2014-05-05 Complaint in Duncanson v Wine and Canvas, 6:14-cv-00704-ORL-36KRS

7/22/2019 2014-05-05 Complaint in Duncanson v Wine and Canvas, 6:14-cv-00704-ORL-36KRS

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THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA

ORLANDO DIVISION3 : rvj

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CDi v i l Ac t i on No.

6: 14- c v -

MEGAN AROON DUNCANSON andSHERI MARI E W SEMAN,

Pl ai nt i f f s ,

V .

W NE & CANVAS DEVELOPMENT,LLC; SARAH MARI E WATHEN andJ OSHUA MI CHAEL WATHEN,j oi nt l y , D/ B/ A W NE ANDCANVAS; SJ WATHEN BL OOMI NGTONLL C F/ K/ A W NE AND CANVAS

BLOOMI NGTON LLC; YAHOO LLCD/ B/ A W NE AND CANVAS; andMELI SSA LOERWALD D/ B/ A W NEAND CANVAS ORLANDO;

De f endant s .

COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES

COME NOW Pl ai nt i f f s , MEGAN DUNCANSON and SHERI MARI E

W SEMAN, and her eby f i l e t hi s Compl a i nt aga i ns t De f endant s ,

W NE & CANVAS DEVEL OPMENT, LLC; SARAH MARI E WATHEN and J OSHUA

MI CHAEL WATHEN, j oi nt l y, D/ B/ A W NE AND CANVAS; SJ WATHEN

BLOOMI NGTON LL C F/ K/ A W NE AND CANVAS BLOOMI NGTON LL C; YABOO

LL C D/ B/ A W NE AND CANVAS; and MEL I SSA LOERWALD D/ B/ A W NE AND

CANVAS ORLANDO; f or damages, and, i n suppor t her eof , st at es:

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

1. Thi s i s an ac t i on f or c opy r i ght i nf r i ngement



pur suant t o 17 U. S . C. § § 101, et seq., i n whi c h Pl ai nt i f f s

s eek r ec o ve r y of c os t s , dama ges and i nj unc t i v e r el i ef f or t he

Def endant s ' c opy r i ght i nf r i ngement .

2. Subj ec t - mat t er j ur i s di c t i on her ei n i s pr oper as t hi s

ma t t e r ar i s es under t he Uni t ed St at es Copy r i ght Ac t , 17 U. S . C.

§§ 101 et seq.

3. P l a i n t i f f MEGAN DUNCANSON i s an i ndi v i dual r es i d i ng

wi t hi n t he Mi ddl e Di s t r i c t of F l or i da.

4. Pl ai nt i f f SHERI MARI E W SEMAN i s an i ndi v i dual

r es i di ng i n Ut ah.

5. Def endant W NE & CANVAS DEVELOPMENT, LL C i s an

I ndi ana c ompa ny wi t h i t s he adqua r t e r s i n I ndi ana . I t ope r a t e s

i t s bus i nes s t hr oughout at l eas t 41 geogr aphi c al l oc at i ons ( o r

mor e) , as wel l as mobi l e l o ca t i ons . At l eas t f our of i t s

geogr aphi c l oc at i ons ar e wi t hi n t he Mi ddl e Di s t r i c t of F l or i da

at ( a ) For t Myer s / Napl es , ( b ) J ac ks onv i l l e, ( c ) Or l ando, ( d )

Tampa / S t . Pet e / Cl e ar wa t er , and ( e) F or t L aud er da l e / P al m

Beach.

6. W NE & CANVAS DEVELOPMENT, LL C owns and oper at es a

webs i t e at www. wi neandcanvas . c om whi c h i s publ i s h ed

nat i onwi de, i nc l udi ng i n F l or i da, f or c u s t o mer s and pot ent i al

c us t omer s o f a l l W ne and Canv as l oc at i ons , i nc l udi ng t h os e i n

t he Mi ddl e Di s t r i c t of F l or i da.

Duncanson v Wine and Canvas Development LLC Comp laint Page 2 of 27

http://www.wineandcanvas.com/








7. Def endant s SARAH MARI E WATHEN and J OSHUA MI CHAEL

WATHEN, j o i n t l y , D/ B/ A W NE AND CANVAS, ar e i ndi v i dua l s

r es i di ng i n J ac ks onv i l l e, F l or i da, who own t he Fl or i da-

r egi s t e r ed f i c t i t i ous name W NE AND CANVAS, wh i ch i s a

bus i nes s t hey r ef er t o al s o as W ne and Canv as J ac k s onv i l l e.

That b us i nes s ' s pr i nc i pal pl ac e of b us i nes s i s i n

J ac ks onvi l l e, F l or i da, whi c h l i es wi t hi n t he Mi ddl e Di s t r i c t

of F l or i da.

