Susan Spilka
sspilka@wiley.com
Wiley
201-748-6147
Adam Gaber
Adam.Gaber@cengage.com
Cengage Learning
203-539-8663
David Hakensen
David.Hakensen@pearson.com
Pearson Education
952-681-3040
PUBLISHERS WIN SUBSTANTIAL JUDGMENT, ATTORNEYS FEES, FOR ILLEGAL SALE OF INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Defendant Violated Copyright, Trademark Laws, Sold Electronic Copies of Instructors Solutions Manuals
NEW YORK, November 5, 2007 — Three leading college textbook publishers, Pearson Education, Cengage Learning and John Wiley & Sons, Inc., have won a $213,000 judgment in damages against Yustianto Tjiptowidjojo, Atlanta, Ga., who was engaged in the sale of counterfeit electronic copies of instructors solutions manuals. The court also awarded the publishers $115,000 in attorneys fees and costs.
While Tjiptowidjojo's liability for copyright and trademark infringement had earlier been determined by the Court as a matter of law, a jury trial was necessary to determine whether Tjiptowidjojo's infringement was willful, thereby expanding the range of money damages that could be imposed upon him. Tjiptowidjojo's infringing conduct was in fact willful, and consequently found him liable for an award of increased damages to the publishers.
The publishers' complaint, filed in U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York, alleged that Tjiptowidjojo, while working at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, obtained copies of instructor solutions manuals, reproduced the manuals, and sold them through online sales under the user names "vernamoral," "micheladolfol" and "godfrey_of_ibelin." When Tjiptowidjojo repeatedly refused to stop the illegal activity, the publishers sued to halt the sales and seek damages.
"Individuals and businesses must recognize that disregarding the copyright and trademark laws and improperly selling instructors solutions manuals cheats the authors and publishers of their intellectual property rights," said William Dunnegan, counsel representing all of the publishers in this suit. "As this conduct infringes the publishers’ copyrights and trademarks, we will continue to aggressively pursue legal action against those who willfully infringe upon those rights."
About Pearson Education
Educating 100 million people worldwide, Pearson Education (www.pearsoned.com) is the global leader in educational publishing, providing scientifically research-based print and digital programs to help students of all ages learn at their own pace, in their own way. The company is home to such renowned publishing brands as Pearson Prentice Hall, Pearson Addison Wesley, Pearson Allyn & Bacon, Pearson Benjamin Cummings and Pearson Longman. Pearson Education is part of Pearson (NYSE: PSO), the international media company. In addition to Pearson Education, Pearson's primary operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.
About Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Since 1901, Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 350 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology/Medicine, Chemistry and Peace.
Our core businesses publish scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional/trade books, subscription products, training materials, and online applications and websites; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley’s global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company’s Web site can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.
About Cengage Learning
Cengage Learning delivers highly customized learning solutions for colleges, universities, professors, students, reference centers, government agencies, corporations and professionals around the world. These solutions are delivered through specialized content, applications and services that foster academic excellence and professional development, as well as provide measurable learning outcomes to its customers. Cengage Learning’s mission is to shape the future of global learning by delivering consistently better learning solutions for learners, instructors and institutions.
