New York Southern District Court
Judge:Jeannette A Vargas
Case #: 1:25-cv-00399
Nature of Suit320 Torts - Personal Injury - Assault, Libel, & Slander
Cause28:1332 Diversity Action
Case Filed:Jan 15, 2025
Last checked: Monday Mar 17, 2025 7:01 AM EDT
Defendant
UMG Recordings, Inc.
Represented By
Rollin A. Ransom
Sidley Austin LLP
contact info
Nicholas Primer Crowell
Sidley Austin Llp (ny)
contact info
Plaintiff
Aubrey Drake Graham
Represented By
Michael Gottlieb
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
contact info
Brady M. Sullivan
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
contact info
Meryl Conant Governski
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
contact info
Marie Anne Houghton-Larsen
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
contact info


Docket last updated: 11 hours ago
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
41 41 cmp Amended Complaint Wed 04/16 10:38 PM
AMENDED COMPLAINT amending1 Complaint against UMG Recordings, Inc. with JURY DEMAND.Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham. Related document:1 Complaint..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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Att: 1 132 pgs Exhibit 1 - Amended Complaint (Redline),
Att: 2 4 pgs Exhibit A,
Att: 3 Exhibit B,
Att: 4 Exhibit B (Redline)
Monday, April 14, 2025
40 40 order Order on Motion for Extension of Time Mon 04/14 5:37 PM
ORDER granting35 Letter Motion for Extension of Time. Defendant's motion to dismiss will remain due 21 days after the filing of the amended complaint, on May 7, 2025. The deadline for Plaintiff's opposition is hereby EXTENDED, to May 28, 2025. The deadline for Defendant's reply is hereby EXTENDED, to June 11, 2025. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas)(Text Only Order) (Yin-Olowu, Tammy)
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39 39 order Order on Motion to File Amicus Brief Mon 04/14 5:35 PM
ORDER denying33 Letter Motion to File Amicus Brief. The Court does not find that the proposed amicus submission would aid the Court in its consideration of this matter. Accordingly, leave to file an amicus brief is DENIED. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas)(Text Only Order) (Yin-Olowu, Tammy)
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38 38 order Case Management Plan Mon 04/14 1:39 PM
CIVIL CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND SCHEDULING ORDER: All parties do not consent to conducting all further proceedings before a United States Magistrate Judge, including motions and trial 28 U.S.C. 636(c). Any motions for leave to amend or join additional parties is due by May 2, 2025. Fact discovery is due by February 13, 2026. Requests to admit are due by December 30, 2025. Depositions are due by February 13, 2026. Expert discovery is due by May 29, 2026. This case is to be tried to a jury. Best present estimate of length of trial is three weeks. SO ORDERED. Motions due by 5/2/2025. Deposition due by 2/13/2026. Fact Discovery due by 2/13/2026. Expert Discovery due by 5/29/2026. (Signed by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas on 4/14/2025) (jjc)
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Friday, April 11, 2025
37 37 misc Notice of Filing Transcript Fri 04/11 3:49 PM
NOTICE OF FILING OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT Notice is hereby given that an official transcript of a CONFERENCE proceeding held on 4/2/2025 has been filed by the court reporter/transcriber in the above-captioned matter. The parties have seven (7) calendar days to file with the court a Notice of Intent to Request Redaction of this transcript. If no such Notice is filed, the transcript may be made remotely electronically available to the public without redaction after 90 calendar days....(McGuirk, Kelly)
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36 36 misc Transcript Fri 04/11 3:48 PM
TRANSCRIPT of Proceedings re: CONFERENCE held on 4/2/2025 before Judge Jeannette A. Vargas. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Nicole DIMasi, (212) 805-0320. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Redaction Request due 5/2/2025. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 5/12/2025. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 7/10/2025..(McGuirk, Kelly)
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Thursday, April 10, 2025
35 35 2 pgs motion Extension of Time Thu 04/10 3:07 PM
LETTER MOTION for Extension of Time / Extension of the Motion to Dismiss Briefing Schedule addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Rollin A. Ransom dated April 10, 2025. Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Ransom, Rollin)
