Wasatch Academy and Charming Beats Settle Copyright Infringement Suit
In November, we reported on a suit Charming Beats LLC filed against Wasatch Academy, a boarding school in Mount Pleasant, Utah. In a brief order dated December 2, 2021, Judge Brian M. Cogan of the Eastern District of New York dismissed the case "having been advised that th[e] matter has settled." The order also stated that the suit was subject to reinstatement upon the request of either party "within 30 days."
The complaint alleged copyright infringement and violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by Wasatch Academy through the unauthorized use of a musical work controlled by Charming Beats in a student film created by a student at Wasatch Academy in 2010. While we do not know the terms or any details of the settlement, both parties seem to be satisfied with them given the fact that neither side elected to reinstate the case within the 30-day window.
The litigation brought by an aerial photographer against Wasatch Academy, which we reported on in September, is still ongoing. To date, Wasatch Academy has not filed an answer and there is no report of a settlement or other update from the court. We will be sure to keep you posted on any updates as they occur.