Riot Games v. Argote - League of Legends - DMCA Complaint PDF
Riot Games v. Argote - League of Legends - DMCA Complaint PDF
Riot Games v. Argote - League of Legends - DMCA Complaint PDF
10
11
12 RIOT GAMES, INC., a Delaware
Corporation,
13
Plaintiff,
14
v.
15
STEFAN DELGADO ARGOTE a/k/a
16 Ohm and Burberry; MATTHIAS
OLTMANN a/k/a Joduskame,
17 Rolle3k, and Sheppard; TYRONE
TOM PAUER a/k/a Beaving;
18 CHACHANI MISTI Y PICHU PICHU
S.R.L., a company organized under the
19 laws of Peru; and DOES 1-10,
inclusive,
20
Defendants.
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Mitchell
Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
28
2
3
4
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
1.
Riot develops and publishes the immensely popular video game titled
5 League of Legends (LoL). LoL is one of the most popular games in the world
6 and is a leader in the world of eSports (i.e., video games that are played
7 competitively at a professional level). Millions of players around the globe
8 compete in LoL each day, many of whom belong to professional or semi9 professional teams and compete in sanctioned LoL tournaments, often for large
10 monetary prizes. More than 67 million people (both casual players and serious
11 competitors) play LoL each month, many of whom dedicate hundreds or thousands
12 of hours to developing their skills and competing against other players around the
13 world.
14
2.
15 and Riot strives each day to maintain its reputation as the most player-focused
16 game company in the world. Riot thus invests enormous time, money, and effort
17 into ensuring that all of its players have a positive, fun, competitive, and fair
18 experience each time they play LoL. By this Complaint, Riot seeks to put a stop to
19 a commercial enterprise that is dedicated to destroying the LoL player experience,
20 harming the LoL community, and subverting Riots game (and its community) for
21 its own profit.
22
3.
28
1
1 perform in the game with enhanced or inhuman accuracy; and accumulate levels,
2 experience, and items at a rate that is not possible for a normal human player.
3
4.
5.
12 designed to harm Riot and its player community. Tellingly, Defendants slogan,
13 which is displayed on the L# website, their Twitter feed, and their Facebook page,
14 advertises L# as GAMEBREAKING. Defendants also have engaged in repeated
15 attacks on Riots game servers, have counseled their customers about how to cheat
16 in LoL without being caught, and have advised customers to fraudulently dispute
17 their in-game LoL transactions. Riot initially attempted to resolve this dispute
18 without litigation, including by informally reaching out to Defendants to ask them
19 to cease their activities. Defendants refused to respond. Then, Defendants or those
20 working in concert with them disseminated personal and non-public information
21 about a Riot employee, threatened that employee, and posted offensive comments
22 on the employees social media. Additionally, knowing that this lawsuit was
23 imminent, Defendants have been quickly and carefully destroying or concealing
24 evidence such as their most incriminating online posts and purporting to hide
25 behind a Peruvian shell corporation created solely for the purpose of evading
26 liability.
27
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Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
6.
28 acts under United States law. Defendants have violated Section 1201 of the Digital
2
7.
12
13
8.
9.
This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over Riots claims for
10.
26 have purposefully directed their activities at the United States, and at California in
27 particular, have purposefully availed themselves of the benefits of doing business
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Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
28
3
(a)
(b)
6 California, advertise and market L# in the United States and the State of California,
7 and communicate directly with users in the State of California, including for the
8 purposes of soliciting purchases of L# by such users and providing technical
9 support for L#;
10
(c)
11 and intending that Riot would be harmed by their conduct in the United States and
12 primarily in the State of California, where Riot has its principal place of business
13 (in fact, Defendants specifically advertise their products as being made for Riots
14 game);
15
(d)
16 thousands of contracts with individuals in the United States and in the State of
17 California, including contracts pursuant to which such individuals license from
18 Defendants the right to install and use L#. In return for such licenses, Defendants
19 receive ongoing recurring monthly payments from individuals in the United States
20 and the State of California.
