Judge Signs Order Referring BMG-Altice Dispute to L.A. Mediator

U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap for Eastern Texas in Marshall signed an order Monday (docket 2:22-cv-00471) referring the recording industry’s contributory infringement case against Altice to mediation under retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Suzanne Segal for Central California in Los Angeles (see 2303170034). Gilstrap’s order designates Michael Allan of Steptoe & Johnson, plaintiff BMG Rights Management's lead counsel, as the party “responsible for timely contacting the mediator and defendants’ counsel to coordinate a date for the mediation.” The mediation will be governed by the “court-annexed mediation plan” for the Eastern District of Texas, said the order. The mediation plan requires the presence at the mediation conference of all parties, corporate representatives and any other required “claims professionals,” such as insurance adjusters, “with full authority to negotiate a settlement,” said the order. The music companies allege Altice ignored the rampant copyright infringement of its high-speed internet subscribers, and Altice moved to dismiss their complaint, asserting it can't be expected to police the internet.