Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
| 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
- Opinion analysis: Justices take a lenient view on late copyright suits (Ronald Mann, May 19, 2014)
- Argument recap: Justices dubious of untimely copyright suits (Ronald Mann, January 22, 2014)
- Argument preview: Justices to open can of worms in dispute over rights to Raging Bull (Ronald Mann, January 17, 2014)
- Petition of the day (Mary Pat Dwyer, September 14, 2013)
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| 04/30/2013 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due June 3, 2013) |
| 05/16/2013 | Order extending time to file response to petition to and including August 2, 2013. |
| 06/03/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of Califorina Society of Entertainment Lawyers filed. |
| 08/02/2013 | Brief of respondents Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., et al. in opposition filed. |
| 08/20/2013 | Reply of petitioner Paula Petrella filed. (Distributed) |
| 08/21/2013 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of September 30, 2013. |
| 10/01/2013 | Petition GRANTED. |
| 10/04/2013 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioner. |
| 10/09/2013 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the respondents. |
| 11/04/2013 | SET FOR ARGUMENT ON Tuesday, January 21, 2014. |
| 11/15/2013 | Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed) |
| 11/15/2013 | Brief of petitioner Paula Petrella filed. |
| 11/19/2013 | Record from the U.S.C.A. for 9th Circuit is electronic and located on PACER. There are SEALED documents in this record. |
| 11/20/2013 | Brief amici curiae of Southwestern Law Students Orly Ravid, and Andrew Pruitt, and Profesors Robert C. Lind and Michael M. Epstein filed. (Distributed) |
| 11/21/2013 | CIRCULATED. |
| 11/21/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of California Society of Entertainment Lawyers filed. (Distributed) |
| 11/21/2013 | Brief amici curiae of Professor Robin Feldman, et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| 11/21/2013 | Record 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) |
| 11/22/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of the United States filed. (Distributed) |
| 11/22/2013 | Brief amici curiae of Authors Guild, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| 11/22/2013 | Brief amici curiae of Douglas Laycock, et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| 11/22/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of Ralph Oman, Former Register of Copyrights of the United States filed. (Distributed) |
| 11/22/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of American Intellectual Property Law Association in support of neither party filed. |
| 12/06/2013 | Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument filed. |
| 12/16/2013 | Brief of respondents Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of Association for Competitive Technology filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2013 | Brief amici curiae of Dish Network L.L.C., et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of New England Legal Foundation filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2013 | Brief amicus curiae of T. Leigh Anenson filed. (Distributed) |
| 12/23/2013 | Brief amici curiae of The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc., et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| 01/03/2014 | Reply of petitioner Paula Petrella filed. (Distributed) |
| 01/10/2014 | Motion of the Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for divided argument GRANTED. |
| 01/21/2014 | Argued. 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. |
| 05/19/2014 | Judgment 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. |
| 06/20/2014 | JUDGMENT ISSUED. |
| 06/24/2014 | Record for U.S.D.C. Central District of California (Western Division) has been returned. |
Issue: Whether the nonstatutory defense of laches is available without restriction to bar all remedies for civil copyright claims filed within the three-year statute of limitations prescribed by Congress, 17 U.S.C. § 507(b).