20200519 d016 first amended complaint[4]
TRANSCRIPT
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1 Case No. 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDEx FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS AND DEMAND
FOR JURY TRIAL
Howard N. Wisnia (Bar No. 184,626) WISNIA PC 12707 High Bluff Dr., Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92130 Tel: (858) 461-0989 [email protected] Attorney for Plaintiff [Additional counsel listed on signature page.]
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
KRISTEN N. COOLEY, guardian of the estate of NOLAN OCEAN COOLEY, a minor, Plaintiff, vs. TARGET CORPORATION, TARGET ENTERPRISE, INC., and JOHN DOES 1-10, Defendants.
Case No. 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDEx FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
1. Plaintiff Kristen N. Cooley, in her capacity as guardian of the estate of Nolan
Ocean Cooley, a minor, brings these claims and causes of actions against Defendants Target
Corporation, Target Enterprise Inc. and John Does 1-10 (collectively, “Defendants” or
“Target”), as follows:
I. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
2. This copyright infringement action arises from the predatory and profit-driven
actions of a corporate retail powerhouse—Target—that exploited and illegally
misappropriated the creativity of a child artist living with Autism: Nolan Ocean Cooley.
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 1 of 46 Page ID #:46
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2 Case No. 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDEx FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS AND DEMAND
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3. Nolan Ocean Cooley is a uniquely talented child artist, who has been widely
recognized for his original works of art across the United States and particularly in the State
of California. From the time that Nolan Ocean Cooley was six (6) years old, his unique and
original artwork has served as the medium that enables him to channel his energies and
creativity into a productive form to share with the world. He has followed in his family’s
footsteps – his father, Dominic Cooley, is a well known and acclaimed photographer – in
bringing meanful art to the world, all the while being encouraged by his family. His work
has received critical acclaim including being reviewed in the Huffington Post and NY Daily
News, been the subject of several successful gallery art shows, been the subject of several
major co-branding deals (bumbag, Krink, 9Five), and numerous individual pieces of his art
work have been purchased by art lovers throughout the United States. In addition, Nolan
Ocean Cooley received widespread attention from a video concerning his work that went
viral several years ago with approximately 124,000 views and thousands more shares and
comments. That video may be seen at:
<https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10153456577961016>
4. As a result of his artistic endeavors over the past decade, the guardianship of
the estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1 is the lawful owner of valid registered copyrights in the
creative expressions in numerous works of art that he originally created—the Copyrighted
Works (further defined below).
5. Among the many original elements that comprise Nolan’s creative expressions
in the Copyrighted Works is the unique manner in which he designs and draws imperfect
sketch-style dots or circles that he elects to combine, arrange and color into idiosyncratic
patterns.
6. As early as 2012 and certainly by no later than 2015, Nolan’s unique, sketch-
style dot art was accessible and displayed to the public, including on Nolan’s personal
1 For simplicity, “Kristen N. Cooley, Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley, a minor” shall be referred to herein as “Plaintiff” or “Cooley.” Nolan Ocean Cooley, a minor, shall be referred to as “Nolan.”
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3 Case No. 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDEx FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS AND DEMAND
FOR JURY TRIAL
webpage and Instagram social media page. It was also accessible on his mother and father’s
individual social media accounts. During this time period and by no later than 2016, Nolan’s
sketch-style dot art also was being publicly sold and distributed on clothing and other
merchandise, including through, among other things, negotiated agreements connected to
national Autism Awareness Month promotional events, and publicly displayed through art
galleries, media articles, Nolan’s personal webpage, as well as the Cooley family’s various
other social media pages and online platforms.
7. In June 2018, with full awareness of and access to Nolan’s original sketch-
style dot art, Target specifically targeted Nolan on his Instagram social media page to
recognize and honor him for his talents and creativity. In doing so, Target employees
expressly acknowledged their access to and awareness of Nolan’s original artwork, stating
to Nolan and his parents in various communications that, among other things: (i) Nolan’s
artwork publicly displayed on his Instagram “feed caught our [Target’s] eye;” (ii) Target
had identified Nolan as a young “artist[] and creator[]” who was “sparking joy for” other
young people; (iii) Target employees “were so impressed” with Nolan’s original works of
art; and (iv) that Nolan “stand[s] out as someone full of talent and potential.”
8. Target went so far as to invite Nolan to Target’s headquarters in Minnesota to
collaborate with other young artists and influencers in a workshop and project that Target
named, “CrushCon.” Target represented it would use its CrushCon workshop and project
to promote young artists in conjunction with Target’s company-wide support for
“creativity” and “empowerment” through social media, without ever using these artists’
pre-existing artwork, like Nolan’s Copyrighted Works, on or in connection with Target’s
sales of its own merchandise.
9. This representation proved false.
10. Soon after accepting Target’s invitation, the Cooleys learned firsthand that
Target’s seemingly laudable promotion program was anything but; instead, it was a bait-
and-switch tactic that Target used to copy, counterfeit and unlawfully misappropriate the
original, creative expressions in Nolan’s Copyrighted Works.
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4 Case No. 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDEx FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS AND DEMAND
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11. Shortly after Nolan participated in this promotional program, Cooley learned
that Target had begun selling online and in its more than 1,800 retail stores across the U.S.
a line of children’s clothing and merchandise under its exclusive brand—“Cat & Jack™”—
that plainly copied and counterfeited the original sketch-style dot art design in Nolan’s
Copyrighted Works and/or were unlicensed derivative works of the Copyrighted Works.
12. The similarity between Target’s new line of children’s clothing under its Cat
& Jack™ exclusive brand (the “Infringing Products” defined in more detail below) and
Nolan’s Copyrighted Works is both striking and substantial, as one comparative look at an
example of a Copyrighted Work and an Infringing Product reveals:
Nolan’s Copyrighted Work Target’s Infringing Product
13. Target even publicly touted its new Cat & Jack™ children’s clothing line as
having been “Designed With Kids, For Kids” and including items that were “specifically
designed for kids with disabilities.” Target concealed from the public, however, the reality
that Target had actually exploited a child with a disability—Nolan—and stolen his original
expressions and designs in his Copyrighted Works for use in these Infringing Products that
Target sold to children across the country.
14. Target’s supposedly original line of new Cat & Jack™ children’s clothing and
merchandise—the Infringing Products—was so clearly copied from Nolan’s Copyrighted
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 4 of 46 Page ID #:49
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Works that the Cooleys’ family and friends were deceived into believing that Target had
lawfully acquired Nolan’s artwork for use on Target’s merchandise.
15. That was not and never has been the case.
16. Instead, Target preyed on Nolan, exploiting his creativity and Target’s clear
and admitted access to and knowledge of his Copyrighted Works to generate significant
unlawfully-obtained profits from Target’s sale of the Infringing Products.
17. Target’s actions in doing so, as alleged herein, constitute willful and
intentional infringement of Nolan’s Copyrighted Works that illegally and inequitably
deprived him of his well-earned, exclusive rights in the Copyrighted Works.