8. Def endant SJ WATHEN BLOOMI NGTON LL C F/ K/ A W NE AND

CANVAS BLOOMI NGTON LLC i s a l i m t ed l i abi l i t y company l ocat ed

i n I ndi ana; i t has avai l ed i t s el f t o t he per s onal j ur i s di c t i on

of t he s t at e of F l or i da by ( a ) oper at i ng, c onduc t i ng, or

engagi ng i n, or c a r r y i ng on bus i nes s wi t hi n t hi s s t at e or

hav i ng an of f i c e or agenc y i n t hi s s t at e, i n t hat i t s

owner ( s ) / o f f i ce r ( s ) , i nc l udi ng De f endant SARAH MARI E WATHEN,

r es i de i n t hi s s t a t e and engage i n company oper a t i ons he r e i n ;

(b) us i ng t he Wor l d W de Web t o post i mages ont o I nt er net

webs i t es whi c h i nf r i nge Pl ai nt i f f s ' c opyr i ght s , whi c h

i nf r i ngi ng i mages ar e ac c es s i bl e i n F l or i da and ac c es s e d i n

F l or i da; and/ or ( c) engagi ng i n s ubs t ant i al and not i s ol at ed

ac t i vi t y wi t hi n F l or i da.

9. Def endant YABOO LL C D/ B/ A W NE AND CANVAS i s a

F l or i da L i m t ed L i abi l i t y company wi t h i t s pr i nc i pal pl ac e of




bus i nes s i n For t My er s , F l or i da, whi c h i s wi t hi n t he Mi ddl e

Di s t r i c t of F l o r i da. YABOO LLC oper a t es W ne and Canvas

ev ent s i n t he F or t My er s a r e a ( and po t e nt i a l l y i n o t h er

a r e a s ) .

10. Def endant MEL I SSA LOERWALD D/ B/ A W NE AND CANVAS

ORL ANDO i s an i ndi v i dual r es i di ng wi t hi n t he Mi ddl e Di s t r i c t

of F l o r i da . Ms . Loer wa l d ope r a t es W ne and Canvas event s i n

t he Cent r al F l or i da ar ea ( and pot ent i al l y ot her a r e as ) .

FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

Plaintiff Artists

11. Pl ai nt i f f s bot h ar e v i s ual ar t i s t s .

1 2. Ms . Dunc ans o n i s t he owner of mul t i pl e or i gi nal

v i s ual wor k s . A pr ol i f i c ar t i s t who mak es a l i vi ng of f h er

ar t wor k , s he s el l s qual i t y pr i nt s of her wor k s vi a ar t . c om and

ar t i s t r i s i ng. c om whi c h di s pl ays a ut hor i z ed i mages of her wor k

s o c us t o me r s c an pur c h as e t he p r i n t s .

13. Ms . W s e ma n i s t h e o wner of v ar i o us v i s u al wo r k s ,

i nc l udi ng t he pai nt i ng Red Bonsai Râin, whi ch she has so l d

t hr ough t h e we bs i t e E t s y .

The Subject Works

14 . Ms . Duncan has r egi s t e r ed he r owner sh i p of each of

t he f ol l owi ng wo r k s wi t h t he Uni t ed St at es Copy r i ght Of f i c e :




T i t l e o f W or k R eg i s t r a t i on N o E f fec t i v e D a te o f R eg i s t

Bubbling Joy Collection VA 1 860 451 March 2 2013

Fine Wine VA 1 -872-069 Augu st 13 2013

Spring Shine VA 1-872-068 Augu st 9 2013

Twisting Love 2007 VA 1 -872-086 Augu st 13 2013

Twisting Love 2011 VA 1-872-071 Augu st 9 2013

Ms. Duncan r egi s t e r ed t he f o l l owi ng t wo o t he r wo r ks as pa r t of

a c ol l ec t i on t i t l ed Publ i s hed Pai nt i ngs 2006 :

T i t l e o f W o r k R eg i s t r a t i on N o E f fec t i v e D a te o f R eg i s t

Tropical Energy VA00018604 74 January 1 2006

Blue Depth VA00018604 74 January 1 2006

15. Ms . W s eman i s t he owner of Rêd Bonsai Râin and has

r egi s t er e d her o wne r s hi p wi t h t he Un i t e d St a t e s Co py r i ght

Of f i c e of t hat wor k as f ol l ows :

T i t l e o f W or k R eg i s t r a t i on N o E f fec t i v e D a te o f R eg i s t

Red Bonsai Rain VAu 1-141-49 3 Augu st 13 2013

16. P ur s u ant t o t he Un i t e d St a t e s c o py r i ght l aws , Ms .

Dunc a ns o n and Ms . W s e ma n o bt a i ne d c o py r i ght r e gi s t r a t i o ns f or

al l of t he a bo ve - me nt i o ne d wo r k s , whi c h, s hal l be r e f e r r e d t o

her ei n c ol l ec t i v el y as t he Subj ec t Wor k s .

1 7. Tr ue and c or r ec t c opi es o f t he c er t i f i c at es of

r egi s t r at i on or r egi s t r at i on i nf or mat i on f or t he Subj ec t Wor k s

ar e at t ached her e t o as Exhibit 1.




