filed - hampton roads, va local news, weather, sports · pdf filemcnairv. tarjict, el at....

KELSIE MCNAIR

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURTFOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA

Norfolk Division

Plaintiff,

FILED

OCT 2 2 2015

CLERK. US DISTRICT COURTnohfolk. VA

Civil Action No.: ^

TARGET CORP.

and

WEIHAI LUDA CRAFT CO., LTD..

Defendants.

SERVE: Target Corp.c/o CT Corporation Service4701 Cox Road, Suite 285Glen Allen, VA 23060

Weihai Luda Craft Co. LTD.

9F Mingzuo Mansion111 Haibin North Road, Weihai, ShandongChina

COMPLAINT

COMES NOW Plaintiff, Kelsie McNair, by counsel, and for her Complaint, states as

follows:

INTRODUCTION

1. This is an action in law and equity for copyright infringement under the Copyright Act of

1976, 17 U.S.C. §101 et seq.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

2. This is an action for copyright infringement under the Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. §

101 et seq. This Court has jurisdiction over the claims under 28 U.S.C. §1338(a) and

pendant jurisdiction over the claims arising under state law pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1338(b).

Case 2:15-cv-00464-RBS-DEM Document 1 Filed 10/22/15 of 6 PageID# 1

McNair v. Tarjict, el at.Complaint

3. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Target Corp. and Weihai Luda Craft Co. Ltd.,

pursuant to Virginia Code Ann. § 8.01-328.1, by virtue of the fact that they: (1) regularly

solicit business in this state; and (2) have committed a tortious act within the state by

committing copyright infringement in this state.

4. Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1400(a) and 1391(b) and (c), as the

Defendants are corporations subject to personal jurisdiction in this district and therefore

reside here for the purposes of venue.

PARTIES

5. Plaintiff Kelsie McNair ("McNair") is an individual residing in the City ofNorfolk, Virginia.

6. Defendant Target Corp. ("Target") isa corporation with its principle place ofbusiness in

Minneapolis, Minnesota.

7. Defendant Weihai Luda Craft Co., Ltd. ("Weihai") is a corporation with its principle place of

business in Shandong Province, China

STATEMENT OF FACTS

8. Plaintiff McNair is an artist who creates mobile telephone covers decorated with specifically

chosen flowers and plants in original arrangements. McNair sells her creations through

electronic media and through brick-and-mortar stores.

9. Defendant Target is a retail company with physical store locations nationwide and through

electronic media.

10. Weihai is an export company based in China who provides Target with Chinese

manufactured goods to be sold in their stores and through electronic media.

11. McNair has created several mobile telephone designs including "Lemon and Honey" (An

image of which is attached herein as Exhibit A) and a design entitled "Morning Dew" (An


McNair v. Target, el al.Complaint

image of which is attached herein as Exhibit B) as part of her collection.

12. McNair applied for copyright protection for "Lemon and Honey" in April 22, 2015 (A copy

of that application is attached herein as Exhibit C). McNairapplied for copyright protection

for "Morning Dew" on May 20, 2015 (A copy of that application is attached herein as

Exhibit D).

13.McNair began selling her floral designed mobile telephone covers in August of 2013 through

her web site withlavenderandlace.com as well as previously through

www.mooreaseal.com/collections/of-lavender-lace. The works Lemon and Honey" and

"Morning Dew" are available online through the internet and in physical retail stores, giving

Target and Weihai opportunity to view and access the works.

14. McNair discovered a Target store located in Everett, Washington selling unauthorized copies

of her artwork under the Target-owned brand "Merona." McNair also discovered

unauthorized copies of her works being sold in Target stores under the Merona brand in

Spotsylvania, Virginia, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and online at Target.com. (Attached as

Exhibits E and F)

15. The floral mobile telephone covers sold by Target are substantially similar and infringing

copies of McNair'sworks "Lemon and Honey" and "Morning Dew."

