UMG Recordings and Univision Music jointly filed two separate complaints yesterday (Dec. 9) in California against two Latin music distributors alleging copyright infringement.
The first suit, which also names Fonovisa as a plaintiff, was filed in U.S. District Court in California’s Central District. The action is against George Prajin, who runs L.A.-based Prajin 1 Stop Distributors and independent music chain Latin Music Warehouse. The second, filed in California’s Eastern District of the U.S. District Court, was filed against Stockton, Calif.-based Disco Azteca Distributors.
At the heart of the complaints is the allegation that both defendants nationally distribute and sell imported sound recordings in the U.S. that are manufactured outside the U.S., including Mexico and South America, without permission from the copyright holder (the plaintiffs) in direct violation of the Copyright Act. Both English and Spanish language recordings are mentioned in the complaint.
Representatives for Prajin, saying they had yet to see a copy of the lawsuit. Disco Azteca could not be reached at press time.
