Righthaven hit with largest penalty yet for a failed copyright lawsuit: $119,000

Las Vegas Sun
Righthaven, the company that has tried to make a business out of suing for copyright infringement, has been ordered to pay $119,488 in attorneys’ fees and court costs after a judge ruled that it has no right to sue. Righthaven sued Thomas DiBiase, a former federal prosecutor who runs a website covering murder cases in which the victims’ bodies haven’t been located. Righthaven claimed that he infringed on copyright by posting a Las Vegas Review-Journal story. The judge ruled that Righthaven had no right to sue, however, for the same reason its other lawsuits have run aground: The company doesn’t hold the copyright. DiBiase’s attorneys argued that his use of the story was protected under fair use, but the judge didn’t rule on that issue. Steve Green reports that Righthaven likely will appeal the ruling. || Earlier: Judge dismisses copyright case, says Righthaven can’t sue on behalf of Las Vegas Review-Journal