WASHINGTON (CN) - The U.S. Court of Federal Claims said it lacks jurisdiction to consider a Colorado inmate's copyright infringement claim accusing the government of stealing calendar images he created while working at a prison graphic design job.
The court has jurisdiction over copyright infringement cases where a plaintiff either holds copyright registration or has been denied registration. But plaintiff Robert Walton filed for registration after filing his lawsuit.
Walton had been instructed to design a 2001 calendar of graphics "relating to the federal government's role in society," the ruling states.
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.