Decisions in Copyright Infringement Matter, Plus Negligent Tax Advice Liability

Estate of Hevia v. Portrio Corp., No. 09-1096, involved a plaintiffs' suit alleging that defendants infringed a copyright on architectural plans created by the deceased.  Because the district court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of the defendants on the copyright claim, the judgment is affirmed.  However, defendants' argument that the district court should have exercised its inherent powers to assess attorneys' fees and costs against the plaintiffs is rejected. 

In Haddad Motor Group, Inc. v. Karp Ackerman Skabowski & Hogan, PC, No. 06-2206, the First Circuit dealt with a car dealership's suit against its former accounting firm and one of its partners alleging that the firm's negligent tax advice caused plaintiff to incur unnecessary penalties and interest.  In rejecting defendant's various claims, the district court's judgment was affirmed in its entirety, including its fact-finding underlying the Chapter 93A verdict and the treble damage award. 

Related Resources:

• Full text of Estate of Hevia v. Portrio Corp
• Full text of Haddad Motor Group, Inc. v. Karp Ackerman Skabowski & Hogan, PC