18. And, unforgivably, Target has refused to rectify or in any way take
responsibility for its reprehensible actions.
19. In fact, after the Cooleys asked Target to stop selling his work and compensate
Nolan, Target’s lawyers belittled the Cooleys, claiming: “we have no reason to believe that
anyone had ever seen any of Mr. Cooley’s work, let alone copied from it as you claim,”
and even going so far as to suggest that Nolan’s highly acclaimed drawings raised “serious
questions whether they are copyrightable at all.” Yet, as explained below and discovery will
show, Target “targeted” Nolan and his art; Target had numerous designers and others “see
it” and in fact study his work and reach out to him. Target copied Nolan’s work and
commercialized it, all without attribution or compensation to Nolan. And when they were
caught, they simply denied it and attempted to frustrate the Cooleys’ ability to collect
relevant evidence.
20. Accordingly, Target has forced Cooley to bring this action to recover the actual
damages suffered and the ill-gotten profits Target has derived by unlawful misappropriating
Nolan’s original, creative expressions in his Copyrighted Works.
II. THE PARTIES
21. Plaintiff, Kristen N. Cooley, is the mother and guardian of the estate of her
minor son, Nolan, and brings this action on behalf of Nolan in her capacity as such. Nolan
is a 16-year-old minor child, who lives under the care of his loving parents, Kristen Cooley
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and Dominic Cooley. Dominic Cooley is a renowned, professional photographer. Dominic
and Kristen Cooley have significant experience in the art industry and have together
successfully operated Dominic Cooley’s business as an artist and professional photographer
for many years. Proof of Kristen Cooley’s lawful appointment by the Superior Court of
California, County of San Diego, as guardian of Nolan’s estate is submitted herewith, along
with copies of the Order Appointing Guardian and Letters of Guardianship allowing for the
filing of the copyright registrations, engaging counsel and filing this suit, as Exhibit A. The
Cooleys are residents and citizens of the State of California. Nolan is the original author
and Cooley is the owner of the Copyrighted Works, which have been validly and duly
registered by the United States Copyright Office. Copies of the registrations are attached as
Exhibit B hereto.
22. Defendant, Target Corporation, is a publicly-traded, Minnesota corporation
that actively does and has done business in the State of California pursuant to its registration
with the Secretary of State of the State of California. Target Corporation may be served
with process through its registered corporate agent for service of process: CT Corporation
System, 818 West Seventh Street, Suite 930, Los Angeles, California 90017. Target
Corporation’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker
symbol, “TGT,” and Target Corporation is the parent company of numerous Target-owned
subsidiaries, affiliates and other entities.
23. Defendant, Target Enterprise, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Defendant,
Target Corporation. Target Enterprise, Inc. is a Minnesota corporation that actively does
and has done business in the State of California pursuant to its registration with the
Secretary of State of the State of California. Target Enterprise, Inc. may be served with
process through its registered corporate agent for service of process: CT Corporation
System, 818 West Seventh Street, Suite 930, Los Angeles, California 90017.
24. The parent company, Defendant Target Corporation, and its subsidiary,
Defendant Target Enterprise, Inc., as well as the agents, servants, employees, designers,
distributors, vendors, manufacturers, factories, subsidiaries and affiliates of Target
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Corporation and Target Enterprise, Inc., who acted on behalf of and within the course and
scope of their agency relationship with Target Corporation and/or Target Enterprise, Inc.,
including at least John Does 1-10 (defined below), are collectively referred to herein as
“Target” and/or “Defendants.”
25. Target is one of the largest and most recognizable retail conglomerates in the
United States. As of February 1, 2020, Target owned and/or operated 1,868 retail stores and
42 distribution centers across the U.S., including at least one retail store in all 50 States and
297 retail stores in the State of California—nearly double the amount of retail stores Target
operates in any other of the 50 States.2 To the public, Target: (i) describes itself as “a general
merchandise retailer with stores in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia;” (ii)
describes its retail stores as “truly the heart of Target;” and (iii) represents that “75% of the
U.S. population lives within 10 miles of a Target store.” According to Target, its business
is providing customers with “everyday essentials and fashionable, differentiated
merchandise at discounted prices.”
26. In 2019, Target generated over $77 billion in sales. “Approximately one-third”
of this sales revenue was generated by sales related to Target’s “owned and exclusive
brands,” which include, among others, “Cat & Jack™”—a brand that Target exclusively
owns and uses to sell products, including clothing, accessories, and other merchandise,
targeted to young children.
27. Defendants John Does 1-10, are, upon information and belief, individuals
and/or business entities who are and/or were at all relevant times alleged herein the agents,
servants, employees, designers, distributors, vendors, manufacturers, factories and/or
subsidiaries or affiliates of Target. In this capacity and within the course and scope of their
agency relationship with Target, John Does 1-10, directly and personally contributed to,
induced and/or engaged in the copying, reproduction, distribution and public display of,
2 According to Target’s sworn statements filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as of February 1, 2020, the top five (5) States in which Target owned and/or operated retail stores was as follows: (1) California – 297 stores; (2) Texas – 150 stores; (3) Florida – 124 stores; (4) Illinois – 95 stores; and (5) New York – 84 stores.
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and/or the preparation of derivative works from, the Copyrighted Works detailed herein.
Due to the secretive nature of the activities and identities of John Does 1-10, however,
Plaintiff is presently unaware of the true names and identities of John Does 1-10.
Accordingly, Plaintiff names these individuals and/or entities through the fictitious names,
“John Does 1-10.” Plaintiff anticipates these identities will be disclosed during discovery
upon inspection of the records maintained by Target, and will amend this complaint in due
course to state the true identities of these fictitious Defendants once known.
III. JURISDICTION AND VENUE
28. The claims asserted herein arise under and pursuant to federal statute—the
copyright laws of the United States, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, et seq. This Court, thus, has
jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1338 and
17 U.S.C. § 501.
29. This Court has both general and specific personal jurisdiction over Defendants
because Defendants have substantial contacts with the State of California such that the
exercise of this Court’s jurisdiction over Defendants does not and will not offend traditional
notions of fair play and substantial justice. In particular, Defendants have engaged in
continuous and systematic activities within the State of California, including owning and
operating 297 retail stores and at least two (2) corporate offices in the State and maintaining
a registration with the Secretary of State under which Defendants have continually and
systematically conducted business activities within the State and purposefully availed
themselves of the privilege of doing such business within the State over the past several
decades. Moreover, Defendants purposefully directed their business activities at residents
of the State of California, including within this Judicial District, and Defendants committed
tortious and illegal acts from which the claims alleged herein arise within the State of
California by offering for sale counterfeit and unlawful copies and/or derivative works of
the Copyrighted Works at Defendants’ retail stores located in California, including in this
Judicial District, as well as Defendants’ online digital sales channels and internet platforms
accessible by and available to residents of California and this Judicial District.