The Wine and Canvas Business Mod el

18. Def endant W NE & CANVAS DEVELOPMENT, LL C was t he

f i r s t t o come up wi t h t he W ne and Canvas Bus i ness Mode l , and

i t i s t he t hr ead t hat t i es al l Def endant s t o ge t her .

19. Def endant W NE & CANVAS DEVELOPMENT, LLC l i censes

i t s bus i nes s c onc ept t o t hi r d par t i es , i nc l udi ng ot her

Def endant s , who des i r e t o oper at e s i m l ar bus i ne s s es .

20. Al l De f endant s ar e engaged i n a bus i ness of

oper at i ng pai nt par t i es .

2 1 . F or eac h pai nt par t y , Def endant s i nv i t e gues t s t o

t ake a pai nt i ng cl as s whi l e enj oyi ng c o c kt a i l s .

22. A c l ass c an have as many as 100 st udent s. 1

23. To s i gn up f or a pa i nt pa r t y , c us t o mer s ( s t udent s )

v i s i t www. wi neandcanvas. com a websi t e owned and oper at ed by

W ne and Canvas Deve l opment LLC but u t i l i zed by al l

De f endant s .

24. As t he webs i t e ex pl ai ns , s t udent s c hoos e t hei r c i t y

and s el ec t a pai nt i ng f r om t he onl i ne c a l e nd ar . They eac h pay

1 A Toast for the Arts, BALLBEARI NGS ( Sept . 24, 2012) ( Vi deo)

ht t p: / / ba l l be ar i ngs ma g. c om/ 2 012/ 0 9/ a- t oas t - f or - t he- ar t s / #. Uz h3Dq1dWTI

( Showi ng W ne and Canvas Devel opment LLC f ounder Tamr a Scot t sayi ng, One

of t he bes t t hi ngs o f b ei n g a n i ns t r uc t o r h er e i s at t he end o f t he ni ght

when you have 70 peopl e i n t h i s r oom and we do a b i g gr oup phot o and t hey

al l ho l d t h ei r p i c t ur e s up at t he end wi t h t h ei r ma s t e r pi e c es t ha t t he y

c r eat e d . . . t hat i s t he c ool es t . )



http://ballbearingsmag.com/2







a f ee, usua l l y about $35, and t hey ar e supp l i ed a b l ank canvas

and pa i nt s , pl us t he us e of br us h es , eas e l , and an apr on.

25. Ea ch pa i nt p ar t y i s a ne w c l as s whe r e an a r t i s t

i ns t r uc t s Def endant s ' s t udent s s t ep- by - s t ep, t h r ough r e-

c r e at i ng a v i s u al pa i n t - o n- c a nv as wo r k of ar t s o eac h s t udent

can t ake home h i s o r he r own sel f - pai nt ed wor k of ar t , wh i ch

i s a r epr oduc t i on of an or i gi nal wor k of ar t ( or of a

der i v at i v e wor k of an or i gi nal wo r k ) .

2 6 . Dur i ng e ac h pai nt i ng c l as s , s t udent s r ec ei v e

de t ai l e d i ns t r uc t i o n, gui da nc e, c oac hi ng, and enc o ur a ge me nt by

Def endant ( s ) .

Acts of Infringement

27. De f endant s ' ac t s of i nf r i ngement ar e on such a

mass i ve , wi despr ead sca l e t ha t t he ac t ua l number of

i nf r i ngement s i s unk nown, and i t i s i mpr ac t i c abl e or

i mpos s i bl e t o det ai l al l s uc h ac t s i n one c ompl ai nt .

28. I n f ac t , as a r es ul t of t he f ac t t hat Def endant s

c aus e t he ma ki n g of r e pr o duc t i o ns of r e pr o duc t i o ns of

r e pr o duc t i o ns of r e pr o duc t i o ns , t he s heer number of

i nf r i nge ment s , whi c h ar e es t i ma t e d t o be i n t he t ho us a nds ,

oc c ur i n an al mos t Dr os t e- ef f ec t , r ec ur s i v e ma nn er .

29. T he c opi es ar e not ex ac t dupl i c at i ons . Rat her ,

be c au s e t hey ar e al l r e pai nt e d, mo s t h av e wi t h s l i ght




al t er at i ons of t he or i gi nal . Howev er , al l r epr oduc t i ons ar e

s ubs t ant i al l y s i m l ar e nough t o be r e c ogni z abl e.

