Stross v. American Chinese Media L.L.C., Civil Action No. 1:22-cv-01714-VMC (N.D. Ga. May 2, 2022)

Plaintiff Stross filed suit against Defendant American Chinese Media L.L.C fka American Chinese Life L.L.C. on May 2, 2022 in the Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta Division). The Complaint alleges that Plaintiff created photographs entitled “Ilano Exit Strategy Series (1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 19, 20, 24, 26)” and obtained federal registrations for the works:

See Ex. 1. At the time the works were created, Plaintiff applied copyright management information to the works consisting of the words “© 2011 Alexander Stross” to the bottom right corner of each of the works. The Complaint alleges that Defendant copied Plaintiff’s copyrighted images to market and promote its business activities on Defendant’s website. The Complaint alleges that Defendant’s use of Plaintiff’s copyrighted photographs was not authorized and was done without Plaintiff’s permission. The Complaint further alleges that Defendant removed copyright management information from the copyrighted images without permission.  The Complaint asserts claims for (1) copyright infringement pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 501 and (2) removal of copyright management information in violation of 17 U.S.C. § 1202(b). The case has been assigned to Judge Calvert in the Northern District.