The court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants on all claims.
Defense counsel retained Cornerstone Research and Professor Eric Sussman of the University of California, Los Angeles, in a copyright infringement case. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants had infringed its designs for a high-rise condominium building.
The defendants asserted affirmative defenses and counterclaims for declaratory judgment and unfair competition. Professor Sussman prepared an expert report analyzing what portion of profits or market value could be attributable to unique design features.
The court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants on all claims.