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Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.

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Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
12-1315 9th Cir. Jan 21, 2014 May 19, 2014 6-3 Ginsburg OT 2013

Holding: In a case by the owner of a screenplay alleging copyright infringement, the doctrine of laches cannot be invoked as a bar to the pursuit of a claim for damages brought within the three-year window established by Section 507(b) of the Copyright Act. However, in extraordinary circumstances, laches may, at the very outset of the litigation, curtail the relief equitably awarded.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded, 6-3, in an opinion by Justice Ginsburg on May 19, 2014. Justice Breyer filed a dissenting opinion, in which Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Kennedy joined.

SCOTUSblog Coverage

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Apr 30 2013Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due June 3, 2013)
May 16 2013Order extending time to file response to petition to and including August 2, 2013.
Jun 3 2013Brief amicus curiae of Califorina Society of Entertainment Lawyers filed.
Aug 2 2013Brief of respondents Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., et al. in opposition filed.
Aug 20 2013Reply of petitioner Paula Petrella filed. (Distributed)
Aug 21 2013DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 30, 2013.
Oct 1 2013Petition GRANTED.
Oct 4 2013Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner.
Oct 9 2013Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the respondents.
Nov 4 2013SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, January 21, 2014.
Nov 15 2013Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)
Nov 15 2013Brief of petitioner Paula Petrella filed.
Nov 19 2013Record from the U.S.C.A. for 9th Circuit is electronic and located on PACER. There are SEALED documents in this record.
Nov 20 2013Brief amici curiae of Southwestern Law Students Orly Ravid, and Andrew Pruitt, and Profesors Robert C. Lind and Michael M. Epstein filed. (Distributed)
Nov 21 2013CIRCULATED.
Nov 21 2013Brief amicus curiae of California Society of Entertainment Lawyers filed. (Distributed)
Nov 21 2013Brief amici curiae of Professor Robin Feldman, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Nov 21 2013Record received from the U.S.D.C. for the Central District of California (Western District - LA) is electronic and located on PACER. Also received are SEALED documents in this record, which consist of Volume 1 - Volume 6. (1 box)
Nov 22 2013Brief amicus curiae of the United States filed. (Distributed)
Nov 22 2013Brief amici curiae of Authors Guild, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
Nov 22 2013Brief amici curiae of Douglas Laycock, et al. filed. (Distributed)
Nov 22 2013Brief amicus curiae of Ralph Oman, Former Register of Copyrights of the United States filed. (Distributed)
Nov 22 2013Brief amicus curiae of American Intellectual Property Law Association in support of neither party filed.
Dec 6 2013Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed.
Dec 16 2013Brief of respondents Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2013Brief amicus curiae of Association for Competitive Technology filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2013Brief amici curiae of Dish Network L.L.C., et al. filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2013Brief amicus curiae of New England Legal Foundation filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2013Brief amicus curiae of Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2013Brief amicus curiae of DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2013Brief amicus curiae of T. Leigh Anenson filed. (Distributed)
Dec 23 2013Brief amici curiae of The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed)
Jan 3 2014Reply of petitioner Paula Petrella filed. (Distributed)
Jan 10 2014Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED.
Jan 21 2014Argued. For petitioner: Stephanos Bibas, Philadelphia, Pa.; and Nicole A. Saharsky, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Washington, D. C. (for United States, as amicus curiae). For respondents: Mark A. Perry, Washington, D. C.
May 19 2014Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Ginsburg, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined. Breyer, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which Roberts, C. J., and Kennedy, J., joined.
Jun 20 2014JUDGMENT ISSUED.
Jun 24 2014Record for U.S.D.C. Central District of California (Western Division) has been returned.