21
11.
22 because this is a judicial district in which a substantial part of the events giving rise
23 to the claims occurred, and/or in which Riot suffered injury.
24
THE PARTIES
25
26
12.
Riot is a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the
27 State of Delaware, with its principal place of business in Los Angeles, California.
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Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
28
4
1 Riot is the publisher and owner of all right, title, and interest in the immensely
2 popular computer game League of Legends.
3
13.
14.
15.
16.
22 company organized under the laws of Peru with its purported address at Avenida
23 Siglo XX nr 110-C, third floor, office 302, Arequipa, 040101, Peru. Defendants
24 have claimed that Chachani owns the copyright in the L# software. Riot is
25 informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that Chachani is, in fact, a
26 company created by the Individual Defendants for the purpose of attempting to
27 shield themselves from liability for their unlawful conduct. Riot is informed and
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Silberberg &
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28 believes that Defendants own and control all aspects of Chachani, operate the
5
1 company from their homes, and have not sufficiently capitalized the company or
2 observed corporate formalities.
3
17.
Riot is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that, at all
4 times herein mentioned, there existed a unity of interest and ownership between the
5 Individual Defendants, on the one hand, and Chachani, on the other, such that any
6 individuality or separateness between them ceased. The Individual Defendants
7 were and are the alter egos of Chachani and, at all times herein mentioned,
8 Chachani has been the mere shell, instrumentality, and conduit through which the
9 Individual Defendants have carried on business, exercising complete control over
10 Chachani to the extent that any individuality or separateness of Chachani does not
11 exist.
12
18.
13 associate, or otherwise, of the defendants sued herein as Does 1-10 inclusive, are
14 unknown to Riot, which has therefore sued said defendants by such fictitious
15 names. These defendants may include individuals whose real identities are not yet
16 known to Riot, but who are acting in concert with one another, often in the guise of
17 Internet aliases, in committing the unlawful acts alleged herein. Riot will seek
18 leave to amend this complaint to state their true names and capacities once said
19 defendants identities and capacities are ascertained. Riot is informed and
20 believes, and on that basis alleges, that all defendants sued herein are liable to Riot
21 as a result of their participation in all or some of the acts set forth in this complaint.
22 (All of the aforementioned defendants collectively are referred to herein as
23 Defendants.).
24
19.
Riot is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that at all
25 times mentioned in this complaint, each of the Defendants was the agent of each of
26 the other Defendants and, in doing the things alleged in this complaint, was acting
27 within the course and scope of such agency.
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Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
28
6
20.
4 California, best known for the enormously popular game League of Legends.
5 Riot, with its partners and affiliates, develops, publishes, markets, advertises,
6 distributes, maintains, and services LoL in numerous countries throughout the
7 world. Riot owns valid registered copyrights in LoL.
8
21.
9 teams of powerful champions, each with a unique design and playstyle, battle
10 head-to-head across multiple computer-generated battlefields and in a variety of
11 game modes and types. LoL blends the speed and intensity of a real-time
12 strategy game with elements of fantasy role-playing and character development.
13
22.
14 games online leaderboards (which ranks players by skill level) and are rewarded
15 with points that enable them to acquire access to additional content. Many LoL
16 players view the game as a serious hobby and sport and invest hundreds or
17 thousands of hours to playing LoL in order to improve their skills, enhance their
18 characters, and rise in the in-game rankings. Riot has organized and held large19 scale LoL tournaments, some of which are televised or broadcast online, played by
20 professional eSports athletes, and attract large crowds. But even casual players
21 enjoy playing LoL and feel a sense of satisfaction when they win a friendly match
22 and rise in the rankings. Riot takes pride in offering a fun and engaging experience
23 for players of all skill levels.
24
23.