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30. Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 1400(a) because Defendants
and their agents reside and/or “may be found” within this Judicial District and are subject
to personal jurisdiction within this District. Defendants’ registered agent for service of
process resides and may be found within this Judicial District, at 818 West Seventh Street,
Suite 930, Los Angeles, California 90017. Moreover, Target owns and/or operates 297 retail
stores in the State of California, including dozens that are located in Orange County and
other counties within this District and Division.3 In 2009, this Court found that Target
owned and operated “123 stores in this judicial district, thus establishing minimum contacts
with the State of California” and rendering venue proper against Target in this judicial
district and division—the Southern Division (Orange County) of the U.S. District Court for
3 For example, Target resides and/or may be found at the following Target locations in Orange County, at a minimum: (1) Target – Aliso Viejo, 26932 La Paz Rd., Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-3038; (2) Target – Anaheim, 101 S. Euclid St., Anaheim, CA 92802-1011; (3) Target – Anaheim East, 2222 E. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806-4107; (4) Target – Brea, 855 E. Birch St., Brea, CA 92821-5769; (5) Target – Buena Park, 7530 Orangethorpe Ave., Buena Park, CA 90621-3429; (6) Target – Costa Mesa, 3030 Harbor Blvd., Ste. A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626-2562; (7) Target – Cypress, 6835 Katella Ave., Cypress, CA 90630-5107; (8) Target – Fullerton South, 200 W Orangethorpe Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832-2900; (9) Target – West Fullerton, 1893 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, CA 92833-2403; (10) Target – Fullerton Yorba Linda, 2920 Yorba Linda Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92831-1523; (11) Target – Garden Grove Harbor, 12100 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92840-4004; (12) Target – Huntington Beach East, 9882 Adams Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92646-4808; (13) Target – Irvine, 3750 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92606-8200; (14) Target – Irvine University Town Center, 4255 Campus Dr., Ste. A150, Irvine, CA 92612-2668; (15) Target – Irvine North, 13200 Jamboree Rd., Irvine, CA 92602-2307; (16) Target – Irvine Spectrum, 900 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618-4958; (17) Target – La Habra, 1000 W. Imperial Hwy., La Habra, CA 90631-6901; (18) Target – Mission Viejo, 24500 Alicia Pkwy., Mission Viejo, CA 92691-4508; (19) Target – Mission Viejo N., 25601 Jeronimo Rd., Mission Viejo, CA 92691-2794; (20) Target – Mission Viejo South, 27551 Puerta Real, Mission Viejo, CA 92691-6321; (21) Target – Orange, 2191 N. Tustin St., Orange, CA 92865-3701; (22) Target – East Orange, 2620 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92869-3205; (23) Target – Rancho Santa Margarita, 30602 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-2814; (24) Target – San Clemente, 990 Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA 92673-6360; (25) Target – Santa Ana NW, 1441 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, CA 92706-3301; (26) Target – Santa Ana South Coast, 3300 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, CA 92704-7246; (27) Target – Santa Ana 17th Street, 1330 E. 17th St., Santa Ana, CA 92705-8500; (28) Target – Seal Beach, 12300 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach, CA 90740-2709; (29) Target – Tustin, 2300 Park Ave., Tustin, CA 92782-2702; and (30) Target – Westminster, 16400 Beach Blvd., Westminster, CA 92683-7858.
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the Central District of California—under 28 U.S.C. § 1391. See Centon Elecs., Inc. v. Target
Corp., Case No. 8:09-cv-00534-DOC-RNB (ECF No. 21), 2009 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 135937,
at *8-9 (C.D. Cal. June 18, 2009) (Carter, J.).
IV. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
31. Plaintiff incorporates by reference and realleges all preceding paragraphs,
allegations and assertions, as if fully set forth herein.
A. The Artist, Nolan Ocean Cooley, and The Copyrighted Works
32. Nolan is a talented, 16-year-old artist, who has been uniquely expressing his
creativity in original works of art since early childhood. As the child of a professional artist
and photographer, Dominic Cooley, and a successful businesswoman in the art industry,
Kristen Cooley, art has always been an integral part of Nolan’s life.
33. At a very young age, Nolan was officially diagnosed as living with Autism.
And by the time he was approximately six (6) years old, Nolan had demonstrated a passion
for art—a medium that enabled him to channel his energy and emotions into expressing his
creative ideas. Over the decade that followed, Nolan acted on his passion and expressed his
creativity by creating a collection of original and widely-recognizable works of art.
34. Nolan’s original artwork is unquestionably unique. The overall beauty and
aesthetic appeal of Nolan’s original works of art stem from his special ability to deconstruct
the world around him into unique patterns of distinctively designed shapes and colors.
However, it is the eccentric manner, design and style through which Nolan creates his
artwork, and all of the many original elements thereof, that makes it one-of-a-kind and
distinctly his own. Since early childhood, Nolan has perfected a unique style to creatively
express his ideas in original works that he has created on everything from paper to canvas
to clothing to surfboards to skateboard decks, and more.
35. This case involves one particular collection of Nolan’s original works of art:
his sketch-style dot art. The calling card of Nolan’s original works in this collection is the
unique manner in which he has designed, created, combined, arranged and colored
imperfect, sketch-style dots that he hand-drew into idiosyncratic patterns.
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36. Plaintiff is the valid owner of registered copyrights for each of the following
works of sketch-style dot art that Nolan originally created and titled “Circle Happiness”
(collectively the “Copyrighted Works,” further identified in Exhibit B hereto):
Copyrighted Work No. 1 – Registration No. VA 2-202-200
Copyrighted Work No. 2 – Registration No. VA 2-202-255
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Copyrighted Work No. 3 – Registration No. VAu 1-393-682
Copyrighted Work No. 4 – Registration No. VAu 1-393-573
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Copyrighted Work No. 5 – Registration No. VAu 1-393-686
Copyrighted Work No. 6 – Registration No. VA 2-202-261
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Copyrighted Work No. 7 – Registration No. VA 2-202-259
Copyrighted Work No. 8 – Registration No. VAu 1-393-684
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Copyrighted Work No. 9 – Registration No. VA 2-202-257
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Copyrighted Work No. 10 – Registration No. VAu 1-393-681
Copyrighted Work No. 11 – Registration No. VAu 1-393-690
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Copyrighted Work No. 12 – Registration No. VAu 1-393-680
Copyrighted Work No. 13 – Registration No. VA 2-202-254
Copyrighted Work No. 14 – Registration No. VA 2-202-202
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Copyrighted Work No. 15 – Registration No. VA 2-202-203
37. As seen above, one of the many distinctive and unique elements of the
Copyrighted Works is the imperfection in Nolan’s sketch-style dot art. That is, Nolan does
not draw neat and tidy dots or circles in the Copyrighted Works; instead, he made the unique
creative choice to select, design and arrange the various elements of the Copyrighted Works
in an original and uniquely imperfect way that offers a form of symmetry without the
tidiness of computerized, animated or photographed graphics or patterns and reveals the
original authorship and expression of a young artist.
