transfer control of the Drudge Report domain to Righthaven
Transcription
transfer control of the Drudge Report domain to Righthaven
Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Filed 12/08/10 Page 1 of 18 SHAWN A. MANGANO, ESQ. Nevada Bar No. 6730 [email protected] SHAWN A. MANGANO, LTD. 9960 West Cheyenne Avenue, Suite 170 Las Vegas, Nevada 89129-7701 (702) 683-4788 – telephone (702) 922-3851 – facsimile J. CHARLES COONS, ESQ. Nevada Bar No. 10553 [email protected] Assistant General Counsel at Righthaven JOSEPH C. CHU, ESQ. Nevada Bar No. 11082 [email protected] Staff Attorney at Righthaven Righthaven LLC 9960 West Cheyenne Avenue, Suite 210 Las Vegas, Nevada 89129-7701 (702) 527-5900 Attorneys for Plaintiff 12 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 13 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 14 15 16 RIGHTHAVEN LLC, a Nevada limitedliability company, Case No.: 2:10-cv-02135 COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL 17 Plaintiff, 18 19 v. 20 MATT DRUDGE, an individual; and DRUDGEREPORTARCHIVES.COM, an entity of unknown origin and nature, 21 22 Defendants. 23 24 25 26 27 Righthaven LLC (“Righthaven”) complains as follows against Matt Drudge (“Mr. Drudge”) and DrudgeReportArchives.com (“DrudgeReportArchives”; collectively with Mr. Drudge known herein as the “Defendants”) on information and belief: 28 1 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 NATURE OF ACTION 1 2 Filed 12/08/10 Page 2 of 18 1. This is an action for copyright infringement pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 501. 3 4 PARTIES 5 6 7 8 9 10 2. Righthaven is, and has been at all times relevant to this lawsuit, a Nevada limited- liability company with its principal place of business in Nevada. 3. Righthaven is, and has been at all times relevant to this lawsuit, in good standing with the Nevada Secretary of State. 4. Mr. Drudge is, and has been at all times relevant to this lawsuit, identified by the 11 current registrar, Network Solutions, LLC (“Network Solutions”), as the registrant, 12 administrative contact, and technical contact for the Internet domain found at 13 <drudgereport.com> (the “Drudge Report Domain”). 14 5. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, Mr. Drudge has maintained and maintains 15 direct responsibility for the selection and display of the content accessible through the Drudge 16 Report Domain (said content accessible through the Drudge Report Domain known herein as the 17 “Drudge Report Website”). 18 6. DrudgeReportArchives is, and has been at all times relevant to this lawsuit, the 19 self-proclaimed owner of the copyright(s) in the work(s) posted as part of the content accessible 20 through the Internet domain found at <drudgereportarchives.com> (the “Drudge Archives 21 Domain”; said content accessible through the Drudge Archives Domain known herein as the 22 “Drudge Archives Website”), as evidenced by a copyright notice displayed on the Drudge 23 Archives Website: “Copyright © 2010 DrudgeReportArchives.com. All Rights Reserved.” 24 25 26 27 7. DrudgeReportArchives is, and has been at all times relevant to this lawsuit, an entity of unknown origin and nature. 8. Attempts to find evidence of the formal organizational status in the respective Secretary of State offices of Delaware, California, Illinois, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Nevada 28 2 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 3 of 18 1 and Florida demonstrate that, at least with respect to these states, DrudgeReportArchives is not a 2 formally organized business entity. 3 4 5 9. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, Mr. Drudge has been and is a direct financial beneficiary of the Drudge Archives Website. 10. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, Mr. Drudge, on at least a daily basis, has 6 maintained and maintains, full editorial control over the electronic content (including, without 7 limitation, all embedded hyperlinks and interactive features) posted and/or displayed on the 8 Drudge Report Website. 9 11. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, DrudgeReportArchives has displayed and/or 10 archived, and continues to display and/or archive, via the Drudge Archives Website, all of the 11 electronic content and embedded hyperlinks originally posted and/or displayed by Mr. Drudge 12 on the Drudge Report Website. 13 12. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, Mr. Drudge has permitted and permits the 14 electronic content (including, without limitation, all embedded hyperlinks and interactive 15 features) ultimately posted and/or displayed on the Drudge Archives Website. 16 13. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, Mr. Drudge has been and is a licensor of the 17 electronic content (including, without limitation, all embedded hyperlinks and interactive 18 features) posted and/or displayed on the Drudge Report Website. 19 14. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, DrudgeReportArchives has been and is a 20 licensee of the electronic content (including, without limitation, all embedded hyperlinks and 21 interactive features) that is posted and/or displayed on the Drudge Report Website. 22 23 24 15. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, Mr. Drudge and DrudgeReportArchives have engaged, and continue to engage, in an embedded hyperlink relationship. 16. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, DrudgeReportArchives has been and is acting 25 as an agent of Mr. Drudge with respect to the electronic content (including, without limitation, 26 all embedded hyperlinks and interactive features) posted and/or displayed by 27 DrudgeReportArchives on the Drudge Archives Website. 