Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-8-1987
Abstract
Plaintiff-appellant PPX Enterprises, Inc. ("PPX") appeals from a judgment entered in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (Stanton, J.) in favor of defendant-appellee Audiofidelity Enterprises, Inc. ("Audiofidelity"), on its motion for judgment n.o.v. regarding appellant's claims for damages under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) (1982), and for tortious interference with prospective economic advantage. PPX also appeals from the denial of attorney's fees.
PPX, a corporation with financial interests in sales of records featuring the late rock musician Jimi Hendrix, asserted claims for injunctive relief and damages under the Lanham Act, as well as state law claims, based on Audiofidelity's marketing of eight albums purporting to feature Hendrix performances, but which did not contain such performances. Although Judge Stanton granted injunctive relief under the Lanham Act, he determined that PPX was not entitled to damages because appellant had failed to provide evidence of actual consumer confusion. Judge Stanton also overturned the jury verdict in favor of PPX on its tortious interference with prospective economic advantage claim. On appeal, PPX contends that there was sufficient support for the special verdict in its favor on its tortious interference claim and on its claim for damages under the Lanham Act. PPX also challenges the denial of attorney's fees. Audiofidelity does not challenge the injunctive relief awarded. We affirm the district court's judgment as to the tortious interference with prospective economic advantage claim. However, because we hold that, under the circumstances of this case, PPX should not have been required to provide evidence of actual consumer confusion, we reverse the judgment as to PPX's claim for damages under the Lanham Act and vacate as to attorney's fees, and remand for proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Recommended Citation
Miner '56, Roger J., "PPX Enterprises, Inc. v. Audiofidelity Enterprises, Inc., 818 F. 2d 266 - Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit 1987" (1987). Circuit Court Opinions. 60.
https://digitalcommons.nyls.edu/circuit_opinions/60
Comments
818 F.2d 266 (1987)
PPX ENTERPRISES, INC., Mod Music, Inc., and J.H. Records, Inc., Plaintiffs, PPX Enterprises, Inc., Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
AUDIOFIDELITY ENTERPRISES, INC. and Dante J. Pugliese, Defendants-Appellees.
No. 587, Docket Nos. 86-7704, 86-7900.
United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
Argued January 13, 1987. Decided May 5, 1987.
File #309, Box #119