38. Specifically, despite the universe of creative choices an artist could make in
expressing the idea of a pattern of shapes and objects in designing these works, the
Copyrighted Works are original and distinctive due to the many creative choices Nolan
made in expressing his ideas in the Copyrighted Works. A non-exhaustive list of some of
these choices and elements includes, but is not limited to: (i) drawing and designing
imperfect dots in roughly circular shape; (ii) incompletely coloring the dots; (iii) using lines
drawn in a varying circular motion to create each unique, imperfect and incompletely-
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 18 of 46 Page ID #:63
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colored dot; (iv) using distinctive coloring lines of medium thickness (not stencil thinness
or blurring thickness); (v) drawing the dots in roughly, but not exactly, similar sizes, as
opposed to varying sizes; (vi) using interspersed complimentary colors for the dots (with
each circle generally being only a single color); (vii) spacing the dots in a way in which
none would overlap over another; (viii) arranging the dots in loosely, but not exactly,
geometric patterns; (ix) aligning the dots in a somewhat, but not precisely, linear
arrangement; and (x) choosing particular color combinations for the dots.
39. Each of the elements of the Copyrighted Works listed and seen above and
many more are original, creative and protected from copying, reproduction, display, sale or
distribution by another under the Copyright Act.
40. Moreover, and independently, Nolan’s selection, arrangement, coordination,
and combination of each of the elements he elected to use to create the pictorial Copyrighted
Works were original and creative, and are protected from copying, reproduction, display,
sale or distribution by another under the Copyright Act.
41. Nolan has invested, and continues to invest, substantial amounts of time, effort,
resources and creative talent to design, create and produce his original Copyrighted Works.
42. Nolan’s original and unique sketch-style dot art, reflected in the Copyrighted
Works, has been available and accessible to the public in different iterations since
approximately 2012, when the Cooleys began publicly displaying Nolan’s original works
of art online through, among other media, Dominic Cooley’s professional photography
website, Dominic and Kristen Cooley’s social media platforms, like Facebook and
Instagram, and eventually, Nolan’s website and social media platforms, including
Instagram, as well as by the social media presence of other entities such as Krink,
Huffington Post, Daily News, 9Five, bumbag, and others. During this time period, Nolan’s
original sketch-style dot art, reflected in the Copyrighted Works, also was sold and
distributed on clothing and other merchandise through various arrangements, including for
example, an agreement negotiated in connection with promotions for national Autism
Awareness Month beginning in April 2016 and continuing annually thereafter.
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43. Nolan’s talent as an artist is further demonstrated by the recognition and
following he has received for his original works of art, including the Copyrighted Works.
44. Thousands of individuals follow Nolan and his original artwork on the popular
social media application, Instagram, such that the engagement rate for his Instagram
account is triple the average account engagement rate on Instagram’s platform.
45. Other traditional media sources have published features about Nolan and his
artwork. For example, in a review of a 2017 Oceanside, California art gallery show featuring
Nolan’s original artwork, the Huffington Post published an article describing Nolan and his
works of art, stating, among other things:
Nolan, a 13 year old boy diagnosed with autism, is an up and coming wonder in the world of pop art. His work, an assembly of primary colors – lilacs, violets, blood oranges, ever greens, browns, burnt yellows and every other spectrum on the paint board of mankind. To my artist’s mind, I see humanity ordered with all of the distracting clutter of chaos removed. It is an exercise in humility and brilliance; balance and faith; knowing and being. This work is as much about life choices as it is palette selection. This work proposes to say every religion, every culture, every ethnicity, every socio-economic background – we are so different, but also alike. I see a Nolan Cooley piece saying, somehow “we all fit together.” I see a Nice Cool [Nolan Cooley] piece saying “We work together, we fall together and we rise together.” Andy Warhol was a master artist and entertainer. I don’t think he would be shocked at the onset of social media with “15 minutes of fame” being one of his most universally recognized precepts. And, I can see Andy Warhol seeing the perfect symmetry between a Nolan Cooley and the life surrounding it. If I had to choose a title of category for the work, perhaps “Magic Realism” or “Geometric Harmony” or “Visionary Fitting” or “Averaging Harmony.” 46. As another example, the New York Daily News on May 23, 2016 described
Nolan’s work as follows:
I recently became aware of an incredible 12-year-old named Nolan Cooley, who was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age 2, and since age 6 has been creating beautiful works of repetition as his artistic channel. Unbeknownst to him, he is actually working within a recognized dynamic of postmodernism, alongside renowned artists of repetition, including the blisteringly famous Andy Warhol with his multiple Marilyn Monroes and Campbell’s soup cans. The entire style of optical art used repetition to create
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the illusion of movement, and we see the use of repetition in sculpture, art installations and even movies like “The Hurt Locker” to drive home salient points about contemporary society. While I instantly recognized this on an academic level, I also saw Nolan as a remarkably gifted boy, and as a mom myself, as someone’s child.
47. For another example, in March 2018, the internationally renowned art supply
company, Krink, promoted Nolan and his original works of art, including some of the
Copyrighted Works, through a biographical feature published on the homepage of Krink’s
website. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Krink is recognized within the art community as
the world’s quickest growing art supply line. Krink’s popular art supplies, famous for their
paint-drip aesthetic, are sold worldwide “from California to Moscow to Tokyo.” Krink has
been hired to create limited-edition products for companies like Nike, Casio and Coach.
Thus, Krink’s homepage feature on Nolan and his original artwork in March 2018 both
acknowledged and further publicized the widespread popularity of Nolan and his original
dot-style works of art. In promoting Nolan and the Cooley family, Krink’s feature stated:
Check out Nolan Cooley aka @yungcheeto. He’s a talented 13 year old California-based artist living with autism. We recently came across images of him and his work and love how Nolan and his family promote creativity. Nolan began obsessively creating repetitive pattern art at the age of six. Now 7 years later, Nolan has amassed a large collection of artwork—expressing his creativity and pouring out his passion on everything from paper to canvas to surfboards to skate decks and more. To see more of his work, visit nolancooley.com. Nolan’s mother founded HEART AUTISM (@heartaustim), an organization dedicated to funding activities that encourage individuals with ASD to become involved with their community. They strive to raise public awareness about ASD and its effects on individuals, families, and their community. They work to give those with this disorder the confidence and support they deserve to socialize with their community.
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48. And in cross-promoting Krink’s K-60 Paint Marker product, Krink’s March
2018 biographical piece published photographs of certain examples of Nolan’s original
works of art to Krink’s global audience, including the following (among others):
49. Nolan has been requested and invited to display his artwork in numerous art
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shows. And, he has sold numerous pieces of his artwork and derivative works therefrom to
legitimate purchasers, who have found Nolan’s works of art via the numerous mediums,
including social media, through which he has displayed his artwork, including the
Copyrighted Works, as is his exclusive right under the U.S. Copyright Laws.
50. Nolan and Cooley have not abandoned the copyrights in the Copyrighted
Works and exclusive rights therein, or any interest in their exploitation or commercial use.
B. Target Targeted Nolan for His Creativity and Artistic Expressions
51. Like the rest of the public, Target had access to Nolan’s original dot-style art,
including many of the Copyrighted Works, as early as 2012, when the Cooleys began
publishing Nolan’s works online. At all relevant times thereafter, Target likewise had access
to these works, including the Copyrighted Works, through various other online publications,
including for example, in 2018, when Krink published its special feature on Nolan and his
original works of art to Krink’s global audience.
