Judgment
Litigation | Post-TrialWe handle all aspects of judgments including entry, modification, enforcement, and satisfaction, ensuring clients obtain and collect what they are owed.
Overview
Securing and Enforcing Judgments
Judgments represent litigation success but must be enforced to deliver value. MC Law's Judgment practice handles all aspects of judgment entry, modification, and collection.
Judgment Entry
Proper judgment entry is essential. We prepare proposed judgments, resolve disputes over judgment terms, and ensure accurate entry.
Judgment Modification Judgments may need modification. We pursue and defend motions to amend or correct judgments when appropriate. Judgment Enforcement Collecting judgments requires diligence. We pursue enforcement through garnishment, execution, judgment liens, and other mechanisms. Asset Discovery Collection requires locating assets. We conduct post-judgment discovery to identify assets available for satisfaction. Domestication Judgments may need enforcement in other jurisdictions. We domesticate judgments across states and pursue international recognition. Judgment Defense Debtors may challenge enforcement. We defend against improper enforcement efforts and pursue satisfaction of legitimate obligations.Our Services
litigation
Federal registration and validity opinions
trial-post-trial
Federal registration and validity opinions
appeals
Federal registration and validity opinions
Licensing & Transactions
Negotiate and draft license agreements
DMCA Services
Takedown notices and counter-notices
Enforcement
Cease and desist through litigation
Fair Use Analysis
Evaluate fair use defenses and risks
Music & Entertainment
Industry-specific copyright matters
Frequently Asked Questions
After a verdict or decision, the prevailing party submits a proposed judgment for court approval. The court enters judgment on the docket, which starts the clock for post-trial motions and appeals. Proper judgment entry is essential for enforcement and finality.
Enforcement tools include writs of execution to seize property, garnishment of wages and bank accounts, judgment liens on real property, debtor examinations to identify assets, and domestication of judgments in other states. Effective enforcement requires identifying and reaching the debtor's assets.
Judgment enforcement periods vary by state, typically ranging from 5 to 20 years, and can often be renewed. Federal judgments are generally enforceable for the period specified by the state where enforcement is sought. Timely action is essential to preserve enforcement rights.
Under Rule 59(e), a judgment can be amended within 28 days for clear error, newly discovered evidence, or manifest injustice. Rule 60(b) provides relief from judgment for reasons including mistake, fraud, or changed circumstances, with specific time limitations for each ground.
A judgment lien attaches to the debtor's real property in the county where the judgment is recorded, creating a security interest that must be satisfied before the property can be sold or transferred free and clear. Procedures for creating and perfecting liens vary by state.
Fair use is a defense that permits limited use of copyrighted material without permission. Courts consider four factors: the purpose and character of use (commercial vs. educational, transformative vs. copying), the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used, and the effect on the market. Fair use is highly fact-specific.
For works created today by individual authors, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. Works made for hire and anonymous/pseudonymous works are protected for 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter. Older works may have different terms.
Yes, software code is protected by copyright as a literary work. Both source code and object code can be registered. However, copyright protects the expression of ideas, not the underlying functionality—patent protection may be more appropriate for novel methods and processes implemented in software.
Our virtual legal services offer streamlined, cost-effective solutions for common copyright needs. Services like copyright registration, assignment agreements, and DMCA takedowns are available online with fixed, transparent pricing. You get the quality of a top IP firm with the convenience of digital delivery.
Related Matters
Represented streaming platform in landmark DMCA safe harbor case. Successfully defended client's safe harbor status while obtaining injunctive relief against repeat infringers, resulting in dismissal of $500M damages claim.
Prosecuted copyright infringement claims on behalf of professional photographers whose work was used without authorization. Secured significant damages award and implementation of improved licensing procedures.
Enforced copyright and trade dress rights in mobile game against clone applications. Obtained preliminary injunction and permanent removal of infringing apps from major app stores worldwide.
Cutting-edge case addressing use of copyrighted music in AI training datasets. Negotiated comprehensive licensing framework that allows continued AI development while protecting rightsholders' interests.
Prosecuted claims against former executive who copied proprietary source code to competitor. Established ownership under work-for-hire doctrine and obtained injunction plus damages for willful infringement.
Represented academic publisher in enforcement action against site hosting pirated textbooks. Implemented systematic takedown program and pursued contributory infringement claims against operators.
Get in Touch
Connect with our copyright team to discuss your matter
Practice Contacts
Michael Roberts
Sarah Kim
