Foreign & Domestic Music Corp. v. Michael M. Wyngate, Inc.

66 F. Supp. 82, 68 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 261, 1946 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2477
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. New York
DecidedJanuary 30, 1946
StatusPublished

This text of 66 F. Supp. 82 (Foreign & Domestic Music Corp. v. Michael M. Wyngate, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Foreign & Domestic Music Corp. v. Michael M. Wyngate, Inc., 66 F. Supp. 82, 68 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 261, 1946 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2477 (S.D.N.Y. 1946).

Opinion

NEVIN, District Judge

(sitting by designation) .

This is an action by plaintiff to restrain defendants from an alleged infringement of certain copyrighted songs, and for damages sustained by reason of such alleged infringement.

The complaint, in substance, alleges that plaintiff is the copyright owner of five1 songs mentioned in the complaint, and that after September 1, 1941, defendants infringed upon the copyrights by utilizing the songs in a certain film entitled, “Ecstasy.”

Plaintiff prays, (1) that defendants be enjoined from infringing upon the copyrighted songs; (2) that defendants be re[83]*83quired to pay to plaintiff such damages as plaintiff has sustained by reason of infringement and to account and pay over to plaintiff all the gains, profits and advantages derived by defendants from such infringement, and such other damages as to the Court shall appear proper within the provisions of the copyright statutes; (3) that defendants be required to deliver up for impounding all sound tracks of the film “Ecstasy” infringing the copyrights; (4) that defendants pay to plaintiff the costs of this action and reasonable attorney’s fees, and (5) for such other and further relief as may be just.

The second amended answer of defendants denies the material allegations of the bill of complaint — some because of lack of knowledge or information. Defendants admit receiving a communication from plaintiff’s attorney on September 19, 1942, asserting that the use of the four songs on the sound track of the motion picture “Ecstasy” constituted an infringement of the copyrights of plaintiff.

The answer also contains four separate defenses each designated as a “distinct and complete defense.” It is unnecessary to here recite all the details of these defenses.

Defendants pray for “judgment dismissing the complaint as against them, with full costs of this action, including as part thereof, a reasonable attorney’s fee.”

At the trial, at the conclusion of plaintiff’s case in chief, defendants moved to dismiss. This motion was renewed at the close of the case. The motion, in each instance, was tentatively overruled by the Court, with the understanding that the Court would make a definite ruling upon final submission. Upon consideration, the Court finds that each of these motions is not well taken and that each should be and it is here and now definitely and finally overruled.

The record comprises the testimony of a number of witnesses together with numerous documentary exhibits. Since the trial, voluminous and exhaustive briefs have been filed. These set out in considerable detail the claims of the respective parties, together with citations from the statutes and authorities which they assert sustain them. These the Court has painstakingly examined and considered. In the view of the Court no useful purpose would be served, however, in here reciting these various and conflicting contentions for, as stated by Judge Woolsey in Penmac Corporation v. Esterbrook Steel Pen Co., D.C., 27 F.Supp. 86, at page 87, “it is now a work of supererogation to write a considered and detailed opinion on the facts in what used to be an equity cause and is now called a non-jury cause, for the place of the opinion must now be taken by formal findings of fact and conclusions of law, separately stated and numbered. Title 28 United States Code, Section ■ 723, 28 U.S.C.A. § 723.”

Upon a consideration of the whole of the record, the briefs and arguments of counsel and the applicable law, the Court has arrived at the following:

Findings of Fact.

1. This is a suit arising under the Copyright Laws of the United States.

2. At and during all the times herein mentioned, after its incorporation in September, 1935, plaintiff Foreign and Domestic Music Corp. was and still is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New York.

3. Plaintiff Foreign and Domestic Music Corp. was incorporated for the purpose of engaging in the publication, distribution and exploitation of musical compositions, and ever since its incorporation has been and still is engaged in that business.

4. At and during all the times herein mentioned, after its incorporation in April, 1940, defendant Michael M. Wyngate, Inc., was and still is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New York.

5. Defendant Michael M. Wyngate, Inc. was incorporated “for the purpose of business with foreign countries, especially with France, in exportation of machine tools, et cetera.”

6. At and during all the times herein mentioned, defendant, Harbran, Inc., was and still is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State qf New York. '

[84]*847. Between June 1, 1942, and October 30, 1942, defendant, Harbran, Inc., operated the Gaiety Theatre at 1547 Broadway, Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, exhibiting motion pictures therein at public performances for profit.

8. Between July 3, 1942, and September 30, 1942, defendant, Harbran, Inc., exhibited at public performances for profit, among other motion pictures, the film known as “Ecstasy.”

9. At and during all the times herein mentioned, after its incorporation in September, 1932, Jewel Productions, Inc., was and still is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New York.

10. Jewel Productions, Inc., was incorporated for the purpose of engaging in the production, exploitation, distribution and exhibition of motion pictures, and ever since its incorporation has been and still is engaged in that business.

11. At and during all the times herein mentioned, after its incorporation in May, 1934, Eureka Productions, Inc., was and still is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of New York.

12. Eureka Productions, Inc., was incorporated for the purpose of engaging in the production, exploitation, distribution and exhibition of motion pictures, and ever since its incorporation has been and still is engaged in that business.

13. Ever since their incorporation Samuel Cummins has been and he still is, general manager of Foreign and Domestic Music Corp., plaintiff herein, Eureka Productions, Inc., and Jewel Productions, Inc., respectively. He was also general manager of Cummins Pictures, Inc., during its existence.

14. Faith Cummins is the wife of Samuel Cummins. She is and since April 2, 1941, has been president of Foreign and Domestic Music Corp., plaintiff herein.

15. Rose Chatkin and Celia H. Cohen are sisters of Samuel Cummins.

16. Ever since its incorporation, Rose Chatkin has been and still is president of Eureka Productions, Inc. Since January, 1935, she has been a director and is now also treasurer of the corporation.

17. Ever since its incorporation Rose Chatkin has been and still is a director and treasurer of Jewel Productions, Inc.

18. Ever since their incorporation, Celia H. Cohen has been and still is a director and secretary of Eureka Productions, Inc., and Foreign and Domestic Music Corp., and secretary of Jewel Productions, Inc., respectively.

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Related

Penmac Corporation v. Esterbrook Steel Pen Mfg. Co.
27 F. Supp. 86 (S.D. New York, 1939)

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Bluebook (online)
66 F. Supp. 82, 68 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 261, 1946 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2477, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/foreign-domestic-music-corp-v-michael-m-wyngate-inc-nysd-1946.