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Wednesday, April 09, 2025
34 34 4 pgs misc Proposed Case Management Plan Wed 04/09 5:45 PM
PROPOSED CASE MANAGEMENT PLAN. Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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Sunday, April 06, 2025
33 33 3 pgs motion File Amicus Brief Tue 04/08 12:06 PM
MOTION OF JOSEPH ANTHONY REYNA FOR LEAVE TO FILE BRIEF AS AMICUS CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF NEITHER PARTY. (jjc)
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Att: 1 30 pgs Exhibit motion for leave attachment
Wednesday, April 02, 2025
32 32 1 pgs order Order on Motion to Stay Wed 04/02 5:58 PM
ORDER denying27 Letter Motion to Stay. As stated on the record during the conference held earlier today: Defendant's Motion to Stay Discovery Pending Resolution of Defendant's Motion to Dismiss is DENIED. The parties are directed to submit a proposed case management plan or file a joint letter if the parties are unable to agree on a discovery schedule by April 9, 2025. Oral argument on the Motion to Dismiss will be held on June 30, 2025, at 2:00 P.M.in Courtroom 14C, Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse, 500 Pearl Street, New York, New York 10007. The Clerk of Court is directed to terminate ECF No. 27. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas on 4/2/2025) (jjc)
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minutes Pretrial Conference - Initial Wed 04/02 4:55 PM
Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Jeannette A. Vargas: Initial Pretrial Conference held on 4/2/2025. Present were Michael Gottlieb, Anne Houghton-Larsen and Brady Sullivan for the plaintiff, and Rollin Ransom and Nicholas Crowell for the defendant. (Court Reporter Nicole DiMasi) (nmo)
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utility Set/Reset Hearings Wed 04/02 5:59 PM
Set/Reset Hearings: Oral Argument set for 6/30/2025 at 02:00 PM in Courtroom 14C, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 before Judge Jeannette A. Vargas. (jjc)
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Friday, March 28, 2025
misc Remark Fri 03/28 3:39 PM
NOTICE OF HEARING: Initial Conference set for 4/2/2025 at 12:00 PM in Courtroom 14C, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 before Judge Jeannette A. Vargas.(nmo)
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Wednesday, March 26, 2025
31 31 1 pgs misc Letter Wed 03/26 6:18 PM
LETTER addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Michael J. Gottlieb dated 3/26/2025 re: Notice of Amendment of Complaint in Response to March 19, 2025 Court Order28 . Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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30 30 10 pgs misc Letter Wed 03/26 6:01 PM
JOINT LETTER addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Michael J. Gottlieb dated 3/26/2025 re: Proposed Civil Management Plan and Scheduling Order in Accordance with January 22, 2025 Court Order8 . Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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Att: 1 5 pgs Exhibit 1 - Proposed Civil Case Management Plan and Scheduling Order
Thursday, March 20, 2025
29 29 4 pgs respm Response in Opposition to Motion Thu 03/20 7:02 PM
LETTER RESPONSE in Opposition to Motion addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Michael J. Gottlieb dated March 20, 2025 re:27 LETTER MOTION to Stay Discovery addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Rollin A. Ransom dated March 18, 2025. . Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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Wednesday, March 19, 2025
28 28 2 pgs order Order ~Util - Set Deadlines Wed 03/19 10:43 AM
ORDER: Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED that, pursuant to Rule 5.I of this Court's Individual Rules and Practices in Civil Cases, by March 27, 2025, Plaintiff must notify the Court whether it intends to file an amended pleading or rely on the pleading being attacked. If Plaintiff elects to amend the complaint, Plaintiff shall file any amended complaint by April 16, 2025. Pursuant to Local Civil Rule 15.1, available at https://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/rules, any amended complaint should be filed with a redline showing all differences between the original and revised filings. Plaintiff is on notice that there will not be any further opportunity to amend the complaint to address issues raised by the motion to dismiss. If Plaintiff elects not to amend the pleadings, Plaintiff shall file any opposition to the motion to dismiss by April 16, 2025. Defendant's reply, if any, shall be filed by April 30, 2025. SO ORDERED. (Amended Pleadings due by 4/16/2025., Replies due by 4/30/2025., Responses due by 4/16/2025) (Signed by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas on 3/19/2025) (sgz)
