James Brewer, Cross-Appellant v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., Cross-Appellee, 749 F.2d 527 (9th Cir. 1984). · Go Syfert
James Brewer, Cross-Appellant v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., Cross-Appellee, 749 F.2d 527 (9th Cir. 1984). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“we may disturb a jury verdict only if the evidence was insufficient as a matter of law.”
34 citation events (11 in the last 25 years) across 13 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Oracle America, Inc. v. Google Inc. (cafc, 2018-03-27)
Treatment trajectory · 1985 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1985 2005 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 20 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Oracle America, Inc. v. Google Inc.
Fed. Cir. · 2018 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
we may disturb a jury verdict only if the evidence was insufficient as a matter of law.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Catherine Balsley v. LFP, Inc. (2×) also: Cited "see"
6th Cir. · 2012 · confidence medium
“In light of the context of the publication, the jury could have reasonably concluded that the photograph was used ... to enhance readership, rather than as a social commentary.” Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 529 (9th Cir.1984) (also involving Hustler’s publication of a photograph in its “Bits & Pieces” magazine section).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Four Navy Seals v. Associated Press
S.D. Cal. · 2005 · confidence medium
See Sipple v. Chronicle Publishing, 154 Cal.App.3d 1040, 1047 , 201 Cal.Rptr. 665 (1984) (plaintiff's sexual orientation was known to hundreds of people before defendants disclosed it in connection with his heroic act of saving the President’s life; therefore “there can be no privacy with respect to a matter which is already public”); Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 529-30 (9th Cir.1984) (no cause of action for violation of right to privacy when plaintiff already published a photograph of himself by distributing it to approximately 200 people in the advertising-industry);…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) TY, Inc. v. Publications International, Ltd.
N.D. Ill. · 2004 · confidence medium
See Harper & Row, 471 U.S. at 563 , 105 S.Ct. 2218 (“The law generally recognizes a greater need to disseminate factual works than works of fiction or fantasy.”); Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 529 (9th Cir.1984) (“The scope of *714 the fair use defense is broader when informational works of general interest to the public are involved than when the works are creative products”); Paramount Pictures Corp. v. Carol Publ’g Group, 11 F.Supp.2d 329, 336 (S.D.N.Y.1998) (under the second fair use factor, “[t]he Star Trek Properties are creative works of fiction and are the…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) D.C.I. Computer Systems, Inc. Rick Austin v. Bill Pardini, an Individual Doing Business as Data Consultants Btb, Inc., a California Corporation, Doing Business as Data Consultants, D.C.I. Computer Systems, Inc. Rick Austin v. Bill Pardini, an Individual Doing Business as Data Consultants Btb, Inc., a California Corporation, Doing Business as Data Consultants
9th Cir. · 1992 · confidence medium
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences v. Creative House Promotions, 944 F.2d 1446 , 1453 (9th Cir.1991); Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, 749 F.2d 527, 529 (9th Cir.1984); American Vitagraph, Inc. v. Levy, 659 F.2d 1023, 1028 (9th Cir.1981).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences v. Creative House Promotions, Inc., Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences v. Creative House Promotions, Inc. (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
9th Cir. · 1991 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Brewer, 749 F.2d at 529 (distribution of business cards deemed a limited publication even though recipients were free to further distribute the cards); King v. Mister Maestro, Inc., 224 F.Supp. 101, 107 (S.D.N.Y.1963) (oral delivery of King's "I Have a Dream" speech to vast audience found to be a limited publication even though press was given copies of speech for reprinting). 35 From 1929 until the end of the Oscar's common law copyright protection in 1941, the Academy distributed personalized Oscar statuettes to a select group of distinguished artists.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences v. Creative House Promotions, Inc. (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
9th Cir. · 1991 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Brewer, 749 F.2d at 529 (distribution of business cards deemed a limited publication even though recipients were free to further distribute the cards); King v. Mister Maestro, Inc., 224 F.Supp. 101, 107 (S.D.N.Y.1963) (oral delivery of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech to vast audience found to be a limited publication even though press was given copies of speech for reprinting).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Stewart v. Abend (2×)
SCOTUS · 1990 · confidence medium
Applying the second factor, the Court of Appeals pointed out that "[a] use is less likely to be deemed fair when the copyrighted work is a creative product." 863 F. 2d, at 1481 (citing Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F. 2d 527, 529 (CA9 1984)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dorchen Leidholdt v. L.F.P. Inc. L.F.P. Inc., Dba Larry Flynt Publications Hustler Magazine, Inc. Larry C. Flynt Althea Flynt Flynt Subscription Company, Inc. Island Distributing Company, a B.W.I. Company Lfz, Ltd., a B.W.I. Company Larry Flynt Distributing Company, Inc. N. Morgen Hagen David Kahn Jim Goode
