BMG Songs v. Dodge, et al.

2004 DNH 105

• Court: District Court, D. New Hampshire
• Decided: July 21, 2004
• Docket: CV-03-182-SM
• Status: Published

Opinion

BMG Songs v . Dodge, et a l . CV-03-182-SM 07/21/04 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

BMG Songs, Inc., Maranatha Music Integrity’s Hosanna Music, and Material Music and World, Inc., Plaintiffs

v. Civil N o . 03-182-SM Opinion N o . 2004 DNH 105 Brian Dodge, d/b/a Harvest Broadcasting, Defendant

O R D E R

Plaintiffs bring this action against Brian Dodge, d/b/a

Harvest Broadcasting, claiming he infringed their copyrights by

broadcasting their songs over a radio station he operates,

without license to do s o . Virtually identical claims were

brought against Dodge in 1998. See Birdwing Music v . Dodge, N o .

98-401-JD (D.N.H.). That earlier litigation was resolved when

Dodge stipulated to the entry of a $10,000 judgment against him.

Dodge has yet to satisfy that judgment and, at least according to

plaintiffs, he i s , once again, knowingly and willfully infringing

their copyrights by broadcasting their songs without a license.

See generally Exhibit B1 to Plaintiffs’ Motion for Default

Judgment, Affidavit of David Bander, Director of Licensing of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (also known

as ASCAP). To date, plaintiffs estimate that Dodge has avoided

the payment of approximately $25,000 in licensing fees.

After apparently attempting to avoid service of process for

several weeks, Dodge was finally served with a copy of

plaintiffs’ complaint. He did not, however, file a timely answer

or other responsive pleading. Accordingly, on April 2 0 , 2004, a

default was entered. Dodge did not appear or respond. Thirty

days later, plaintiffs moved for the entry of default judgment.

The matter was referred to the Magistrate Judge, who recommended

that default judgment enter against Dodge in the amount of

$75,000.00 in statutory damages, as well as approximately

$2,500.00 in attorney’s fees. That recommendation seems to have

caught Dodge’s attention. His silence was broken when, on the

final day on which he could object to the Magistrate Judge’s

report and recommendations, he filed an objection and motion to

strike the default.

Dodge’s motion to strike offers weak explanations for his

failure to file an answer, and no valid excuses. Nor does he

2 offer any plausible or meritorious defenses to the merits of

plaintiffs’ claims. Nevertheless, he is acting pro s e , claims

(again) to suffer from distracting illnesses, and has at least

moved to strike the default before judgment entered, all of which

counsel in favor of granting his motion. See Fed. R. Civ. P.

55(c). See generally KPS & Assocs., Inc. v . Designs by FMC,

Inc., 318 F.3d 1 , 12-13 (1st Cir. 2003).

While plaintiffs say that striking the default against Dodge

will needlessly and unfairly cause them to incur additional

attorney’s fees prosecuting this case, most of plaintiffs’

pleadings seem to be virtual duplicates of those filed in the

prior action against Dodge. Additionally, Dodge seems to have no

valid defense(s) to those claims - at least he has not hinted at

what defense(s) might be offered. Thus, it appears that this

matter can probably be resolved fairly quickly on summary

judgment.

3 Conclusion

Defendant’s motion to strike the entry of default (document

n o . 14) is granted. Plaintiffs’ motion for default judgment

(document n o . 11) is denied.

Dodge shall file an answer to plaintiffs’ complaint, or

other responsive pleading, on or before August 6, 2004. He is

also reminded of his continuing obligation to keep the Clerk of

Court apprised of his current mailing address and telephone

number. See Local Rule 83.6(e) (“An attorney or pro se party who

has appeared before the court on a matter is under a continuing

duty to notify the clerk’s office of any change of address and

telephone number.”). Should Dodge fail to file an answer or

other responsive pleading as directed, or should he fail to keep

the Clerk of Court apprised of his current address and telephone

number, sanctions shall be imposed, up to the entry of default

judgment against him.

SO ORDERED.

Sjgven J. McAuliffe T t nited States District Judge

July 2 1 , 2004

4 cc: R. Matthew Cairns, Esq. Brian Dodge