Atlantic Recording Corp. v. Ellison

506 F. Supp. 2d 1022, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28003, 2007 WL 1121278

• Court: District Court, S.D. Alabama
• Decided: April 16, 2007
• Docket: Civil Action 06-0787-WS-C
• Status: Published

Opinion

ORDER

WILLIAM H. STEELE, District Judge.

This matter comes before the Court on plaintiffs’ Motion for Entry of Default Judgment (doc. 14).

I. Background.

On November 21, 2006, plaintiffs Atlantic Recording Corporation, Capitol Records, Inc., UMG Recordings, Inc., Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Arista Records LLC, and BMG Music filed a Complaint for Copyright Infringement (doc. 1) against defendant, Amy Ellison. In particular, plaintiffs maintained that Ellison had utilized an online media distribution system to download or distribute copyrighted music recordings belonging to plaintiffs, and/or to make such recordings available for distribution to others, thereby infringing on plaintiffs’ copyrights and exclusive rights under copyright. On that basis, the Complaint requested the following relief: (1) statutory damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504(c); (2) attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505; and (3) injunctive relief pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §§ 502 and 503, prohibiting Ellison from further infringing conduct and requiring her to destroy all copies of sound recordings made in violation of plaintiffs’ exclusive rights. 1

On December 27, 2006, plaintiffs filed a Return of Service (doc. 5) reflecting that defendant had been properly served with process by a private process server on December 11, 2006. According to the server’s declaration, copies of the summons and complaint were left at Ellison’s dwelling house or usual place of abode (9170 Eichold Drive, Lot 12,’Semines, Alabama 36575) and were given to Ellison’s husband, Mike Smith.

Notwithstanding service of process in accordance with Rule 4(e), Fed.R.Civ.P., more than four months ago, Ellison has never filed an answer or otherwise appeared in this action. This appears to have been a conscious, deliberate decision on her part, inasmuch as she contacted plaintiffs to request an informal 30-day extension of time to respond to the Complaint, but then has failed to follow up, appear, or otherwise defend against this action, despite the passage of more than 60 days after the expiration of such extension. Upon motion by plaintiffs, a Clerk’s Entry of Default (doc. 13) was entered against Ellison on March 12, 2007 for failure to plead or otherwise defend. The Clerk of Court mailed a copy of that Entry of Default to defendant at the same address at which process was served on her. Once again, Ellison failed to respond. No further activity occurring in this matter in the subsequent month, plaintiffs now seek entry of default judgment.

II. Analysis.

A. Propriety of Default Judgment.

In this Circuit, “there is a strong policy of determining cases on their merits and we therefore view defaults with disfavor.” In re Worldwide Web Systems, Inc., 328 F.3d 1291, 1295 (1 1th Cir.2003); see also Varnes v. Local 91, Glass Bottle Blowers Ass’n of U.S. and Canada, 674 F.2d 1365, 1369 (11th Cir.1982) (“Since this case involves a default judgment there must be strict compliance with the legal prerequisites establishing the court’s power to render the judgment.”). Nonetheless, it is well established that a “district court has the authority to enter default judgment for failure ... to comply with its orders or rules of procedure.” Wahl v. McIver, 773 F.2d 1169, 1174 (11th Cir.1985).

Where, as here, a defendant has failed to appear or otherwise acknowledge the pendency of a lawsuit against her for more than four months after being served, entry of default judgment may be appropriate. Indeed, Rule 55 itself provides for entry of default and default judgment where a defendant “has failed to plead or otherwise defend as provided by these rules.” Rule 55(a), Fed.R.Civ.P. In a variety of contexts, courts have entered default judgments against defendants who have failed to defend the claims against them following proper service of process. See, e.g., In re Knight, 833 F.2d 1515, 1516 (11th Cir.1987) (“Where a party offers no good reason for the late filing of its answer, entry of default judgment against that party is appropriate.”); Matter of Dierschke, 975 F.2d 181, 184 (5th Cir.1992) (“when the court finds an intentional failure of responsive pleadings there need be no other finding” to justify default judgment); Kidd v. Andrews, 340 F.Supp.2d 333, 338 (W.D.N.Y.2004) (entering default judgment against defendant who failed to answer or move against complaint for nearly three months); Viveros v. Nationwide Janitorial Ass’n, Inc., 200 F.R.D. 681, 684 (N.D.Ga.2000) (entering default judgment against counterclaim defendant who had failed to answer or otherwise respond to counterclaim within time provided by Rule 12(a)(2)). In short, then, “[wjhile modern courts do not favor default judgments, they are certainly appropriate when the adversary process has been halted because of an essentially unresponsive party.” Flynn v. Angelucci Bros. & Sons, Inc., 448 F.Supp.2d 193, 195 (D.D.C.2006) (citation omitted). 2