28 3 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 JURISDICTION 1 2 3 4 Filed 12/08/10 Page 4 of 18 17. This Court has original subject matter jurisdiction over this copyright infringement action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331 and 28 U.S.C. § 1338(a). 18. Righthaven is the owner of the copyright in the illustration entitled: 5 “Transportation Security Administration agents perform enhanced pat-downs” (the “Work”), 6 attached hereto as Exhibit 1. 7 19. The Defendants willfully copied the Work on an unauthorized basis. 8 20. On or about November 18, 2010, Mr. Drudge displayed an unauthorized 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 reproduction of the Work, attached hereto as Exhibit 2, on the Drudge Report Website (the “Drudge Report Infringement”). 21. On or about November 18, 2010, the Drudge Report Infringement, as publicly displayed on the Drudge Report Website, was accessible in Nevada. 22. On or about November 18, 2010, the Drudge Report Infringement occurred in Nevada. 23. Mr. Drudge gained a financial benefit as a direct result of the unauthorized display of the Drudge Report Infringement on the Drudge Report Website. 24. The Drudge Report Website is a nationally renowned, interactive website that 18 attracts Internet users and viewers across the country, including, without limitation, users and 19 viewers based in Nevada. 20 25. The Drudge Report Website is a nationally renowned, interactive website that 21 targets Internet users and viewers across the country, including, without limitation, users and 22 viewers based in Nevada. 23 24 25 26. The Drudge Report Website contains an embedded hyperlink entitled: “VEGAS CONFIDENTIAL,” linking directly to a section of the Las Vegas Review-Journal website. 27. The Drudge Report Website is an interactive website that targets Nevada-based 26 advertisers, and said Nevada-based advertisers are specifically interested in attracting and 27 gaining Nevada-based customers and clientele. 28 4 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 1 28. Filed 12/08/10 Page 5 of 18 The Drudge Report Website is not a passive website; the Drudge Report Website 2 is an interactive website that contains Nevada-centric advertisements designed to specifically 3 target and appeal to Nevada viewers. 4 29. The Drudge Archives Website is not a passive website; the Drudge Archives 5 Website is an interactive website that contains Nevada-centric advertisements designed to 6 specifically target and appeal to Nevada viewers. 7 30. On or about November 18, 2010, the Defendants displayed, and continue to 8 display, an unauthorized reproduction of the Work, attached hereto as Exhibit 3, on the Drudge 9 Archives Website (the “Drudge Archives Infringement”). 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 31. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, the Drudge Archives Infringement, as publicly displayed on the Drudge Archives Website, was and is accessible in Nevada. 32. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, the Drudge Archives Infringement occurred, and continues to occur, in Nevada. 33. The Defendants gained, and continue to gain, a financial benefit as a direct result of the display of the Drudge Archives Infringement on the Drudge Archives Website. 34. The Defendants’ display of the Drudge Archives Infringement on the Drudge Archives Website is the direct result of the Defendants’ licensor-licensee relationship. 35. The Defendants’ display of the Drudge Archives Infringement on the Drudge Archives Website is the direct result of the Defendants’ embedded hyperlink relationship. 36. The Defendants’ display of the Drudge Archives Infringement on the Drudge Archives Website is the direct result of the Defendants’ agency relationship. 37. The Defendants’ display of the Drudge Archives Infringement on the Drudge 23 Archives Website is the direct result of Mr. Drudge’s preceding display of the Drudge Report 24 Infringement on the Drudge Report Website. 25 26 27 28 38. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, Mr. Drudge knew that the Work was neither owned, nor originally published, by the Defendants. 39. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, DrudgeReportArchives knew that the Work was neither owned, nor originally published, by the Defendants. 5 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 1 2 3 4 5 40. Filed 12/08/10 Page 6 of 18 At all times relevant to this lawsuit, Mr. Drudge knew that the Defendants did not have authorization to reproduce the Work in any capacity. 41. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, DrudgeReportArchives knew that the Defendants did not have authorization to reproduce the Work in any capacity. 42. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, the Drudge Report Website has displayed and 6 displays an embedded hyperlink entitled: “DRUDGE ARCHIVES,” linking directly to the 7 Drudge Archives Website. 8 9 10 11 43. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, the Drudge Archives Website has displayed and displays an embedded hyperlink entitled: “Today’s DrudgeReport.com,” linking directly to the Drudge Report Website. 44. According to the Drudge Archives Website, the Drudge Archives Website began 12 archiving the electronic content and embedded hyperlinks originally posted and/or displayed on 13 the Drudge Report Website on or about November 18, 2001. 14 15 16 17 18 45. The Drudge Archives Website states that “[t]he archives take a snapshot of the DrudgeReport.com every 2 minutes 24/7.” 46. According to the Drudge Archives Website, the Drudge Archives Website contains an archive of “Matt Drudge’s special reports.” 47. According to the Drudge Archives Website, the Drudge Archives Website 19 contains an archive of “[e]xclusive documents posted on DrudgeReport.com” and “[e]xclusive 20 photos posted on DrudgeReport.com.” 21 48. