Welcome to the Santa Barbara Class Action Website

Overview

Plaintiffs Nathan East (individually and dba New East Music), Stanley M. Clarke (individually and dba Clarkee Music), and The Music Force LLC (individually and dba Full Force Music) commenced this action on July 6, 2004 alleging they are owners of certain musical compositions or sound recordings that were embodied without authorization in the television series Santa Barbara and thereafter reproduced and distributed in episodes internationally. The Class Complaint named as defendants Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox Film International Television, Inc., New World Television Productions, Inc. and New World Entertainment, Ltd. Plaintiffs asserted claims for copyright infringement for themselves individually and on behalf of classes of owners of musical compositions and sound recordings, or portions thereof, that were embodied in Santa Barbara.

There has been no adverse determination by any court against any Defendant on the merits of the claims asserted by Plaintiffs, and Defendants have denied any liability against them arising out of any of the conduct, statements, acts, or omissions alleged in the Action. Nonetheless, Defendants have concluded that further litigation of the Action would be protracted, expensive and disruptive, and that it is desirable that the Action be fully and finally settled.

Notice

The Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action provides a detailed summary of the settlement. View the Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action.

Proof of Claim Form

To participate in the distribution of the Settlement Fund, claimants must have timely completed and returned the Proof of Claim Form that accompanied the Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action. The Proof of Claim Form filing deadline was December 14, 2007.

Exclusion Requests

The deadline to request exclusion from the Classes was November 27, 2007.

Objections

The deadline to object to the Settlement was November 16, 2007

Final Settlement and Class Certification Hearing

By Order of the Court, a hearing (the "Final Settlement and Class Certification Hearing ") was held before the Honorable Gary A. Feess on January 23, 2008 at 9:30 a.m., at the United States Courthouse, 255 East Temple Street, Los Angeles, California 90012, to determine: (a) whether the proposed settlement consisting of $1,164,000 in cash, plus accrued interest, should be approved as fair, reasonable and adequate; (b) whether the Judgment dismissing the Action with prejudice should be entered; and (c) whether the application for an award of attorneys' fees and expenses to Class Counsel and for an incentive award to Plaintiffs should be approved. The Court may adjourn or continue the Settlement Fairness and Class Certification hearing without further notice to the Classes.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT FOR INFORMATION REGARDING THE SETTLEMENT

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT DATES: