POSITIVE BLACK TALK INC. v. CASH MONEY RECORDS

KING, Chief Judge:

This appeal arises out of a dispute concerning the popular rap song Back That Azz Up. Plaintiff-Appellant Positive Black Talk, Inc. filed this lawsuit against three defendants, alleging, inter alia, violations of the United States copyright laws. The defendants counterclaimed under the copyright laws, the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act, and theories of negligent misrepresentation. After a jury trial, the district court entered judgment in accordance with the verdict in favor of the defendants on all of Positive Black Talk's claims, as well as on the defendants' non-copyright counterclaims. The district court awarded the defendants attorney's fees only in relation to the successful unfair trade practices counterclaim.

In this consolidated appeal, Positive Black Talk appeals the judgment of the district court on the grounds that the court erred in instructing the jury and in making several evidentiary rulings. The defendants appeal the district court's decision not to award them attorney's fees as the prevailing parties on Positive Black Talk's copyright infringement claim. We AFFIRM.

I. Factual and Procedural Background

In 1997, two rap artists based in New Orleans, Louisiana — Terius Gray, professionally known as Juvenile ("Juvenile"), and Jerome Temple, professionally known as D.J. Jubilee ("Jubilee") — each recorded a song that included the poetic four-word phrase "back that ass up." Specifically, with respect to Jubilee, he recorded his song in November 1997 and entitled it Back That Ass Up. In the Spring of 1998, Positive Black Talk, Inc. ("PBT"), a recording company, released Jubilee's Back That Ass Up on the album TAKE IT TO THE ST. THOMAS. Jubilee subsequently performed the song at a number of live shows, including the New Orleans Jazzfest on April 26, 1998.

Turning to Juvenile, at some point during the fall of 1997, Juvenile recorded his song and entitled it Back That Azz Up. In May 1998, Cash Money Records, Inc. ("CMR"), the recording company that produced Juvenile's album 400 DEGREEZ, signed a national distribution contract with Universal Records. Consequently, 400 DEGREEZ, which contained Juvenile's song Back That Azz Up, was released in November 1998. 400 DEGREEZ quickly garnered national acclaim, selling over four million albums and grossing more than $40 million.

In 2000, Jubilee applied for and received a certificate of registration (Form PA) from the United States Copyright Office for the lyrics of Back That Ass Up. Jubilee also obtained a certificate of registration for the lyrics and music (Form SR) in the sound recording of the song. On February 15, 2002, PBT mailed a supplementary application for registration (containing an application, deposit, and fee) to the Copyright Office, stating that PBT should have been listed as the author and copyright claimant on Jubilee's prior PA registration (lyrics only). On the same day, PBT filed this lawsuit in the Eastern District of Louisiana, alleging copyright infringement and the violation of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act (LUPTA).1 On February 19, 2002, four days after the suit was filed, the Copyright Office received PBT's supplementary registration application.

In response, the defendants filed counterclaims, alleging copyright infringement, violation of LUPTA, and negligent misrepresentation. On February 11, 2003, the defendants filed a motion for summary judgment, in which they argued, inter alia, that the district court should dismiss PBT's lawsuit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction because PBT failed to comply with the statutory requirement that the Copyright Office receive the registration application before a plaintiff may file an infringement suit. The district court denied the motion, reasoning that the defect had been cured and that dismissing the case after a year of litigation, only to have PBT re-file the suit, would be a tremendous waste of judicial resources.

In May 2003, the case proceeded to a jury trial. Although the jury found that PBT proved by a preponderance of the evidence that it owned a copyright interest in the lyrics and music of Jubilee's song Back That Ass Up, it nevertheless found in favor of the defendants on PBT's copyright infringement claim. Specifically, the jury found that: (1) PBT failed to prove that Juvenile or CMR factually copied Back That Ass Up; (2) the defendants proved that CMR and Juvenile independently created Back That Azz Up; and (3) PBT failed to prove that Back That Azz Up is substantially similar to Back That Ass Up.2 The jury also decided against PBT on its non-copyright claim. In addition, the jury found in favor of the defendants on their LUPTA and negligent misrepresentation counterclaims. However, the jury found against the defendants on their copyright infringement counterclaim. Accordingly, the district court entered judgment in favor of the defendants. The court awarded the defendants attorney's fees in relation to their LUPTA counterclaim but not for their successful defense of PBT's copyright infringement claim.