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, the Drudge Archives Website is an interactive 22 website that has displayed and displays an embedded hyperlink entitled: “Drudge’s Book: 23 Drudge Manifesto,” which directly enables users and viewers of the Drudge Archives Website to 24 purchase Mr. Drudge’s book, Drudge Manifesto, from <amazon.com>. 25 49. At all times relevant to this lawsuit, the Drudge Archives Website is an interactive 26 website that has displayed and displays an embedded hyperlink entitled: “Drudge’s e-mail: 27 [email protected],” which directly enables users of the Drudge Archives Website to 28 communicate with Mr. Drudge via electronic mail. 6 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 1 50. Filed 12/08/10 Page 7 of 18 Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 2 part, the Drudge Report Website – an interactive website containing Nevada-centric 3 advertisements and Nevada-specific content – is accessible to Nevada-based Internet users and 4 viewers, and such contacts have been in existence at least in excess of ten years. 5 51. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 6 part, the Drudge Report Website is an interactive website that provides an option for Nevada 7 residents to “SEND NEWS TIPS TO DRUDGE,” wherein information can be electronically 8 submitted by Nevada residents directly to Mr. Drudge. 9 52. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 10 part, the Drudge Report Website is an interactive website that provides an option for Nevada 11 residents to “EMAIL: [email protected].” 12 53. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 13 part, the Drudge Report Website is an interactive website that provides an option for Nevada 14 residents to “BE SEEN! RUN ADS ON DRUDGE REPORT.” 15 54. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 16 part, Mr. Drudge posted and posts, on the Drudge Report Website, advertisements of specific 17 interest to Nevada residents for “Blue Man Group Las Vegas.” 18 55. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 19 part, Mr. Drudge posted and posts, on the Drudge Report Website, advertisements of specific 20 interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based personal injury attorneys. 21 56. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 22 part, Mr. Drudge posted and posts, on the Drudge Report Website, advertisements of specific 23 interest to Nevada residents for the “Best Places in Las Vegas . . . best local deals.” 24 57. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 25 part, Mr. Drudge regularly posted and posts, on the Drudge Report Website, embedded 26 hyperlinks linking to news articles and editorials of specific interest to Nevada residents 27 concerning, without limitation, Nevada-based politicians, Nevada election information, Nevada 28 economic issues, Nevada-based criminal activity, prominent Nevada-based attractions, Nevada 7 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 8 of 18 1 weather, and notable events occurring in Nevada, and such contacts have been in existence at 2 least in excess of five years. 3 58. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 4 part, the Drudge Report Website receives approximately 139,133 unique views a month from 5 Internet users located in Nevada, according to the Internet audience measurement data available 6 via <quantcast.com>. 7 59. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 8 part, according to the Nevada Secretary of State Business Entity database, the business entity 9 “Drudge Report, Inc.” was previously incorporated in Nevada as a Nevada domestic corporation, 10 11 and said entity has not since been incorporated in any state other than Nevada. 60. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 12 part, the last known situs of corporation or organization for any entity owned by Mr. Drudge is in 13 Nevada. 14 61. Mr. Drudge’s contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 15 part, Mr. Drudge, via the Drudge Report Website, is, and has been at least in excess of five years, 16 a serial poster of electronic content (or embedded hyperlinks linking directly to said content) and 17 advertisements specifically concerning Nevada and of specific interest to Nevada residents. 18 62. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 19 part, the Drudge Archives Website is an interactive website that is accessible to Nevada 20 residents, and such contacts have been in existence at least in excess of nine years. 21 63. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 22 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 23 specific interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based foreclosure, bankruptcy, and loan 24 modification attorneys. 25 64. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 26 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 27 specific interest to Nevada residents for “Las Vegas Activities.” 28 8 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 1 65. Filed 12/08/10 Page 9 of 18 The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 2 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 3 specific interest to Nevada residents for “Vegas Restaurant Coupons.” 4 66. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 5 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 6 specific interest to Nevada residents for “Las Vegas Video.” 7 67. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 8 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 9 specific interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based medical providers. 10 68. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 11 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 12 specific interest to Nevada residents for Las Vegas-based sightseeing tours. 