Delay in copyright claims
Petrella v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
In brief
The Court overturned the appeals court’s judgment and sent the case back to the lower court (remanded), ruling that laches (a defense based on delay) cannot bar Petrella’s damages claim brought within the Copyright Act’s three-year window.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 6-3 · May 19, 2014 · Opinion by Justice Ginsburg
- What it’s about
- Paula Petrella sued Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer over alleged copyright infringement.
- Who it affects
- In Petrella’s case, MGM cannot use laches to bar her damages claim brought within the Copyright Act’s three-year period.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court overturned the appeals court’s ruling that delay barred her damages suit, deciding that laches (a defense based on delay) cannot bar damages for infringement within the Copyright Act’s three-year period, and sent the case back to the lower court (remanded).
The case asked whether a judge could use a delay-based defense to block a copyright damages claim filed within the federal three-year limit.
Question presented
Does the doctrine of laches apply without restriction to civil copyright claims that are within the bounds of the federal three-year statute of limitations on such cases?
What the Court decided
Holding
Laches cannot be invoked as a bar to Petrella’s pursuit of a claim for damages brought within §507(b)’s three-year window.
- Result
- Reversed
The vote
From the opinions
“Laches is one such equitable doctrine.”
What's next
The case returns to the Ninth Circuit for further proceedings under the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Documents
Opinions
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
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Opinion added: Petrella
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.