who, in the aggregate, are entitled to more than a one-half interest in the rights: " (1) The entire interest in those rights belong to the surviving spouse of the deceased personality unless there are any surviving children or grandchildren of the deceased personality, in which case one-half of the entire interest in those rights belong to the surviving spouse. (2) The entire interest in those rights belong to the surviving children of the deceased personality and to the surviving children of any dead child of the deceased personality unless the deceased personality has a surviving spouse, in which case the ownership of a one-half interest in rights is divided among the surviving children and grandchildren.

(3) If there is no surviving spouse, and no surviving children or grandchildren, then the entire interest in those rights belong to the surviving parent or parents of the deceased personality.
(4) The rights of the deceased personalitys children and grandchildren are in all cases divided among them and exercisable in the manner provided in 1. Section 240 of the Probate Code according to the number of the deceased personalitys children represented. The share of the children of a dead child of a deceased personality can be exercised only by the action of a majority of them.

(e) If any deceased personality does not transfer his or her rights under this section by contract, or by means of a trust or testamentary instrument, and there are no surviving persons as described in subdivision (d), then the rights set forth in subdivision (a) shall terminate. (0(1) A successor in interest to the rights of a deceased personality under this section or a licensee thereof may not recover damages for a use prohibited by this section that occurs before the successor in interest or licensee registers a claim of the rights under paragraph (2).
(2) Any person claiming to be a successor in interest to the rights of a deceased personality under this section or a licensee thereof may register that claim with the Secretary of State on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and upon payment of a fee as set forth in subdivision (d) of Section 12195 of the Government Code. The form shall be verified and shall include the name and date of death of the deceased personality, the name and address of the claimant, the basis of the - 33 -

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claim, and the rights claimed. (3) Upon receipt and after filing of any document under this section, the Secretary of State shall post the document along with the entire registry of persons claiming to be a successor in interest to the rights of a deceased personality or a registered licensee under this section upon the World Wide Web, also known as the Internet. The Secretary of State may microfilm or reproduce by other techniques any of the filings or documents and destroy the original filing or document. The microfilm or other reproduction of any document under the provisions of this section shall be admissible in any court of law. The microfilm or other reproduction of any document may be destroyed by the Secretary of State 70 years after the death of the personality named therein. (4) Claims registered under this subdivision shall be public records. (g) No action shall be brought under this section by reason of any use of a deceased personalitys name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness occurring after the expiration of 70 years after the death of the deceased personality. (h) As used in this section, "deceased personality" means any natural person whose name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness has commercial value at the time of his or her death, whether or not during the lifetime of that natural person the person used his or her name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness on or in products, merchandise or goods, or for purposes of advertising or selling, or solicitation of purchase of, products, merchandise, goods, or services. A "deceased personality" shall include, without limitation, any such natural person who has died within 70 years prior to January 1, 1985. (I) As used in this section, "photograph" means any photograph or photographic reproduction, still or moving, or any video tape or live television transmission, of any person, such that the deceased personality is readily identifiable. A deceased personality shall be deemed to be readily identifiable ~om a photograph when one who views the photograph with the naked eye can reasonably determine who the person depicted in the photograph is. (j) For purposes of this section, a use of a name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness in connection with any news, public affairs, or sports broadcast or account, or any political campaign, shall not constitute a use for which consent is required under subdivision (a).

(k) The use of a name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness in a commercial medium shall not constitute a use for which consent is required under subdivision (a) solely because the material containing the use is commercially sponsored or contains paid advertising. Rather, it shall be a question of fact whether or not the use of the deceased personalitys name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness was so directly connected with the commercial sponsorship or with the paid advertising as to constitute a use for which consent is required under subdivision (a).
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issue. While Plaintiffs claim they do not need to register per the statute, Plaintiffs fail to delineate why this is so, thus precluding entry of summary judgment on this claim. Defendants Counterclaims Plaintiffs contend they are also entitled to summary judgment on Defendants