13 69. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 14 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 15 specific interest to Nevada residents for “Las Vegas Coupons.” 16 70. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 17 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 18 specific interest to Nevada residents for “Las Vegas Deals.” 19 71. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 20 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 21 specific interest to Nevada residents for the “University of Southern Nevada College of Dental 22 Medicine.” 23 72. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 24 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 25 specific interest to Nevada residents for “Las Vegas Show Discounts.” 26 73. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 27 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 28 specific interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based labor attorneys. 9 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 1 74. Filed 12/08/10 Page 10 of 18 The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 2 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 3 specific interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based bail bonds agencies. 4 75. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 5 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 6 specific interest to Nevada residents for prominent Nevada-based resort hotels located on the Las 7 Vegas Strip. 8 9 10 11 76. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of specific interest to Nevada residents for “Las Vegas Hotel Specials.” 77. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 12 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 13 specific interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based personal injury attorneys. 14 78. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 15 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 16 specific interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based dental care providers. 17 79. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 18 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 19 specific interest to Nevada residents for “Las Vegas Dining Deals.” 20 80. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 21 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 22 specific interest to Nevada residents for promotions offering “Vegas at 90% off.” 23 81. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 24 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 25 specific interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based sign-making companies. 26 82. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 27 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 28 specific interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based wedding chapels. 10 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 1 83. Filed 12/08/10 Page 11 of 18 The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 2 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 3 specific interest to Nevada residents for “Daily Deals Las Vegas.” 4 84. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 5 part, the Defendants posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, advertisements of 6 specific interest to Nevada residents for Nevada-based skin disease treatment centers. 7 85. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 8 part, the Defendants regularly posted and post, on the Drudge Archives Website, embedded 9 hyperlinks linking to news articles and editorials of specific interest to Nevada residents 10 concerning, without limitation, Nevada-based politicians, Nevada election information, Nevada 11 economic issues, Nevada-based criminal activity, prominent Nevada-based attractions, Nevada 12 weather, and notable events occurring in Nevada, and such contacts have been in existence at 13 least in excess of five years. 14 86. The Defendants’ contacts with Nevada are continuous and systematic because, in 15 part, the Defendants, via the Drudge Archives Website, are, and have been at all times relevant to 16 this lawsuit, serial posters of electronic content (and/or embedded hyperlinks linking directly to 17 said content) and advertisements specifically concerning Nevada and of specific interest to 18 Nevada residents. 19 87. While the Drudge Archive Website has posted an attempt at a Digital Millennium 20 Copyright Act (“DMCA”) infringement notice, there is no corresponding copyright registration 21 with the United States Copyright Office (“USCO”) identifying the Drudge Archive Website as a 22 DMCA-compliant Online Service Provider (“OSP”) in accordance with 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(2). 23 24 25 88. The attempted DMCA notice posted on the Drudge Archives Website does not identify an agent designated to receive notices of claimed infringement. 89. In order to be compliant with the DMCA and afforded the protections associated 26 therewith, an OSP must: (1) post a DMCA notice on the subject website identifying an agent 27 designated to receive notifications of claimed infringement, and (2) provide said information to 28 11 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 12 of 18 1 the USCO for listing with the USCO’s Directory of Service Provider Agents for Notification of 2 Claims of Infringement, found at <copyright.gov/onlinesp/list/a_agents.html>. 3 90. As DrudgeReportArchives, an entity of unknown origin and nature, has failed to 4 designate an agent to receive notifications of claimed infringement, and as the Drudge Archive 5 Website claims that Mr. Drudge neither owns nor operates the Drudge Archive Website, there is 6 no effective, DMCA-compliant means of communicating notifications of claimed infringement 7 to DrudgeReportArchives arising from copyright infringements found on the Drudge Archive 8 Website. 