PBT then filed a timely notice of appeal. PBT argues on appeal that the district court erroneously instructed the jury on relevant copyright laws and erred in making several evidentiary rulings.3 The defendants cross-appeal the district court's award of attorney's fees, contending that they are entitled to fees for prevailing against PBT on its copyright claim.4

II. Subject Matter Jurisdiction

The district court's subject matter jurisdiction was based on 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 (federal question) and 1338 (copyright laws). That broad underlying jurisdiction was supplemented by the specific statutory provisions of the copyright laws. Specifically, 17 U.S.C. § 411(a) sets forth the jurisdictional prerequisite that "no action for infringement of the copyright in any United States work shall be instituted until registration of the copyright claim has been made in accordance with this title." 17 U.S.C. § 411(a) (2000); see also Creations Unlimited, Inc. v. McCain, 112 F.3d 814, 816 (5th Cir.1997) (per curiam) ("registration with the copyright office is a jurisdictional prerequisite to filing a copyright infringement suit"). Although some circuits require that a plaintiff actually obtain a certificate from the Copyright Office before bringing suit, the Fifth Circuit requires only that the Copyright Office actually receive the application, deposit, and fee before a plaintiff files an infringement action. See Lakedreams v. Taylor, 932 F.2d 1103, 1108 (5th Cir.1991). Here, the defendants argue that PBT failed to comply with the statutory formality set forth in § 411 (and that the district court therefore lacked jurisdiction over PBT's copyright infringement claim) because PBT filed suit four days before the Copyright Office received its application, deposit, and fee (all of which PBT had mailed on the same day it filed suit).5

We hold, along with the other courts that have considered this matter, that the ultimate judgment is not rendered a nullity in this instance by the district court's refusal to dismiss PBT's suit for want of jurisdiction. Rather, we find that the jurisdictional defect was cured when the Copyright Office received PBT's application, deposit, and fee four days after PBT filed suit.

A number of other courts have found that a plaintiff who files a copyright infringement lawsuit before registering with the Copyright Office may cure the § 411 defect by subsequently amending or supplementing its complaint once it has registered the copyright. See, e.g., M.G.B. Homes, Inc. v. Ameron Homes, Inc., 903 F.2d 1486, 1488-89 (11th Cir.1990); J. Racenstein & Co., Inc. v. Wallace, 1997 WL 605107, *1-2 (S.D.N.Y. Oct.1, 1997) ("Where an action is commenced without registration being effected, the defect can be cured by subsequent registration, and an appropriate amendment to the complaint may be made to provide the necessary basis for subject matter jurisdiction."); ISC-Bunker Ramo Corp. v. Altech, Inc., 765 F.Supp. 1308, 1309 (N.D.Ill.1990); Haan Crafts Corp. v. Craft Masters, Inc., 683 F.Supp. 1234, 1242 (N.D.Ind.1988); Frankel v. Stein and Day, Inc., 470 F.Supp. 209, 212 (S.D.N.Y.1979). The notion that the supplemental pleading cures the technical defect, notwithstanding the clear language of § 411, is consistent with the principle that technicalities should not prevent litigants from having their cases heard on the merits.6 See 28 U.S.C. § 1653 (2000) (allowing defective allegations of jurisdiction to be amended in the trial or appellate courts); see also Haan Crafts Corp., 683 F.Supp. at 1242.

PBT did not amend its complaint in the court below. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court has held, albeit in a non-copyright case, that failure to amend a complaint in the district court is no bar to finding a jurisdictional defect cured. See Mathews v. Diaz, 426 U.S. 67, 73-76, 96 S.Ct. 1883, 48 L.Ed.2d 478 (1976). In Diaz, the Supreme Court upheld subject matter jurisdiction over a case in which the plaintiff had not complied with a statutory formality requiring him to file an application with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare before instituting a lawsuit. Id. The Diaz Court stated:

Id. at 75, 96 S.Ct. 1883 (internal citations and footnotes omitted). Similarly, we consider PBT's noncompliance with § 411 to be cured, even though it did not file a supplemental complaint below.

Our conclusion that subject matter jurisdiction existed in this case is also consistent with the Supreme Court's decision in Caterpillar Inc. v. Lewis, 519 U.S. 61, 117 S.Ct. 467, 136 L.Ed.2d 437 (1996). In Caterpillar, a unanimous Supreme Court held that a procedural-jurisdictional defect under 28 U.S.C. § 1441, which requires complete diversity at the time of removal, had been cured when the non-diverse party dropped out of the case after removal but before trial commenced. 519 U.S. at 73-75, 117 S.Ct. 467. The Court recognized that § 1441's requirement that complete diversity exist at the time of removal was not satisfied because the case was removed before the non-diverse party dropped out. However, the Court found that the § 1441 defect should be excused — even though the "statutory flaw ... remained in the unerasable history of the case" — because: (1) complete diversity jurisdiction ultimately existed before judgment and (2) the case had already proceeded to judgment, making "considerations of finality, efficiency, and economy ... overwhelming." Id.; see also Grupo Dataflux v. Atlas Global Group, 541 U.S. 567, 124 S.Ct. 1920, 1924-28, 158 L.Ed.2d 866 (2004) (reemphasizing that the Court's holding in Caterpillar pertained to curing a statutory procedural-jurisdictional defect under § 1441).

