A friend of mine (fellow pilot) runs a side-line business producing aircraft system review tapes. I received the following message from him today, it looks like someone is ripping him off. Does anyone have experience with violations to their own intellectual property? Any suggestions besides; "get a lawyer, call the FBI, get a baseball bat"?

Thanks to all.......here is the message:

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As a sideline I've been producing Aircraft Systems Review videos for the past 25 years. I just found a guy who has taken the product descriptions from my copyrighted web site and posted them on 10 separate web sites - all different online stores run by the same guy - and selling PIRATED copies of my properly copyrighted videos.

I know they're pirated because I ordered some and checked them out. Different labels, different packaging, poor quality due to generational loss, but starring ME!

A lawyer friend wrote a "cease/desist and full accounting" demand letter, but cannot take the case, and doesn't specialize in intellectual property law.

I'm in Colorado, bad guy is in FL.

I know there are a lot of smart guys/gals on this forum, so I'd just like your thoughts on:
venue (FL court, CO court, Fed)
law enforcement (I've already filed a complaint with the FBI)
where do I go next?
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Thanks !

 

Well from my limited IP knowledge...You have a copywrite on those videos from the moment that you produced them. HOWEVER, you cannot file any litigation untill you have registered those copyrights in with the copywright office. So if the infringing party knows this, he knows your letter doesn't really have teath until you register the copyrights. Registering is fiarly easy and only costs $30, however sinc you probably will need an IP lawyer to file the suit, i suggest you have them work with you on registering the copyrights, so the registrations are airtight.
Once you have the copyrights registered, you can take this guy down. In addtion to being able to force him to stop producing the tapes, you are entitled to any profits he made from the tapes, and any profits you lost becuse he as selling the tapes, and usually you can get legal fees too, oh and usually you can get statitory damages too. SO. in short you need to find an IP lawyer.... Hope this helps
-Jon

 

Where in FL?