9 91. The Drudge Report Website contains no DMCA notice. 10 92. While the Drudge Archives Website is accessible through the Drudge Report 11 Website, there is no indication that the non-compliant DMCA notice posted on the Drudge 12 Archives Website is applicable to the Drudge Report Website. 13 93. Neither the Drudge Report Website nor Mr. Drudge, as owner of the Drudge 14 Report Website, is listed with the USCO’s Directory of Service Provider Agents for Notification 15 of Claims of Infringement. 16 17 18 19 94. The Drudge Report Website is not compliant with Section 512(c)(2) of the DMCA. 95. The Drudge Archives Website is not compliant with Section 512(c)(2) of the DMCA. 20 21 VENUE 22 23 96. The United States District Court for the District of Nevada is an appropriate 24 venue, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2), because a substantial part of the events giving rise to 25 the claim for relief are situated in Nevada. 26 97. The United States District Court for the District of Nevada is an appropriate 27 venue, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1400 (a), because the Defendants are subject to personal 28 jurisdiction in Nevada. 12 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 FACTS 1 2 3 Filed 12/08/10 Page 13 of 18 98. The Work constitutes copyrightable subject matter, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 102(a)(5). 4 99. Righthaven is the owner of the copyright in and to the Work. 5 100. The Work was originally published on or about November 18, 2010. 6 101. On December 8, 2010, the USCO received Righthaven’s official submittal for the 7 registration to the Work, including the application, the deposit copy, and the registration fee (the 8 “Complete Application”), Service Request No. 1-527285302, and attached hereto as Exhibit 4 is 9 the official USCO application submittal for the Work depicting the occurrence of the Complete 10 Application. 11 102. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 On or about November 18, 2010, Mr. Drudge displayed the Drudge Report Infringement on the Drudge Report Website. 103. On or about November 18, 2010, the Defendants displayed, and continue to display, the Drudge Archives Infringement on the Drudge Archives Website. 104. The Defendants did not seek permission, in any manner, to reproduce, display, or otherwise exploit the Work. 105. The Defendants were not granted permission, in any manner, to reproduce, display, or otherwise exploit the Work. 19 20 21 FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF: COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT OF THE WORK 22 DISPLAYED ON THE DRUDGE REPORT WEBSITE 23 (as to Defendant Matt Drudge, only) 24 25 26 27 106. Righthaven repeats and realleges the allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 through 105 above. 107. Righthaven holds the exclusive right to reproduce the Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 106(1). 28 13 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 108. 1 2 Righthaven holds the exclusive right to prepare derivative works based upon the Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 106(2). 3 109. 4 17 U.S.C. § 106(3). 5 110. 6 111. 112. Mr. Drudge reproduced the Work in derogation of Righthaven’s exclusive rights Mr. Drudge created an unauthorized derivative of the Work in derogation of Righthaven’s exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. § 106(2). 113. 11 12 Righthaven holds the exclusive right to publicly display the Work, pursuant to 17 under 17 U.S.C. § 106(1). 9 10 Righthaven holds the exclusive right to distribute copies of the Work, pursuant to U.S.C. § 106(5). 7 8 Filed 12/08/10 Page 14 of 18 Mr. Drudge distributed an unauthorized reproduction of the Work on the Drudge Report Website, in derogation of Righthaven’s exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. § 106(3). 114. 13 Mr. Drudge publicly displayed an unauthorized reproduction of the Work on the 14 Drudge Report Website, in derogation of Righthaven’s exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. § 15 106(5). 16 17 18 115. Mr. Drudge has willfully engaged in the copyright infringement of the Work, via the Drudge Report Website. 116. Mr. Drudge’s acts as alleged herein, and the ongoing direct results of those acts, 19 have caused and will continue to cause irreparable harm to Righthaven in an amount Righthaven 20 cannot ascertain, leaving Righthaven with no adequate remedy at law. 21 117. Unless Mr. Drudge is preliminarily and permanently enjoined from further or 22 additional infringement of the Work, Righthaven will be irreparably harmed, and Righthaven is 23 thus entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against further or additional 24 infringement by Mr. Drudge of the Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 502. 25 26 27 28 14 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 15 of 18 1 SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF: COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT OF THE 2 WORK DISPLAYED ON THE DRUDGE ARCHIVES WEBSITE 3 (as to all Defendants) 4 5 6 7 8 9 118. Righthaven repeats and realleges the allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 through 117 above. 119. Righthaven holds the exclusive right to reproduce the Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 106(1). 120. Righthaven holds the exclusive right to prepare derivative works based upon the Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 106(2). 10 121. 11 17 U.S.C. § 106(3). 12 122. 