The Court's reasoning in Caterpillar applies to PBT's copyright infringement lawsuit because 28 U.S.C. § 1441 and 17 U.S.C. § 411 both have a substantive requirement as well as a timing requirement. Section 1441 substantively requires complete diversity, which must exist at the time of removal. In Caterpillar, although the substantive requirement of complete diversity was ultimately satisfied, the timing requirement was not. However, because of judicial economy and finality concerns, the Court excused the failure to comply with the timing element of the statute. Similar to the removal statute at issue in Caterpillar, § 411 has a substantive component and a timing component — it requires the filing of a registration application, which must occur prior to the institution of the suit. As in Caterpillar, the substantive requirement here was satisfied (because PBT filed a registration application, deposit, and fee), but the timing element was not (because the Copyright Office received the materials after PBT filed suit). Thus, Caterpillar suggests that because PBT satisfied the substantive requirement of § 411 before final judgment, "considerations of finality, efficiency, and economy" counsel us to disregard the technical defect in timing in this particular case. Caterpillar Inc., 519 U.S. at 75, 117 S.Ct. 467. Accordingly, the § 411 defect was cured, and subject matter jurisdiction existed.

III. Jury Instructions on Copyright Law

A. Elements of Copyright Infringement

To establish a claim for copyright infringement, a plaintiff must prove that: (1) he owns a valid copyright and (2) the defendant copied constituent elements of the plaintiff's work that are original. Gen. Universal Sys. v. Lee, 379 F.3d 131, 141 (5th Cir.2004); Szabo v. Errisson, 68 F.3d 940, 942 (5th Cir.1995) (citing Apple Barrel Prods., Inc. v. Beard, 730 F.2d 384, 387 (5th Cir.1984)). To establish actionable copying (i.e., the second element), a plaintiff must prove: (1) factual copying and (2) substantial similarity. Bridgmon v. Array Sys. Corp., 325 F.3d 572, 576 (5th Cir.2003). Factual copying "can be proven by direct or circumstantial evidence." Id."As direct evidence of copying is rarely available, factual copying may be inferred from (1) proof that the defendant had access to the copyrighted work prior to creation of the infringing work and (2) probative similarity."7 Peel & Co. v. Rug Market, 238 F.3d 391, 394 (5th Cir.2001). If a plaintiff establishes an inference of factual copying (by showing access and probative similarity), the defendant can rebut that inference, and thus escape liability for infringement, if he can prove that he independently created the work. Id. at 398; Miller v. Universal City Studios, Inc., 650 F.2d 1365, 1375 (5th Cir.1981). If a plaintiff has established factual copying (and the defendant does not establish independent creation), the plaintiff must also prove that the copyrighted work and the allegedly infringing work are substantially similar. Bridgmon, 325 F.3d at 577.

B. Standard of Review

PBT argues that the district court erred in instructing the jury with respect to probative similarity, substantial similarity, and independent creation. Where the challenging party failed to preserve the error with proper objections, we review the district court's jury instructions only for plain error. Russell v. Plano Bank & Trust, 130 F.3d 715, 719-21 (5th Cir.1997). The defendants argue that PBT did not preserve any alleged error because PBT did not make specific, on-the-record objections to the instructions in question. PBT counters that it made general objections to the instructions on the record, and that it made more specific objections off the record during a conference in chambers.

We agree with the defendants that PBT failed to preserve the error with respect to the jury instructions. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 51(c)(1) ("A party who objects to an instruction or the failure to give an instruction must do so on the record, stating distinctly the matter objected to and the grounds of the objection."). First, PBT's on-the-record objections pertained only to the instructions as a whole, rather than indicating specific objections, and therefore failed to comply with Rule 51. See Russell, 130 F.3d at 719-20 ("We have repeatedly held that a general objection to the district court's jury instructions is insufficient to satisfy Rule 51."). Second, PBT's off-the-record objections, regardless of how specific, cannot satisfy Rule 51's requirements. See id. at 720 n. 2 ("Obviously, we cannot consider off-the-record objections to jury instructions not subsequently made part of the record...." (quoting King v. Ford Motor Co., 597 F.2d 436, 440 n. 3 (5th Cir.1979))). Thus, PBT did not preserve the error, and we review the jury instructions for plain error.

For PBT to prevail under the plain error standard, it must show "that the instructions made an obviously incorrect statement of law that was `probably responsible for an incorrect verdict, leading to substantial injustice.'" Hernandez v. Crawford Bldg. Material, 321 F.3d 528, 531 (5th Cir.2003) (quoting Tompkins v. Cyr, 202 F.3d 770, 784 (5th Cir.2000)). Moreover, "[i]n reviewing jury instructions for plain error, we are exceedingly deferential to the trial court." Tompkins, 202 F.3d at 784.