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Tuesday, March 18, 2025
27 27 4 pgs motion Stay Tue 03/18 10:11 PM
LETTER MOTION to Stay Discovery addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Rollin A. Ransom dated March 18, 2025. Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Ransom, Rollin)
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Att: 1 12 pgs Exhibit A - Drake's First Set of Requests for Production
Monday, March 17, 2025
26 26 respm Declaration in Support of Motion Mon 03/17 10:24 AM
DECLARATION of Rollin A. Ransom in Support re:23 MOTION to Dismiss .. Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Ransom, Rollin)
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Att: 1 Exhibit 1 - Email dated 2/19/25
25 25 7 pgs notice Notice (Other) Mon 03/17 10:20 AM
NOTICE of /Request for Judicial Notice in Support of Defendant UMG Recordings, Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss the Complaint re:23 MOTION to Dismiss .. Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Ransom, Rollin)
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Att: 1 Exhibit A - Protect Black Art Petition,
Att: 2 3 pgs Exhibit B - Back to Back,
Att: 3 3 pgs Exhibit C - Duppy Freestyle,
Att: 4 Exhibit D - First Person Shooter,
Att: 5 4 pgs Exhibit E - Like That,
Att: 6 Exhibit F - Push Ups,
Att: 7 Exhibit G - Taylor Made Freestyle,
Att: 8 Exhibit H - Euphoria,
Att: 9 Exhibit I - 616 in LA,
Att: 10 Exhibit J - Family Matters,
Att: 11 Exhibit K - Meet the Grahams,
Att: 12 Exhibit L - The Heart Part 6,
Att: 13 Exhibit M - Grammys List,
Att: 14 Exhibit N - USA Today,
Att: 15 Exhibit O - Fox News,
Att: 16 Exhibit P - The Guardian,
Att: 17 Exhibit Q - New York Post,
Att: 18 Exhibit R - People,
Att: 19 Exhibit S - Complex,
Att: 20 Exhibit T - NPR,
Att: 21 Exhibit U - Toronto Sun,
Att: 22 Exhibit V - GQ,
Att: 23 Exhibit W - The New Yorker,
Att: 24 Exhibit X - The New York Times,
Att: 25 Exhibit Y - Affirmation of D. Kaefer,
Att: 26 Exhibit Z - Mob Ties
24 24 32 pgs respm Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion Mon 03/17 10:03 AM
MEMORANDUM OF LAW in Support re:23 MOTION to Dismiss . . Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Ransom, Rollin)
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23 23 2 pgs motion Dismiss Mon 03/17 10:02 AM
MOTION to Dismiss . Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Ransom, Rollin)
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Friday, March 14, 2025
22 22 notice Notice of Appearance Fri 03/14 1:53 PM
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Brady M. Sullivan on behalf of Aubrey Drake Graham..(Sullivan, Brady)
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Tuesday, March 04, 2025
21 21 1 pgs order Order on Motion to Adjourn Conference Tue 03/04 10:55 AM
ORDER denying18 Letter Motion to Adjourn Conference. Defendant's request to adjourn the initial pretrial conference scheduled for April 2, 2025, is DENIED. It is not the practice of this Court to routinely stay discovery pending the outcome of a motion to dismiss. See Guiffre v. Maxwell, 2016 WL 254932, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 20, 2016). The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to terminate ECF No. 18. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas on 3/4/25) (yv)
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Monday, February 24, 2025
20 20 2 pgs respoth Declaration in Support (non-motion) Mon 02/24 7:11 PM
DECLARATION of M. Annie Houghton-Larsen in Support re:19 Response in Opposition to Motion,. Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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Att: 1 6 pgs Exhibit 1 - Correspondence Between Counsel for Plaintiff and Counsel for Defendant Regarding Holding a Rule 26(f) Conference,
Att: 2 14 pgs Exhibit 2 - Correspondence Between Counsel for Plaintiff and Counsel for Defendant Regarding Extending the Parties' Briefing Schedule
19 19 respm Response in Opposition to Motion Mon 02/24 7:01 PM
LETTER RESPONSE in Opposition to Motion addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Michael J. Gottlieb dated 2/24/2025 re:18 LETTER MOTION to Adjourn Conference addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Rollin A. Ransom dated February 21, 2025. . Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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Friday, February 21, 2025