9th Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
Rights Law Sec. 51 (provides cause of action for use of picture without consent for advertising or purposes of trade); Ann-Margret v. High Society Magazine, Inc., 498 F.Supp. 401, 406 (S.D.N.Y.1980); Cal.Civ.Code Sec. 3344 (provides cause of action for commercial appropriation of plaintiff's name or likeness, but excepts "use ... in connection with any news [or] public affairs ... account"); Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 529-30 (9th Cir.1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Leidholdt v. L.F.P. Inc.
9th Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
Rights Law § 51 (provides cause of action for use of picture without consent for advertising or purposes of trade); Ann-Margret v. High Society Magazine, Inc., 498 F.Supp. 401, 406 (S.D.N.Y.1980); Cal.Civ.Code § 3344 (provides cause of action for commercial appropriation of plaintiff’s name or likeness, but excepts “use ... in connection with any news [or] public affairs ... account”); Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 529-30 (9th Cir.1984).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ault v. Hustler Magazine, Inc.
9th Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 530 (9th Cir.1984); Gill v. Hearst Publishing Co., 40 Cal.2d 224 , 253 P.2d 441, 444-45 (1953). 2 C.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ault v. Hustler Magazine, Inc.
9th Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 530 (9th Cir.1984); Gill v. Hearst Publishing Co., 40 Cal.2d 224 , 253 P.2d 441, 444-45 (1953). 2 C.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Supermarket of Homes, Inc. v. San Fernando Valley Board of Realtors
9th Cir. · 1986 · confidence medium
Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 529 (9th Cir.1984).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Robyn Douglass, Plaintiff-Appellee-Cross-Appellant v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., Defendant-Appellant-Cross-Appellee, and Augustin Gregory
7th Cir. · 1985 · confidence medium
These features of the case help to distinguish Ann-Margret v. High Society Magazine, Inc., 498 F.Supp. 401, 404-06 (S.D.N.Y.1980), where a semi-nude still of an actress was published without her authorization in a magazine {High Society Celebrity Skin) described by the judge merely as “tacky,” 498 F.Supp. at 404 ; McCabe v. Village Voice, Inc., 550 F.Supp. 525, 529 (E.D.Pa.1982), a case like Ann-Margret except that the magazine was completely inoffensive; and Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 530 (9th Cir.1984), where a previously published photograph was republished in a “…
discussed Cited "see" Andre Fiset v. Shan Sayles Studio 1 Amusements, Inc.
9th Cir. · 1992 · signal: see · confidence high
See Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 528 (1984) (distribution of business cards containing reproduction of copyrighted photograph without copyright symbol did not constitute "general publication" invalidating copyright). 3 20 Finally, for the reasons expressed in Part III A, we reject Studio 1's contention that the jury should have exempted Fiset from liability under section 3344 because he is a "public figure." IV 21 Fiset also requests attorneys fees under 17 U.S.C. § 505 and California Civil Code § 3344.
cited Cited "see, e.g." William A. Graham Co. v. Haughey
E.D. Pa. · 2006 · signal: compare · confidence low
Compare Academy, 944 F.2d 1446 , Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527 (9th Cir.1984), Burke v. Nat’l Broad.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Christus Gardens, Inc. v. Baker, Donelson, Bearman & Caldwell
Tenn. Ct. App. · 2006 · signal: see also · confidence medium
(ADEA case) (quotations omitted); see also Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 529 (9th Cir.1984) (“We will not disturb an award of damages unless it is clearly unsupported by the record” in a copyright infringement case).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Abend v. McA, Inc.
9th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 529 (9th Cir.1984) (citing Sony Corp., 464 U.S. at 455 n. 40, 104 S.Ct. at 795 n. 40); see also 3 Nimmer on Copyright Sec. 13.05[A] at 13-77 ("[C]opyright protection is narrower, and the corresponding application of the fair use defense greater, in the case of factual works than in the case of works of fiction or fantasy.").
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Abend v. MCA, Inc.
9th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Brewer v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 749 F.2d 527, 529 (9th Cir.1984) (citing Sony Corp., 464 U.S. at 455 n. 40, 104 S.Ct. at 795 n. 40); see also 3 Nimmer on Copyright § 13.05[A] at 13-77 (“[CJopyright protection is narrower, and the corresponding application of the fair use defense greater, in the case of factual works than in the case of works of fiction or fantasy.”).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
James BREWER, Plaintiff-Appellee, Cross-Appellant,
v.
HUSTLER MAGAZINE, INC., Defendant-Appellant, Cross-Appellee
C.A. 83-6240, 83-6291.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Sep 28, 1984.
749 F.2d 527
Louise Nemschoff, Paul D. Supnik, Beverly Hills, Cal., for plaintiff-appellee, cross-appellant., Michael A. Painter, David Carson, Cooper, Epstein & Hurewitz, Beverly Hills, Cal., for defendant-appellant, cross-appel-lee.
Tuttle, Hug, Beezer.
Cited by 26 opinions  |  Published
1 passage pin-cited by 1 case
Pinpoint authority: bottom 58%
Citer courts: Federal Circuit (1)
BEEZER, Circuit Judge:

