throbber
Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 1 of 17
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`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
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`
`
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`
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`UMG RECORDINGS, INC., CAPITOL
`RECORDS, LLC, ABKCO MUSIC &
`RECORDS, INC., SONY MUSIC
`ENTERTAINMENT, ARISTA MUSIC,
`ARISTA RECORDS LLC, SONY MUSIC
`ENTERTAINMENT US LATIN, ZOMBA
`RECORDING LLC, ATLANTIC
`RECORDING CORPORATION, ELEKTRA
`ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC., LAVA
`RECORDS LLC, RHINO
`ENTERTAINMENT LLC, WARNER
`MUSIC INC., WARNER MUSIC
`INTERNATIONAL SERVICES LIMITED,
`AND WARNER RECORDS INC.,
`
` Plaintiffs,
`
` v.
`
`FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS
`CORPORATION,
`
` Defendant.
`
`
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`) Civ. Case No. 21-cv-5050
`)
`) COMPLAINT
`)
`) TRIAL BY JURY DEMANDED
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`)
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`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
`)
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`
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`Plaintiffs UMG Recordings, Inc., Capitol Records, LLC, and ABKCO Music & Records,
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`Inc. (collectively, the “Universal Plaintiffs”); Plaintiffs Sony Music Entertainment, Arista Music,
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`Arista Records LLC, Sony Music Entertainment US Latin, and Zomba Recording LLC
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`(collectively, the “Sony Plaintiffs”); and Plaintiffs Atlantic Recording Corporation, Elektra
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`Entertainment Group Inc., Lava Records LLC, Rhino Entertainment LLC, Warner Music Inc.,
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`Warner Music International Services Limited, and Warner Records Inc. (collectively, the
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`“Warner Plaintiffs,” and together with the Universal Plaintiffs and the Sony Plaintiffs, the
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`

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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 2 of 17
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`“Plaintiffs”) by and through their attorneys Oppenheim + Zebrak, LLP, for their Complaint,
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`hereby allege, against Defendant Frontier Communications Corporation (“Frontier”), on personal
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`knowledge as to matters relating to themselves and on information and belief as to all other
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`matters, as set forth below:
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`NATURE OF THE ACTION
`
`1.
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`Plaintiffs comprise record companies that produce, manufacture, distribute, sell,
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`and license commercial sound recordings, both in the United States and internationally. Through
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`their enormous investments of money, time, and exceptional creative efforts, Plaintiffs and their
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`recording artists have created, produced, developed, marketed, and distributed musical works
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`performed by some of the world’s most famous and popular artists. Plaintiffs own and/or control
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`in whole or in part the copyrights and/or exclusive rights in innumerable sound recordings.
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`Plaintiffs bring this action to remedy a massive violation of their rights under 17 U.S.C. §§ 106,
`
`501, and 1401 et seq.1
`
`2.
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`Frontier is one of the largest Internet service providers in the United States. In
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`2019, Frontier had approximately 3.5 million Internet subscribers. At all pertinent times,
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`Frontier’s customers paid Frontier substantial subscription fees for access to and use of its high-
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`speed Internet network, with Frontier offering a tiered pricing structure based on the speed of
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`service. Frontier markets its high-speed service as enabling subscribers to “[d]ownload 10 songs
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`in 3.5 seconds.”
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`3.
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`At all pertinent times, Frontier knew that its subscribers were using its high-speed
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`network to illegally download and distribute Plaintiffs’ sound recordings on Frontier’s network.
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`
`1 All references to infringements and infringing activity below refer to reproductions and/or
`distributions of copyrighted works without authorization. Likewise, all references to infringers
`refer to subscribers who reproduce and/or distribute copyrighted works without authorization.
`
`2
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`

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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 3 of 17
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`Frontier has received hundreds of thousands of copyright infringement notices from copyright
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`owners, including Plaintiffs, but chose not to act on those notices and address the rampant
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`infringement on its network.
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`4.