C. Factual Copying

1. Definition of Probative Similarity

PBT first argues that the district court erroneously instructed the jury with respect to the definition of "probative similarity." The court instructed that: "Probative similarity means that the songs, when compared as a whole, demonstrate that Juvenile or CMR appropriated Jubilee's song." PBT avers that this definition is misleading because, by including the phrase "when compared as a whole," it suggests that the jury, when deciding whether factual copying occurred, must look to see whether Back That Ass Up, as a whole, is sufficiently similar to Back That Azz Up, as a whole. As PBT points out, however, probative similarity requires only that certain parts of the two works are similar, such that the jury may infer factual copying in light of the defendant's access to the plaintiff's work. Regardless, PBT's claim fails for at least three reasons.

First, we cannot say that the jury instruction on probative similarity is "an obviously incorrect statement of law." Hernandez, 321 F.3d at 531. The definition of probative similarity in the jury instruction is taken directly from a Fifth Circuit case. See Peel & Co., 238 F.3d at 397 ("The second step in deciding whether Peel has raised a genuine issue of material fact regarding factual copying ... requires determining whether the rugs, when compared as a whole, are adequately similar to establish appropriation." (emphasis added)). Accordingly, PBT did not show plain error because the definition of probative similarity was not "obviously incorrect." Hernandez, 321 F.3d at 531.

We note that the district court's reliance on Peel to define probative similarity is understandable given that other Fifth Circuit opinions offer little additional guidance on the question. Peel is undoubtedly correct inasmuch as it instructs that the ultimate issue with respect to probative similarity is whether the similarities between the two works suggest that the later-created work was factually copied. Peel should not be read to suggest that a jury may draw an inference of factual copying only if the whole of the defendant's work largely replicates the whole of the allegedly-copied work.8 Rather, the "when compared as a whole" language in Peel regarding probative similarity means that the jury must consider the whole of the first work (including both copyrightable and non-copyrightable parts) and the whole of the second work and then compare the two works, looking for any similarities between their constituent parts. This reading of Peel is not inconsistent with any Fifth Circuit precedent and is consistent with other courts' conceptualizations of probative similarity. See, e.g., Gates Rubber Co. v. Bando Chem. Indus., Ltd., 9 F.3d 823, 832 n.7 (10th Cir.1993); O.P. Solutions, Inc. v. Intellectual Prop. Network, Ltd., No. 96 Civ. 7952, 1999 WL 47191, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 2, 1999).9

In order to avoid confusion, a district court should explain that the purpose of the probative similarity inquiry is to determine whether factual copying may be inferred and that this inquiry is not the same as the question of substantial similarity, which dictates whether the factual copying, once established, is legally actionable. See Eng'g Dynamics, Inc. v. Structural Software, Inc., 26 F.3d 1335, 1340 & n. 4 (5th Cir.1994) (adopting the term "probative similarity") (citing Alan Latman, "Probative Similarity" as Proof of Copying: Toward Dispelling Some Myths in Copyright Infringement, 90 COLUM. L. REV. 1187 (1990)); see also Bridgmon, 325 F.3d at 576 & n. 7, 577 (noting that "probative" and "substantial" similarity are analytically distinct concepts). Along these lines, a jury may find that two works are probatively similar if it finds any similarities between the two works (whether substantial or not) that, in the normal course of events, would not be expected to arise independently in the two works and that therefore might suggest that the defendant copied part of the plaintiff's work. See Ringgold v. Black Entm't Television, Inc., 126 F.3d 70, 75 (2d Cir.1997) ("[P]robative similarity [] requires only the fact that the infringing work copies something from the copyrighted work; ... substantial similarity[] requires that the copying is quantitatively and qualitatively sufficient to support the legal conclusion that infringement (actionable copying) has occurred."); 4 NIMMER § 13.01[B], at 13-12 ("[W]hen the question is copying as a factual matter, then similarities that, in the normal course of events, would not be expected to arise independently in the two works are probative of defendant's having copied as a factual matter from plaintiff's work."); Latman, 90 COLUM. L. REV. at 1214 (noting that probative similarities are "such similarities between the works which, under all the circumstances, make independent creation unlikely [;][s]uch similarities may or may not be substantial.... Rather, they are offered as probative of the act of copying....").

The second reason PBT's claim — that the language "when compared as a whole" in the instruction on probative similarity constituted reversible error — fails is because the district court offered guidance to the jury that a finding of factual copying only requires similarity between portions of the plaintiff's work, not overall similarity. For example, when the court first introduced the element of factual copying (about ten sentences before giving the instruction defining probative similarity), the court stated, "[t]he first question, factual copying, asks whether Juvenile and CMR actually copied constituent elements of D.J. Jubilee's song in Juvenile's song Back That Ass Up." (emphasis added). The court also instructed the jury that: "If you conclude that factual copying did occur, that is that Juvenile/CMR copied parts of Jubilee's song Back That Ass Up, [the defendants may still prevail if they demonstrate independent creation]." (emphasis added). Given these instructions, we cannot agree that the definition of probative similarity of which PBT complains was misleading in this particular instance.

