U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 1933

Buck v. Bilkie

Buck v. Bilkie
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · Decided February 13, 1933 · Wilbur, Sawtelle, Mack
63 F.2d 447; 16 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 382; 1933 U.S. App. LEXIS 3457 (Federal Reporter, Second Series)

Buck v. Bilkie

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

Appeal by plaintiffs from so much of a decree enjoining further violation of their copyright in a musical composition as denied to them any damages or attorneys’ fees.

In the absence of proof of actual damages, an award of at least $250 damages is mandatory. Jewell-LaSalle Realty Co. v. Buck, 283 U. S. 202, 51 S. Ct. 407, 75 L. Ed. 978, construing 17 U. S. C. § 25 (b), 17 USCA § 25 (b), the Copyright Act § 25 (b).

Under section 40 of the act (17 USCA § 40), “the Court may award to the pre- • vailing party a reasonable attorney’s fee.” Any such award is clearly discretionary: We find no abuse of discretion in the denial qf attorneys’ fees, inasmuch as infringement ceased immediately on what defendant testified to have been the first notice received.

The decree will be modified by adding thereto an award of the statutory minimum of $250 damages, in addition to the costs.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.