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`Through the provision of its services to known infringers, Frontier knowingly
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`contributed to, and reaped substantial profits from, massive copyright infringement committed
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`by thousands of its subscribers, causing great harm to Plaintiffs, their recording artists, and
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`others whose livelihoods depend upon the lawful sale and distribution of music. Frontier’s
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`contribution to its subscribers’ infringement is both willful and material, and renders Frontier
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`liable for its subscribers’ infringing activity.
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`5.
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`The infringement notices sent by Plaintiffs and other copyright owners advised
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`Frontier of its subscribers’ blatant and systematic use of Frontier’s Internet service to illegally
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`download, copy, and distribute copyrighted works through illicit BitTorrent sites and other
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`online file-sharing services.
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`6.
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`Frontier failed to adequately respond to these notices. It deliberately refused to
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`take reasonable measures to curb its subscribers from using its service to infringe on the
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`copyrights of others, including Plaintiffs, despite having direct knowledge of particular
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`subscribers engaging in specific, repeated acts of infringement.
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`7.
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`It is well-established law that a party may not contribute to infringing behavior
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`that it knows is occurring. Further, a party with a direct financial interest in the infringing
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`activity has a responsibility to stop or limit it, when it has the right and practical ability to do so.
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`Despite its professed commitment to prohibit infringement on its network, Frontier ignored its
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`own policy and deliberately failed to act on infringement notices. Frontier provided known
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`repeat infringers with continued access to and use of its network and failed to terminate the
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`3
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 4 of 17
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`accounts of, or otherwise take any meaningful action against, those subscribers. In reality,
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`Frontier operated its network as an attractive tool and safe haven for infringement.
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`8.
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`Frontier derived an obvious and direct financial benefit from its subscribers’
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`infringement. Frontier marketed and promoted the high speeds of its network to attract those
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`using peer-to-peer (“P2P”) networks to infringe. The unlimited ability to download and
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`distribute Plaintiffs’ works through Frontier’s service served as a draw for Frontier to attract and
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`retain serial infringers as customers, and, as a consequence, to charge them higher fees for
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`increased bandwidth and higher-tiered service. Moreover, by failing to terminate the accounts of
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`specific recidivist infringers known to Frontier, Frontier obtained a direct financial benefit from
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`that infringing activity. That financial benefit included improper revenue that Frontier would not
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`have otherwise received had it terminated those accounts. Frontier decided not to terminate
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`repeat infringers for one simple reason: it wanted to maintain the revenue stream that it
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`generated from their accounts.
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`9.
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`Frontier’s subscribers’ infringing activity that forms the basis for Plaintiffs’
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`claims, and for which Frontier is secondarily liable, occurred after Frontier received multiple
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`notices of those subscribers’ infringing activity. Specifically, Plaintiffs seek relief for copyright
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`infringement claims that accrued starting on May 1, 2021. Since that date, Frontier’s subscribers
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`have infringed 2,856 copyrighted works after those particular subscribers were identified to
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`Frontier in multiple infringement notices, and the infringement is ongoing. While Plaintiffs’
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`claims accrued during this period of time, Frontier’s knowledge of, and failure to take action
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`against, repeat infringers began as early as 2013.
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`
`
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`4
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`

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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 5 of 17
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`THE PARTIES
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`Plaintiffs
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`10.
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`Plaintiff UMG Recordings, Inc. is a Delaware corporation with its principal place
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`of business at 2220 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90404.
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`11.
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`Plaintiff Capitol Records, LLC is Delaware Limited Liability Company with its
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`principal place of business at 1750 N. Vine Street, Los Angeles, California 90068.
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`12.
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`Plaintiff ABKCO Music & Records, Inc. is a New York corporation with its
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`principal place of business at 85 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10003.
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`13.
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`Plaintiff Sony Music Entertainment is a Delaware general partnership, the
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`partners of which are citizens of Delaware. Sony’s headquarters and principal place of business
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`are located at 25 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010.
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`14.
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`Plaintiff Arista Music is a New York partnership with its principal place of
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`business at 25 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010.
