Baker Marquart Nets Favorable Settlement of National Copyright Claims

In 2012, Baker Marquart was hired to defend its client, FilmOn, against copyright infringement claims brought by all the major television networks in Los Angeles federal court. Another case was later filed by the major networks in Washington D.C., which Baker Marquart also defended. The firm initially won summary judgment in FilmOn’s favor. An editorial in the Los Angeles Times reported that the ruling “could usher in a new generation of pay TV services online[.]” After years of litigation, the parties presented arguments to the Ninth and D.C. circuit courts of appeal. Baker Marquart partner Ryan Baker argued the appeals. Oral argument in the D.C. court was scheduled for 15 minutes per side. After two hours of argument, Presiding Chief Judge Merrick Garland commended the parties for their “excellent oral argument.” Shortly after that argument, which highlighted significant issues raised by the firm in briefing and Baker at argument, the parties commenced settlement negotiations. The disputes between the parties in California and D.C. were settled shortly thereafter. The settlement terms were confidential, but FilmOn is “pleased to move beyond these disputes and focus on the continuing expansion of its innovative content delivery across a wide variety of media.”