52. Prior to publishing and selling the Infringing Works and certainly by no later
than June 2018, Target was fully aware of and had access to Nolan’s Copyrighted Works.In
June 2018, Target began overtly targeting Nolan due to his popularity, creativity and artistic
talent expressed in Nolan’s original works of art, including the Copyrighted Works.
53. Specifically, on June 29, 2018, a Target Senior Creative Project Manager
contacted Nolan directly through his Instagram account, which Nolan’s parents managed.
On behalf of Target, this employee introduced herself by stating, “Hey Nolan, I work for
Target and your [Instagram] feed caught our eye.” When Nolan’s parents asked how Target
had discovered Nolan and his artwork, the Target employee responded, on behalf of Target,
that Target had previously “worked with a group of young Influencers” and through that
process identified Nolan as one of a select group of young “artists and creators [who] were
sparking joy for [these young people].” The Target employee further represented that, as of
June 29, 2018, a decision already had been made by Target and “all” of its “editors” that
“Nolan was an immediate yes[.]”
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54. On information and belief, Target had accessed, reviewed and analyzed
Nolan’s original artwork posted on his Instagram account and elsewhere, including certain
of the Copyrighted Works, long before overtly contacting Nolan in June 2018. The decision
to contact Nolan, compliment his original artwork and invite Nolan to collaborate with other
young artists at a Target event (discussed below) necessarily required Target to have had
access to and been aware of and familiar with Nolan’s artwork before recognizing and
honoring him for it.
55. In correspondence from another Target employee to the Cooleys, Target’s
Senior Creative Project Manager acknowledged Target’s “creative team” had “shared
[Nolan’s] art” with other Target departments/divisions and employees and stated that all of
these Target employees “were so impressed!”
56. Based on his talent, creativity and popularity, Target further invited Nolan to
participate in a social media promotional project, called “CrushCon,” which was
supposedly designed to allow Target to recognize young artists, like Nolan.
57. Target led the Cooleys to believe that the purpose of this project was to enable
Target to post pictures and videos of these young artists creating their iconic artwork to
Target’s social media pages as a form of marketing. Target claimed it intended to use this
content to launch a new promotional Instagram account, called @TargetTag, that would
promote Target’s support of and dedication to the creativity that flows through young
artists.
58. To participate in this supposed social media project, Target invited Nolan to
attend a workshop at Target’s headquarters in Minnesota from July 16-18, 2018.
59. The official invitation that Target sent stated as follows:
It’s official: We’re Crushing on You. On behalf of Target Corporation, you’re invited to join us at HQ on July 16th in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the first-ever Target CrushCon. We’re inviting up-and-coming creatives from across the country to jump in to an inspiring and energetic 3-day workshop. Target wants to be a company that supports the creativity, empowerment and impact of everyone—and you stand out as someone full of talent and potential.
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60. Nolan’s parents, in consulation with Nolan, accepted Target’s invitation and
attended the Target workshop at Target’s headquarters in Minnesota from July 16-18, 2018.
61. Neither Nolan, Kristen Cooley, Dominic Cooley, nor anyone else ever
authorized, permitted or otherwise allowed Target to use, sell, copy, publish, distribute,
make derivative works from, or otherwise commercially benefit from the Copyrighted
Works, in connection with the Infringing Products.
62. Target specifically had no right to use or authorize the use of Nolan’s original
artwork, including the Copyrighted Works, in any of Target’s merchandise or sellable
products in connection with Target’s CrushCon social media project or otherwise. As a
condition to Nolan’s participation in Target’s CrushCon event, his mother, Kristen Cooley,
informed Target that Target could not and had no right to use “Nolan’s art, signature or
likeness on actual retail sellable product,” like Target’s merchandise including the
Infringing Products.
63. The fact that Target targeted and specifically sought Nolan out for his artistic
talent demonstrates Target was aware of and had full access to Nolan’s original works of
art, including the Copyrighted Works.
64. And, the fact that Target specifically invited Nolan to attend and participate in
a project supposedly designed to enable Target to demonstrate its support of creativity in
young artists further demonstrates Target was aware of and had full access to Nolan’s
original works of art, including the Copyrighted Works.
65. Target demonstrated its acute awareness of and access to Nolan’s unique
artwork by posting to its own Instagram account the following photograph and description
of Nolan and some of his distinctive sketch-style dot art, shortly after the July 2018
workshop that Nolan attended at Target’s request:
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66. At Target’s headquarters, Nolan participated in various collaborative projects
with Target employees and other young artists for three (3) full working days.
C. Target Willfully and Unlawfully Copied Nolan’s Original Expressions in the Copyrighted Works
67. Unfortunately, in the months that followed, the Cooleys learned that Target
had misappropriated Nolan’s original expressions in the Copyrighted Works. Specifically,
by August 2018, the Cooleys discovered that Target was selling an entire line of products
that plainly and unlawfully copied, and/or were derivative works from, Nolan’s creative
expressions in the Copyrighted Works.
68. Target sold these products (the “Infringing Products”) as a line of clothing and
other merchandise for young children under Target’s exclusive Cat & Jack™ brand.
69. Target promoted its exclusive Cat & Jack™ line as having been “Designed
With Kids, For Kids,” further stating: “It’s a kid’s world with Cat & Jack—our newest (and
largest ever) line of clothing for kids and baby, with our youngest guests—real kids from
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around the country—helping design the collection, model the clothes, and so much more.”
70. According to Target’s Senior Vice President of Product Design and
Development, Target “decided to introduce Cat & Jack, our new brand for kids because
kids is a signature category and we want to be famous for it.”
71. Target had access to Nolan’s original dot-style works of art, including certain
of the Copyrighted Works, before Target’s original launch of the first iteration of its
exclusive Cat & Jack™ brand in July 2016.
72. In addition to marketing its Cat & Jack™ children’s clothing line as “Designed
With Kids, For Kids,” Target specifically promoted the line to children with disabilities:
73. According to Target’s Copy Writer for marketing and promotional materials
for its Cat & Jack™ children’s clothing line, Target’s “Product Design team . . . specifically
designed [certain Cat & Jack™ items] for kids with disabilities.”
74. Target’s Copy Writer for marketing and promoting Target’s Cat & Jack™
brand directly interacted with the Cooleys and even stated to the Cooleys that she was
responsible for originally finding Nolan and his artwork for Target. Her admitted access to
and awareness of Nolan’s artwork and Target’s subsequent copying of it in its Cat & Jack™
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products plainly was no coincidence.
75. Despite touting to the public that Target’s Cat & Jack™ merchandise was
designed with kids and that certain of these items were specifically designed for children
with disabilities, Target concealed from the public the reality that Target had actually
exploited and stolen creative and original works of art from a child with a disability—
Nolan—in order to design its Cat & Jack™ Infringing Products.