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`15.
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`Plaintiff Arista Records LLC is a Delaware Limited Liability Company with its
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`principal place of business at 25 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010.
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`16.
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`Plaintiff Sony Music Entertainment US Latin is a Delaware Limited Liability
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`Company with its principal place of business at 3390 Mary Street, Suite 220, Coconut Grove,
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`Florida 33133.
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`17.
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`Plaintiff Zomba Recording LLC is a Delaware Limited Liability Company with
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`its principal place of business at 25 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10010.
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`18.
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`Plaintiff Atlantic Recording Corporation is a Delaware corporation with its
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`principal place of business at 1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019.
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`5
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 6 of 17
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`19.
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`Plaintiff Elektra Entertainment Group Inc. is a Delaware corporation with its
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`principal place of business at 1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019.
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`20.
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`Plaintiff Lava Records LLC is a Delaware Limited Liability Company with its
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`principal place of business at 1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019.
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`21.
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`Plaintiff Rhino Entertainment LLC is a Delaware Limited Liability Company with
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`its principal place of business at 777 South Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90021.
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`22.
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`Plaintiff Warner Music Inc. is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of
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`business at 1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019.
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`23.
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`Plaintiff Warner Music International Services Limited is a Limited Liability
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`Company, organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales, with its principal place
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`of business at 27 Wrights Lane, London W8 5 SW, United Kingdom.
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`24.
`
`Plaintiff Warner Records Inc. is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of
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`business at 777 South Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90021.
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`25.
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`Plaintiffs are some of the largest record companies in the world, engaged in the
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`business of producing, manufacturing, distributing, selling, licensing, and otherwise exploiting
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`sound recordings in the United States through various media. They invest substantial money,
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`time, effort, and talent in creating, advertising, promoting, selling, and licensing unique and
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`valuable sound recordings embodying the performances of their exclusive recording artists.
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`26.
`
`Plaintiffs own and/or control in whole or in part the copyrights and/or exclusive
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`rights in innumerable sound recordings, including the sound recordings listed on Exhibit A,
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`which is illustrative and non-exhaustive. All of the sound recordings listed on Exhibit A have
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`been registered, or filed pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 1401, with the U.S. Copyright Office.
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`
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`6
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 7 of 17
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`Defendant
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`27.
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`Defendant Frontier Communications Corporation is a corporation organized under
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`the laws of the state of Connecticut, with its principal place of business at 401 Merritt 7,
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`Norwalk, Connecticut 06851. Frontier also maintains substantial operations and offices in New
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`York.
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`28.
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`On April 14, 2020, Frontier and certain affiliated debtor entities filed voluntary
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`petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code in the Bankruptcy
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`Court of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York.
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`29.
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`On April 30, 2021, Frontier emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the Fifth
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`Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Frontier Communications Corporation and Its Debtor
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`Affiliates Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code became effective.
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`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
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`30.
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`This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action, which arises under the
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`Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq., pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338.
`
`31.
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`This Court has personal jurisdiction over Frontier pursuant to New York Civil
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`Practice Law and Rule (“CPLR”) 301. Frontier has offices in New York, employs thousands of
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`people in New York, has consented to jurisdiction in the state, and has pervasive corporate ties to
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`the state that are sufficient to justify the imposition of general jurisdiction here.
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`32.
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`This Court also has personal jurisdiction over Frontier pursuant to CPLR 302.
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`Frontier transacts business within New York to supply Internet service to customers in this state.
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`In addition, Frontier has deliberately exploited the New York market, establishing network
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`operations in this district, selling its services to over 80,000 New York households, and
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`advertising its Internet service to potential subscribers in the state. Frontier has committed
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`
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`7
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 8 of 17
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`tortious acts within New York, including providing Internet service to New York subscribers
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`who used Frontier’s network to directly and repeatedly infringe Plaintiffs’ copyrights; continuing
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`to provide Internet service to, and failing to suspend or terminate the accounts of, New York
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`customers, even after receiving multiple notices of their infringing activity; advertising its high-
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`speed Internet service in New York to serve as a draw for subscribers who sought faster
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`download speeds to facilitate their direct and repeated infringements; and/or responding or
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`failing to respond to repeated notices of copyright infringement directed to infringing subscribers
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`located in the state. Frontier also has caused injury to Plaintiffs in this state by allowing its
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`customers to use Frontier’s network to systematically infringe Plaintiffs’ copyrights, all while
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`deriving millions of dollars in revenue from interstate commerce.