18 18 2 pgs motion Adjourn Conference Fri 02/21 9:43 AM
LETTER MOTION to Adjourn Conference addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Rollin A. Ransom dated February 21, 2025. Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Ransom, Rollin)
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Friday, February 07, 2025
17 17 1 pgs misc Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement Fri 02/07 10:08 AM
RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. Identifying Corporate Parent Universal Music Group, N.V., Corporate Parent Bollere SE for UMG Recordings, Inc.. Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Crowell, Nicholas)
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Thursday, January 30, 2025
16 16 2 pgs order Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice Thu 01/30 4:55 PM
ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR ADMISSION PRO HAC VICE granting14 Motion for Rollin A. Ransom to Appear Pro Hac Vice. IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Applicant is admitted to practice Pro Hac Vice in the above entitled action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. All attorneys appearing before this Court are subject to the Local Rules of this Court, including the Rules governing discipline of attorneys. (Signed by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas on 1/30/2025) (sgz)
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15 15 order Order Thu 01/30 3:30 PM
ORDER. GRANTED. Plaintiff's time to file their opposition to the motion to dismiss is extended to April 16, 2025 and the Defendant's time to file a reply in support of its motion to dismiss is extended to April 30, 2025. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas) (Text Only Order) (Yin-Olowu, Tammy)
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14 14 8 pgs motion Appear Pro Hac Vice Thu 01/30 3:19 PM
MOTION for Rollin A. Ransom to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30541119. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Ransom, Rollin)
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misc Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion Thu 01/30 4:09 PM
>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 14 MOTION for Rollin A. Ransom to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30541119. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (rju)
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Friday, January 24, 2025
13 13 1 pgs order Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice Fri 01/24 4:06 PM
ORDER GRANTING ADMISSION TO PRACTICE, PRO HAC VICE granting11 MOTION for Meryl C. Governski to Appear Pro Hac Vice ORDERED, that Meryl C. Governski, Esq. is admitted to practice, pro hac vice, in the above-captioned case to represent Aubrey Drake Graham in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, provided that the filing fee has been paid. (Signed by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas on 1/24/2025) (jca)
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12 12 notice Notice of Appearance Fri 01/24 3:51 PM
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Marie Annie Houghton-Larsen on behalf of Aubrey Drake Graham..(Houghton-Larsen, Marie)
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11 11 motion Appear Pro Hac Vice Fri 01/24 3:38 PM
MOTION for Meryl C. Governski to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30512707. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Governski, Meryl)
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Att: 1 Affidavit in Support by Meryl C. Governski,
Att: 2 Exhibit A - DC Certificate of Good Standing,
Att: 3 Exhibit B - Maryland Certificate of Good Standing,
Att: 4 Proposed Order for Admission Pro Hac Vice
misc Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion Fri 01/24 3:51 PM
>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 11 MOTION for Meryl C. Governski to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-30512707. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc)
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Thursday, January 23, 2025
10 10 2 pgs misc Letter Thu 01/23 5:41 PM
LETTER addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Michael J. Gottlieb dated 1/23/2025 re: Case Schedule. Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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Wednesday, January 22, 2025
9 9 1 pgs order Order on Motion for Extension of Time Thu 01/23 9:28 AM