30. By way o f an exampl e , a re a f ew o f t he mul t i p l e act s

of i n f r i ngement t ha t have occur r ed f or each of t he above-

l i s t ed Subj ec t Wor k s :

a. A copy of Ms . Duncanson' s o r i g i nal wo r k

Tropical Energy appear s bel ow at l ef t . At

r i ght i s an unaut hor i z e d r epr oduc t i on or

der i vat i ve wo r k of f e r ed by t he Sout h Bend

l ocat i on on or about December 27, 2012:

b . St udent s hol di ng t hei r unaut hor i z ed der i v at i v e

wor ks of Tropical Energy t ha t t hey pai n t ed on

or about Sept ember 4, 2013, at t he Col umbus,

Ohi o, l o c at i o n ar e s hown as f ol l ows :

Duncanson v Wine and Canvas Development LLC Complaint Page 8 of 27



c . St udent s hol di ng t hei r unaut hor i z ed der i v at i v e

wor ks of Tropical Energy t ha t t hey pai n t ed on

or about J ul y 25, 2013, at t he Sout h Bend,

I ndi ana, l oc at i on ar e s hown as f ol l ows :

Duncanson v Wine and Canvas Development LLC Complaint Page 9 of 27



d. A c opy of Ms . Dunc a n' s o r i gi na l wo r k Blue Depth

i s s h own be l o w at l ef t wh i l e an una ut ho r i z e d

r epr oduc t i on, used i n J anuar y and Febr ua r y 2013

i n Sout h Bend , I ndi ana , W ne and Canvas c l a sses

appear s at r i ght :

e. A c opy of Ms . Dunc a n' s o r i gi nal wo r k Fine Wine

i s s hown at l ef t whi l e at r i ght i s a

r epr oduct i on used by W ne and Canvas

Devel opment LLC and/ or o t her Def endant s ,

i nc l udi ng f or a t l eas t one c l as s at t he

oI ndi a napo l i s l o c at i o n i n Se pt ember 2012.

2 I n t e r es t i n gl y , t he u na ut h or i z ed r epr o duc t i o n i nc l udes wha t a ppear s t o bea s i gna t u r e by a J a ne t t Ma r i e , wh o, upo n i nf o r ma t i o n a nd be l i e f , i s a nI ndi a na po l i s a r t i s t who f eat ur es he r wo r k at ht t p: / / j anet t mar i e. ne t / .

Duncanson v Wine and Canvas Development LLC Compla in t Page 10 of 27

http://janettmarie.net/







31. Pr i or t o eac h c l as s t h at i nv ol v es i nf r i ngement s of

Pl ai nt i f f s ' wor k , Def endant ( s ) pl ac e an unaut hor i z ed

r e pr o duc t i o n of one t he Subj ec t Wo r k s o n i t s / t he i r we bs i t e

c al endar i n an ef f or t t o adver t i s e t he upc om ng c l a s s .

32 . When t hey pub l i sh a copy (or a der i vat i ve copy ) of a

Subj e ct Wo r k , De f e nda nt s r e pr e s ent t o t he pub l i c t hat i t i s an

aut hor i zed copy c r eat ed by an a r t i s t h i r ed by W ne and Canvas

Devel opment LLC or o t her Def endant .

33. I n some cases , Def endant s ' W ne and Canvas

br andi ng i s so s t r ong and c ont r ol l i ng t h at Def endant s c r edi t

t he aut ho r of t he pai n t i ng as t he W ne and Canvas b r and

i t s e l f .




34. As a l so expl a i ned above, when a W ne and Canvas

pa i n t i ng c l as s e vent t ak es pl a c e, s t ude nt s , who pa y a f ee t o

De f endant ( s )3

j o i n i n t he c l as s , ar e enc o ur a ge d by De f e nda nt s

t o make an unaut hor i zed r epr oduc t i on of De f endant s '

unaut hor i z ed r e pr oduc t i o n. Eac h i ndi vi dual event r es ul t s i n

30- 100 una ut ho r i z e d pa i nt e d r e pr o duc t i o ns or de r i v at i v e wo r k s ,

wi t h eac h s uc h r e pr o duc t i o n be i ng an i ndi v i dual ac t o f

i nf r i ngement b y a di f f er ent i ndi v i dual .

35 . Af t e r some but not al l c l a sses , t he De f endant who

host ed t he c l ass t akes phot ogr aphs ( t her eby maki ng even mor e

unaut ho r i z e d r epr oduc t i ons ) of t hes e s t udent s ' pai nt i ngs ,

wh i ch t ha t De f endant pos t s t o i t s Facebook pages . These

c opi es , upo n i nf o r ma t i on and be l i e f , ar e c opi ed or s har ed

agai n by F ac ebook f a ns or f r i e nds .

36 . Af t e r t he mak i ng t he newl y unaut hor i zed

r epr oduc t i on, each s t udent t akes home hi s or her unaut hor i zed

r epr oduc t i on or der i vat i ve wo r k . Many such s t udent s make

f ur t he r and new i n f r i ngement s by t aki ng pho t ogr aphs ( i . e . new

der i v at i v e wor k s ) of t he pai nt i ngs and s har i ng t h e phot os v i a

3 I t i s unc e r t a i n at t he t i me of f i l i ng e xa c t l y ho w t he f ee i s s pl i t a mo ngt he De f e nda nt s , or i f i t i s s pl i t at al l . Ho we ver , gener al l y t heDe f e nda nt t hat i s ho s t i ng t he c l as s wi l l r ec ei v e t he f e e . T ha t d ef e nda ntmay pr ov i de a perc ent age or port i on to Def endant W ne and CanvasDeve l opment LLC, o r W ne and Canvas Devel opment LLC benef i t s i n anot her ,i ndi r e ct way .




