Attorney Ira Rothken, who represented Legend Video in the suit, told XBIZ he was bound by confidentiality and couldn’t give terms of the settlement. But Rothken said there was “some kind of global settlement” with all of the companies.
Silverstone entered into separate distribution agreements with Legend Video and Simon Wolf Productions to distribute the company’s various video lines, according to court filings.
Court papers identify Silverstone as the copyright holder for the “Peeping Tom” series, “Wild on These,” “Latin Eye Candy,” “Young Girls in Dark Territory,” “Pick Up Babes,” “Fresh Euro Flesh” and “Behind the Scenes.”
Silverstone alleged that Wolf Productions continued to distribute its titles after an agreement expired in 2003 and that both companies illegally sold Silverstone content through various online channels, including video-on-demand.
The suit named various companies doing business under the Legend banner as defendants, as well as Bruce Mendleson and Jack Richman personally, as co-owners of Legend.
Other companies that were part of the settlement included Bi-Line Productions, Auktion Bros. Studios, Cutting Edge, Lex Drill Productions, Noose Productions, Pure Filth Productions, Spread ‘Em, Toppers Videos, Twisted Tommy Productions, Visual Images, Vizuns Video, Zack Video, Xtraordinary Pictures, Macho Man Video, Academy Video, Bi Now Productions, Heads or Tails Productions, Spurs Video and Cable Entertainment.
Silverstone first became aware of infringement in 2004, later sending out cease-and-desist notices through 2006.
Silverstone attorney David H. Pierce did not return calls to XBIZ for comment by post time.