Judge Denies Grande's Motion to Stay Execution of Judgment in UMG Copyright Suit

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin Howell denied Grande Communications Networks’ motion to stay execution of judgment in a copyright infringement lawsuit by Universal Music Group (UMG) and other labels, said his Tuesday order (docket 1:17-cv-00365) in U.S. District Court for Western Texas in Austin. Grande sought to vacate a Nov. 3 jury verdict awarding UMG and other plaintiffs $46.8 million in damages resulting from Grande’s willful contributory infringement of 1,403 copyrighted works. Howell granted Grande’s conditional cross-motion for writ of execution contained in its opposition to Grande’s motion, it said. If Grande fails to secure a bond within 14 days of the order, a writ of execution should be issued and served by the U.S. Marshals Service to satisfy the judgment and costs of Grande, subject to execution by law, the order said.