No. 19-560

Jennie Nicassio v. Viacom International, Inc., et al.

Lower Court: Third Circuit
Docketed: 2019-10-29
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Response WaivedRelisted (2)
Tags: actual-copying circuit-split copyright-infringement fair-use fairness idea-expression-dichotomy originality plot-elements scenes-a-faire wrongful-appropriation
Latest Conference: 2020-02-21 (distributed 2 times)
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether the scènes-à-faire evidence exclusion for actual copying should extend to all plot elements naturally flowing from a simple formulation of the plot of the original work?

Whether the proper test to determine wrongful appropriation is (a) comparing the original work as a whole to the copied portions in the allegedly infringing work, or (b) assessing fairness only after (i) removing and disregarding original elements deemed to be scènes-à-faire, and (ii) putting material added by the alleged infringer into the comparison?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the scénes-à-faire evidence exclusion for actual copying should extend to all plot elements naturally flowing from a simple formulation of the plot of the original work?

Docket Entries

2020-02-24
Rehearing DENIED. Justice Breyer took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
2020-01-15
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/21/2020.
2020-01-02
Petition for Rehearing filed.
2020-01-02
Motion for leave to proceed further herein in forma pauperis filed by petitioner.
2019-12-09
Petition DENIED. Justice Breyer took no part in the consideration or decision of this petition.
2019-11-20
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/6/2019.
2019-11-12
Waiver of right of respondents Viacom International, Inc., et al. to respond filed.
2019-10-25
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 29, 2019)

Attorneys

Jennie Nicassio
Anthony H. HandalHandal & Morofsky, LLC, Petitioner
Viacom International, Inc.;, et al.
Wook HwangLoeb & Loeb LLP, Respondent