The law is clear, however, that Ellison’s failure to appear and the Clerk’s subsequent entry of default against her do not automatically entitle plaintiffs to a default judgment. Indeed, a default is not “an absolute confession by the defendant of his liability and of the plaintiffs right to recover,” but is instead merely “an admission of the facts cited in the Complaint, which by themselves may or may not be sufficient to establish a defendant’s liability.” Pitts ex rel. Pitts v. Seneca Sports, Inc., 321 F.Supp.2d 1353, 1357 (S.D.Ga.2004); see also Descent v. Kolitsidas, 396 F.Supp.2d 1315, 1316 (M.D.Fla.2005) (“the defendants’ default notwithstanding, the plaintiff is entitled to a default judgment only if the complaint states a claim for relief’); GMAC Commercial Mortg. Corp. v. Maitland Hotel Associates, Ltd., 218 F.Supp.2d 1355, 1359 (M.D.Fla.2002) (default judgment is appropriate only if court finds sufficient basis in pleadings for judgment to be entered, and that complaint states a claim). Stated differently, “a default judgment cannot stand on a complaint that fails to state a claim.” Chudasama v. Mazda Motor Corp., 123 F.3d 1353, 1370 n. 41 (1 1th Cir.1997).

Review of the Complaint confirms that it does indeed assert detailed facts against Ellison, including a recitation of 9 specific copyrighted recordings that Ellison has used and continues to use an online media distribution system to download and/or distribute without plaintiffs’ permission. (Complaint, ¶¶ 12-15 & Exh. A.) 3 The Complaint further states that plain tiffs are the copyright owners for those specific recordings. These facts, which are deemed admitted by virtue of Ellison’s default, are sufficiently detailed and specific to give rise to a cognizable claim for direct copyright infringement in violation of the copyright laws of, the United States, as codified at 17 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq. See generally In re Aimster Copyright Litigation, 334 F.3d 643, 645 (7th Cir.2003) (explaining that those who make and transmit digital copies of copyrighted music are direct infringers of those copyrights); A & M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc., 239 F.3d 1004, 1014 (9th Cir.2001) (prima facie case of direct infringement is shown where plaintiffs establish ownership of allegedly infringed material and demonstrate that alleged infringers are violating at least one exclusive right granted to copyright holders). Accordingly, the Court finds that the Complaint states a claim for relief.

The legal effect of Ellison’s default is that she has now admitted the facts recited in the Complaint, which are sufficient to establish her liability to plaintiffs on a theory of copyright infringement. 4 Moreover, because she has made no attempt to defend this action in the more than four months since being served with process, despite notice that plaintiffs were moving forward with default proceedings against her and after making contact with plaintiffs’ counsel to seek an extension of time to respond, Ellison’s course of conduct amounts to a deliberate and intentional failure to respond, which is just the sort of dilatory litigation tactic for which the default judgment mechanism was created. For these reasons, plaintiffs’ Motion is granted as to entry of default judgment. Default judgment will be entered against Ellison, in accordance with Rule 55(b)(2), Fed.R.Civ.P. The Court will next consider which remedies will be awarded to plaintiffs.

B. Remedies.

Plaintiffs seek three forms of relief, to-wit: minimum statutory damages, costs, and a permanent injunction. In considering these requests, the Court bears in mind that, notwithstanding the default against Ellison, “judgment may be granted only for such relief as may lawfully be granted upon the well-pleaded facts alleged in the complaint.” Pitts, 321 F.Supp.2d at 1358 (citation omitted). 5 Each form of relief sought will be considered in turn.

