Copyright Old company gave permission to use, now new company

[Tunnelboy]

Jurisdiction

California

So there was a video production business. They gave permission for several companies to use some of their 300+ titles (part of a single title or the whole title).

We came along and purchased this video business. Does the right of those companies to use our material continue? One company said they were given "verbal" permission and they are crediting our company. Another company claims they BOUGHT several titles and are still selling them. We have requested proof of a contract or permission and they have not responded.

Owner of the company we purchased from said there were no licenses or commission deals issued to anyone.

Next step?

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

This will all depend on what the agreement was originally.

 

[Tunnelboy]

Can you elaborate on that a little? Are you talking about the agreement between us and the company we purchased or the company we purchased and the company using our material?

And if the former, what am I looking for? Anything that specifically states the material was not given out or that the agreement states that there are no outstanding permissions granted?

Thanks

 

[zddoodah]

So there was a video production business. [It] gave permission for several companies to use some of [its] 300+ titles (part of a single title or the whole title).

We came along and purchased this video business. Does the right of those companies to use our material continue?

That depends on the terms of the agreements by which the production company licensed the other companies to use the material (this is what "PayrollHRGuy" was talking about when referring to "the agreement"). However, I would be quite surprised if the agreements called for the licenses to terminate just because ownership of the licensor changed hands.

One company said [it was] given "verbal" permission and [it is] crediting our company.

So...no documentation?

Another company claims [it] BOUGHT several titles and [is] still selling them. We have requested proof of a contract or permission and [it has] not responded.

Your request for documentation was appropriate. I assume you are also looking for documentation internally. Correct?

Owner of the company we purchased from said there were no licenses or commission deals issued to anyone.

This contradicts your statement above that the company you bought "gave permission for several companies to use . . . [its] . . . titles."

Next step?

Obtain all relevant documents and otherwise ascertain all relevant facts.
Determine what you want to do.
If what you want to do is something other than maintaining the status quo and the other entities involved won't cooperative, consult with legal counsel.

 

[adjusterjack]

So there was a video production business. They gave permission for several companies to use some of their 300+ titles (part of a single title or the whole title).

We came along and purchased this video business. Does the right of those companies to use our material continue?

You're addressing this now? After already buying the business. It's a little late, don't ya think?

 

[Zigner]

You're addressing this now? After already buying the business. It's a little late, don't ya think?

It sounds to me like this either was addressed or wasn't even contemplated, since the owner claims that there were no such licensing agreements.