LoL is a game that is free to play. To play LoL, a player need only
25 register an account with Riot, free of charge. Via its in-game store, Riot gives
26 players the opportunity to voluntarily pay to unlock and use additional content in
27 the game, such as new champions or more personalized aesthetic features (e.g.,
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Silberberg &
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28 skins) for existing champions. This content enhances player engagement with,
7
24.
3 engaging and compelling gaming experience for players. As such, Riot goes to
4 great lengths to monitor, balance, and refine the game. Riot develops and releases
5 content patches, fixes, and tweaks on a regular and ongoing basis. These content
6 patches and fixes may include changes to game rules or regulations, buffs (i.e.,
7 making a champion stronger), nerfs (i.e., making a champion less powerful),
8 modifications to champion abilities and/or in-game items to help maintain
9 competitive balance, or bug fixes. Riot also regularly upgrades its server
10 infrastructure to ensure a smooth and consistent online experience for all players.
11 Riot invests thousands of hours and millions of dollars in these ongoing efforts to
12 ensure that LoL remains fair and fun.
13
25.
23
24
26.
28
8
4
5
27.
28.
18 anti-cheating software module (the LoL Anti-Cheat Software). The LoL Anti19 Cheat Software is a sophisticated and highly effective technical solution that
20 prevents players from engaging in a variety of prohibited hacking activities,
21 running software programs or cheats, and using unlicensed copies of LoL. The
22 LoL Anti-Cheat Software accomplishes this by, among other methods, checking
23 for the presence of third-party programs that facilitate cheating or any other
24 prohibited modification to the LoL software. If the LoL Anti-Cheat Software
25 detects that a player is using a prohibited program or modifying the LoL software,
26 his or her access to Riots games and services is revoked and Riot may
27 permanently suspend the players Riot account.
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Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
28
9
29.
2 the access of any player found to be tampering with LoL. Thus, in order for a
3 player to employ hacking or cheating software, such as the L# software, that
4 software necessarily must be designed to circumvent, avoid, disable, or evade these
5 systems. Riot has expended significant resources (both monetary and human)
6 developing and maintaining the LoL Anti-Cheat Software and ensuring it is
7 effective. Since hackers and cheaters regularly attempt to circumvent, disable, or
8 avoid the LoL Anti-Cheat Software, Riot must regularly update and improve that
9 software.
10
30.
11 LoL software client and the communication protocol through which online game
12 data is transmitted from hackers. Without engaging in decryption activity, a
13 hacker cannot locate the software elements, data, or memory locations necessary to
14 manipulate gameplay.
15
Riots Contractual Protection Of League of Legends
16
17
31.
18 register a free Riot account. As part of the account creation process, the player
19 must expressly manifest his or her assent to the LoL Terms of Use (the TOU).
20 The entire text of the TOU is displayed to a player at the time he or she is asked to
21 assent to its terms. Riot also makes the TOU permanently available on Riots
22 website. If the player declines to assent to the TOU, he or she will be unable to
23 create an account and will not be able to play LoL.
24
32.
The TOU provides to the player a limited license to use and enjoy the
25 LoL software, game, and website, subject to certain restrictions. Section 5.1 of the
26 TOU expressly prohibits the player from:
27
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Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
28
2
3
4
5
6 The TOU also prevents players from [p]laying on another persons account to
7 boost that accounts status or rank.
8
33.
9 a result, it is not possible for a player to lawfully obtain access to or play LoL
10 without creating an account and expressly consenting to the TOU.
11
12
13
Defendants And L#
34.
14 Defendants are responsible for and oversee all aspects of the L# service, including
15 its development, distribution, marketing, and maintenance. Defendants, including
16 the Individual Defendants, programmed the L# software, designed and operate the
17 website on which the L# service is offered for license and distribution, oversee and
18 administer all finances in connection with the L# service, update the L# software
19 when necessary (including as necessary to defeat Riots LoL Anti-Cheat Software),
20 and provide technical support for the L# service. Defendants also regularly post on
21 the L# forums, provide customers with updates on the services, employ individuals
22 who assist with the development of the software, and pay individual freelancers
23 who engage in scripting or coding in connection with the L# service.