76. The Infringing Products include, but on information and belief, are not limited
to, the items depicted below:
Infringing Product No. 1 - Product SKU No. 069-03-1715
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 28 of 46 Page ID #:73
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Infringing Product No. 2 - Product SKU No. 069-05-1561
Infringing Product No. 3 - Product SKU No. 031-03-8703
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Infringing Product No. 4 - Product SKU No. 093-01-9801
Infringing Product No. 5 - Product SKU No. 093-01-9422
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Infringing Product No. 6 - Product SKU No. 036-04-1676
Infringing Product No. 7 - Product SKU No. 202-04-5198
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Infringing Product No. 8 - Product SKU No. 031-03-6135
Infringing Product No. 9 - Product SKU No. 032-01-7873
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Infringing Product No. 10 - Product SKU No. 206-08-1664
Infringing Product No. 11 - Product SKU No. 031-03-7424
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Infringing Product No. 12 - Product SKU No. 222-05-0685
Infringing Product No. 13 - Product SKU No. 031-01-8471
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Infringing Product No. 14 - Product SKU No. 031-01-8390
Infringing Product No. 15 - Product SKU No. 202-04-5188
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Infringing Product No. 16 - Product SKU No. 202-04-5117
Infringing Product No. 17 - Product SKU No. 202-04-5177
77. Based on information and belief, Target produced and sold many additional
Infringing Products that infringed the Copyrighted Works, including for example, wrapping
paper, neck rests, and other items that may be identified in more detail upon review of
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 36 of 46 Page ID #:81
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Target’s internal records and inventories through discovery in this action.
78. As shown in the images above, the Infringing Products are virtually identical
and/or substantially similar to the protected elements and creative expressions in the
Copyrighted Works, including by way of example, the design, selection, arrangement, and
combination of each of the elements that comprise the Copyrighted Works.
79. The Infringing Products are further virtually identical and/or substantially
similar to the Copyrighted Works in terms of their overall look, concept and feel.
80. The Infringing Products are further virtually identical and/or substantially
similar to the Copyrighted Works in terms of their appearance, subject matter, shapes,
colors, materials and arrangement, as reflected in the objective details of both the
Copyrighted Works and the Infringing Products.
81. By way of example only, a non-exhaustive list of the specific ways in which
the Infringing Products copy original and protected elements of the Copyrighted Works
includes, at a minimum, the following aspects of the Infringing Works that were copied
from the Copyrighted Works: (i) imperfect dots drawn and designed in roughly circular
shape; (ii) imperfect dots that are incompletely and inconsistently colored; (iii) uniquely-
designed dots drawn by lines in varying circular motions; (iv) dots drawn by distinctive
coloring lines of medium thickness (not stencil thinness or blurring thickness); (v) dots
drawn in roughly, but not exactly, similar sizes, as opposed to varying sizes; (vi) dots
interspersed with complimentary colors (with each dot generally being only a single color);
(vii) dots spaced in a way in which none would overlap over another; (viii) dots arranged
in loosely, but not exactly, geometric patterns; (ix) dots aligned in a somewhat, but not
precisely, linear arrangement; and (x) dots colored in substantially similar color
combinations.
82. The Infringing Products are so strikingly similar to the Copyrighted Works
that, by August 2018, Nolan’s parents began receiving communications from family and
friends, congratulating the Cooleys for Target’s use of Nolan’s artwork in Target’s
products, under the wrong impression that Target had dealt fairly with Nolan or Cooley and
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 37 of 46 Page ID #:82
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obtained rights for the works. In particular, upon viewing some of the Infringing Products
being sold in Target’s California locations in August 2018, a close family friend who had
been in possession of a lawful copy of Copyrighted Work No. 6 (Registration No. VA 2-
202-261) for many years specifically contacted the Cooleys to congratulate them, under the
wrongful impression that the Cooleys must have authorized Target to use and copy Nolan’s
artwork to design the Infringing Products.
83. Thereafter, the Cooleys themselves confirmed these reports of Target’s
betrayal by personally observing Target’s display, distribution and commercial sale of many
of these Infringing Products at Target retail stores in the State of California, as well as
through Target’s globally accessible e-commerce website online.
84. In other words, Target’s willful deception succeeded in its purpose by
convincing those familiar with Nolan’s artwork that Target had used the Copyrighted
Works in the Infringing Products.
85. That is, ordinary individuals who observed the Infringing Products in Target
stores and on Target’s online sales platform reasonably believed that the Infringing Products
were substantially similar and/or virtually identical to the Copyrighted Works in overall
concept and feel, appearance, subject matter, shape, coloring, material and arrangement.
86. Contrary to this warranted confusion, however, Target had no permission,
license, authorization or right to reproduce, copy or otherwise make copies of the
Copyrighted Works, to prepare derivative works based upon the Copyrighted Works, to sell
or otherwise commercially benefit from the Copyrighted Works, or to display or otherwise
distribute to the public the Copyrighted Works or any copies thereof.
87. But, that is exactly what Target knowingly and willfully did with the Infringing
Products.
88. Target knowingly and willfully copied and unlawfully misappropriated the
protected elements of the Copyrighted Works in the Infringing Products.
89. Target knowingly and willfully infringed the Copyrighted Works.
90. Target knowingly and willfully exploited Nolan’s creativity and original
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works of art.
91. And, Target knowingly and willfully profited substantially from its
infringement of the Copyrighted Works.
D. Target Wrongfully Derived Substantial Revenues and Profits from Target’s Exploitation of Nolan and Infringement of The Copyrighted Works
92. Target sold the Infringing Products in its physical stores in the State of
California and around the country.
93. Target similarly sold the Infringing Products on Target’s online website,
available to individuals throughout the United States and around the world.
94. Target sold the Infringing Products online and in its more than 1,800 physical
stores, including within the State of California, from at least August 2018 through
November 2018. On information and belief, Target sold some, if not many, of these
Infringing Products for a much longer period of time that may be identified and confirmed
through discovery in this action upon analysis of Target’s internal records.
95. Target specifically thwarted the Cooleys’ efforts to investigate the extent of
Target’s infringement of the Copyrighted Works and collect exemplars of the Infringing
Products. For example, upon learning that Target was selling the Infringing Products, the
Cooleys asked family friends to collect any exemplars of the Infringing Products that any
friends found on sale at a Target location or through Target’s website. After seeing that
Target’s website showed certain of the Infringing Products in stock at a Target store in
Chula Vista, a Target employee informed one of the Cooleys’ friends that the product was
out of stock and had been salvaged out.
96. Moreover, in November 2018, after another of the Cooleys’ friends uploaded
a message to a Facebook page, called “TargetMoms” for shoppers, requesting that members
of the group collect exemplars of the Infringing Products. Much to her surprise, however,
she quickly learned that this Facebook group covertly was operated by Target itself when
Target took down and deleted the message entirely from the TargetMoms Facebook page.
97. By selling the Infringing Products, Target unlawfully derived substantial ill-
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 39 of 46 Page ID #:84
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gotten revenues and profit.