13 14 15 16 17 18 Righthaven holds the exclusive right to distribute copies of the Work, pursuant to Righthaven holds the exclusive right to publicly display the Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 106(5). 123. The Defendants reproduced the Work in derogation of Righthaven’s exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. § 106(1). 124. The Defendants created an unauthorized derivative of the Work in derogation of Righthaven’s exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. § 106(2). 125. The Defendants distributed, and continue to distribute, an unauthorized 19 reproduction of the Work on the Drudge Archives Website, in derogation of Righthaven’s 20 exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. § 106(3). 21 126. The Defendants publicly displayed, and continue to publicly display, an 22 unauthorized reproduction of the Work on the Drudge Archives Website, in derogation of 23 Righthaven’s exclusive rights under 17 U.S.C. § 106(5). 24 25 26 27 127. Mr. Drudge has willfully engaged in the copyright infringement of the Work, via the Drudge Archives Website. 128. DrudgeReportArchives has willfully engaged in the copyright infringement of the Work, via the Drudge Archives Website. 28 15 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 1 129. Filed 12/08/10 Page 16 of 18 The Defendants’ acts as alleged herein, and the ongoing direct results of those 2 acts, have caused and will continue to cause irreparable harm to Righthaven in an amount 3 Righthaven cannot ascertain, leaving Righthaven with no adequate remedy at law. 4 130. Unless the Defendants are preliminarily and permanently enjoined from further or 5 additional infringement of the Work, Righthaven will be irreparably harmed, and Righthaven is 6 thus entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against further or additional 7 infringement by the Defendants of the Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 502. 8 9 PRAYER FOR RELIEF 10 11 Righthaven requests that this Court grant Righthaven’s claim for relief herein as follows: 12 1. Preliminarily and permanently enjoin and restrain the Defendants, and the 13 Defendants’ officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, parents, subsidiaries, related 14 companies, partners, and all persons acting for, by, with, through, or under the Defendants, from 15 directly or indirectly infringing the Work by reproducing the Work, preparing derivative works 16 based on the Work, distributing the Work to the public, and/or displaying the Work, or ordering, 17 directing, participating in, or assisting in any such activity; 18 19 20 2. Direct the Defendants to preserve, retain, and deliver to Righthaven in hard copies or electronic copies: a. All evidence and documentation relating in any way to the Defendants’ 21 use of the Work, in any form, including, without limitation, all such evidence and 22 documentation relating to the Drudge Report Website and/or the Drudge Archives 23 Website; 24 b. All evidence and documentation relating to the names and addresses 25 (whether electronic mail addresses or otherwise) of any person with whom the 26 Defendants have communicated regarding the Defendants’ use of the Work; and 27 28 c. All financial evidence and documentation relating to the Defendants’ use of the Work; 16 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 1 3. Filed 12/08/10 Page 17 of 18 Direct Network Solutions, and any successor domain name registrar for the 2 Drudge Report Domain, to lock the Drudge Report Domain and transfer control of the Drudge 3 Report Domain to Righthaven; 4 4. Direct GoDaddy.com, Inc., the current registrar for the Drudge Archives Domain, 5 and any successor domain name registrar for the Drudge Archives Domain, to lock the Drudge 6 Archives Domain and transfer control of the Drudge Archives Domain to Righthaven; 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5. Award Righthaven statutory damages for the willful infringement of the Work, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504(c); 6. Award Righthaven costs, disbursements, and attorneys’ fees incurred by Righthaven in bringing this action, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505; 7. Award Righthaven pre- and post-judgment interest in accordance with applicable law; and 8. Grant Righthaven such other relief as this Court deems appropriate. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 17 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1 DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL 1 2 3 4 Filed 12/08/10 Page 18 of 18 Righthaven requests a trial by jury pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Dated this eighth day of December, 2010. 5 6 SHAWN A. MANGANO, LTD. 7 8 By: /s/ Shawn A. Mangano SHAWN A. MANGANO, ESQ. Nevada Bar No. 6730 9960 West Cheyenne Avenue, Suite 170 Las Vegas, Nevada 89129-7701 9 10 11 14 J. CHARLES COONS, ESQ. Nevada Bar No. 10553 JOSEPH C. CHU, ESQ. Nevada Bar No. 11082 Righthaven LLC 9960 West Cheyenne Avenue, Suite 210 Las Vegas, Nevada 89129-7701 15 Attorneys for Plaintiff Righthaven LLC 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 18 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 1 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 2 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 3 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 4 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 5 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 6 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 7 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 8 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 9 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 10 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 11 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 