RICHMOND, VA. (CN) - The creator of a drawing that became the logo for the Baltimore Ravens football team may not recover damages for copyright infringement, the Fourth Circuit ruled.
Though Frederick Bouchat proved that several hundred licensees, including K-Mart and Wal-Mart, had infringed on his copyright, the court found he was ineligible for damages because he failed to register the copyright before the infringement occurred. Concurring, Judge Niemeyer questioned whether copyright law should let Bouchat file separate damages claims against each member of the distribution claim, allowing him to "proceed piecemeal against the gamut of infringers." See ruling in Bouchat v. K-Mart.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.