(1) Nothing in this section shall apply to the owners or employees of any medium used for advertising, including, but not limited to, newspapers, magazines, radio and television networks and stations, cable television systems, billboards, and transit ads, by whom any advertisement or solicitation in violation of this section is published or disseminated, unless it is established that the owners or employees had knowledge of the unauthorized use of the deceased personalitys name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness as prohibited by this section. (m) The remedies provided for in this section are cumulative and shall be in addition to any others provided for by law. (n) This section shall apply to the adjudication of liability and the imposition of any damages or other remedies in cases in which the liability, damages, and other remedies arise f~om acts occurring directly in this state. For purposes of this section, acts giving rise to liability shall be limited to the use, on or in products, merchandise, goods, or services, or the advertising or selling, or soliciting purchases of, products, merchandise, goods, or services prohibited by this section. (o) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, if an action was taken prior to May 1, 2007, to exercise rights recognized under this section relating to a deceased personality who died prior to January 1, 1985, by a person described in subdivision (d), other than a person who was disinherited by the deceased personality in a testamentary instrument, and the exercise of those rights was not challenged successfully in a court action by a person described in subdivision (b), that exercise shall not be affected by subdivision (b). In such a case, the rights that would otherwise vest in one or more persons described in subdivision (b) shall vest solely in the person or persons described in subdivision (d), other than a person disinherited by the deceased personality in a testamentary instrument, for all future purposes. (p) The rights recognized by this section are expressly made retroactive, including to those deceased personalities who died before January 1, 1985.

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Counterclaims. Defendants argue that it is premature at this point to address their counterclaims through summary judgment standards. Based on the rulings contained herein, the Court agrees that summary judgment is not proper as to Defendants counterclaims. Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment Defendants motion is, for all intents and purposes, the converse of Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment. Defendants urge summary judgment on Plaintiffs claims basically in response to Plaintiffs Motion. Based on the rulings set forth above, summary judgment in favor of Defendants is clearly not proper and the motion is therefore denied. Conclusion Plaintiffs have established that there exist no genuine issues of material fact with respect to their copyright claim. They are, therefore entitled to summary judgment on Count I. As discussed, the record does not establish that Plaintiffs are entitled to summary judgment on their remaining claims. While the Court has found certain facts to be applied to the issues raised in the motion, other issues remain, precluding entry of summary judgment on these claims. The Motion is therefore denied, without prejudice, as to those claims. Defendants are not entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiffs claims.
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Denying Plaintiffs motion does not operate to entitle Defendants to summary judgment. Defendants Motion for Summary Judgment is denied. Plaintiffs Motion to Strike Exhibits, to Supplement Motions for Sanctions and for Conference and for Appointment of Special Master is denied. Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Judgment, [Doc. No. 183], is granted in part and denied in part, as provided herein. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs shall submit within 7 days from the date of this order a memorandum in support of their claimed damages on Count I, which memorandum shall include any argument Plaintiffs may have with respect to entry of a final judgment on Count I prior to the completion of this matter in its entirety. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants shall be given 7 days from the date of the filing of Plaintiffs Memorandum to respond. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants A.V.E.LA., Inc. d/b/a Art & Vintage Entertainment Licensing Agency, Art-Nostalgia.com, Inc., Leo Valencia, and X One X Movie Archives, Inc.s Motion for Summary Judgment, [Doc. 211 ], is denied. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs Motion to Strike Exhibits, to
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Supplement Motions for Sanctions and for Conference and for Appointmem of Special Master is denied. Dated this 20th day of March, 2009.

HENRY EDWARD AUTREY UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI EASTERN DIVISION

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT, INC., et al.,

) ) ) Plaintiffs, ) ) VS. ) ) DAVE GROSSMAN CREATIONS, INC., ) et al., ) ) Defendants. ) )

Case No. 4:06CV546 HEA

OPINION, MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

This matter is before the Court on Plaintiffs Motion for Permanent Injunction, [Doc. No. 256]. Defendants oppose the motion. Plaintiffs move for a permanent injunction against Defendants following summary judgment in their favor on claims of copyright infi:ingement. For the reasons set forth below, Plaintiffs motion is granted.
Facts and Background The relevant facts are set forth in the Courts Opinion, Memorandum and Order entered March 20, 2009. In that Opinion, the Court found that Plaintiffs were the owners of the Copyrights in the films Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind, as well as the entire series of animated shorts and motion pictures featuring the cartoon