98. Target’s infringement of the Copyrighted Works through its public display and
sales of the Infringing Products illegally exploited Nolan and robbed Cooley of the lawful
right to commercially benefit from his creative talent expressed in his original works of art.
99. Target’s infringement of the Copyrighted Works has deprived Cooley of the
intellectual property rights in Nolan’s own artistic creations—the Copyrighted Works—for
which Cooley has suffered irreparable injury and significant actual damages.
E. Target Refuses to Accept Responsibility for Its Illegal Actions and Forces Plaintiff to Bring this Action
100. In September 2018, Nolan’s family informed Target of Target’s unlawful
infringement of the Copyrighted Works, demanding that Target, among other things, (i)
cease and desist any further sale of the Infringing Products and (ii) provide the Cooleys with
a list of all items purchased or sold by Target that included any infringing copy of any part
of any of Nolan’s Copyrighted Works.
101. Target, however, refused to do so and continued to willfully infringe the
Copyrighted Works through its sale of the Infringing Products.
102. Target further specifically frustrated the Cooleys’ ability to investigate the
extent of Target’s infringement and collect exemplars of the Infringing Products, as set forth
above, by among other things, pulling certain of the Infringing Products from shelves,
stating that certain of the Infringing Products had been “salvaged out,” and removing posts
from Target’s covert Facebook pages that inquired about the Infringing Products.
103. Target’s actions and refusal to accept responsibility therefore have forced the
Cooleys to come to this Court to enforce the law and provide justice to the Cooleys for
Target’s predatory exploitation of Nolan and illegal misappropriation of Nolan’s original,
creative expressions in the Copyrighted Works.
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 40 of 46 Page ID #:85
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V. CAUSES OF ACTION
Count I (Direct Copyright Infringement in Violation of 17 U.S.C. § 501, et seq.)
104. Plaintiff incorporates by reference and realleges all preceding paragraphs,
allegations and assertions, as if fully set forth herein.
105. Nolan is the original author and creator of the Copyrighted Works.
106. Cooley is the valid and registered owner of the Copyrighted Works and, thus,
lawfully owns the exclusive right to reproduce, copy or otherwise make copies of the
Copyrighted Works, to prepare derivative works based upon the Copyrighted Works, to sell
or otherwise commercially benefit from the Copyrighted Works, or to display or otherwise
distribute to the public the Copyrighted Works or any copies thereof.
107. Target infringed Cooley’s exclusive copyrights in the Copyrighted Works,
including the right to reproduce, copy or otherwise make copies of the Copyrighted Works,
to prepare derivative works based upon the Copyrighted Works, to sell or otherwise
commercially benefit from the Copyrighted Works, or to display or otherwise distribute to
the public the Copyrighted Works or any copies thereof.
108. Target had no permission, authorization, license or other right to infringe the
Copyrighted Works.
109. Target had full access to and awareness of the Copyrighted Works prior to
making the Infringing Products available for sale.
110. Target had access to the Copyrighted Works prior to launching Target’s
original Cat & Jack™ products prior to July 2016. And, Target had access to the
Copyrighted Works prior to contacting Nolan in the summer of 2018.
111. Target’s Infringing Products unlawfully copy the original, creative elements
of the Copyrighted Works.
112. Target’s Infringing Products represent illegal copies of and/or derivative
works from the Copyrighted Works.
113. Target’s Infringing Products are virtually identical and/or substantially similar
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 41 of 46 Page ID #:86
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to the original and creative expressions of Nolan in the Copyrighted Works, including the
design, selection, arrangement and combination of the numerous elements that comprise
the Copyrighted Works.
114. Target’s Infringing Products are virtually identical and/or substantially similar
to the Copyrighted Works in terms of their overall look, concept and feel.
115. Target’s Infringing Products are virtually identical and/or substantially similar
to the Copyrighted Works in terms of their appearance, subject matter, shapes, colors,
materials, and arrangement, as reflected in the objective details of both the Copyrighted
Works and the Infringing Products.
116. Target’s acts detailed herein constitute infringement of the Copyrighted Works
in violation of 17 U.S.C. §§ 501, et seq.
117. Target’s acts have been deliberate, willful, intentional and purposeful, in
reckless disregard of and with deliberate indifference to Cooley’s exclusive rights.
118. Cooley has suffered actual damages as a direct and proximate result of Target’s
infringement of the Copyrighted Works through Target’s actions alleged herein.
119. Target has unlawfully derived substantial ill-gotten gains in the forms of
revenue and profit generated from its willful and knowing infringement of the Copyrighted
Works through selling the Infringing Products throughout the United States, including in
the State of California.
120. Under the copyright laws of the United States, Cooley is entitled to recover
actual damages and disgorgement of Target’s unlawful profits derived from the sale of the
Infringing Products; or, at Cooley’s exclusive election, to recover statutory damages in the
maximum amount allowable by law.
121. Under the copyright laws of the United States, Cooley is entitled to recover
“full costs” of bringing this action, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.
Count II (Inducement and Contributory Copyright Infringement)
122. Plaintiff incorporates by reference and realleges all preceding paragraphs,
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 42 of 46 Page ID #:87
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allegations and assertions, as if fully set forth herein.
123. Target has induced, caused, and/or materially contributed to the unauthorized
reproduction, copying, display, commercial sale and public distribution of the Copyrighted
Works on the internet, on Target’s websites and at Target’s more than 1,800 physical stores
across the United States, including in the State of California.
124. Target’s conduct alleged herein constitutes contributory infringement of the
Copyrighted Works.
125. Target’s acts detailed herein have been deliberate, willful, intentional,
purposeful, in reckless disregard of, and taken with deliberate indifference to Cooley’s
exclusive rights.
126. As a direct and proximate result of Target’s acts and conduct alleged herein,
Cooley has suffered actual damages and Target has unlawfully derived substantial ill-gotten
gains in the forms of revenues and profits from the sales of the Infringing Products.
127. Under the copyright laws of the United States, Cooley is entitled to recover
actual damages and disgorgement of Target’s unlawful profits derived from the sale of the
Infringing Products; or, at Cooley’s exclusive election, to recover statutory damages in the
maximum amount allowable by law.
128. Under the copyright laws of the United States, Cooley is further entitled to
recover “full costs” of bringing this action, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.
VI. PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully prays for relief and judgment, as follows:
1. That judgment be entered for Plaintiff against Defendants on each of Plaintiff’s
claims for relief;
2. For an award of any and all damages available to and/or sustained by Plaintiff,
including but not limited to an award of damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504
that includes full restitution, actual damages suffered as a result of Defendants’
unlawful infringement, and disgorgement of all revenues and/or profits derived
by Defendants as a result of Defendants’ infringement in an amount to be
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 43 of 46 Page ID #:88
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44 Case No. 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDEx FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS AND DEMAND
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proven at trial; or, alternatively and at Plaintiff’s election, the maximum
amount of statutory damages allowable under 17 U.S.C. § 504 with respect to
each of the Copyrighted Works;
3. For an award of Plaintiff’s “full costs” and reasonable attorneys’ fees in this
action pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505 and any other applicable law;
4. For pre-judgment and post-judgment interest according to applicable law; and
5. For such other and further relief as may be just, equitable and proper.
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 44 of 46 Page ID #:89
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45 Case No. 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDEx FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR VIOLATIONS OF U.S. COPYRIGHT LAWS AND DEMAND
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VII. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 38 and this Court’s Local Rule 38-1,
Plaintiff hereby explicitly demands a trial by jury on all triable claims and issues.