24
35.
Riot is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that each of
25 the Individual Defendants has a long history in the hacking and cheating
26 community and has regularly been involved in malicious or fraudulent computer
27 hacking activities. Oltmann, for example, has been involved in a number of
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Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
28 malicious attacks and/or exploits against Riots game servers. The Individual
11
1 Defendants also have been involved in extensive hacking of computer games other
2 than LoL, such as Blizzard Entertainments Diablo 2.
3
36.
37.
14 which allows the user to inject assemblies or so called LoL scripts into the game.
15 In basic terms, L# enables users to inject (and thus use) a variety of cheats and
16 hacks in LoL. Among these are hacks that (1) enable a user to see aspects of the
17 game that would normally be hidden (e.g. hidden enemy movements), (2) intercept
18 game actions and respond with inhuman accuracy, (3) cause a user to automatically
19 dodge all incoming spells, damage, and skillshots, and (4) enhance a players field
20 of vision. Additionally, L# enables users to fully or partially automate gameplay,
21 thereby enabling users to rapidly level their account, gain quick access to in22 game champions and other content, and artificially elevate their position on LoLs
23 leaderboards.
24
38.
Riot is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that in order
25 to create L# Defendants downloaded copies of the LoL game client, viewed and
26 manifested their assent to the ToU, and then disassembled, decompiled, or
27 otherwise reverse engineered portions of the LoL client and server software.
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Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
1 are hidden and inaccessible and data packets are encrypted. Riot is informed and
2 believes, and on that basis alleges, that to create L#, Defendants used specialized
3 software to decrypt data packets and obtain access to restricted memory locations.
4
39.
5 designed to, and would, detect the use of the various hacks and cheats enabled by
6 L#. However, Riot is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that the L#
7 software circumvents or bypasses the LoL Anti-Cheat Software in a variety of
8 different ways, including by intercepting and falsely responding to checks
9 performed by the LoL Anti-Cheat Software. Defendants regularly update L# to
10 keep pace with improvements in the LoL Anti-Cheat Software. They also notify
11 their customers when the LoL Anti-Cheat software has been updated and when an
12 update to the L# software is necessary.
13
40.
14 hack, cheat, bot, and automation program) whose use is strictly prohibited by the
15 TOU. Each and every time that one of Defendants customers uses L#, that
16 customer is engaging in a direct violation of the TOU. Defendants customers also
17 violate the TOU when they use the L# service to artificially boost an accounts
18 ranking or status (whether for purposes of selling the account or otherwise).
19 Because L# is a single-purpose software program and works only with LoL, it
20 cannot be used without violating the TOU.
21
41.
Defendants are aware that to use their product their users necessarily
22 must violate the TOU (in fact, Defendants themselves consented to the TOU and
23 are thus knowledgeable as to its terms). Nevertheless, they encourage and induce
24 their customers to engage in continuing and blatant contractual violations. In fact,
25 Defendants advise their customers how to avoid being caught by Riot and, thus,
26 how to secretly engage in ongoing and repeated breaches of the TOU while
27 continuing to use Riots product.
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Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
28
13
42.
2 that Riot is the owner of LoL, that L# is designed to circumvent and bypass the
3 LoL Anti-Cheat Software, and that the use of L# is in clear violation of the TOU.
4 Defendants also are well aware that their conduct causes harm to Riot, LoL, and
5 the LoL player community. Notably, they advertise their product as
6 GAMEBREAKING and they regularly tout L#s ability to circumvent the LoL
7 Anti-Cheat Software. Defendants even have counseled their customers in the past
8 on how to avoid being charged for items that they purchased on an account that is
9 suspended, including by recommending that they falsely represent to their credit
10 card companies that they did not make the purchases. When Defendants became
11 aware that this lawsuit was imminent, they deleted these communications, as well
12 as many other communications relating to their unlawful hacking and
13 circumvention activities.