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`33.
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`Venue is proper in this district under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391 and 1400.
`
`FACTUAL BACKGROUND
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`34.
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`Representatives of Plaintiffs have transmitted to Frontier over 20,000 copyright
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`infringement notices, which fully complied with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act
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`(“DMCA”), detailing specific instances of its subscribers accessing P2P services via Frontier’s
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`network to unlawfully distribute and copy copyrighted works (“DMCA Notices”). P2P is a term
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`used to refer to a decentralized network of users whereby each Internet-connected participant
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`(i.e., a “peer” or a “node”) can act as both a supplier and consumer of content files.
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`35.
`
`The DMCA Notices identified the unique Internet Protocol (“IP”) address
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`assigned to each user of Frontier’s network, in addition to the date and time the infringing
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`activity was detected. Only Frontier, as the provider of the technology and system used to
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`infringe, had the ability required to match the IP address to a particular subscriber, as well as to
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`contact that subscriber or terminate that subscriber’s service.
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`8
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 9 of 17
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`36.
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`The DMCA Notices advised Frontier of clear and unambiguous infringing activity
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`by Frontier’s subscribers—that is, unauthorized downloading and distribution of copyrighted
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`music. Frontier’s subscribers had no legal basis or justification for downloading or distributing
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`digital copies of Plaintiffs’ sound recordings to thousands or millions of strangers over the
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`Internet.
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`37.
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`In addition to documenting the sheer volume of the infringing activity on its
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`network, the DMCA Notices sent to Frontier identified specific subscribers who were flagrant
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`and serial infringers.
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`38.
`
`Over the years, Frontier received thousands of infringement notices from other
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`copyright owners. Plaintiffs are aware of some, but by no means all, of those notices. Those
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`notices identified thousands of other Frontier subscribers engaged in blatant and repeated
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`infringement, with more than 4,000 subscribers identified in three or more notices and some
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`subscribers identified in 100 or more notices.
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`39.
`
`These examples and countless others amply illustrate that, rather than terminating
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`repeat infringers—and losing subscription revenues—Frontier consciously chose to look the
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`other way in order to continue to collect subscriber fees.
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`40.
`
`During all pertinent times, Frontier had the full legal right, obligation, and
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`technical ability to prevent or limit the infringements occurring on its network. Under Frontier’s
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`“Acceptable Use Policy,” which its subscribers agreed to as a condition of using its Internet
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`service, Frontier was empowered to suspend or terminate a subscriber’s Internet access for a
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`variety of reasons, including a subscriber’s use of its network or services for “transmitting or
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`receiving copyright infringing . . . material.” Further, Frontier’s Acceptable Use Policy
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`expressly provided: “Repeated copyright infringements are grounds for termination of service.”
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`9
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 10 of 17
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`41.
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`Despite these alleged policies, and despite receiving thousands of DMCA Notices
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`from Plaintiffs’ representatives, and thousands of similar notices from other copyright owners,
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`Frontier knowingly permitted specifically identified repeat infringers to continue to use its
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`network to infringe. Rather than disconnect or otherwise address the Internet access of blatant
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`repeat infringers, Frontier knowingly continued to provide these subscribers with the Internet
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`access that enabled them to continue to illegally download or distribute Plaintiffs’ copyrighted
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`works unabated. Frontier’s provision of high-speed Internet service materially contributed to
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`these direct infringements.
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`42.
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`Frontier’s motivation for refusing to terminate or suspend the accounts of blatant
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`infringing subscribers was simple: it valued its own profits over its legal responsibilities.