Third, the jury's findings on independent creation and substantial similarity negate any reasonable possibility that the probative similarity instruction was "probably responsible for an incorrect verdict." Tompkins, 202 F.3d at 784 (citing ARA Auto. Group v. Cent. Garage, Inc., 124 F.3d 720, 730 (5th Cir.1997)). Even if the jury misunderstood its task in evaluating probative similarity as a result of the instruction, it found that Juvenile independently created Back That Azz Up and that the two songs are not substantially similar. Those findings prevent PBT from recovering, regardless of the extent to which it proved factual copying occurred.

2. Inverse Relationship Between Access and Probative Similarity

PBT also complains that it requested an instruction on the inverse relationship between the degree of access an alleged infringer had to the original work and the degree of similarity needed to show that copying actually occurred. Specifically, PBT asked that the jury be instructed that "PBT does not have to show as much similarity when a high degree of access is shown." The defendants counter that this inverse-relationship doctrine is not the law in the Fifth Circuit. PBT's argument fails for several reasons.

The defendants are correct that this circuit has not expressly adopted the principle that there is an inverse relationship between the requisite proof of access and similarity, and there is no need to do so here. However, this doctrine finds support in other circuits. See, e.g., Swirsky v. Carey, 376 F.3d 841, 844-45 (9th Cir.2004) ("Where a high degree of access is shown, we require a lower standard of proof of [probative] similarity."); Jorgensen v. Epic/Sony Records, 351 F.3d 46, 56 (2d Cir.2003) ("There is an inverse relationship between access and probative similarity such that the stronger the proof of similarity, the less the proof of access is required." (internal quotation marks omitted)); Tienshan v. C.C.A. Int'l (N.J.), Inc., 895 F.Supp. 651, 656 (S.D.N.Y.1995) (noting: "given that access has been conceded, the level of probative similarity necessary to show physical copying is diminished"); see also 4 NIMMER § 13.03[D], at 13-79 ("[T]he stronger the proof of similarity, the less the proof of access that is required."). Thus, other courts have held that a plaintiff who shows a high degree of similarity may satisfy the factual copying requirement with a lesser showing of access,10 and, conversely, a plaintiff who shows a greater degree of access may satisfy the factual copying element with a lesser degree of probative similarity.11

Regardless, the fact that this circuit has not explicitly adopted this doctrine means that the district court did not wrongly decline to give the jury instruction, and PBT's argument therefore fails. Finally, as we noted in the discussion of the definition of probative similarity, any error with respect to factual copying is rendered harmless by the jury's finding on substantial similarity, such that we cannot say that it was probably responsible for an incorrect verdict.

D. Independent Creation

PBT also argues that the district court erred in instructing the jury as to the defendant's burden of proof in establishing independent creation. Specifically, PBT argues that the court instructed the jury that it must find independent creation by a preponderance of the evidence, whereas the allegedly correct burden of proof is clear and convincing evidence. On the issue of independent creation, the court charged the jury:

This instruction is silent as to whether the burden of proof must be met by a preponderance of the evidence or by clear and convincing evidence. However, the special verdict form asked: "Has CMR/Juvenile proved by a preponderance of the evidence that CMR/Juvenile independently created the song Back That Azz Up?"

The jury instruction on independent creation did not constitute plain error. First, it cannot be considered an obviously incorrect statement of the law. PBT points to no Fifth Circuit opinion, and in fact none exists, stating that a defendant must prove independent creation by clear and convincing evidence. The only circuit opinion PBT cites is Overman v. Loesser, 205 F.2d 521 (9th Cir.1953). The Ninth Circuit, however, has expressly rejected an interpretation of Overman that would require independent creation to be proven by clear and convincing evidence. Granite Music Corp. v. United Artists Corp., 532 F.2d 718, 723-24 (9th Cir.1976). A defendant need only prove independent creation by a preponderance of the evidence to rebut the presumption of factual copying that arises from a plaintiff's evidence of access and probative similarity. See id. Thus, there was no legal error.

Moreover, the district court's instruction on independent creation did not likely result in an incorrect verdict because a defendant need only prove independent creation if the plaintiff successfully establishes factual copying. Here, the jury determined that Juvenile did not factually copy Jubilee's song when it found that the two songs were not probatively similar. In addition, the jury's finding on substantial similarity also would have precluded PBT from recovering regardless of the jury's finding on independent creation. Thus, PBT's argument fails under the plain error standard.