12 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 13 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 14 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 15 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 16 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 17 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 18 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 19 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 20 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-1 Filed 12/08/10 Page 21 of 21 Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-2 CIVIL COVER SHEETFiled 12/08/10 Page 1 of 2 !JS 44 (Rev. 12/07) The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE REVERSE OF THE FORM.) I. (a) PLAINTIFFS RIGHTHAVEN LLC, a Nevada limited-liability company, (b) County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff DEFENDANTS MATT DRUDGE, an individual; and DRUDGEREPORTARCHIVES.COM, an entity of unknown Clark (Nevada) County of Residence of First Listed Defendant (EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES) (IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY) NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF THE LAND INVOLVED. (c) Attorney’s (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number) Attorneys (If Known) Shawn A. Mangano, Esq. 9960 West Cheyenne Avenue, Suite 170, Las Vegas, Nevada 89129, J. Charles Coons, Esq. 9960 West Cheyenne Suite 210, Las (Place Vegas, Nevada II. BASISAvenue, OF JURISDICTION an “X” in One Box89129 Only) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES(Place an “X” in One Box for Plaintiff " 1 U.S. Government Plaintiff " 3 Federal Question (U.S. Government Not a Party) (For Diversity Cases Only) PTF Citizen of This State " 1 " 2 U.S. Government Defendant " 4 Diversity Citizen of Another State " 2 " 2 Incorporated and Principal Place of Business In Another State " 5 " 5 Citizen or Subject of a Foreign Country " 3 " 3 Foreign Nation " 6 " 6 (Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III) IV. NATURE OF SUIT CONTRACT " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 110 Insurance 120 Marine 130 Miller Act 140 Negotiable Instrument 150 Recovery of Overpayment & Enforcement of Judgment 151 Medicare Act 152 Recovery of Defaulted Student Loans (Excl. Veterans) 153 Recovery of Overpayment of Veteran’s Benefits 160 Stockholders’ Suits 190 Other Contract 195 Contract Product Liability 196 Franchise REAL PROPERTY 210 Land Condemnation 220 Foreclosure 230 Rent Lease & Ejectment 240 Torts to Land 245 Tort Product Liability 290 All Other Real Property " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " V. ORIGIN " 1 Original Proceeding and One Box for Defendant) PTF DEF Incorporated or Principal Place " 4 " 4 of Business In This State DEF " 1 (Place an “X” in One Box Only) TORTS PERSONAL INJURY 310 Airplane 315 Airplane Product Liability 320 Assault, Libel & Slander 330 Federal Employers’ Liability 340 Marine 345 Marine Product Liability 350 Motor Vehicle 355 Motor Vehicle Product Liability 360 Other Personal Injury CIVIL RIGHTS 441 Voting 442 Employment 443 Housing/ Accommodations 444 Welfare 445 Amer. w/Disabilities Employment 446 Amer. w/Disabilities Other 440 Other Civil Rights FORFEITURE/PENALTY PERSONAL INJURY " 362 Personal Injury Med. Malpractice " 365 Personal Injury Product Liability " 368 Asbestos Personal Injury Product Liability PERSONAL PROPERTY " 370 Other Fraud " 371 Truth in Lending " 380 Other Personal Property Damage " 385 Property Damage Product Liability PRISONER PETITIONS " 510 Motions to Vacate Sentence Habeas Corpus: " 530 General " 535 Death Penalty " 540 Mandamus & Other " 550 Civil Rights " 555 Prison Condition State Court BANKRUPTCY " 422 Appeal 28 USC 158 " 423 Withdrawal 28 USC 157 PROPERTY RIGHTS " 820 Copyrights " 830 Patent " 840 Trademark SOCIAL SECURITY 861 HIA (1395ff) 862 Black Lung (923) 863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g)) 864 SSID Title XVI 865 RSI (405(g)) FEDERAL TAX SUITS " 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff or Defendant) " 871 IRS—Third Party 26 USC 7609 " " " " " OTHER STATUTES " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " IMMIGRATION " 462 Naturalization Application " 463 Habeas Corpus Alien Detainee " 465 Other Immigration Actions " 400 State Reapportionment 410 Antitrust 430 Banks and Banking 450 Commerce 460 Deportation 470 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations 480 Consumer Credit 490 Cable/Sat TV 810 Selective Service 850 Securities/Commodities/ Exchange 875 Customer Challenge 12 USC 3410 890 Other Statutory Actions 891 Agricultural Acts 892 Economic Stabilization Act 893 Environmental Matters 894 Energy Allocation Act 895 Freedom of Information Act 900Appeal of Fee Determination Under Equal Access to Justice 950 Constitutionality of State Statutes Appeal to District (Place an “X” in One Box Only) " 2 Removed from " 610 Agriculture " 620 Other Food & Drug " 625 Drug Related Seizure of Property 21 USC 881 " 630 Liquor Laws " 640 R.R. & Truck " 650 Airline Regs. " 660 Occupational Safety/Health " 690 Other LABOR " 710 Fair Labor Standards Act " 720 Labor/Mgmt. Relations " 730 Labor/Mgmt.Reporting & Disclosure Act " 740 Railway Labor Act " 790 Other Labor Litigation " 791 Empl. Ret. Inc. Security Act " 3 Remanded from Appellate Court from " 4 Reinstated or " 5 Transferred " 6 Multidistrict another district Reopened Litigation (specify) from " 7 Judge Magistrate Judgment Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity): 17 U.S.C. VI. CAUSE OF ACTION Brief description of cause: Copyright Infringement DEMAND $ " CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION VII. REQUESTED IN UNDER F.R.C.P. 23 150,000.00 COMPLAINT: VIII. RELATED