Dated: May 19, 2020 Respectfully submitted,
WISNIA PC By: /s/ Howard N. Wisnia Howard N. Wisnia (Bar No. 184,626) 12707 High Bluff Dr., Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92130 Tel: (858) 461-0989 [email protected]
NIX PATTERSON, LLP Jeffrey J. Angelovich (pro hac vice forthcoming) Bradley E. Beckworth (pro hac vice forthcoming) Lisa P. Baldwin (pro hac vice forthcoming) Ross Leonoudakis (pro hac vice forthcoming) Cody L. Hill (pro hac vice forthcoming) 3600 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., Suite 350 Austin, TX 78746 Tel: (512) 328-5333 Fax: (512) 328-5332 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] -and-
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Susan Whatley (pro hac vice forthcoming) P.O. Box 178 Linden, TX 75563 Tel: (903) 215-8310 [email protected] Attorneys for Plaintiff
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16 Filed 05/19/20 Page 46 of 46 Page ID #:91
EXHIBIT A
Exhibit A 47 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-1 Filed 05/19/20 Page 1 of 7 Page ID #:92
EXHIBIT B
Exhibit B 54 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 1 of 32 Page ID #:99
Registration #: VA0002202200Service Request #: 1-8800396727
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 55 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 2 of 32 Page ID #:100
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VA 2-202-200Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 06, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2018
Date of 1st Publication: September 18, 2018Nation of 1st Publication: United States
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 14Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 56 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 3 of 32 Page ID #:101
Registration #: VA0002202202Service Request #: 1-8800396608
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 57 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 4 of 32 Page ID #:102
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VA 2-202-202Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 06, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2017
Date of 1st Publication: July 01, 2017Nation of 1st Publication: United States
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 13Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 58 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 5 of 32 Page ID #:103
Registration #: VA0002202203Service Request #: 1-8800397126
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 59 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 6 of 32 Page ID #:104
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VA 2-202-203Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 06, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2016
Date of 1st Publication: December 01, 2017Nation of 1st Publication: United States
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 30Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 60 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 7 of 32 Page ID #:105
Registration #: VA0002202254Service Request #: 1-8800396559
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 61 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 8 of 32 Page ID #:106
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VA 2-202-254Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2015
Date of 1st Publication: April 14, 2016Nation of 1st Publication: United States
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 12Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 62 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 9 of 32 Page ID #:107
Registration #: VA0002202255Service Request #: 1-8800396427
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 63 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 10 of 32 Page ID
#:108
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VA 2-202-255Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2016
Date of 1st Publication: April 14, 2016Nation of 1st Publication: United States
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 5Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 64 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 11 of 32 Page ID
#:109
Registration #: VA0002202257Service Request #: 1-8800396496
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 65 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 12 of 32 Page ID
#:110
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VA 2-202-257Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2018
Date of 1st Publication: July 15, 2018Nation of 1st Publication: United States
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 7Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 66 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 13 of 32 Page ID
#:111
Registration #: VA0002202259Service Request #: 1-8800369023
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 67 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 14 of 32 Page ID
#:112
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VA 2-202-259Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2016
Date of 1st Publication: December 01, 2017Nation of 1st Publication: United States
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 3Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 68 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 15 of 32 Page ID
#:113
Registration #: VA0002202261Service Request #: 1-8800396378
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 69 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 16 of 32 Page ID
#:114
Page 1 of 2
Registration Number
VA 2-202-261Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2012
Date of 1st Publication: July 07, 2012Nation of 1st Publication: United States
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 4Date: May 04, 2020
ApprovedCorrespondence: Yes
Exhibit B 70 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 17 of 32 Page ID
#:115
Page 2 of 2Exhibit B 71 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 18 of 32 Page ID
#:116
Registration #: VAu001393573Service Request #: 1-8800206891
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr.,Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.,
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 72 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 19 of 32 Page ID
#:117
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VAu 1-393-573Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 06, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2012
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Domiciled in: United StatesYear Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By Court order, Kristen N, Cooley was appointed the Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 1Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 73 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 20 of 32 Page ID
#:118
Registration #: VAu001393680Service Request #: 1-8800368681
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 74 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 21 of 32 Page ID
#:119
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VAu 1-393-680Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2012
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 11Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 75 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 22 of 32 Page ID
#:120
Registration #: VAu001393681Service Request #: 1-8800368622
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 76 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 23 of 32 Page ID
#:121
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VAu 1-393-681Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2012
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 9Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 77 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 24 of 32 Page ID
#:122
Registration #: VAu001393682Service Request #: 1-8800368317
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 78 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 25 of 32 Page ID
#:123
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VAu 1-393-682Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2012
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 6Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 79 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 26 of 32 Page ID
#:124
Registration #: VAu001393684Service Request #: 1-8800368533
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 80 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 27 of 32 Page ID
#:125
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VAu 1-393-684Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2012
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 8Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 81 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 28 of 32 Page ID
#:126
Registration #: VAu001393686Service Request #: 1-8800260268
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 82 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 29 of 32 Page ID
#:127
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VAu 1-393-686Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2016
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 2Date: May 04, 2020
Approved
Exhibit B 83 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 30 of 32 Page ID
#:128
Registration #: VAu001393690Service Request #: 1-8800368730
Mail Certificate
Wisnia PCHoward Wisnia12707 High Bluff Dr. Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Priority: Special Handling Application Date: May 04, 2020
Correspondent
Organization Name: Wisnia PCName: Howard WisniaEmail: [email protected]
Telephone: (858)461-0989Address: 12707 High Bluff Dr.
Suite 200San Diego, CA 92130 United States
Exhibit B 84 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 31 of 32 Page ID
#:129
Page 1 of 1
Registration Number
VAu 1-393-690Effective Date of Registration:May 04, 2020Registration Decision Date:May 07, 2020
Title
Title of Work: Circle Happiness
Completion/PublicationYear of Completion: 2014
Author
• Author: Nolan Ocean CooleyAuthor Created: 2-D artwork
Work made for hire: NoCitizen of: United States
Year Born: 2004
Copyright Claimant
Copyright Claimant: Guardianship of the Estate of Nolan Ocean Cooley1029 Stratton Drive, Vista, CA, 92083, United States
Transfer statement: By court order, Kristen Cooley was appointed Guardian of the Estate of Nolan Cooley, a minor
0
0Certification
Name: Howard WisniaDate: May 04, 2020
Applicant's Tracking Number: Cooley 10Date: May 04, 2020
ApprovedCorrespondence: Yes
Exhibit B 85 of 85
Case 8:20-cv-00876-DOC-JDE Document 16-2 Filed 05/19/20 Page 32 of 32 Page ID
#:130