1. Statutory Damages.

A copyright owner whose copyright has been infringed may recover, at his election, either actual damages or statutory damages for the infringing activity. 17 U.S.C. § 504(a) — (c). Where the copyright owner elects the latter option, a court may award, “instead of actual damages and profits, an award of statutory damages for all infringements involved in the- action, -with respect to any one work, for which any one infringer is liable individually ... in a sum of not less than $750 or more than $30,000 as the court considers just.” § 504(c)(1). Plaintiffs have elected statutory damages, in lieu of actual damages and profits, and seek entry of only the statutory minimum amount of $750 per work for each of the 9 works that the Complaint charged Ellison with unlawfully downloading and/or distributing, for a total of $6,750 in statutory damages.

As mentioned above, the entry of default judgment against Ellison in no way obviates the need for determinations of the amount and character of damages. Rule 55(b)(2) specifically provides that if “it is necessary to take an account or to determine the amount of damages or to establish the truth of any averment by evidence or to make an investigation of any other matter, the court may conduct such hearings or order such references as it deems necessary and proper.” That said, there is no requirement that a hearing be conducted in all default judgment proceedings to fix the appropriate level of damages. See S.E.C. v. Smyth, 420 F.3d 1225, 1232 n. 13 (11th Cir.2005) (explaining that evidentiary hearing is not per se requirement for entry of default judgment, and may be omitted if all essential evidence is already of record). 6 Where the amount of damages sought is a sum certain, or where an adequate record has been made via affidavits and documentary evidence to show statutory damages, no evidentiary hearing is required. See, e.g., Chudasama, 123 F.3d at 1364 n. 27 (judicial determination of damages is unnecessary where claim is for sum certain or for sum which can by computation be made certain); United Artists Corp. v. Freeman, 605 F.2d 854, 857 (5th Cir.1979) (award of statutory damages was improper “without a hearing or a demonstration by detailed affidavits establishing the necessary facts”); Ortiz-Gonzalez v. Fonovisa, 277 F.3d 59, 63-64 (1st Cir.2002) (district court did not abuse discretion, based on record before it, in declining to hold hearing before awarding statutory damages); Taylor v. City of Ballwin, Mo., 859 F.2d 1330, 1333 (8th Cir.1988) (evidentiary hearing not necessary where facts in the record enable the court to fix the amount which the plaintiff is lawfully entitled to recover); Adkins v. Teseo, 180 F.Supp.2d 15, 17 (D.D.C.2001) (although court must make independent determination of the sum to be awarded, court need not hold a hearing, but may rely on detailed affidavits or documentary evidence); United States v. Cabrerar-Diaz, 106 F.Supp.2d 234, 243 (D.P.R.2000) (similar).

Here the facts deemed admitted from the Complaint show that Ellison in fringed upon exclusive rights granted to plaintiffs as copyright owners with respect to at least 9 distinct recorded works. Because plaintiffs have elected statutory damages, and because § 504(c)(1) mandates that statutory damages for each infringed-upon work be at least $750, the minimum statutory damages that this Court could award would be $6,750, or $750 times 9 copyrighted works. Plaintiffs request only the bare minimum statutory damages. As such, a hearing to fix damages would be a pointless endeavor. Irrespective of the evidence presented, given the admitted facts as to liability, there is no scenario under which the Court could award less than $6,750 in statutory damages here. Plaintiffs have waived their right to request any more than that minimum amount, and § 504(c)(1) forbids a lesser award; therefore, the Court finds that no constructive purpose would be served by conducting an evidentiary hearing prior to awarding plaintiffs the minimum statutory damages of $6,750, or $750 for each of the 9 copyrighted works that Ellison, via her default, has admitted infringing. See Capitol Records, Inc. v. Mattingley, 461 F.Supp.2d 846, 851 (S.D.Ill.2006) (no evidentiary hearing necessary in copyright case where defendant defaulted and plaintiffs sought only minimum statutory damages); Virgin Records America, Inc. v. Johnson, 441 F.Supp.2d 963, 965 (N.D.Ind.2006) (“Because Plaintiffs seek only the minimum statutory damages and these damages are clearly ascertainable from the complaint, no evi-dentiary hearing is necessary.”).

