HISD settles copyright case for $7.8M after ‘unexpected’ jury verdict

[Elderberry]

Houston Chronicle by  Jacob Carpenter Oct. 28, 2019

The cost of Houston ISD employees intentionally and repeatedly violating an Austin-based company’s copyrights on study guides is now final: $7.8 million.

HISD and the educational materials supplier DynaStudy agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement earlier this month, ending three and a half years of litigation stemming from extensive copyright violations, according to a copy of the settlement obtained through a public records request. The agreement is slightly less than the $9.2-million verdict awarded to DynaStudy by jurors in May, but significantly more than the $800,000 final settlement offer HISD made before the trial. The two sides continued to negotiate a settlement following the jury’s verdict, as HISD sought a new trial or a reduction in the award.

HISD is expected to pay the settlement out of the district’s general fund, which covers day-to-day expenses, such as employee salaries and program costs. The district maintains a “rainy day” fund of nearly $400 million, which could be tapped to cover the payout.

More: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/education/article/HISD-settles-copyright-case-for-7-8M-after-14568428.php

[PeteS in CA]

ing paywall!


That said, what kind of morons can be teachers in a school without knowing that photocopying copyrighted materials violates the law?!!!