EsNtion Records Sues JonesTM for Copyright and Trademark Infringement

EsNtion Records Sues JonesTM for Copyright and Trademark Infringement

DALLAS, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- EsNtion Records has filed a civil suit against JonesTM, Incorporated -- formerly known as TM Century -- for allegedly illegally distributing EsNtion copyrighted music and video recordings produced exclusively for the EsNtion, EsNtion Latino, EsNtion Silver and Forever Soul labels. Most, if not all of the alleged infringing activities occurred prior to EsNtion's full release of the copyrighted music and video recordings, which EsNtion says significantly increased damages caused by JonesTM's infringing activities.

Headquartered in Dallas, JonesTM sells and distributes music throughout the United States and abroad to radio and television stations, satellite and Internet networks, Web sites, the Armed Forces Radio Network, and advertising agencies and commercial businesses. According to the JonesTM Web site, JonesTM products are "broadcast on every continent on Earth." In June 2008, approximately six months after this suit was filed against JonesTM, Triton Radio Networks, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Triton Media Group, announced that it had acquired Jones Media Group and its operating companies -- which includes JonesTM, Inc. -- from its parent company, Jones International, Ltd.

"This is a case of a Goliath company willfully trying to stomp on the rights of a David. We all know how that turned out," said Bill McCormick, president of EsNtion Records.

EsNtion first discovered JonesTM was distributing its intellectual property without authorization or license in March 2007. "Despite being instructed to cease and desist, JonesTM continued to unlawfully distribute EsNtion music and videos," said attorney Wendy B. Mills, EsNtion's counsel.

Without EsNtion's permission, JonesTM apparently removed EsNtion's copyright notice by transferring EsNtion music and video recordings onto compilation CDs and DVDs affixed with JonesTM labels -- passing them off as their own. The discs were then sold internationally to disc jockeys and radio stations. JonesTM also sold EsNtion music and videos through subscription services under the brands Prime Cuts, Prime Cuts Monthly and others -- making it almost impossible for EsNtion to license these music and video recordings.

"Every time JonesTM has illegally sold EsNtion music and videos, it has taken money and profits from our company -- money I'm not able to pay artists, songwriters, and publishing companies," said McCormick.

In addition to copyright infringement, the lawsuit alleges JonesTM has engaged in unfair competition and infringed upon EsNtion's trademark -- damaging the label's business.

"As a result, we will seek actual damages which include lost profits and lost business opportunities, along with the maximum amount of statutory damages available under the Copyright Act for those songs that qualify for statutory damages," said Mills. "With respect to those songs for which we seek statutory damages, we intend to further show that JonesTM's activities were willful, and will seek additional damages for willfully infringing upon EsNtions' copyrighted music recordings."

For additional information or a complete copy of the lawsuit, contact the Law Offices of Wendy B. Mills at (214)459-3188 or wbm@wbmillslaw.com.

About EsNtion Records

EsNtion is a dance and Latin music record label located in Chicago, Illinois. EsNtion releases music and video recordings on four labels -- EsNtion, EsNtion Latino, EsNtion Silver and Forever Soul. EsNtion is the home of popular artists including Danielle Bollinger, Tricky Bizzniss, Lefty Perez, The Lake Street Project, DJ Papito Red, Fruehbel, Grupo Fuego, La Tira, P-1 and many others. EsNtion music has charted on Billboard's dance-related charts and has been featured in films, on television and in commercials. For more information about EsNtion, visit http://www.esntion.com/.

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Website: http://www.esntion.com

Source: EsNtion Records

CONTACT: Wendy B. Mills, Attorney, +1-214-459-3188, wbm@wbmillslaw.com,
for EsNtion Records

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