2. Injunctive Relief.

Plaintiffs also seek a permanent injunction to enjoin Ellison from infringing plaintiffs’ rights in any copyrighted recordings, including by using the Internet or online media distribution systems to reproduce or distribute any of plaintiffs’ recordings, or to make any of plaintiffs’ recordings available for distribution to the public, except pursuant to a license or with plaintiffs’ consent. Plaintiffs also seek an injunction requiring Ellison to destroy all copies of plaintiffs’ recordings that she has downloaded or transferred onto computer hard drives, servers or physical devices or media without plaintiffs’ authorization.

This type of relief is specifically authorized by copyright law. Indeed, the Copyright Act provides that a court may “grant temporary and final injunctions on such terms as it may deem reasonable to prevent or restrain infringement of a copyright.” 17 U.S.C. § 502(a). The Act also provides that as part of a final judgment, a court “may order the destruction or other reasonable disposition of all copies or pho-norecords found to have been made or used in violation of the copyright owner’s exclusive rights.” 17 U.S.C. § 503(b).

Although “the issuance of an injunction is in the discretion of the court, courts have traditionally granted permanent injunctions if liability is established and a continuing threat to a copyright exists.” Jobete Music Co. v. Johnson Communications, Inc., 285 F.Supp.2d 1077, 1092 (S.D.Ohio 2003); see also Sailor Music v. IML Corp., 867 F.Supp. 565, 569 (E.D.Mich.1994) (observing that permanent injunctions typically are granted in cases involving infringement of sound recording copyrights “because of the strong probability that unlawful performances of other copyrighted material will occur”); Arista Records, Inc. v. Beker Enterprises, Inc., 298 F.Supp.2d 1310, 1314 (S.D.Fla.2003) (“Injunctions are regularly issued pursuant to the mandate of Section 502, because the public interest is the interest in upholding copyright protections”) (citation omitted). Moreover, “[c]ourts also regularly issue injunctions as part of default judgments.” Arista, 298 F.Supp.2d at 1314 (granting permanent injunction in default judgment in a copyright infringement case).

Here, plaintiffs have established Ellison’s liability for infringing their copyrights as to 9 copyrighted recordings. They have shown that Ellison is continuing her infringing conduct on, an ongoing basis through her use of an online media distribution system to download and/or distribute such copyrighted recordings without plaintiffs’ permission or consent. Despite service of process and notice of the default proceedings, Ellison has made no effort to defend against these charges of copyright infringement, suggesting that she does not take seriously the illegality of her infringing activity. Based on all of the foregoing, the Court concludes that plaintiffs have shown a strong likelihood that, unless enjoined, Ellison will pose a continuing threat to infringe their copyrighted recordings. As such, the permanent injunction sought by plaintiffs is reasonably necessary to protect plaintiffs from further infringement of their copyrights by Ellison. See generally Virgin Records America, 441 F.Supp.2d at 966 (entering permanent injunction in connection with default judgment in copyright case where the infringing activity caused injury that cannot be fully compensated or measured in money, there was no evidence that defendant had stopped or would stop infringing conduct absent an injunction, and defendant had failed to respond to or acknowledge the complaint). Plaintiffs’ request for entry of permanent injunction as part of the default judgment in this case is granted.

3. Costs.

Plaintiffs present evidence that they have incurred costs in the amount of $420 in this case. (Anderson Declaration, ¶ 7.) They request that the default judgment include recovery of that amount. The Copyright Act provides that “the court in its discretion may allow the recovery of full costs by or against any party” who prevails. 17 U.S.C. § 505. Moreover, courts have routinely awarded costs to the prevailing party in copyright cases. See, e.g., Arclightz & Films Pvt. Ltd. v. Video Palace Inc., 303 F.Supp.2d 356, 365 (S.D.N.Y.2003). This is equally true in the default judgment context. See Capitol Records, 461 F.Supp.2d at 852-53 (awarding costs in copyright infringement action where default judgment was entered against defendant); Virgin Records America, 441 F.Supp.2d at 965 (same). The Court finds that $420 is a reasonable expenditure of costs and that plaintiffs should recover same as part of their award in this case.

