Systems XIX, Inc. v. Parker
United States District Court for the Northern District of California
30 F. Supp. 2d 1225 (1998)
- Written by Eric Miller, JD
Facts
Plans were made for a live performance by Lawrence Parker (defendant), a rap artist otherwise known as KRS-One, at a combined concert venue and studio, Maritime Hall. Maritime Hall was owned by Systems XIX, Inc., doing business as Maritime Hall Productions (Maritime) (plaintiff). The parties to the negotiations discussed the possibility of Maritime making live recordings for Parker’s next album in exchange for compensation and producer credits. These negotiations failed to produce a written agreement, but Parker’s performance still occurred. Parker’s road manager asked Maritime to use its equipment to record Parker, to which Maritime agreed. Maritime gave the master tapes to the road manager, and two tracks from the live performance appeared on Parker’s next album. However, Maritime was not paid or credited. Maritime brought suit under the United States Copyright Act and state law. Maritime sought declaratory judgment and damages against Parker and Zomba Recording Corporation (Zomba) (defendant), the distributor and copyright owner of Parker’s work. Parker and Zomba moved for summary judgment.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Illston, J.)
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