Scott Malcomson v. Topps, Inc.
Opinion
Opinion
MEMORANDUM
Scott Malcomson appeals pro se from the district court’s summary judgment in his action alleging joint ownership of a copyright under 17 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We review de novo the grant of summary judgment, Aalmuhammed v. Lee, 202 F.3d 1227, 1230 (9th Cir.2000), and for an abuse of discretion the denial of reconsideration, Zimmerman v. City of Oakland, 255 F.3d 734, 737 (9th Cir.2001). We affirm.
The district court properly granted summary judgment because Malcomson failed to raise a genuine dispute of material fact as to whether his periodic written contributions to a small portion of a popular science fiction gaming franchise satisfied the test for joint ownership of the entire work. See Aalmuhammed, 202 F.3d at 1234 (listing factors to determine whether a work is jointly authored in the absence of a contract for purposes of a copyright claim of joint ownership).
The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying reconsideration be cause Malcomson failed to establish that it committed “clear error” or made a decision that was “manifestly unjust.” Zimmerman, 255 F.3d at 740 .