George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School

Supreme Court Holding on Recoverable Costs Misses the Mark

U.S. Supreme Court buildingOn Monday, the Supreme Court issued a decision holding that the “full costs” available to a prevailing party in a copyright dispute are limited to those litigation expenses specified as taxable under federal law. The opinion by Justice Kavanaugh reverses a Ninth Circuit interpretation of 17 USC § 505, which held that any costs incurred in the enforcement (or defense) of a copyright claim are recoverable, including expert witness and jury consultation fees. Read more