3 Count: Off Trax

Have any suggestions for the 3 Count? Let me know via Twitter @plagiarismtoday.

1: SCOTUS Sides with Oprah in Copyright Case Over Idea for TV Series

First off today, Elura Nanos at Law & Crime reports that the Supreme Court has declined to hear a case against Oprah Winfrey, bringing an end to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed by author Freda Day, who alleged that Oprah and various partners infringed her memoir, Greenleaf to Greener Pastures, in creating the TV series Greenleaf. They specifically alleged that both the title and the plot were lifted from her book.

A federal judge dismissed the case, saying that there were significant differences between the two works. That dismissal was then upheld by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and that prompted Day to file another appeal with the Supreme Court, which has now been declined.

2: Iconic Chicago House Label Trax Records Sued For Decades of Illegal Business Practices

Next up today, Michaelangelo Matos at Rolling Stone reports that artists that formerly released their music through Trax Records have filed a lawsuit against the label, alleging that they were never paid for their work, resulting in a copyright infringement.

The lawsuit was filed by a dozen musicians, including Trax’s co-founder, Vince Lawrence, alleging that the label didn’t make royalty payments and accused the company of being a “shell game” that included a variety of unethical and illegal practices.

The lawsuit follows a similar one by two other Trax Artists, who won the right to their masters back. Now this group of artists is seeking statutory damages, worth up to $150,000 per infringed work, as well as recovery of missing royalties.

3: Porn Copyright Troll Lawyer The Absolute Worst; Bureau Of Prisons Says, ‘Hold My Beer’

Finally today, Joe Patrice at Above the Law reports that former Prenda lawyer Paul Hansmeier is currently serving a 14-year prison sentence for his role as part of the scheme. However, in filings made by him, he alleges that the prison system has been targeting him for undue punishment, including solitary confinement.

Hansmeier and Prenda Law were well-known copyright “trolls” that would target suspected pirates of pornographic films and try to force quick settlements. However, the operation came crashing down after it was learned that Hansmeier and others involved had falsified documents to hide the fact that they were also the copyright holders in the works. This prompted a criminal investigation and saw Hansmeier not only lose his license, but be sentenced to 14 years in prison on charges of fraud and extortion.

Since that conviction, Hansmeier has been attempting to argue that it was unconstitutional. However, according to him, the Bureau of Prisons has targeted him including reading his mail, accusing him of violating rules that are normally ignored and, in at least one case, locking him in solitary confinement. Hansmeier, in his petition, is seeking both damages and an injunction against these practices.

The 3 Count Logo was created by Justin Goff and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.