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`Retaining infringing subscribers provided a direct financial benefit to Frontier. Frontier did not
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`want to lose subscriber revenue by terminating accounts of infringing subscribers. Frontier did
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`not want to risk the possibility that account terminations would make its service less attractive to
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`existing or prospective users. Moreover, infringing subscribers were especially profitable to
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`Frontier. Illegal P2P activity consumes substantial Internet data usage, leading subscribers to
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`pay more money for plans with faster Internet speeds and greater data usage. In addition,
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`Frontier was simply disinterested in devoting sufficient resources to tracking repeat infringers,
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`responding to infringement notices, and terminating accounts in appropriate circumstances.
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`Considering only its own pecuniary gain, Frontier ignored and turned a blind eye to flagrant,
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`repeat infringement by known specific subscribers, thus facilitating and multiplying the harm to
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`Plaintiffs. And Frontier’s failure to adequately police its infringing subscribers was a draw to
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`subscribers to purchase Frontier’s services, so that the subscribers could then use those services
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`to infringe Plaintiffs’ (and others’) copyrights. The specific infringing subscribers identified in
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`10
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 11 of 17
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`the DMCA Notices knew Frontier would not terminate their accounts despite receiving multiple
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`notices identifying them as infringers, and they remained Frontier subscribers to continue
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`illegally downloading copyrighted works.
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`43.
`
`The consequences of Frontier’s support of and profit from infringement are
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`obvious and stark. The use of Frontier’s network by its subscribers to copy and distribute
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`infringing copies of Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works undercuts the legitimate music market,
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`depriving Plaintiffs, and those recording artists whose works they sell and license, of the
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`compensation to which they are entitled. Without such compensation, Plaintiffs and their
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`recording artists have fewer resources available to invest in the further creation and distribution
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`of high-quality music.
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`CLAIMS FOR RELIEF
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`FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
`Contributory Copyright Infringement Claim (17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.)
`
`44.
`
`Plaintiffs repeat and reallege each and every allegation above as if fully set forth
`
`herein.
`
`45.
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`Frontier and its subscribers do not have any authorization, permission, license or
`
`consent to exploit the copyrighted sound recordings at issue.
`
`46.
`
`Plaintiffs are the legal or beneficial owners of the copyrighted works that were
`
`infringed by Frontier’s subscribers and which were duly registered, or filed pursuant to 17 U.S.C.
`
`§ 1401, with the U.S. Copyright Office. Using Internet access and services provided by Frontier,
`
`its subscribers unlawfully reproduced and distributed via BitTorrent and other P2P protocols
`
`thousands of Plaintiffs’ sound recordings, including those listed on Exhibit A. The foregoing
`
`activity constitutes direct infringement or an unauthorized act in violation of 17 U.S.C. §§ 106,
`
`501, and 1401 et seq.
`
`
`
`
`11
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 12 of 17
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`47.
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`Frontier is contributorily liable for the direct infringements of its subscribers
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`described herein. Through the DMCA Notices and other means, Frontier had knowledge that its
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`network was being used for copyright infringement on a massive scale; Frontier also knew which
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`specific subscribers engaged in such repeated and flagrant infringement. Nevertheless, Frontier
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`facilitated, encouraged, and materially contributed to such infringement by continuing to provide
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`its network and the facilities necessary for its subscribers to commit repeated infringements.
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`Frontier had the means to withhold that assistance upon learning of specific infringing activity by
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`specific users but failed to do so.
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`48.
`
`By purposefully ignoring and turning a blind eye to its subscribers’ flagrant and
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`repeated infringements, Frontier knowingly caused and materially contributed to the unlawful
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`reproduction and distribution of Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works, including but not limited to those
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`listed on Exhibit A, in violation of Plaintiffs’ exclusive rights under the copyright laws of the
`
`United States.
`
`49.
`
`Each infringement of Plaintiffs’ copyrighted sound recordings constitutes a
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`separate and distinct act of infringement.