14
The Harm To Riot From Defendants Conduct
15
16
43.
17 serious harm to Riot and its community. Such harm is immediate, massive and
18 irreparable.
19
44.
20 players to enjoy and participate in LoL. That, in turn, causes those players to grow
21 dissatisfied with LoL, lose interest, and stop playing. Riot is informed and
22 believes, and on that basis alleges, that players have ceased playing LoL, and/or
23 ceased purchasing goods and services (including virtual goods) for LoL as a result
24 of L# and similar cheating software programs.
25
45.
26 sums of money (and vast amounts of time) attempting to remediate the damage
27 caused by L#. This includes creating and releasing new versions of the LoL AntiMitchell
Silberberg &
Knupp LLP
1 the games to detect the use of hacks and cheats, and terminating the accounts of
2 players who are using hacks and cheats.
3
46.
47.
COUNT I
10
11
48.
49.
LoL, including but not limited to the source code and audiovisual
50.
16 control access to LoL, including access to the dynamic audiovisual elements that
17 comprise LoL.
18
51.
19 devices, components, or parts thereof that primarily are designed or produced for
20 the purpose of circumventing technological measures that effectively control the
21 access to copyrighted works (LoL), and that protect the exclusive rights of the
22 copyright owner (Riot).
23
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
Defendants have violated Section 1201 of the DMCA willfully and for
57.
58.
11 will continue to sustain substantial, immediate, and irreparable injury, for which
12 there is no adequate remedy at law. Riot is informed and believes, and on that
13 basis alleges, that, unless enjoined and restrained by this Court, Defendants will
14 continue to violate Section 1201 of the DMCA. Riot is entitled to injunctive relief
15 to restrain and enjoin Defendants continuing unlawful conduct.
16
59.
60.
61.
Riot further is entitled to its attorneys fees and full costs pursuant to
23 17 U.S.C. 1203(b).
24
25
COUNT II
26
27
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Silberberg &
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62.
63.
Riots contracts with its players, including the TOU, are valid and
2 enforceable.
3
64.
4 Defendants are aware of the contracts between Riot and its players in the United
5 States, and additionally are aware of the TOU by virtue of their own Riot accounts.
6 Defendants specifically are aware that the TOU prohibits players from using
7 cheats, hacks, bots, or other unauthorized software, and from boosting accounts
8 for sale to others. Nevertheless, Defendants intentionally encourage and induce
9 LoL players to purchase and use L#, knowing that the use of L# by Defendants
10 customers will breach the TOU.
11
65.
12 interfered, and continue to interfere, with contracts between Riot and its players.
13
66.
14 amount to be proven at trial, including but not limited to loss of goodwill among
15 players of LoL, diversion of Riot resources to attempt to detect and prevent the use
16 of L#, and loss of profits from players whose accounts Riot has terminated for
17 violation of the TOU.
18
67.
68.
26 and LoL players entitles Riot to injunctive relief and compensatory damages, the
27 imposition of a constructive trust over Defendants wrongfully obtained proceeds,
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Silberberg &
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69.
COUNT III
Unfair Competition
70.
71.
10 the United States under California Business & Professions Code 17200 et seq.
11 and under California common law.
12
72.
13 the United States, Riot has been damaged, and Defendants have been unjustly
14 enriched, in an amount to be proven at trial for which damages and/or restitution
15 and disgorgement is appropriate. Such damages and/or restitution and
16 disgorgement should include a declaration by this Court that Defendants are
17 constructive trustees for the benefit of Riot, and an order that Defendants convey to
18 Riot the gross receipts received or to be received that are attributable to the sale of
19 L# in the United States.
20
73.
74.
