United Artists Corp. v. Freeman

The issue in this case is whether the District Court erred in refusing to vacate a default judgment entered against appellant Harold Freeman. United Artists and Walt Disney Productions filed suit against appellant, claiming various infringements of the copyright laws. Appellant refused to answer the complaint or cooperate in discovery. The District Court granted plaintiffs' motion for default judgment. The Court later denied appellant's motion to set aside the judgment and his motion for a rehearing. We reverse and remand for further proceedings. Plaintiffs' Initial Victory: How To Succeed In A Lawsuit Without Really Trying Appellant Harold Freeman is no stranger to federal court, having been enjoined in 1969 from selling or offering to sell copyrighted movies. The case currently before us originated in 1974, when plaintiffs brought suit contending that appellant was selling and leasing 16 millimeter prints of copyrighted motion pictures in violation of the copyright laws (U.S.C.A., Title 17) and the 1969 injunction. Appellant, who was not represented by an attorney, failed to file an answer to the complaint.