Artist Sues Amazon and eBay For Copyright Infringement


Plaintiff Nakia Johnson has filed a complaint against Amazon and eBay for copyright infringement. The complaint was filed in the Oklahoma Western District Court. Johnson is represented by Derryberry Quigley Solomon & Naifeh-Okc.

Johnson does business as Pictur It Designs & Apparel (PIDA). The plaintiff owns U.S. Registration No. VA 1-888-770 for the work “RUN OKC”; the registration included previous or alternative titles for the work, including “RUN OKC and “Okc downtown (Skyline)”. Johnson alleged that both Amazon and eBay have “knowingly and willfully infringed” on their work, including infringing “directly, contributorily, and vicariously.” These infringements include copying protected elements of the work, reproducing the copyrighted work, creating spin-off products from the protected work and by distributing the copyrighted work in public. Consequently, Johnson claims that they have been “deprive[d]…of the benefits of his copyright,…deprive[d]…of goodwill, and…[an injured]…relationship with present and prospective customers.” Johnson also states that he has suffered damages including profit loss. No specific examples of infringement or spin-off products were provided in the complaint.

Johnson has sought an injunction, an award for damages, an award for costs and fees