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ARTICLE · 20 MAY 2014

Supreme Court Decision Alert - May 19, 2014

Mayer Brown
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Copyright Act—Court Rejects Availability of the Equitable Defense of Laches to Bar Adjudication of Copyright Infringement Cases

United StatesLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Richard Katskee
Richard Katskee
Brian Netter
Brian Netter
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Today the Supreme Court issued one decision, described below, of interest to the business community.

Copyright Act—Court Rejects Availability of the Equitable Defense of Laches to Bar Adjudication of Copyright Infringement Cases

Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., No. 12-1315 (described in the October 1, 2013, Docket Report)

Today, in Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc., the Supreme Court held that the equitable defense of laches is not available to bar adjudication of copyright-infringement claims filed within the three-year statutory limitations period. This decision is highly significant for businesses and individuals in the media and entertainment industries, as well as for all defendants who might attempt to assert a laches defense against a claim brought pursuant to a federal statute with an express limitations period.

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