James Brewer brought this action against Hustler Magazine, Inc. (“Hustler”), alleging copyright infringement and violations of his state law rights of privacy and publicity. Brewer received a jury verdict of $14,500.00 on his copyright claim, but the district court dismissed his state law claims. Both sides appeal. We affirm.

FACTS

In 1974, Brewer created a photograph, which, with the use of special effects, simulates Brewer shooting himself through the head. He later incorporated the photograph into a postcard entitled “You Drive Me Crazy.” From 1975 through 1977, Brewer had the photograph imprinted on business cards, which he gave to persons from whom he was seeking work. On April 30, 1980, he entered into an agreement with Americard Creations, Inc. for the commercial sale of the photograph in the form of a postcard. In August 1981, Hustler reproduced a portion of the postcard in the “Bits & Pieces” section of Hustler magazine.

On May 10, 1982, Brewer registered his claim to a copyright in the photograph with the United States Copyright Office. Shortly thereafter, Brewer sued Hustler for copyright infringement. Brewer also raised three pendent state law claims, alleging that Hustler violated his right to privacy, his right of publicity, and his rights under section 3344 of the California Civil Code. Prior to trial, the district court dismissed the right to privacy claim and granted summary judgment in Hustler’s favor on the section 3344 claim. At the conclusion of Brewer’s case, the court directed a verdict for Hustler on the right of publicity claim. The copyright infringement claim went to the jury, which returned a verdict in Brewer’s favor for $14,500.00.

ANALYSIS

I. The Copyright Claim

We may disturb a jury verdict only if the evidence was insufficient as a matter of law. See Little v. Valley National Bank, 650 F.2d 218, 220 (9th Cir.1981). Hustler claims that Brewer’s pre-1978 use of the photograph constitutes a general publication, that its publication of the photograph was a fair use, and that the award of damages was excessive.

A. General vs. Limited Publication

From 1975 through 1977, Brewer distributed approximately 200 business[*529] cards bearing a small reproduction of the photograph to persons in the advertising industry, such as art directors and advertising agents. Hustler contends that this constituted a general publication, divesting Brewer of his common law copyright. See American Vitagraph, Inc. v. Levy, 659 F.2d 1023, 1026-27 (9th Cir.1981). There was sufficient evidence, however, for the jury to find that this constituted only a limited publication. Brewer restricted his publication to a select group of persons and to a very narrow purpose — obtaining employment. The reduced size of the photograph, its reproduction on a business card, and its limited distribution also support the jury’s verdict. Thus, we reject Hustler’s claim.

B. Fair Use

Hustler claims that its publication constituted a fair use of the photograph. Congress has codified the fair use defense in 17 U.S.C. § 107. Section 107 sets forth four nonexclusive factors. First, we must consider “the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes.” In light of the context of the publication, the jury could have reasonably concluded that the photograph was used as a humorous feature designed to enhance readership, rather than as a social commentary. See Marcus v. Rowley, 695 F.2d 1171, 1175 (9th Cir.1983).

