TVT RECORDS and TVT MUSIC, INC., Plaintiffs, - against - THE ISLAND DEF JAM MUSIC GROUP and LYOR COHEN, Defendants. THE ISLAND DEF JAM MUSIC GROUP, A DIVISION OF UMG RECORDINGS, INC., Counterclaimant, - against - TVT RECORDS, INC. and STEVE GOTTLIEB, Counterclaim-Defendants., 279 F. Supp. 2d 366

Summary

The jury verdict in favor of the music production company indicated that the competitor granted consent for certain of its artists to participate in a recording, partially in exchange for the competitor's use of certain copyrighted music properties of the company. However, the competitor subsequently refused to consent to the use of its artists, but nonetheless produced video and audio recordings using the company's music. Defendants contended that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury verdict and that prejudice during the trial warranted a new trial. The court held that the evidence was sufficient to support the finding that defendants tortiously interfered with the contract between the company and the competitor's artists, and that the chairman was personally liable for such conduct. Further, defendants had a duty to disclose their intent not to grant consent even in the absence of a fiduciary relationship with the company, the evidence supported the damage awards, and ...