Judge Saris and First Circuit Affirm Fee Award

In a case stemming from the District of New Hampshire, the First Circuit affirmed an award of attorneys fees to a prevailing defendant in a copyright case.  The defendant had sought an award of over $200,000 but the district court awarded $35,000.  The First Circuit noted the district court’s broad discretion and affirmed the award despite the district court’s break from the traditional Lodestart method of computing fees.  The panel found the district court’s reasoning in its fifteen page opinion compelling, and affirmed the award.

Judge Saris of D. Mass. sat by designation on the panel.

T-Peg, Inc. v. Vermont Timber Works, Inc., 10-2234 (First Circuit, Feb. 16, 2012)