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characters, Tom and Jerry. Defendants "licensed" images from these motion pictures and animated shorts to various product makers and distributors. Plaintiffs filed this action alleging copyright infringement, among other claims. In the March 20, 2009 Opinion, the Court entered summary judgment in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendants for copyright infringement. Plaintiffs now seek a permanent injunction against Defendants from further continued infringement. Discussion The Copyright Act provides: Any court having jurisdiction of a civil action arising under this title may ... grant temporary and final injunctions on such terms as it may deem reasonable to prevent or restrain infringement of a copyright. 17 U.S.C. 502(a). "Injunctions regularly are issued pursuant to the mandate of Section 502, because the public interest is the interest in upholding copyright protections." Taylor Corp. v. Four Seasons Greetings, LLC, 403 F.3d 958, 968 (Sth Cir.2005) (citation omitted). Additionally, the Court has the equitable power to order destruction of all infringing copies in Defendants possession. 17 U.S.C. 503(b). To determine whether permanent injunctive relief is warranted, the Court balances three factors: (1) the threat of irreparable harm to the moving party; (2) the balance of harm between this harm and the harm suffered by the nonmoving party if the injunction is granted; and (3) the public interest.
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Taylor, 403 F.3d at 967. Irreparable Harm There exists in this Circuit a long line of case law which presumes the existence of irreparable harm based upon a finding of copyright infringement. See, e.g., Natl Football League v. McBee & Brunos, Inc., 792 F.2d 726, 729 (Sth Cir. 1986) ("Copyright law has long held that irreparable injury is presumed when the exclusive rights of the holder are infringed.") (citation omitted). Defendants argue that because Plaintiffs seek monetary damages, they are therefore precluded from seeking injunctive relie Defendants are brazenly incorrect with respect to their "election" argument. Defendant has not controverted Plaintiffs evidence that they continue to "license" the images, the very same images this Court has held infringe Plaintiffs copyrighted images. The harm Plaintiffs face is irreparable and monetary damages are inadequate precisely because actual damages are difficult to compute and Defendants continue to infringe. Given the large volume of "licensing" of Defendants and their continued refusal to accept responsibility for their .actions, it is reasonable to conclude that an injunction is necessary to prevent future infringement. This threat of repeated infringement, the

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difficulty of detecting future infringement1 and Defendants failure to heed this Court s ruling on the summary judgment motion weighs heavily in favor of a finding of a threat of irreparable harm. Plaintiffs are entitled to monetary damages for past infringement and have established the irreparable harm element of this analysis. Like naughty, selfish children defendants have worked to thwart this Courts Order and continue to unfairly and illegally gain from Plaintiffs protected works. This factor clearly favors the entry of a permanent injunction. Balance of the Hardships The balance of the hardships acutely favors an injunction. Defendants conduct could create exponential harm to Plaintiffs, but the requested injunction would inflict minimal hardship on Defendants. There is no cognizable harm to Defendants in being enjoined from doing something that is against the law and for which they have already been found liable. Defendants have pitifully failed to identify any hardship that would be inflicted upon them if the injunction is issued. See Taylor, 403 F.3d at 968 (harm to the defendant is minimal because the defendant could continue to sell other designs in its portfolio). As Plaintiffs point out, Defendants do not rely solely on the copyrighted images for their licenses, and

~ As previously detailed throughout this litigation, Defendants have not been entirely forthcoming with answers to discovery as to their operations and use of the subject images.

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Defendants can continue to license those images not protected by Plaintiffs copyrights. Public Interest Injunctions regularly are issued pursuant to the mandate of section 502, because the public interest is the interest in upholding copyright protections. Since Congress has elected to grant certain exclusive rights to the owner of a copyright in a protected work, it is virtually axiomatic that the public interest can only be served by upholding copyright protections and, correspondingly, preventing the misappropriation of the skills, creative energies, and resources which are invested in the protected work. Taylor Corp., 403 F.3d at 968 (citations omitted). The public interest weighs in favor of an injunction. The general rule applies here: the public interest is in favor of upholding copyright protections and the copyright holders exclusivity. Defendants have presented no evidence or authority to the contrary. There is no exception to the general for the Defendants herein.

Conclusion The Court grants Plaintiffs request for an injtmction. Analysis of each equitable factor favors entry of a permanent injunction barring future infringement. Accordingly,
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IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Plaintiffs Motion for a Permanent Injunction, [Doc. No 256], is GRANTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, with the exception noted below, Defendants are permanently enjoined from licensing, attempting to license, or otherwise using for commercial gain images from the Tom and Jerry films as well as images of the characters Tom and Jerry. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, with the exception noted below, Defendants are permanently enjoined from licensing, attempting to license, or otherwise using for commercial gain images from the film The Wizard of Oz as well as images of Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, Ray Bolger as Scarecrow, Jack Haley as Tin Man, and Burr Lahr as Cowardly Lion. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, with the exception noted below, Defendants are permanently enjoined from licensing, attempting to license., or otherwise using for commercial gain images from the film Gone With the Wind as well as images ofVivien Leigh as Scarlett OHara and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants are not enjoined from licensing, attempting to license, or otherwise using for commercial gain reproductions of public domain movie publicity materials, in their entirety and without alteration or modification. However, licensing, attempting to license or
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otherwise using for commercial gain images of movie publicity materials for use in any manner that displays less than the full movie publicity material are enjoined. Dated this 4th day of March, 2010.

HENRY EDWARD AUTREY UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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Date Filed: 07/23/2010 Entry ID: 3686762

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