E. Substantial Similarity

PBT's last complaint regarding jury instructions relates to the district court's instruction on the definition of "substantially similar." The jury was instructed that:

PBT complains that this instruction inadequately explains to the jury the meaning of substantial similarity and is merely tautological, essentially stating nothing more than that two works are substantially similar if they are substantially similar. Furthermore, PBT argues that the instruction erroneously misleads the jury to conclude that they must determine whether the whole of the two works are substantially similar. Substantial similarity, PBT asserts, necessitates only that parts of the songs are similar and that the similar parts are qualitatively so important that the copying should be legally actionable.12

Addressing PBT's latter argument first, we note that the jury instruction, carefully parsed, did not unfairly suggest that the jury must compare the two works as a whole to determine if there is overall similarity between the two songs. The instruction states that the "[t]wo works are substantially similar if the expression of ideas in the plaintiff's copyrighted work and the expression of ideas in the defendant's work that are shared are substantially similar." (emphasis added). The phrase "that are shared" correctly indicates that the jury should compare the parts of the two songs that are similar in determining substantial similarity. We note that the instruction given tracks the language suggested in Fifth Circuit opinions. See Creations Unlimited, Inc., 112 F.3d at 816; see also Bridgmon, 325 F.3d at 576. In Creations Unlimited, we stated: "To determine whether an instance of copying is legally actionable, a side-by-side comparison must be made between the original and the copy to determine whether a layman would view the two works as `substantially similar.'"13 112 F.3d at 816. Thus, whether two works are substantially similar is a question for the jury itself to determine by examining the actual works in question. See id. Here, the jury heard the two songs and made a determination that they were not substantially similar. Given the parallel between the jury instructions and the language in these cases, the jury instruction was not error.

When we look at the evidence presented to the jury, the verdict may be explained by the possibility that the jury rejected PBT's argument that the phrase "back that ass up" was the qualitatively most important part (or "hook") of Jubilee's song. That phrase recurred only a few times in Jubilee's song, which is over seven minutes long.14 Thus, the jury may have believed that, as the defendants argued, the hook was the sampling from the Jackson Five's song I Want You Back,15 and that belief would explain why the jury determined that the songs are not substantially similar. Accordingly, we cannot say that the jury instruction, even if it had been erroneous, probably resulted in an incorrect verdict.

Finally, the jury found that Jubilee did not establish a circumstantial showing of factual copying because the songs were not probatively similar and that Juvenile independently created Back That Azz Up. Thus, PBT failed to prove factual copying, and PBT could not have prevailed on its copyright infringement claim, regardless of whether the two songs are substantially similar.16

IV. Evidentiary Rulings

A. Standard of Review

We review the district court's evidentiary rulings for an abuse of discretion. Kanida v. Gulf Coast Med. Personnel LP, 363 F.3d 568, 581 (5th Cir.2004). "An error in the exclusion of evidence is not grounds for reversal unless substantial rights are affected or unless the affirmance is inconsistent with substantial justice." Reddin v. Robinson Prop. Group Ltd. P'ship, 239 F.3d 756, 759 (5th Cir.2001).

B. The Big Easy Mailer

PBT argues that the district court abused its discretion by excluding from evidence a promotional mailer circulated by Big Easy (the "Big Easy Mailer"), the now-dissolved former distributer of 400 DEGREEZ. The Big Easy Mailer, PBT claims, proves that Juvenile composed Back That Azz Up after he heard Jubilee's Back That Ass Up because it lists ten songs on 400 DEGREEZ but does not include Back That Azz Up. PBT contends that this document, in combination with two other documents that show 400 DEGREEZ was being re-released, proves that 400 DEGREEZ was originally released without the song Back That Azz Up. Thus, PBT argues, the Big Easy Mailer would have rebutted Juvenile's claim that he recorded Back That Azz Up before ever hearing Jubilee's song.17

The district court properly excluded the Big Easy Mailer because it was both an unauthenticated document and hearsay not within the business records exception. The only witnesses that PBT produced who could testify with respect to the Big Easy Mailer were Kenneth Taylor, a former employee of Big Easy who worked as a telephone sales agent, and Earl Mackie, the founder of PBT who received the Big Easy Mailer in the mail. In his deposition, Taylor indicated that he was familiar with the basic process of creating mailers (or one-sheets), which are sent to retail record stores to solicit sales for new products. However, he stated that he never worked in any capacity related to the creation of mailers at Big Easy, and he had no personal knowledge whatsoever with respect to the Big Easy Mailer. Taylor also admitted that he could not say whether Big Easy created the mailer or if someone else had created it. Mackie could testify only that he received the Big Easy Mailer in the mail. None of this testimony establishes that the Big Easy Mailer is a document that was created by Big Easy or that it had any connection with Juvenile or CMR, which is what PBT claims the document purports to be. Thus, the district court did not abuse its discretion in finding that the Big Easy Mailer was not properly authenticated. See Fed.R.Evid. 901.