Second, we must consider “the nature of the copyrighted work.” The scope of the fair use defense is broader when informational works of general interest to the public are involved than when the works are creative products. See Sony Corp. v. Universal City Studios, Inc., — U.S. —, 104 S.Ct. 774, 795 n. 40, 78 L.Ed.2d 574 (1984). The jury could have reasonably found that the photograph fell into the latter category.

Third, we must consider “the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole.” In this case, only a small portion of the photograph was cropped off. This fact favors the jury’s verdict. See Walt Disney Productions v. Air Pirates, 581 F.2d 751, 756 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 1132, 99 S.Ct. 1054, 59 L.Ed.2d 94 (1979).

Finally, we must consider “the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.” Since the use was of a commercial nature, harm to Brewer could be presumed. See Sony Corp., 104 S.Ct. at 793. Additionally, the jury could have found that the value of the photograph as a novelty item suffered from overexposure.

In summary, we note that fair use is determined by considering all the evidence in the case. Rowley, 695 F.2d at 1177. We conclude that there was sufficient evidence from which a jury could have found that Hustler’s publication of the photograph was not a fair use.

C. Damages

Hustler contends that the jury verdict was excessive as a matter of law because the jury utilized a speculative measure of damages by multiplying the royalty for one postcard by the number of issues of Hustler magazine sold. We decline to second-guess the jury’s award of damages. The jury is not required to specify its method of computing damages. See Cancellier v. Federated Department Stores, 672 F.2d 1312, 1317 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 859, 103 S.Ct. 131, 74 L.Ed.2d 113 (1982). We will not disturb an award of damages unless it is clearly unsupported by the record. See DeWitt v. Western Pacific Railroad Co., 719 F.2d 1448, 1451 (9th Cir.1983). The jury was properly instructed not to award speculative damages, and the amount that they returned is within a range supported by the record. In any event, it is Hustler, rather than Brewer, that must bear the risk of uncertainty as to damages. See Universal Pictures Co. v. Harold Lloyd Corp., 162 F.2d 354, 369 (9th Cir.1947). We reject Hustler’s contention.

II. The State Law Claims

A. Right of Privacy

Because Brewer had already published the photograph, the district court[*530] found that he had failed to state a cause of action for violation of his right of privacy. We agree. See Gill v. Hearst Publishing Co., 40 Cal.2d 224, 253 P.2d 441, 444-51 (1953); Smith v. National Broadcasting Co., 138 Cal.App.2d 807, 292 P.2d 600, 603 (1957). Brewer also contends that his right to privacy was violated by publication of the photograph in a sexually explicit magazine. This argument is without merit because Brewer had no right to choose the forum in which his photograph was displayed. See Ann-Margret v. High Society Magazine, Inc., 498 F.Supp. 401, 405-06 (S.D.N.Y.1980).

B. Section 3344

The district court granted a summary judgment against Brewer on his claim under Cal.Civ.Code § 3344. Section 3344 codifies the privacy tort of commercial appropriation of a plaintiffs name or likeness. Porten v. University of San Francisco, 64 Cal.App.3d 825, 828, 134 Cal.Rptr. 839, 841 (1976). Thus, this claim suffers from the same defects as the right of privacy claim. Additionally, the statute is limited to appropriation for purposes of advertising or solicitation of purchases. Hustler’s use does not meet that description. See Eastwood v. Superior Court, 149 Cal.App.3d 409, 417-18, 198 Cal.Rptr. 342, 347 (1983). Thus, the district court’s ruling was correct.

C. Right of Publicity

The district court granted Hustler a directed verdict on Brewer’s right of publicity claim. As the California Supreme Court has stated, the right of publicity “means in essence that the reaction of the public to name and likeness, which may be fortuitous or which may be managed or planned, endows the name and likeness of the person involved with commercially exploitable opportunities.” Lugosi v. Universal Pictures, 25 Cal.3d 813, 824, 603 P.2d 425, 431, 160 Cal.Rptr. 323, 329 (1979). Brewer offered no evidence showing that the principle applied to the photograph. Thus, the district court properly granted a directed verdict.

CONCLUSION

The judgment of the district court is AFFIRMED. The parties shall bear their own costs.