16. Weihai has and continues to import unauthorized copies of McNair's original designs for sale

through Target's stores, both brick-and-mortar and online.

17. Both Target and Weihai knew or should have known that the Merona Mobile telephone

covers are unauthorized copies McNair's works.


McNair v. Target, el aiComplaint

COUNTI

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

18. Target and Weihai's acts as alleged constitute copyright infringement in violation of the

Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.

19. Target and Weihai have and, unless restrained by the Court, will continue to cause serious

irreparable injury and damage to McNair.

20. McNair has no adequate remedy at law.

COUNT II

VICARIOUS INFRINGEMENT

21. McNair repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation of paragraphs 1 through 20 as

though fully set forth herein.

22. Target and Weihai are vicariously liable for any and all infringement by Weihai as they

profited directly from manufacturing the unauthorized copies of McNair's works andare able

to supervise the manufactureof the infringingproducts.

23. McNair has been and will continue tobeharmed by Defendant's infringing activities.


COUNT III

CONTRIBUTORY INFRINGEMENT

25. McNair repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation ofparagraphs 1through 23 as

though fully set forth herein.

26. Target and Weihai are liable for anyand all infringement as theyknew or should have known

that the manufacture of unauthorized copies of McNair's works and either induced, caused,

or materiallycontributed to the infringement.


McNciir V. Target, el ill.Coniplainl

27. McNair has been and will continue tobe harmed by Defendant's infringing activities.


PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for an Order of the Court:

29. Granting a preliminary and permanent injunction restraining Target and Weihai, its officers,

directors, principals, agents, servants, employees, successors and assigns, and all individuals

acting in concert orparticipation with it, from infringing Plaintiffs copyright.

30. Awarding Plaintiff a monetary judgment against Target and Weihai for Plaintiffs damages

and Target and Weihai's profits in an amount not less than Three Hundred Thousand dollars

($300,000.00);

31. In the alternative, awarding Plaintiff statutory damages in the amount of One Hundred Fifty

Thousand dollars ($150,000.00) for each infringement pursuant to 17 USC § 504(c) for a

total of Three Hundred Thousand dollars ($300,000.00) for Target and Weihai's willful

infringement of Plaintiff s original work.

32. Awarding Plaintiff her attorneys' fees, costs and disbursements incurred herein.

33. Awarding Plaintiff such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.

34. Plaintiff demands trial by jury.

K^LSIE MCNAIR

Duncan G. Byers, EsquireVirginia Bar No. 48146Patrick L. Maurer, EsquireVirginia Bar No. 71244FENDER & COWARD, P.C.222 Central Park Avenue, Suite 400

Of Counsel


McNair i'. Target, et alComplaint

Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462Telephone: (757) 490-3000Facsimile: (757)497-1914Counselfor the Plaintiff, Kelsie McNair


McNair v. Target,et a!.Complaint

EXHTRTT A

Example ofPlaintiffsoriginal work "Lemon and Honey'

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McNair v. Target, et alComplaint

EXHIBIT B

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McNair v. Target, et al.Complaint

EXHIBIT C

Copy ofPlaintiffs application for copyright for "Lemon and Honey" on April 22, 2015


Registration #:Service Request #:

^-APPLICATION-*

1-2324786011

Mail Certificate

With Lavender and LaceBoutiqueKelsie Mcnair

521 Graydon AveApt 7Norfolk, VA 23507 United States

Priority: Routine Application Date: April 22, 2015

Correspondent

Organization Name:Name:

Email:

Telephone:Alt. Telephone:

Address:

With Lavender and Lace BoutiqueKelsie Mcnair

[email protected](757)275-4084(757)275-4084521 Graydon Aveapt 7Norfolk, VA 23507 United States