Furthermore, PBT sought to introduce the Big Easy Mailer to prove the truth of the matter asserted in the mailer: that Back That Azz Up was not included in an earlier release of 400 DEGREEZ. This was hearsay under Fed.R.Evid. 801 and was excluded under Fed.R.Evid. 802. PBT argues that the Big Easy Mailer falls within the business records exception to the hearsay rule. See Fed.R.Evid. 803(6). "Rule 803(6) provides that [a]ny person in a position to attest to the authenticity of the records is competent to lay the foundation for the admissibility of the records; he need not have been the preparer of the record, nor must he personally attest to the accuracy of the information contained in the records." New Orleans Cold Storage & Warehouse Co., Ltd. v. N.L.R.B., 201 F.3d 592, 601 n.9 (5th Cir.2000) (internal quotation marks omitted) (alteration in original).

However, as we have discussed, PBT offered no witness that could attest to the authenticity of the Big Easy Mailer, and the foundation for Rule 803(6) was therefore lacking. For example, no witness could establish that the mailer was "made at or near the time by, or from information transmitted by, a person with knowledge." Fed.R.Evid. 803(6); see also Theriot v. Bay Drilling Corp., 783 F.2d 527, 533 (5th Cir.1986) (applying Rule 803(6)). Furthermore, PBT points to no indicia of trustworthiness relating to the Big Easy Mailer that might justify a more liberal application of Rule 803(6). See United States v. Morrow, 177 F.3d 272, 295 (5th Cir.1999) (per curiam) ("Rule 803(6) turns on the reliability or trustworthiness of the records."); United States v. Duncan, 919 F.2d 981, 986 (5th Cir.1990) ("The district court has great latitude on the issue of trustworthiness."); Miss. River Grain Elevator, Inc. v. Bartlett & Co., Grain, 659 F.2d 1314, 1318-19 (5th Cir.1981). Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion in excluding the Big Easy Mailer.

C. Expert Witness Testimony

PBT next complains that the district court erred by quashing the subpoena of John Joyce, one of PBT's expert witnesses, and by excluding Joyce's testimony because he refused to be deposed. Gayle Murchinson, who had been retained as an expert for the defendants, and Joyce are both professors at Tulane University. Joyce is tenured; Murchinson is not. When Joyce learned that he would serve on the committee that would evaluate Murchinson for tenure, he decided to withdraw as an expert witness because he believed that a conflict of interest existed. Accordingly, Joyce did not appear at his scheduled deposition. Both PBT and the defendants subpoenaed Joyce for deposition, but Joyce retained his own counsel and moved to quash the subpoena. The magistrate judge granted Joyce's motion, and the district court affirmed. The district court subsequently granted the defendants' motion in limine to exclude Joyce's testimony because he refused to be deposed. PBT appeals the district court's decision to affirm the grant of Joyce's motion to quash and the defendant's motion to exclude.

We review the decision to quash a subpoena for abuse of discretion. In re Dennis, 330 F.3d 696, 704 (5th Cir.2003); Tiberi v. CIGNA Ins. Co., 40 F.3d 110, 112 & n. 4 (5th Cir.1994). Fed. R. Civ. P. 45 provides that a court shall quash (or modify) a subpoena if it "subjects a person to undue burden." Fed.R.Civ.P. 45(c)(3)(A)(iv). Whether a subpoena subjects a witness to undue burden generally raises a question of the subpoena's reasonableness, which "requires a court to balance the interests served by demanding compliance with the subpoena against the interests furthered by quashing it." 9A Charles Alan Wright & Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 2463 (2d ed.1995). "[T]his balance of the subpoena's benefits and burdens calls upon the court to consider whether the information is necessary and unavailable from any other source." Id.

Here, the district court did not abuse its broad discretion in determining that the subpoena subjected Joyce to undue burden because of his believed conflict of interest. PBT has not shown that the information that Joyce would have conveyed to the jury was so necessary that it warranted his coerced participation in the trial. Joyce had no personal knowledge relevant to the case and was subpoenaed only to give his expert opinion. Furthermore, the information that Joyce allegedly would have imparted to the jury was not only available from other sources, it was actually provided at trial by PBT's other expert witness. Cf. Kaufman v. Edelstein, 539 F.2d 811, 818-22 (2d Cir.1976) (holding that expert witnesses may be compelled to testify when their testimony is unavailable from any other source and vital to the trial). As PBT explains in its brief on the attorney's fee issue:

In light of these factors, the district court properly decided that the burden on Joyce was undue.18