III. Conclusion.

For all of the foregoing reasons, plaintiffs’ Motion for Entry of Default Judgment (doc. 14) is granted pursuant to Rule 55(b)(2), Fed.R.Civ.P. A separate default judgment will be entered, containing the following elements:

1. An award of statutory damages to plaintiffs in the amount of $6,750, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504(c)(1);

2. Entry of a permanent injunction pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §§ 502 and 503. This injunction will enjoin defendant from directly or indirectly infringing plaintiffs’ rights under federal or state law in the following copyrighted sound recordings: Ta-prooot “Smile” from album “Gift” (SR # 305-703), .Marcy Playground “Sex and Candy” from album “Marcy Playground” (SR # 240-954), Jo-ded “Come and Talk to Me” from album “Forever My Lady” (SR # 129-912), .Dixie Chicks ‘You Were Mine” from album “Wide Open Spaces” (SR # 252-000), TLC “Dig-gin’ On You” from album “Crazy-SexyCool” (SR #198-743), Kenny Chesney “I Lost It” from album “Greatest Hits” (SR #277-700), Trick Daddy “Pull Over” from album “Thugs Are Us” (SR #303-748), Avril Lavigne “Sk8er Boi” from album “Let Go” (SR #312-786), and Busta Rhymes “Break Ya Neck” from album “Genesis” (SR # 312-547); and in any other sound recording, whether now in existence or later created, that is owned or controlled by plaintiffs (or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate record label of plaintiffs) (“Plaintiffs’ Recordings”), including without limitation by using the Internet or any online media distribution system to reproduce (ie., download) any of Plaintiffs’ Recordings, to distribute (ie., upload) any of Plaintiffs’ Recordings, or to make any of Plaintiffs’ Recordings available for distribution to the public, except pursuant to a lawful license or with the express authority of plaintiffs. Defendant also shall destroy all copies of Plaintiffs’ Recordings that she has downloaded onto any computer hard drive or server without plaintiffs’ authorization, and shall destroy all copies of such downloaded recordings transferred onto any physical medium or device in her possession, custody or control.

3. An award of costs to plaintiffs in the amount of $420, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505.

The Clerk’s Office is directed to mail a copy of this Order, and the accompanying default judgment, to defendant Amy Ellison, a/k/a Amy Ellison-Smith, at the address where she received service of process, to-wit: 9170 Eichold Drive, Lot 12, Semmes, Alabama 36575.

DONE and ORDERED.

1 . On February 7, 2007, plaintiffs filed a First Amended Complaint for Copyright Infringement (doc. 9) against Ellison. The First Amended Complaint appears materially identical to its predecessor, excepting that the style of the case was modified to add the designation "a/k/a Amy Ellison-Smith” to plaintiff's name and the formatting was changed slightly.