24 has sustained and will continue to sustain substantial, immediate, and irreparable
25 injury, for which there is no adequate remedy at law. Riot is informed and
26 believes, and on that basis alleges, that unless enjoined and restrained by this
27 Court, Defendants will continue to engage in unfair competition. Pursuant to
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WHEREFORE, Riot prays that this Court enter judgment in its favor on
6 each and every claim for relief set forth above and award it relief, including but not
7 limited to an order:
8
1.
2.
3.
4.
19 all sales of products or services in the United States that infringe or violate any of
20 Riots rights, as described herein.
21
5.
22 1203(c).
23
6.
Awarding Riot its full costs and attorneys fees in this action pursuant
7.
28
19
8.
2 including an accounting of any and all sales of L# in the United States, and/or any
3 other products or services that violate any of Riots rights described herein.
4
9.
5 Defendants through the sale of L# in the United States, and/or any other products
6 or services that violate any of Riots rights described herein.
7
10.
Awarding such other and further relief as this Court may deem just
8 and appropriate.
9
10 Dated: August 5, 2016
11
12
13
14
15
MARC E. MAYER
KARIN G. PAGNANELLI
DANIEL A. KOHLER
MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP LLP
By: /s/Marc E. Mayer
Marc E. Mayer
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Riot Games, Inc.
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Silberberg &
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20
JURY DEMAND
1
2
Plaintiff Riot Games, Inc. hereby demands a trial by jury on all matters and
3 issues so triable.
4
5 Dated: August 5, 2016
6
7
8
9
10
MARC E. MAYER
KARIN G. PAGNANELLI
DANIEL A. KOHLER
MITCHELL SILBERBERG & KNUPP LLP
By: /s/Marc E. Mayer
Marc E. Mayer
Attorneys for Plaintiff
Riot Games, Inc.
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Case 2:16-cv-05871
Document
2 Filed
08/05/16
PageOF1CALIFORNIA
of 3 Page ID #:23
UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT,
CENTRAL
DISTRICT
CIVIL COVER SHEET
I. (a) PLAINTIFFS ( Check box if you are representing yourself
Riot Games, Inc., a Delaware corporation
DEFENDANTS
( Check box if you are representing yourself
)
STEFAN DELGADO ARGOTE a/k/a Ohm and Burberry; MATTHIAS
OLTMANN a/k/a Joduskame, Rolle3k, and Sheppard; TYRONE
TOM PAUER a/k/a Beaving; CHACHANI MISTI Y PICHU PICHU
S.R.L., a company organized under the laws of Peru; and DOES 1-10,
inclusive
(c) Attorneys (Firm Name, Address and Telephone Number) If you are
1. U.S. Government
Plaintiff
2. U.S. Government.
Defendant
DEF
1
Citizen or Subject of a
Foreign Country
PTF
4
DEF
4
Foreign Nation
2. Removed from
State Court
3. Remanded from
Appellate Court
Yes
4. Reinstated or
Reopened
Yes
No
No
6. Multi District
Litigation
VI. CAUSE OF ACTION (Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing and write a brief statement of cause. Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity.)
(1) TRAFFICKING IN CIRCUMVENTION DEVICES; (2) INTENTIONAL INTERFERENCE WITH CONTRACTUAL RELATIONS;
(3) UNFAIR COMPETITION
VII. NATURE OF SUIT (Place an X in one box only). Violation of DMCA; intentional interference with contract, unfair competition.
REAL PROPERTY CONT.
OTHER STATUTES
CONTRACT
110 Insurance
120 Marine
400 State
Reapportionment
450 Commerce/ICC
Rates/Etc.
140 Negotiable
Instrument
150 Recovery of
Overpayment &
Enforcement of
Judgment
460 Deportation
410 Antitrust
430 Banks and Banking
152 Recovery of
Defaulted Student
Loan (Excl. Vet.)