ORDER granting6 Letter Motion for Extension of Time. Defendant's request for an extension of time to respond to the Complaint is GRANTED. Defendant shall respond to the Complaint by March 17, 2025. The Clerk of the Court is DIRECTED to terminate ECF No. 6. (Signed by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas on 1/22/2025) (rro)
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8 8 3 pgs order Order for Initial Pretrial Conference Wed 01/22 5:12 PM
NOTICE OF INITIAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE: Initial Conference set for 4/2/2025 at 12:00 PM in Courtroom 14C, 500 Pearl Street, New York, NY 10007 before Judge Jeannette A. Vargas. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas on 1/22/2025) (jca)
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7 7 service Affidavit of Service Complaints Wed 01/22 3:16 PM
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE of Summons and Complaint. UMG Recordings, Inc. served on 1/21/2025, answer due 2/11/2025. Service was accepted by Carlos Bobe, Intake Specialist, CT Corporation System. Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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utility Set/Reset Deadlines Thu 01/23 9:29 AM
Set/Reset Deadlines: UMG Recordings, Inc. answer due 3/17/2025. (rro)
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Tuesday, January 21, 2025
6 6 1 pgs motion Extension of Time Tue 01/21 8:44 PM
LETTER MOTION for Extension of Time to Respond to the Complaint addressed to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas from Nicholas P. Crowell dated January 21, 2025. Document filed by UMG Recordings, Inc...(Crowell, Nicholas)
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5 5 notice Notice of Appearance Tue 01/21 8:38 PM
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Nicholas Primer Crowell on behalf of UMG Recordings, Inc...(Crowell, Nicholas)
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Thursday, January 16, 2025
4 4 service Summons Issued Thu 01/16 2:15 PM
ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED as to UMG Recordings, Inc...(pc)
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notice Case Opening Initial Assignment Notice Thu 01/16 11:43 AM
CASE OPENING INITIAL ASSIGNMENT NOTICE: The above-entitled action is assigned to Judge Jeannette A. Vargas. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned District Judge, located at[LINK:https://nysd.uscourts.gov/judges/district-judges] . Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. Please download and review the ECF Rules and Instructions, located at[LINK:https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-related-instructions] ..(pc)
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utility Case Designation Thu 01/16 11:45 AM
Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn is designated to handle matters that may be referred in this case. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1) parties are notified that they may consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link:[LINK:https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf] . (pc)
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utility Case Designated ECF Thu 01/16 11:45 AM
Case Designated ECF. (pc)
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misc Notice to Attorney Regarding Case Opening Statistical Error Correction Thu 01/16 11:45 AM
***NOTICE TO ATTORNEY REGARDING CIVIL. CASE OPENING STATISTICAL ERROR CORRECTION: Notice to attorney Michael Gottlieb. The following case opening statistical information was erroneously selected/entered: County code New York;. The following correction(s) have been made to your case entry: the County code has been modified to XX Out of State;. (pc)
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Wednesday, January 15, 2025
3 3 2 pgs service Request for Issuance of Summons Wed 01/15 9:01 AM
REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to UMG Recordings, Inc., re:1 Complaint. Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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2 2 misc Civil Cover Sheet Wed 01/15 8:56 AM
CIVIL COVER SHEET filed..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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1 1 81 pgs cmp Complaint Wed 01/15 8:52 AM
COMPLAINT against UMG Recordings, Inc.. (Filing Fee $ 405.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-30461182)Document filed by Aubrey Drake Graham..(Gottlieb, Michael)
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Att: 1 Exhibit A - Lyrics,
Att: 2 Exhibit B - Most-Viewed TikTok Videos