2 . To be sure, courts have generally required some notice to be given to a defendant between the time of service of process and entry of default judgment. See, e.g., International Brands USA, Inc. v. Old St. Andrews Ltd., 349 F.Supp.2d 256, 261 (D.Conn.2004) ("Where a party fails to respond, after notice the court is ordinarily justified in entering a judgment against the defaulting party.”) (emphasis added and citations omitted); F.T.C. v. 1263523 Ontario, Inc., 205 F.Supp.2d 205, 208 (S.D.N.Y.2002) (entering default judgment where defendants had failed to respond in any way to summons, complaint and motion for default judgment); New York State Teamsters Conference Pension and Retirement Fund v. Fratto Curbing Co., 875 F.Supp. 129, 131 (N.D.N.Y.1995) (defendant that had failed to file answer to complaint or otherwise defend was properly notified of motion for default judgment). For unknown reasons, plaintiffs elected not to give Ellison, notice of their efforts to secure a default against her, as their Motion for Entry of Default (doc. 12) was unaccompanied by a Certificate of Service or other indicia that plaintiffs had placed Ellison on notice that they were seeking entry of default. Nothing in the text of Rule 55 excuses the service ‘ requirement for requests for entry of default (as distinguished from motions for default judgment). Nonetheless, any harm arising from plaintiffs’ omission is negated by the fact that the Clerk of Court mailed a copy of the Clerk’s Entry of Default (doc. 13) to Ellison at the address where service was perfected, which is also the address listed on the face of the summons. As such, Ellison is on notice that plaintiffs have moved forward with default proceedings, yet she has elected not to defend herself. Given Ellison’s failure to appear in this case, despite actual notice that this lawsuit was pending, that her responsive pleading was due by a date certain, and that a default had been entered against her, she is entitled to no further notice at this time antecedent to entry of default judgment. See Rule 55(b)(2) (defaulted defendant is entitled to notice of request for default judgment only if defendant has appeared in the action).

3 . Those recordings include Taproot “Smile,” Marcy Playground “Sex and Candy,” Jodeci "Come and Talk to Me,” Dixie Chicks "You Were Mine,” TLC "Diggin’ On You,” Kenny Chesney “I Lost It,” Trick Daddy "Pull Over,” Avril Lavigne "Sk8er Boi,” and Busta Rhymes "Break Ya Neck.” (Complaint, at Exh. A.) The Complaint lists each of these recordings by reference to copyright owner (which in each instance is one of the named plaintiffs herein), artist name, song title, album title, and SR# . Additionally, the Complaint includes as Exhibit B a list of literally hundreds of additional copyrighted recordings (amidst other items not germane to these proceedings) that Ellison downloaded and/or distributed via this same online media distribution system.

4 . The effect of a default is to render all well-pleaded factual allegations of the complaint (except those relating to damages) admitted. See Nishimatsu Const. Co. v. Houston Nat. Bank, 515 F.2d 1200, 1206 (5th Cir.1975) ("defendant, by his default, admits the plaintiff’s well-pleaded allegations of fact”); McMillian/McMillian, Inc. v. Monticello Ins. Co., 116 F.3d 319, 321 (8th Cir.1997) (explaining that "when a default judgment has been entered, facts alleged in the complaint ... may not be contested by the defaulted party”).

5 . While well-pleaded facts in the complaint are deemed admitted, plaintiffs’ allegations relating to the amount of damages are not admitted by virtue of default; rather, the court must determine both the amount and character of damages. Miller v. Paradise of Port Richey, Inc., 75 F.Supp.2d 1342, 1346 (M.D.Fla.1999); see also Anheuser Busch, Inc. v. Philpot, 317 F.3d 1264, 1266 (11th Cir.2003) (federal law requires judicial determination of damages absent factual basis in record); Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA), Inc. v. Alcantara, 183 F.3d 151, 155 (2d Cir.1999) (even where default judgment is warranted based on failure to defend, allegations in complaint with respect to damages are not deemed true, and district court must conduct inquiry in order to ascertain damages with reasonable certainty); Patray v. Northwest Pub., Inc., 931 F.Supp. 865, 869-70 (S.D.Ga.1996) (explaining that it is proper exercise of judicial power for court upon default to take evidence, fix amount which prevailing party should recover, and then give judgment). “The trial judge, sitting without a jury, has considerable latitude in determining the amount of the damages.” Patray, 931 F.Supp. at 870.

6 . See also Ford Motor Co. v. Cross, 441 F.Supp.2d 837, 848 (E.D.Mich.2006) (Rule 55 "does not require a presentation of evidence as a prerequisite to the entry of a default judgment, although it empowers the court to conduct such hearings as it deems necessary and proper to enable it to enter judgment or carry it into effect"); Board of Trustees of the Boilermaker Vacation Trust v. Skelly, Inc., 389 F.Supp.2d 1222, 1225 (N.D.Cal.2005) ("A formal hearing is not required for a court to render a default judgment.”).