Title

Title of Work: Lemon and Honey

Completion/Publication

Author

Year of Completion: 2013Date of 1st Publication: August09, 2013

Nation of 1*'Publication: United States

Author: Kelsie Marie McNairAuthor Created: 2-D artwork

Citizen of: United StatesYear Born: 1989

Copyright Ciaimant

Registration Number

*-APPLICATION-*

Copyright Claimant: Kelsie Marie McNair521 Graydon Ave, Apt 7,Norfolk, VA, 23507, United States

Limitation of copyright claim

Material excluded from this claim: Plastic Phone case

New material included in claim: 2-D artwork, floral design

Rights and Permissions

Organization Name: With Lavender and LaceName: Kelsie Marie McnairEmail: [email protected]

Telephone: (757)289-6979Alt. Telephone: (757)275-4084

Address: 521 Graydon Aveapt 7Norfolk, VA 23507 United States

Certification

Page 1 of2


Name: Kelsie McNair

Date: April 22,2015

Page 2 of2


McNairv. Target, etal.Complaint

EXHIBIT D

Copy of Plaintiffsapplication for copyright for "Morning Dew" on May 20, 2015.


Registration #:Service Request #:

♦-APPLICATION-*

1-2402905521

Mail Certificate

kelsie McNair521 Graydon AveApt?Norfolk, VA 23507 United States

Priority: Routine Application Date: May 20, 2015

Correspondent

Organization Name:Name:

Email:

Telephone:Alt. Telephone:

Address:

With Lavender and Lace BoutiqueKelsie Mcnair

[email protected](757)289-6979(757)275-4084521 Graydon Aveapt 7Norfolk, VA 23507 United States


Title

Title of Work: Morning Dew

Completion/Publication

Author

Year of Completion: 2013Date of 1st Publication: May 20, 2013

Nation of Publication: United States

Author: Kelsie Marie McNairAuthor Created: photograph, sculpture, floral design

Citizen of: United States

Copyright Claimant

Registration Number

^-APPLICATION-*

Copyright Claimant: Kelsie Marie McNair521 Graydon Ave, Apt 7, Norfolk, VA, 23507, United States

Limitation of copyright claim

Material excluded from this claim: Plastic Phone case

New material included in claim: 2-D artwork, floral design

Rights and Permissions

Certification

Name: kelsie McNair

Email: [email protected]: (757)289-6979

Alt. Telephone: (757)275-4084Address: 521 Graydon Ave

apt 7Norfolk, VA 23507 United States

Name: Kelsie McNair

Page 1 of2


Date: May 20, 2015

Page 2 of2


McNairv.Target, et al.Complaint

ExmsiT R

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EXHIBIT F

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JS-14 (Rev. 12/12) CIVIL COVER SHEET

The JS 44 civil covcr shccl and ihe infornialioii contained herein neither replace nor supplement the filing and servicc of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except asprovided by local rules of court. This form,approved by the Judicial Conferenceof the UnitedStates in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for thepurpose of initialing the civil docket sheet. (Sltl' INSTRUCTIONS Nj;.\TI'Adl: OF THISI'ORM.)

I. (a) PLAINTIFFSKelsie McNair

(b) Countyof Residence of FirstListed Plaintiff Norfolk, Vjrginia(I-XCI:PTINU.S.PU1NTJI-TCASI-:S)

(c) Attorneys fT'irm Name. AiUrcss. amiTulcpluma Number)Duncan G. Byers, Esq. Render & Coward. P.C., 222 Central Park Ave,Ste 400, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 490-6255

DEFENDANTSTarget Corp.Weihai Luda Craft Co. LTD.