153 Recovery of
Overpayment of
Vet. Benefits
160 Stockholders
Suits
190 Other
Contract
893 Environmental
Matters
895 Freedom of Info.
Act
195 Contract
Product Liability
196 Franchise
896 Arbitration
REAL PROPERTY
899 Admin. Procedures
Act/Review of Appeal of
Agency Decision
950 Constitutionality of
State Statutes
210 Land
Condemnation
220 Foreclosure
230 Rent Lease &
Ejectment
IMMIGRATION
462 Naturalization
Application
465 Other
Immigration Actions
TORTS
PERSONAL PROPERTY
PRISONER PETITIONS
Habeas Corpus:
PROPERTY RIGHTS
820 Copyrights
830 Patent
840 Trademark
SOCIAL SECURITY
530 General
535 Death Penalty
Other:
540 Mandamus/Other
Case Number:
CIVIL COVER SHEET
Page 1 of 3
Case 2:16-cv-05871
Document
2 Filed
08/05/16
PageOF2CALIFORNIA
of 3 Page ID #:24
UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT,
CENTRAL
DISTRICT
CIVIL COVER SHEET
VIII. VENUE: Your answers to the questions below will determine the division of the Court to which this case will be initially assigned. This initial assignment is subject
to change, in accordance with the Court's General Orders, upon review by the Court of your Complaint or Notice of Removal.
QUESTION A: Was this case removed
from state court?
Yes
No
Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, or San Luis Obispo
Western
Orange
Southern
Eastern
No
Yes
No
A.
Orange County
B.
Riverside or San
Bernardino County
C.
Los Angeles, Ventura,
Santa Barbara, or San
Luis Obispo County
Indicate the location(s) in which 50% or more of plaintiffs who reside in this district
reside. (Check up to two boxes, or leave blank if none of these choices apply.)
Indicate the location(s) in which 50% or more of defendants who reside in this
district reside. (Check up to two boxes, or leave blank if none of these choices
apply.)
D.1. Is there at least one answer in Column A?
Yes
No
Yes
No
SOUTHERN DIVISION.
EASTERN DIVISION.
WESTERN
Yes
Page 2 of 3
No
Case 2:16-cv-05871
Document
2 Filed
08/05/16
Page
of 3 Page ID #:25
UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT,
CENTRAL
DISTRICT
OF3CALIFORNIA
CIVIL COVER SHEET
IX(a). IDENTICAL CASES: Has this action been previously filed in this court?
NO
YES
IX(b). RELATED CASES: Is this case related (as defined below) to any civil or criminal case(s) previously filed in this court?
NO
YES
A civil forfeiture case and a criminal case are related when they (check all that apply)
A. Arise from the same or a closely related transaction, happening, or event;
B. Call for determination of the same or substantially related or similar questions of law and fact; or
C. Involve one or more defendants from the criminal case in common and would entail substantial duplication of
labor if heard by different judges.
X. SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY
(OR SELF-REPRESENTED LITIGANT):
DATE:
August 5, 2016
Marc E. Mayer
Notice to Counsel/Parties: The submission of this Civil Cover Sheet is required by Local Rule 3-1. This Form CV-71 and the information contained herein
neither replaces nor supplements the filing and service of pleadings or other papers as required by law, except as provided by local rules of court. For
more detailed instructions, see separate instruction sheet (CV-071A).
861
HIA
862
BL
863
DIWC
All claims filed by insured workers for disability insurance benefits under Title 2 of the Social Security Act, as amended; plus
all claims filed for child's insurance benefits based on disability. (42 U.S.C. 405 (g))
863
DIWW
All claims filed for widows or widowers insurance benefits based on disability under Title 2 of the Social Security Act, as
amended. (42 U.S.C. 405 (g))
864
SSID
All claims for supplemental security income payments based upon disability filed under Title 16 of the Social Security Act, as
amended.
865
RSI
CV-71 (02/16)
All claims for "Black Lung" benefits under Title 4, Part B, of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. (30 U.S.C.
923)
All claims for retirement (old age) and survivors benefits under Title 2 of the Social Security Act, as amended.
(42 U.S.C. 405 (g))
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