Monday, May 14, 2007

Kronemeyer v. Internet Movie Data Base, Inc. (Cal. Ct. App. - May 14, 2007)

Imdb is a public forum. Guys who claim that they were executive producers on "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" but who aren't listed on the film's credits aren't likely to prevail on the merits when they bring a lawsuit for declaratory and injunctive relief against imdb to put them on the list. And instead get SLAPPed.

The only thing surprising about this case is that Preston Gates & Ellis (now K&L Gates) only recovered attorney's fees of $6,270 below. That's way tiny. I bet you they charged imdb more -- and entirely reasonably so. And that they'll also recover more fees than this from plaintiff for defending the appeal.

Or at least they should.