`
`50.
`
`The foregoing acts of infringement by Frontier have been willful, intentional, and
`
`purposeful, in disregard of Plaintiffs’ rights. Indeed, the sound recordings listed on Exhibit A
`
`represent works infringed by Frontier’s subscribers after Plaintiffs identified those particular
`
`subscribers to Frontier in multiple DMCA Notices.
`
`51.
`
`As a direct and proximate result of its wrongful conduct, Frontier has and will
`
`obtain benefits, including, but not limited to, profits to which Frontier is not entitled.
`
`52.
`
`As a direct and proximate result of Frontier’s wrongful conduct, Plaintiffs have
`
`been, and will continue to be, substantially and irreparably harmed in an amount not readily
`
`
`
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`12
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 13 of 17
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`capable of determination. Unless restrained by this Court, Frontier will cause further irreparable
`
`injury to Plaintiffs.
`
`53.
`
`As a direct and proximate result of Frontier’s willful infringement of Plaintiffs’
`
`copyrights, Plaintiffs are entitled to statutory damages, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504(c), in an
`
`amount of up to $150,000 with respect to each of the 2,856 works infringed, or such other
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`amount as may be proper under 17 U.S.C. § 504(c).
`
`54.
`
`Plaintiffs are also entitled to their attorneys’ fees and full costs pursuant to
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`17 U.S.C. § 505.
`
`SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
`Vicarious Copyright Infringement Claim (17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq.)
`
`55.
`
`Plaintiffs repeat and reallege each and every allegation above as if fully set forth
`
`herein.
`
`56.
`
`Frontier and its subscribers have no authorization, license or other consent to
`
`exploit the copyrighted sound recordings at issue.
`
`57.
`
`Plaintiffs are the legal or beneficial owners of the copyrighted works that were
`
`infringed by Frontier’s subscribers and which were duly registered, or filed pursuant to 17 U.S.C.
`
`§ 1401, with the U.S. Copyright Office. Using Internet access and services provided by Frontier,
`
`its subscribers unlawfully reproduced and distributed via BitTorrent and other P2P protocols
`
`thousands of Plaintiffs’ sound recordings, including those listed on Exhibit A. The foregoing
`
`activity constitutes direct infringement or an unauthorized act in violation of 17 U.S.C. §§ 106,
`
`501, and 1401 et seq.
`
`58.
`
`Frontier had the legal right and practical ability to supervise and control the
`
`infringing activities that occurred through the use of its network and at all relevant times had a
`
`financial interest in, and derived direct financial benefit from, the infringing use of its network.
`
`
`
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`13
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 14 of 17
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`Frontier derived an obvious and direct financial benefit from its subscribers’ infringement. The
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`ability to use Frontier’s high-speed Internet facilities to illegally download Plaintiffs’
`
`copyrighted works served to draw, maintain, and generate higher fees from paying subscribers to
`
`Frontier’s service. Among other financial benefits, by failing to terminate the accounts of
`
`specific repeat infringers known to Frontier, Frontier earned illicit revenue through user
`
`subscription fees that it would not have otherwise received from repeat infringers, as well as new
`
`subscribers drawn to Frontier’s services for the purpose of illegally downloading copyrighted
`
`works. The specific infringing subscribers identified in the DMCA Notices knew Frontier would
`
`not terminate their accounts despite Frontier’s receipt of multiple notices identifying them as
`
`infringers, and they remained Frontier subscribers to continue illegally downloading copyrighted
`
`works.
`
`59.
`
`Frontier is vicariously liable for the unlawful reproduction and distribution of
`
`Plaintiffs’ copyrighted works, including but not limited to those listed on Exhibit A, in violation
`
`of Plaintiffs’ exclusive rights under the copyright laws of the United States.
`
`60.
`
`Each infringement of Plaintiffs’ copyrighted sound recordings constitutes a
`
`separate and distinct act of infringement.
`
`61.