s oc i al me di a, s uc h as I ns t agr am or bl ogs . 4

37 . Dur i ng at l eas t some of t he c l a sses , De f endant s and

ot he r t he W ne and Canv as l i c ens e es , f or t he pu r p os e s o f

pr omot i ng t hei r own bus i ness es and t he W ne and Canvas br and,

t ake pho t ogr aphs of t he s t udent s wh i l e t he s t udent s a r e

pai nt i ng t he unaut hor i z e d r epr oduc t i ons and der i v at i v e wor k s ,

t her eby c r e at i ng addi t i onal unaut hor i z e d r epr oduc t i ons of t he

un aut ho r i z e d r e pr o duc t i o ns and/ or de r i v at i v e wo r k s . Thes e

pho t o gr aphs ar e t hen c opi ed ( agai n wi t hout P l ai nt i f f s '

aut hor i za t i on) when t hey ar e pos t ed t o De f endant s ' and

l i censees ' webs i t es or Facebook pages f or t he pur poses o f

pr omot i ng t he W ne and Canvas name and Def endant s ' bus i ness .

3 8. Def endant s ' mul t i pl e a c t s of i nf r i ngement ar e

wi despr ead and per f o r med nat i onwi de.

3 9. Def endant s ' mul t i pl e, i ndi v i dual , and s pec i f i c ac t s

of i nf r i ngement i nc l ude, but ar e not l i m t ed t o:

a . On or a bout J ul y 9, 2011, t he Bl o om ngt o n

l o ca t i o n di d a c l as s whe r e s t ude nt s p ai n t e d

unaut ho r i z e d r epr oduc t i ons o r der i v at i v e wor k s

of Twisting Love.

4 E.g., on J anuar y 17, 2013, b l ogger Casey Rusel l expl a i ned on her b l og how

she had at t ended a W ne & Canvas event i n I ndi anapo l i s , and enc l osed

pho t o s o f he r f i ni s hed r epr o duc t i o n, whi ch i s ( unbekno wns t t o he r ) an

u na ut h or i z ed de r i v at i v e wo r k or r epr o duc t i o n of Ms . Dunca n' s wo r k Blue

Depth. See ht t p : / / ha nd ma deby c j . b l o gs p ot . co m/ 2 013 / 01 / wi n e- a nd- ca nv a s . h t m


http://handmadebycj.blogspot.com/2013/01/wine-and-canvas.html

http://handmadebycj.blogspot.com/2013/01/wine-and-canvas.html



b. I n or about August 7, 2012, W ne and Canvas d i d

a cour se wher e about 40 s t udent s pai nt ed


of Ms . W s e ma n' s Rêd Bonsai Râin. Thi s c our s e

was f i l med i n a news vi deo f or t he Sout h Bend

Tr i bune . 6

c . On or about Sept ember 14, 2012, t he

I ndi anapol i s l oc at i on t aught a c l as s wher e t he

s t udent s p ai nt e d una ut ho r i z e d r e pr o du c t i o ns of

Ms . Duncanson' s Fine Wine.

d . On or about Oc t ober 27, 2012, t he I ndi anapo l i s

l ocat i on di d a cour se wher e the s t udent s

p ai nt e d u na ut h or i z e d r e pr o duc t i o ns or

der i v at i v e wor k s of Rêd Bonsai Râin.

e . On or about November 13, 2012, t he Sout h Bend

l o ca t i o n di d a s o l d- o ut c our s e whe r e t he

s t udent s p ai nt e d una ut ho r i z e d r e pr o du c t i o ns or

der i v at i v e wor k s of Tropical Energy.

f . On or about December 27, 2012, t he Sout h Bend

l o ca t i o n di d a s o l d- o ut c our s e whe r e t he

5 I Hei di Pr e s cot t , Market Basket: New Wine Canvas business offers a

creative night out, S. Bend Trib. ( Aug. 9, 2 012) , a va i l a bl e at

ht t p: / / a r t i c l e s . s o ut hbe ndt r i bune . c o m/ 2012- 08- 09/ ne ws / 33123773_ 1 _ bl a nk -

c a nv as - ma r k e t - ba s ke t - c r e at i v e- ni ght6 Vi de o a va i l a bl e at h t t p s : / / www. y o ut u be . co m/ wa t ch ? v =CI z f j 9 gF bp A


http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2012-08-09/news/33123773_1_blank-

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIzfj9gFbpA

http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2012-08-09/news/33123773_1_blank-




der i v at i v e wor k s of Tropical Energy.

