Impoundment and Destruction

• Author: Eric M. Stahl - Henry J. Tashman
• Pages: 111-116

Section 503(a) of the Copyright Act provides for impoundment (sei-

zure) of infringing works, and articles used to make infringing copies,

on terms the court deems reasonable.1 Section 503(b) provides for the

destruction or other disposition of works found to be infringing as part

of a nal judgment or decree.

2

Neither remedy is mandatory; both are

equitable remedies that rest in the court’s discretion.3

I. Ex Parte Seizure Orders

Section 503(a) provides for impoundment “[a]t any time” during the

pendency of any infringement action.

4

This allows for ex parte (that is,

without prior notice to defendant) seizure at the commencement of liti-

gation, but such requests are subject to judicial review for compliance

1. 17 U.S.C. § 503(a).

2. 17 U.S.C. § 503(b).

3. 17 U.S.C. § 503(a)(1), (b); WPOW, Inc. v. MRLJ Enters., 584 F. Supp. 132, 134

(D.D.C. 1984).

4. 17 U.S.C. § 503(a)(1)(A), (B).

111

CHAPTER 7

Impoundment and

Destruction

Stahl_CRRemedies_20130130_08-47_Final Pass.indd 111 2/7/14 11:05 AM