Wilson et al v. Ronson et al

On September 25, 2021, Ronnie James Wilson, Robin Lynn Wilson, Latina Wilson, and Robena Wilson, (hereinafter “Plaintiffs”), represented by Bill Zuhdi of Zuhdi Law Offices, filed an intellectual property lawsuit against Mark Daniel Ronsona, Peter Gene Hernandez, a/k/a Bruno Mars, Sony music entertainment et. al. (collectively, “Defendants”), seeking punitive and exemplary damages, costs, expenses, and pre-judgment interest and other relief for copyright infringement and unlawful use of the song. This case was filed in the United States District Court in the Northern District of Oklahoma with Judges Gregory K. Frizzell and Susan E. Huntsman presiding.

This is a civil action seeking damages and injunctive relief for copyright infringement arising under 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, et seq. (referred to herein as the “Copyright Act”), and other related causes of action.

In the complaint, Plaintiffs alleged that, “Defendants’ copying is blatant and clear in structure, rhythm, type/tone/nature and/or arrangement that the Infringing Work and Original Composition and Defendants have already admitted that Ronnie James Wilson and Robert Lynn Wilson are co-writers of Uptown Funk.” And that, “By continuing to distribute, perform, publish and copy the Infringing Work after the effective date of October 8, 2018, for Ronnie James Wilson and after the effective date of October 9, 2018, for the successors of Robert Lynn Wilson, without authorization of Plaintiffs and payment to Plaintiffs, Defendants have violated Plaintiffs’ copyright in Plaintiffs’ Original Composition for the purpose of their own financial gain.”

Plaintiffs also alleged that, “Defendants’ conduct, including infringement, has been, and continues to be, willful and knowing and with utter and reckless disregard for Plaintiffs’ rights, and, as such, Defendants’ direct and willful acts of infringement entitle Plaintiffs to recover from Defendants damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504.”

Further, Plaintiffs alleged that, “Under the cause of action as set forth herein, Plaintiffs may recover any and all profits of Defendants that are attributable to their misappropriation and conversion of Plaintiffs’ ideas and property rights. Upon information and belief, Defendants received, and continue to receive, profits from the sale of and contracts related to the Infringing Album and the Infringing Work that violate Plaintiffs’ copyright interests in the Original Composition.”

There two claims for relief laid down by Plaintiffs for the alleged copyright infringement and accounting respectively.

In the prayer for relief, Plaintiffs have requested the court to pass an order for an award of injunctive relief along with punitive damages pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504 including all gains, profits, and advantages and accounting of any and all profits. Further, Plaintiffs requested the court for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, et seq. and further relief as the court may deem just and proper. 

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