Countyof Residence of Tirst Listed Defendant Hennepin,_Minriesota(IN U.S. I'iMNTIFI'CASES ONLY)

NOTE: IN l.AND CONDHMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OFTHE TRACT Ol" LAND INVOLVED,

Attorneys (IfKnown)Jeffrey E. Dupler, Esq. Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty LLP, 665 FifthAve., New York. NY 10022 (121) 668-5151

II. BASIS OF JURISDICTlONr/Vflcem, -.V mOncBoxOniy) III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (PUicv im "A"' inOne liox/or I'lainiifl

O I us. Govenimcal

PlainlifT

• 2 U.S. Goveniineiit

Defcndani

H 3 FcduralQuestion(U.S. Gowmmcnt Not a Party)

• 4 Diversity(huiicau- Cilizensliip oj Purne.s in hem III)

IV. NATURE OF SUIT (I'/iica an inOne Box Only)CONTRACr torts"

• 110 insurance

• 120 Marine

• L30 Miller Act

• 140 Nej:oiiable Instrinncnl• 150 Recovery of Overpayment

& Enforcement of JudgmentO 151 Medicare Act

• 152 Recover}'of DefaultedStiideni Loans

(Excludes Veterans)• 153 Recover)-of Overpayment

of Veteran's Benefits

• 160 Stockholders'Suits

• 190 Other Coiilract

O 195 Contract Product LiabilityO 196 Franchise

REAL PROPLRTV

O 2101.and Condenmation

• 220 Foreclosure

• 230 Rent Lease & EjectmeiUO 240 Tons to Land

O 245 Tort Product LiabilityO 290 All Other Real Properly

PEEiSONAL IN.IUJO

G 310 Airplane• 315 Airplane Product

Liability• 320 Assault, Libel &

Slander

• 330 Federal Employers'Liability

• 340 Marine

• 345 Marine Product

Liability• 350 Motor Vehicle

D 355 Motor Vehicle

Product Liability• 360 Other Personal

Injury• 362 Personal Injury •

Medical MalpracticeaVILRlGEITS

• 440 Other Civil Ris-hts• 441 Voting• 442 Employment• 443 1ioiisingi'

Accommodations

• 445 Amer, w/Disabilities-

Employment• 446 Amer, u/Disabilities -

Other

D 448 Education

PERSONAL INJURN'

• 365 Personal Injur\' -Product Liability

• 367 Heahh Care/

Phamiacentical

Personal InjuryProduct Liability

• 368 Asliestos Personal

Injurj' ProductLiability

PERSONAL PROPERTY

• 370 Other Fraud

O 371 Truth in Lendinf?G 380 Other Personal

Property Damagen 385 Property Damai^o

Product Liabilitv

PRISONER PE i ITIONS

iliiheas Corpus:• 463 Alien Detainee

• 510 Motions to Vacate

Sentence

• 530 General

O 535 Death PenaltyOther:

• 540 Mandamus & Other

O 550 Civil Rights• 555 Prison Condition

• 560 Civil Detainee -

Comlitions of

Conllnement

(For Diversity Cnxcs Only)

Citizen ofTliis Sinic

I'TF

X t

Di;i-

n 1

wut One Hoxfar Dcfciulani)ptV def

Incorporaied "r Principal Place R 4 • 4of Business In This Slate

Citizen of Another Slate • 2 0 2 Incorporated wk/Principal Placeof Business In Another State

• 5 H 5

Citizen or Subject of aForeiun Country

O 3 113 3 Foreign Nation

mRFtimiRK/lM'NALE'V

• 625 Dnig Related Seizureof Property 21 USC881

• 690 Other

LAHOR

• 710 Fair Labor Standards

Act

• 720 Labor/ManagementRelations

• 740 Railway Labor Act• 751 Family and Medical

Leave Act

• 790 Other Labor Litigation• 791 Emploj'ee Retirement

Income Security Act

IMMIGRATION

• 462 Naturalization Application• 465 Other Immigration

Actions

BANKRUPTCY

• 422 Appeal 28 USC 158• 423 Witlulriiwal

28 USC 157

PROPER^^• RiGirrs

X 820Copyrightsn 830 Patent

• 840 Trademark

SOClAI.SECEIRm'

• 861 HIA(l395rO• 862 Black Lung (923)• 863 DIVVC/DIWW (405(g))• 864 SSID Title XVI

