Magistrate Judge OKs Grande’s Supersedeas Bond, Grants Its Motion for Stay

U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin Howell for Western Texas in Austin granted Grande Communications Networks' motion, approving the $46.8 million supersedeas bond that Grande procured against a jury’s contributory infringement damages award (see 2308300005), said Howell’s signed order Wednesday (docket 1:17-cv-00365). Howell’s order also stayed the execution of the court’s Jan. 30 copyright infringement judgment against Grande, pending the resolution of all appeals. Howell said the plaintiff record labels’ argument is without merit that allowing Grande the option to pay first undermines the purpose of supersedeas bonds, said his order. The judge also said there’s “no precedent” supporting the plaintiffs’ claim that supersedeas bonds “may not allow the litigant the obligation to pay first,” said his order.