`
`The foregoing acts of infringement by Frontier have been willful, intentional, and
`
`purposeful, in disregard of Plaintiffs’ rights. Indeed, the sound recordings listed on Exhibit A
`
`represent works infringed by Frontier’s subscribers after Plaintiffs identified those particular
`
`subscribers to Frontier in multiple prior DMCA Notices.
`
`62.
`
`As a direct and proximate result of its wrongful conduct, Frontier has and will
`
`obtain benefits, including, but not limited to, profits to which Frontier is not entitled.
`
`
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`14
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`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 15 of 17
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`63.
`
`As a direct and proximate result of Frontier’s wrongful conduct, Plaintiffs have
`
`been, and will continue to be, substantially and irreparably harmed in an amount not readily
`
`capable of determination. Unless restrained by this Court, Frontier will cause further irreparable
`
`injury to Plaintiffs.
`
`64.
`
`As a direct and proximate result of Frontier’s willful infringement of Plaintiffs’
`
`copyrights, Plaintiffs are entitled to statutory damages, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504(c), in an
`
`amount of up to $150,000 with respect to each of the 2,856 works infringed, or such other
`
`amount as may be proper under 17 U.S.C. § 504(c).
`
`65.
`
`Plaintiffs are also entitled to their attorneys’ fees and full costs pursuant to
`
`17 U.S.C. § 505.
`
`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request judgment against Frontier as follows:
`
`A.
`
`Declaring that Frontier willfully infringed Plaintiffs’ copyrighted sound
`
`recordings;
`
`B.
`
`Issuing a preliminary and permanent injunction enjoining Frontier, and its
`
`agents, servants, employees, attorneys, successors and assigns, and all persons,
`
`firms, and corporations acting in active concert or participation with it, from
`
`directly or indirectly reproducing, distributing, publicly displaying, creating
`
`derivative works, otherwise infringing or causing, enabling, facilitating,
`
`encouraging or inducing the reproduction, distribution, public display, creation
`
`of derivative works or other infringement of, any of the respective copyrights
`
`owned or exclusively controlled, in whole or in part, by Plaintiffs, whether now
`
`
`
`
`15
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 16 of 17
`
`in existence or hereinafter created, and ordering that all unlawful copies be
`
`destroyed;
`
`C.
`
`Entering judgment for Plaintiffs against Frontier for statutory damages in an
`
`amount based upon Frontier’s willful acts of infringement of Plaintiffs’
`
`copyrighted sound recordings and unauthorized acts, as alleged above, pursuant to
`
`the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101 et seq.;
`
`D.
`
`Alternatively, ordering Frontier to render a full and complete accounting to
`
`Plaintiffs of Frontier’s profits, gains, advantages or the value of business
`
`opportunities received from the foregoing acts of infringement and entering
`
`judgment for Plaintiffs against Frontier for all damages suffered by Plaintiffs and
`
`for any profits or gain by Frontier attributable to the infringements of Plaintiffs’
`
`copyrights and unauthorized acts alleged above in amounts to be determined at
`
`trial;
`
`E.
`
`Awarding Plaintiffs the costs and disbursements of this action, including
`
`reasonable attorneys’ fees, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505;
`
`F.
`
`Awarding Plaintiffs pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, to the fullest extent
`
`available, on the foregoing; and
`
`G.
`
`Granting such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
`
`
`
`16
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:21-cv-05050 Document 1 Filed 06/08/21 Page 17 of 17
`
`DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
`
`Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 38, Plaintiffs hereby demand a jury trial on
`
`all issues so triable in this action.
`
`
`
`Dated: June 8, 2021
` Washington, DC
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` OPPENHEIM + ZEBRAK, LLP
`
` /s/ Matthew J. Oppenheim
`Matthew J. Oppenheim
`Lucy Grace D. Noyola (pro hac vice motion
`forthcoming)
`4530 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Fifth Floor
`Washington, DC 20016
`Tel: 202-480-2999
`matt@oandzlaw.com
`lucy@oandzlaw.com
`
`
` Attorneys for Plaintiffs
`
`17
`
`

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