Geek Wins Copyright Lawsuit Against Corporation

Chris Gregerson writes "I work as a stock photographer/web developer. I saw a photo of mine used in Vilana Financial's full-page phone book ad. They wouldn't pay the licensing fee, and I wrote about it online (mirror). They sued me for defamation, producing a sales agreement signed by one ' Michael Zubitskiy' (who they said took the photo and sold the rights to them). I sued them for copyright infringement, and they added claims against me for trademark infringement, deceptive trade practices, and tortuous interference. There was a trial I'll long remember on the 5th of November, and the judge recently issued her verdict (PDF; mirror). She ruled Vilana Financial forged the sales agreement and willfully infringed my photos, and awarded me $19,462. All claims against me were denied. I represented myself during the litigation."

Comments

I am not a lawyer, I just play one on slashdot...

[fsckr]

n/t

Re:You're Very Lucky, and Don't Try That Again

[QuantumG]

Read the judgment, linked in the summary. He demanded triple damages, then he demanded 10x damages, then he threatened to sue, then he tried to "shame" the other party into paying, and that's when they sued him. He wanted his cake (licensing fees) and to eat it too (not have to sue anyone) but they called his bluff. Unfortunately, they didn't do it all that well.