Caridi
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. v. Caridi
Opinion
Opinion
Wilson, J.
ORDER RE: MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT
I. INTRODUCTION
On January 28, 2004, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and WV Films III LLC (collectively “Warner Bros.”) filed this action for copyright infringement against Carmine Caridi (“Caridi”) and Russell Sprague (“Sprague”), seeking a permanent injunction, enhanced statutory damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
Warner Bros, is the owner of all rights, title, and interest in and to the copyrights in the screenplay and motion picture The Last Samurai and Mystic River. Warner Bros, submitted both The Last Samurai and Mystic River to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the “Academy”) for consideration in connection with the 76th Annual Academy Awards. As is common practice within the industry, Warner Bros, distributed copies of both films to members of the Academy for award consideration. Within the industry, copies like these are known as “Academy screen-ers” or “sereeners.”
Because of the growing concern about film piracy, Warner Bros, instituted a series of new anti-piracy measures for Academy sereeners. Among other safeguards, any member of Academy who wished to receive screeners was required to…