The state of Maryland filed their reply to the AAP’s motion for a preliminary injunction blocking the state’s new library ebook law while the matter is litigated. The state claims the interference with Federal copyright law is incidental and accidental rather than primary: The AAP’s complaint, they write, “rests on the mistaken assumption the Maryland […]
Legal
Is Admitted Felon Paul Manafort Allowed to Make Money From His Book?
Former chief of the criminal fraud section of the Department of Justice Andrew Weissman points out that news of Paul Manafort’s forthcoming book from Skyhorse raises some interesting questions. His plea agreement with the government — in which he admitted to money laundering, tax fraud, violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, conspiracy to obstruct […]
Bernardini Released on Bail
Accused manuscript thief Filippo Bernardini is at large in New York after pleading not guilty to charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Magistrate Judge Robert Lehrburger set bail for $300,000 — which was secured by the London home of Bernardini’s partner, who was at the hearing. Represented by Hannah McCrea at the nonprofit […]
Company Security Group Helped Catch Manuscript Thief, Simon & Schuster CEO Writes
Simon & Schuster president and ceo Jonathan Karp wrote an email to staff on Thursday explaining the “true nature of our relationship” to the “shocking news” of the FBI’s arrest of S&S UK employee Filippo Bernardini. Bernardini was charged on Wednesday with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft related to a years-long manuscript phishing scam. […]
FBI Arrests Elusive Manuscript Thief
The FBI arrested Filippo Bernardini, 29, on Wednesday afternoon when he landed at JFK Airport in New York, and unsealed an indictment, in a long overdue deal, charging him with with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Bernardini is accused of conducting “a multi-year scheme to impersonate individuals involved in the publishing industry in order […]
New York Governor Vetoes Library eBook Bill
New York Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill from the State Assembly that would have imposed restrictions on the terms under which publishers license ebooks to libraries. The legislation was similar to the Maryland law that the AAP is currently challenging in Federal court, imposing a vague requirement of “reasonable terms”. Hochul wrote in her […]