g. On or about December 28, 2012, t he Col umbus,

Ohi o, l o ca t i o n of W ne and Ca nv as d i d a s ol d-

out cour se wher e t he s t udent s pai n t ed


of Ms . Dunc a ns o n' s p ai nt i ng Blue Depth

( howev er , t hey c al l e d i t Blue Winter) . On or

about J anuar y 3, 2013, t hat l o ca t i o n po s t e d t o

t he i r Facebook page pho t ogr aphs of t he i r

s t udent s ' una ut hor i z e d r epr oduc t i ons o r

der i v at i ve wor k s .

h . On or about J anuar y 20, 2013, t he I ndi anapo l i s

l o ca t i o n di d a c our s e whe r e t hei r s t udent s

p ai nt e d an una ut ho r i z e d r e pr o duc t i o n, or

der i v at i v e wor k , i n bl ac k and whi t e, of Blue

Depth.

i . On or about J anuar y 31, 2013, t he Bl o om ngt o n

l ocat i on di d a cour se wher e t hei r s t udent s made


of Blue Depth ( however , t hey c al l e d i t Serene

Blue .

j . On or about F ebr uar y 6, 2013, t he J ac k s onv i l l e,




F l or i da, l oc at i on di d a c l as s wher e s t udent s


der i v at i v e wor k s of Red Bonsai Rain.

k . On or about Febr uar y 8, 2013, t he Bl oom ngt on


unaut ho r i z e d r epr oduc t i ons or d er i v at i v e wor k s

of Blue Depth.

l . On or about Febr ua r y 11, 2013, t he Chi cago

l o ca t i o n di d a c our s e whe r e t hei r s t udent s

p ai nt e d una ut ho r i z e d r e pr o duc t i o ns of a

de r i v at i v e wo r k of Twisting Love.

m. On or about Febr uar y 21, 2013, t he Sout h Bend


unaut ho r i z e d r epr oduc t i ons o r d er i v at i v e wor k s

of Blue Depth ( howev er , t hey c al l ed i t Blue

Winter).

n . On or about Apr i l 24, 2 013, t he J ac k s onv i l l e,



der i v at i v e wor k s of Red Bonsai Rain.

o . On or about J une 14, 2013, t he For t Myer s ,







p . On or about J une 27, 2013, t he J a ck s onv i l l e,

F l o r i da , l oc at i on di d a c l as s wher e s t udent s



q . On or a bout J u l y 10, 2013, t he F or t My er s ,




r . On or about J une 25, 2013, t he Sout h Bend

l oc at i on had i t s s t udent s pai nt una ut hor i z e d

r epr oduc t i ons or der i v at i v e wor k s of Tropical

Energy.

s . On or about J une 27, 2013, and poss i b l y al so

J une 28, 2013, t he I ndi anapol i s l oc at i on di d a

s o l d- out c our s e whe r e s t udent s pa i n t e d


of Twisting Love.

t . On or about Sept ember 4, 2013, t he Col umbus

l oc at i on had i t s s t udent s pai nt una ut hor i z e d

r epr oduc t i ons or der i v at i v e wor k s of Tropical

Energy.

u. On or about November 22, 2013, t he Sout h Bend




l o ca t i o n di d a c our s e whe r e s t udent s pa i n t e d

unaut ho r i z e d r epr oduc t i ons of a der i v at i v e wor k

of Twisting Love.

v. On Mar ch 6, 2014, t he Sout h Bend l ocat i on d i d a

cour se i n I ndi ana wher e s t udent s pai n t ed


of Ms . W s e ma n' s Red Bonsai Rain.

w. On Mar ch 14, 2014, t he Or l ando l ocat i on di d a

cour se at t he W nder mer e Count r y Cl ub i n

W nder mer e, FL 34786 wher e an unknown number of


der i v at i v e wor k s of Ms . W s e man' s RRêd Bonsai

Râin.

x . On Mar ch 16, 2014, t he No r t h Ch i cago l ocat i on

di d a cour s e wher e an unknown number of


der i v at i v e wor k s of Ms . W s e man' s Rêd Bonsai

Râin, whi c h t hey c al l ed Rêd Tree.

y . On Ma r c h 30, 2014, t he I ndi ana po l i s l o ca t i o n

d i d pr i vat e b i r t hday event s wher e an unknown

number of s t udent s pai n t ed unaut hor i zed

r epr oduc t i ons or d er i v at i v e wor k s of Ms .

W s e ma n' s Red Bonsai Rain.




z . On or about Sept ember 4, 2014, t he Or l ando,




40 . Be c aus e De f e nda nt s h av e c o l l e c t i v el y c o mm t t e d s o

ma ny ac t s of i nf r i ngement , P l ai nt i f f s wi l l hav e t o c onduc t

di s c o ve r y be f o r e be i ng abl e t o c o r r e c t l y es t i mat e ex ac t l y ho w

many such ac t s of i n f r i ngement occur r ed .

Knowledge and Willfulness

41. On or about Febr uar y 7, 2013, Ms . Duncanson emai l ed

Def endant W NE & CANVAS DEVELOPMENT, LLC accus i ng i t of

c opyr i ght i nf r i ngement .

