LOS ANGELES – Several entertainment companies allege tickets are being sold to private events without authorization by a Los Angeles individual.
Disney Enterprises Inc., Lucasfilm LTD LLC, Lucasfilm Entertainment Co. LLC, Marvel Characters Inc., MVL Film Finance LLC, NBC Universal Media LLC, Universal City Studios LLC, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. filed a complaint on Dec. 21 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Hollywood Entertainment Group LLC, doing business as VIP Concierge Inc., and Craig Banaszewski alleging trademark infringement, copyright infringement and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that they hold private screening and tapings and invite small groups of specific individuals without charging admission. The plaintiffs hold Hollywood Entertainment Group LLC and Banaszewski responsible because the defendants allegedly sell unauthorized admission to these events and charge thousands of dollars. The plaintiffs claim this conduct increases the risk of unauthorized videorecording and security of the invited guests.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek enjoin the defendants, order the defendants to disclose to the plaintiff all past and present sources of tickets to the plaintiff's private events, all gains, profits and advantages derived from the unlawful act, pay damages to the plaintiff, statutory damages, punitive damages, interest, all legal fees and any other relief as the court deems just. They are represented by Linda M. Burrow, Jeanne A. Fugate and Feifei B. Jiang of Caldwell Leslie & Proctor PC in Los Angeles.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Case number 2:16-cv-09432-JFW-MRW