CASE(S) IF ANY DATE (See instructions): CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint: ✔ " Yes " No JURY DEMAND: JUDGE DOCKET NUMBER SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD 12/08/2010 /s/ J. Chares Coons, Esq., Nevada Bar No. 10553 FOR OFFICE USE ONLY RECEIPT # AMOUNT APPLYING IFP JUDGE MAG. JUDGE JS 44 Reverse (Rev. 12/07) Case 2:10-cv-02135-KJD -RJJ Document 1-2 Filed 12/08/10 Page 2 of 2 INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS COMPLETING CIVIL COVER SHEET FORM JS 44 Authority For Civil Cover Sheet The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replaces nor supplements the filings and service of pleading or other papers as required by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. Consequently, a civil cover sheet is submitted to the Clerk of Court for each civil complaint filed. The attorney filing a case should complete the form as follows: I. (a) Plaintiffs-Defendants. Enter names (last, first, middle initial) of plaintiff and defendant. If the plaintiff or defendant is a government agency, use only the full name or standard abbreviations. If the plaintiff or defendant is an official within a government agency, identify first the agency and then the official, giving both name and title. (b) County of Residence. For each civil case filed, except U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county where the first listed plaintiff resides at the time of filing. In U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county in which the first listed defendant resides at the time of filing. (NOTE: In land condemnation cases, the county of residence of the “defendant” is the location of the tract of land involved.) (c) Attorneys. Enter the firm name, address, telephone number, and attorney of record. If there are several attorneys, list them on an attachment, noting in this section “(see attachment)”. II. Jurisdiction. The basis of jurisdiction is set forth under Rule 8(a), F.R.C.P., which requires that jurisdictions be shown in pleadings. Place an “X” in one of the boxes. If there is more than one basis of jurisdiction, precedence is given in the order shown below. United States plaintiff. (1) Jurisdiction based on 28 U.S.C. 1345 and 1348. Suits by agencies and officers of the United States are included here. United States defendant. (2) When the plaintiff is suing the United States, its officers or agencies, place an “X” in this box. Federal question. (3) This refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1331, where jurisdiction arises under the Constitution of the United States, an amendment to the Constitution, an act of Congress or a treaty of the United States. In cases where the U.S. is a party, the U.S. plaintiff or defendant code takes precedence, and box 1 or 2 should be marked. Diversity of citizenship. (4) This refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1332, where parties are citizens of different states. When Box 4 is checked, the citizenship of the different parties must be checked. (See Section III below; federal question actions take precedence over diversity cases.) III. Residence (citizenship) of Principal Parties. This section of the JS 44 is to be completed if diversity of citizenship was indicated above. Mark this section for each principal party. IV. Nature of Suit. Place an “X” in the appropriate box. If the nature of suit cannot be determined, be sure the cause of action, in Section VI below, is sufficient to enable the deputy clerk or the statistical clerks in the Administrative Office to determine the nature of suit. If the cause fits more than one nature of suit, select the most definitive. V. Origin. Place an “X” in one of the seven boxes. Original Proceedings. (1) Cases which originate in the United States district courts. Removed from State Court. (2) Proceedings initiated in state courts may be removed to the district courts under Title 28 U.S.C., Section 1441. When the petition for removal is granted, check this box. Remanded from Appellate Court. (3) Check this box for cases remanded to the district court for further action. Use the date of remand as the filing date. Reinstated or Reopened. (4) Check this box for cases reinstated or reopened in the district court. Use the reopening date as the filing date. Transferred from Another District. (5) For cases transferred under Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1404(a). Do not use this for within district transfers or multidistrict litigation transfers. Multidistrict Litigation. (6) Check this box when a multidistrict case is transferred into the district under authority of Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1407. When this box is checked, do not check (5) above. Appeal to District Judge from Magistrate Judgment. (7) Check this box for an appeal from a magistrate judge’s decision. VI. Cause of Action. Report the civil statute directly related to the cause of action and give a brief description of the cause. Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity. Example: U.S. Civil Statute: 47 USC 553 Brief Description: Unauthorized reception of cable service VII. Requested in Complaint. Class Action. Place an “X” in this box if you are filing a class action under Rule 23, F.R.Cv.P. Demand. In this space enter the dollar amount (in thousands of dollars) being demanded or indicate other demand such as a preliminary injunction. Jury Demand. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether or not a jury is being demanded. VIII. Related Cases. This section of the JS 44 is used to reference related pending cases if any. If there are related pending cases, insert the docket numbers and the corresponding judge names for such cases. Date and Attorney Signature. Date and sign the civil cover sheet.