42 . On or about Februa r y 7, 2013, Ms . Duncanson no t i f i ed

Def endant W NE & CANVAS DEVELOPMENT, LL C on i t s Fac ebook page

t hat i t h ad be en c opy i ng and s t eal i ng ar t i s t s ' wor k wi t ho ut

per m s s i on, r ec ogni t i on, or c ompens at i on.

43 . Def endant W NE & CANVAS DEVELOPMENT, LLC f ai l ed and

r e f us e d t o c eas e and de s i s t i t s i nf r i ngeme nt and i ns t ead

accused Ms . Duncanson of l y i ng and f i l ed a def amat i on l awsu i t

agai ns t h e r .

4 4. Al l pr er equi s i t es t o f i l i ng t hi s ac t i on have been

met , or Def endant s have wai ved t hem.




COUNT I: DIRECT COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

45. Pl ai nt i f f s r es t at e P ar agr aphs 1 t hr ough 44 as i f

f ul l y pl ead her e i n.

46. P l a i nt i f f s a r e t he o wne r s of t he Subj ec t Wo r k s a s

shown i n mor e de t a i l above and as i n Exh i b i t 1.

4 7. W t hout aut hor i z a t i on, Def endant s h av e r epeat edl y

copi ed cons t i t uent e l ement s of t he Subj ec t Wor ks t ha t a r e

or i gi na l .

48 . De f endant s had knowl edge t hat t he i r conduc t

r epr es ent ed i nf r i ngement or r ec kl es s l y di s r egar ded pos s i bi l i t y

of i nf r i ngement .

49. Af t er r ec ei v i ng not i c e f r o m t he c opyr i ght owner ,

Def endant s b ot h ( a) c ont i nued t o publ i s h and di s t r i but e

ex i s t i ng i nf r i ngeme nt s , i nc l udi ng t ho s e ph ot o gr a phs po s t e d on

Def endant s ' Facebook pages, and ( b) made new and addi t i onal

act s o f i n f r i ngement s by hos t i ng new wi ne and canvas c l a sses

af t er r ec ei v i ng not i c e, t hen t ak i ng phot ogr aphs ( f ur t her

unaut ho r i z e d der i v at i v e wor k s ) o f t hos e s ai d i nf r i nge me nt s .

50 . Al t h ou gh Pl a i nt i f f s a r e s eek i ng ac t ual da ma ge s and

pr of i t s her ei n, t hey eac h i ndi v i dual l y r e ser v e t he r i ght t o

e l ec t t o r ecover an award of s t a t u t o r y damages f or al l

i nf r i ngement s i nv ol v ed i n t he ac t i on pur s uant t o 17 U. S . C. §

5 04 .




WHERE FORE, P l a i nt i f f s pr a y f or j udgment i n t hei r f av or

and aga i ns t t he De f endant s as f o l l ows :

a. For an o r de r , pu r suant t o 17 U. S. C. A. § 502,

t empor ar i l y enj oi ni ng t he Def endant s unt i l t he

t hi s ac t i on i s r es ol ved, f r om i nf r i ngi ng,

i nduc i ng i nf r i ngement of , and c ont r i but i ng t o

t he i nf r i ngement of Pl ai nt i f f s ' c opyr i ght ed

wo r k s ;

b. For an o r de r , pu r suant t o 17 U. S. C. A. § 502,

p er ma ne nt l y e nj o i ni ng De f e nda nt s , i nc l udi ng

t hei r agent s , of f i c er s , empl oy ees , as s i gns ,

s ubs i di ar i es , and ot her s a ct i ng i n c onc er t wi t h

t hem f r om i nf r i ngi ng, i nduc i ng i nf r i ngement

of , and c ont r i but i ng t o t he i nf r i ngement of

Pl ai nt i f f s ' c opyr i ght ed wor ks ;

c . An awar d, pur suant t o 17 U. S. C. A. § 504( b) , of

ac t ual damages s uf f er ed by Pl ai nt i f f s as a

r es ul t of t he i nf r i ngement s , and any pr of i t s of

t he i nf r i nger t hat ar e at t r i but abl e t o t he

i n f r i ngement and ar e no t t aken i nt o account i n

comput i ng t he act ual damages.

d. Rec ov er y of f ul l c os t s , i nc l udi ng an awar d of

r e as o na bl e at t o r n ey f ees , pur s u ant t o 17




U. S. C. A. § 505.

e. For p r e j udgment and pos t - j udgment i nt e res t on

t he damages awar ded; and

f . F or s uc h ot her and f ur t her r el i ef as t hi s Cour t

ma y deem equi t abl e.

COUNT II: CONTRIBUTORY C OPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

5 1. Pl ai nt i f f s r es t at es P ar agr aphs 1 t hr ough 44 as i f




5 3. W t hout aut hor i z at i on, Def enda nt s hav e on mul t i pl e

and di f f er ent oc c as s i ons c ont r i but ed t o t he c opy i ng of

c ons t i t uent el ement s of t he Subj ec t Wor k s t hat ar e or i g i n al .

