Downing v. A&E Television Networks LLC

OPINION & ORDER Plaintiffs Ray Downing and Studio Macbeth, Inc., (“Macbeth”) bring this action against Defendants A&E Television Networks, LLC, (“AETN”) and Divisa Red SAU (“Divisa”), alleging copyright infringement in relation to two Spanish-language television programs on the History en Español channel. Defendant AETN asserts that this suit is foreclosed by a prior agreement to arbitrate such disputes, and has moved to compel arbitration and stay proceedings. For the reasons set forth below, AETN’s motion to compel arbitration of Plaintiffs’ claims against AETN is GRANTED and all proceedings are stayed pending arbitration. BACKGROUND Ray Downing is an artist specializing in three-dimensional computer graphics, and the founder, owner, and operator of Macbeth, a firm engaged in this type of graphics work. (First Downing Decl.

1-2, ECF No. 33.) AETN is a television network whose primary business is to operate television channels including the History Channel and History en Español and offer access to its content library through sub-licensing arrangements on other channels and consumer purchases of digital downloads or DVDs. (Id.