Ser v. , Inc. v. TGS-Nopec Geophysical
In brief
The Supreme Court refused to hear Geophysical Service’s petition, so it did not decide the copyright time-limit questions.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided · May 26, 2020
- What it’s about
- This case involves a petition for a writ of certiorari filed by Geophysical Service, Inc. against TGS-Nopec Geophysical Co. following a decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
- Who it affects
- The Supreme Court did not settle the copyright time-limit questions for Geophysical Service and TGS-Nopec in this case.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The petition concerned when copyright-infringement claims must be filed and how far back damages may reach under the Copyright Act.
Question presented
1. Whether the Copyright Act’s three-year statute of limitations, 17 U.S.C. § 507(b), allows a plaintiff to recover damages for all acts of infringement occurring within three years of filing suit, regardless of when the plaintiff discovered the infringement. 2. Whether the discovery rule, which tolls the statute of limitations until the plaintiff discovers or should have discovered the infringement, applies to claims under the Copyright Act.
What the Court decided
Holding
Petition DENIED.
What's next
The Supreme Court’s action on this petition is complete. This petition produced no Supreme Court ruling on the legal questions.
Documents
Docket activity
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AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
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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.