54 . Thes e mul t i p l e ac t s of i nf r i nge me nt o cc ur r e d as a

r esul t De f endant s ' i n t ent i ona l i nducement or encour agement of

t he i n f r i ngement made by s t udent s and / o r t eacher s i n

Def endant s ' pai nt i ng c l a s s es .

55. F or e ac h ac t of i nf r i nge ment , De f e nda nt ( s ) ei t her

had knowl edge t hat t he i r conduc t r epr esent ed i n f r i ngement or

r ec kl es s l y di s r egar ded pos s i bi l i t y of i nf r i ngement .

5 6. Ev en af t er r ec ei v i ng not i c e f r o m t he copyr i ght

owner ( s ) , Def endant ( s ) engaged i n f ur t her ac t s of c ont r i but or y




i nf r i ngement .

57 . Al t h ou gh Pl a i nt i f f s a r e s eek i ng ac t ual da ma ge s and

pr of i t s her ei n, t hey r es er v e t he r i ght t o el ec t t o r ec ov er an

awar d of s t a t u t o r y da mage s f or al l i nf r i nge me nt s i nv ol v ed i n

t he ac t i on pur s uant t o 17 U. S . C. § 5 04 .




t empor ar i l y enj oi ni ng Def endant s unt i l t he t hi s

ac t i on i s r es ol ved, f r om i nf r i ngi ng, i nduc i ng

i nf r i ngement of , and c ont r i but i ng t o t he

i nf r i ngement of Pl ai nt i f f s ' c opyr i ght ed wor k s;




s ubs i di ar i es , and ot her s ac t i ng i n c onc er t wi t h















U. S. C. A. § 505.





COUNT III: VICARI OUS COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

5 8. Pl ai nt i f f s r es t at es P ar agr aphs 1 t hr ough 44 as i f




6 0. W t hout aut hor i z at i on, Def endant s hav e v i c ar i ous l y

i nf r i nged Pl ai nt i f f s ' c opyr i ght s by pr o f i t i ng di r e ct l y f r om

t he c opy i ng of c ons t i t uent el ement s of Pl ai nt i f f s ' wor k s t hat

ar e o r i g i nal , when such i n f r i ngement was per f o r med by

i ndi v i dual s Def endant s had a r i ght and abi l i t y t o s uper v i s e,

i nc l udi ng but n ot l i m t ed t o Def endant s ' s t udent s and ar t

t e ac he r s and De f e ndant s ' , or , at m ni mu m De f e nda nt W NE &

CANVAS DEVELOPMENT, LLC' s subs i d i a r i es or f r anch i sees ,

nat i onwi de.




61. Thes e i ndi v i dual and mul t i pl e ac t s of i nf r i ngement

oc c ur r ed on di f f er ent and mul t i pl e o c c as i o ns .

62. Def endant s had knowl edge t hat t hei r conduct

r epr es ent ed i nf r i ngement or r ec kl es s l y di s r egar ded pos s i bi l i t y

of i nf r i ngement .

63. Even af t er r ec ei v i ng not i c e f r o m t he c opyr i ght

o wne r ( s ) , De f e nda nt s e nga ge i n addi t i o na l and f ur t her ac t s of

v i c ar i ous i nf r i ngement .

64. Al t h ou gh Pl a i nt i f f s a r e s eek i ng ac t ual da ma ge s and

pr of i t s her ei n, t hey eac h r es er v e t he r i ght t o el ec t t o

r ecover an award of s t a t u t o r y damages f or a l l i n f r i ngement s

i nv ol v ed i n t he ac t i on pur s u ant t o 17 U. S . C. § 5 04 .




t empor ar i l y enj oi ni ng Def endant s unt i l t he t hi s

ac t i on i s r es ol ved, f r om i nf r i ngi ng, i nduc i ng

i nf r i ngement of , and c ont r i but i ng t o t he

i nf r i ngement of Pl ai nt i f f s ' c opyr i ght ed wor k s;




s ubs i di ar i es , and ot her s ac t i ng i n c onc er t wi t h















U. S. C. A. § 505.





JURY DEMAND

Pl ai nt i f f s r e ques t a j ur y t r i al on al l i s sues so t r i abl e.

Res pec t f ul l y s ubm t t ed on May 23, 2013, by At t or ney f or

Pl ai nt i f f s




Cynthia Conlin, P.A.

1643 Hi l l c r es t St r eetOr l ando, FL 32803Tel . 407 - 965- 5519/ Fax 407- 545- 4397

www. Conl i nP A. c om

/ s / Cy nt hi a Conl i n, Es q.

CYNTHI A CONLI N, ESQ.F l o r i da Ba r No . 47012Ema i l 1: c y nt hi a@c y nt hi a conl i n. c omEmai l 2: j ef f @c ynt hi ac onl i n. c om

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2014-05-05 Complaint in Duncanson v Wine and Canvas, 6:14-cv-00704-ORL-36KRS