• 865 RSI (405(g))

FEDERAL TAX SUITS

• 870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiffor Defendant)

• 871 IRS—Third Party26 USC 7609

• 6 0 6

OTHER STA TUTES

• 375 False Claims Act

• 400 State Reapportionment• 410 Antitriist

• 430 Banks and Banking• 450 Commerce

• 460 Deportation• 470 Racketeer Influenced and

Corrupt Organizations• 480 Consumer Credit

• 490 Cable/Sat TV

• 850 Securities/Commodities'

ExchangeO 890 Other Siatutor>'Actions• 891 Agricultural Acts• 893 Environmental Matters• 895 Freedom of Infonnation

Act

O 896 Arbitration

Cl 899 Administrative Procedure

Act/Review or Appeal ofAgency Decision

• 950 Constitutionality ofState Statutes

V. ORIGIN (Placc an ".V" in One Hox Only)

X 1 Original D 2 Removed fromProceeding State Cotirt

• 3 Remanded from fl A Reinstated or 0 5 'I'ransferred from • 6 MullidistriclAppellate Cottrt Reopened AnotherDistrict Litigation

fT^'ci/y)

VI. CAUSE OF ACTION

Cite the U.S.Civil Slalitte under whichyou are Iiling (Do notciwJiirisilictionnlstatutvs unless diversiiy)'.Copyright Act of1976. 17 U,S.C. § 101 et seq.Brief description of cause:Copyright Infringement

VII. REQUESTED IN

COMPLAINT:

• Cl ILiCK IF 'fi lls IS A CLASS ACTION DF-MAND SUNDERRULE23. F R.Cv.P. 300.000.00

VIII. RELATED CASE(S)IFANY

DATE

'0/os./z^fsFOR OlfJ ICE VSE ONLY

(Sec instniclKiii.i):

RECEIPTS AMOUNT

JUDGE

S"roWAJURE OF AiyaRNEV O^C

I ^ ^APPLYING IFP JUDGE

CHECK YI;S only if detiiandcd in complaint:

.IllRV DEMAND: Yes • No

DOCKET NUMBER

MAG. JUDGE


PENDERfiCOWARD

ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELLORS AT LAW

Fernando Galindo, ClerkU.S. General District Court of VirginiaNorfolk Division

600 Granby StreetNorfolk, VA 23510

October 6, 2015

222 Central Park Avenue.Suite 400Virginia Beach,VA 23462-3026

757-490-3000

Fax:757-497-1914

www.pendercoward.com

Duncan G. ByersAttorney at Law, PATE^^T ATTORNevAohitted in VA, USPTO

(757) 502-7396 DIRECT DIAL(757) 502-7392 DIREa [email protected]

RE: Kelsie McNair v. Target Corp. and WeiHai Luda Craft Co., LTD.Copyright Infringement Case No. cvOur Matter #18826-56206

Dear Clerk,

Please see enclosed a check for filing fees in the amount of v$450.00, an original and twocopies of the Civil Cover Sheet, Financial Interest Disclosure Statement, and Initial Complaintalong with exhibits A-F. We kindly ask that you file and assign a case to this matter. Alsoenclosed are the 3 copies of summons in a civil action for Target Corp. and Request for ServiceAbroad of Judicial Documents for WeiHai Luda Craft Co., LTD.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

Enclosures

cc: Client

Sincerely,

Duncan


District Court

Receipt Nuaber: 24653328881Cashier IB; tievinsoTrinsaction Dates 10/22/2015Payer Naise: PEHDER flNB COHflRD PC

CIVIL FILINr^EFor; PENDER fiND COUftRD PCAuount: $400.00

CHECKCheck/ftoney Order Hu«: 221858flnt Tendered; $400,08

Total Due: $488.0Total Tendered! $480.8Chartye Amt: $0.00

PEHDER & CO«fiRD PC2:15cv464