For similar reasons, the district court did not abuse its discretion in granting the defendants' motion in limine to exclude Joyce's testimony. The defendants were unable to depose Joyce before trial, and it seems likely that Joyce would have opposed any attempt to call him as a witness. Cf. Barrett v. Atl. Richfield Co., 95 F.3d 375, 379-82 (5th Cir.1996) (barring expert testimony for failure to comply with scheduling order and appear at depositions). Furthermore, PBT produced another qualified expert witness, whose testimony largely replicated what Joyce would have offered, thus negating any claim PBT might have that its substantial rights were affected. See Polythane Sys., Inc. v. Marina Ventures, Int'l, Ltd., 993 F.2d 1201, 1208 (5th Cir.1993); Carter v. Massey-Ferguson, Inc., 716 F.2d 344, 349 (5th Cir.1983) (holding that exclusion of evidence did not affect party's substantial rights when other, admitted evidence served the same function). Accordingly, the district court did not err with respect to Joyce's testimony.

D. Music Critics' Articles and Testimony

PBT also contends that the district court committed reversible error by excluding, as hearsay, several newspaper articles that purported to find strong similarities between Juvenile and Jubilee's songs. PBT argues that the articles are not hearsay because they were not offered to prove that the two songs are substantially similar (i.e., the matter asserted). Rather, PBT claims, the articles were only offered to show that "numerous members of the intended audience believed that the two songs were substantially similar."

The district court did not abuse its discretion in excluding these newspaper articles. As we have noted previously, the question of substantial similarity is typically left to the fact finders' own impressions. See Bridgmon, 325 F.3d at 576; Three Boys Music Corp., 212 F.3d at 485; King v. Ames, 179 F.3d 370, 376 (5th Cir.1999). Thus, a court could reasonably conclude that the views of persons not on the jury and not qualified to give an expert opinion on substantial similarity should not be admitted.

Furthermore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in excluding the testimony of the authors of these articles. While such testimony would have cured a potential hearsay problem with the articles, it would not have made the evidence any more probative. In addition, the district court acted within its broad discretion by excluding the testimony on the grounds that PBT failed to include the witnesses on its pre-trial witness lists and that the witnesses had not been deposed before trial. See, e.g., Singer v. City of Waco, 324 F.3d 813, 822 (5th Cir.2003).

E. Evidence of PBT's Own Sampling

PBT's final complaint regarding the district court's evidentiary rulings is that the court abused its discretion by admitting the defendants' evidence regarding the extent to which Jubilee's Back That Ass Up sampled music from a Jackson Five song, I Want You Back. In its motion in limine, PBT requested that the court "preclude defendants from introducing any documentary evidence or examining any witness on the subject of PBT's use of the sound recordings or musical works of another in connection with the creation of the music in its version of the song Back That Ass Up." The district court denied the motion. At the beginning of trial, PBT renewed its objection regarding "the use of the Michael Jackson unclean hands business," and stated that it "object[s] to anything along those lines." The defendants argue that the evidence of sampling was properly admitted for two purposes: (1) to establish an unclean hands defense and (2) to refute PBT's claim that the phrase "back that ass up" is the hook in Jubilee's song. PBT argues that the evidence was inadmissible under either theory and that the danger of unfair prejudice substantially outweighed its probative value. See Fed.R.Evid. 403.

PBT is correct that the evidence was not admissible on the ground that it established an unclean hands defense. The unclean hands doctrine is used to defeat an undeserving plaintiff's claim for equitable relief against a defendant that he has injured. See Mitchell Bros. Film Group v. Cinema Adult Theater, 604 F.2d 852, 863 (5th Cir.1979) ("The alleged wrongdoing of the plaintiff does not bar relief unless the defendant can show that he has personally been injured by the plaintiff's conduct."). Because the defendants could not show that they were personally injured by PBT's sampling of the Jackson Five song, they had no basis for invoking that sampling as the basis of an unclean hands defense. See Alcatel USA, Inc. v. DGI Techs., Inc., 166 F.3d 772, 796 (5th Cir.1999). Thus, the evidence should not have been admitted on that ground.

However, the district court acted within its discretion in admitting the evidence for the purposes of determining the hook of Back That Ass Up. As we have already discussed, a relevant issue for the jury to consider was the qualitative importance of the parts of Jubilee's song that are similar to Juvenile's song. PBT claimed that the similarities between the two songs included the very heart, or hook, of Jubilee's song. To counter this claim, the defendants were entitled to offer evidence that the hook of Back That Ass Up was not the four word phrase but rather another element of the song — namely, the Jackson Five sampling. The evidence showed that the Jackson Five sampling recurred throughout a significant portion of Jubilee's song (including each time the phrase "back that ass up" was used) and that it was a recognizable part of the song. Cf. Santrayall v. Burrell, 993 F.Supp. 173, 176 (S.D.N.Y.1998) (excluding evidence of sampling because it "comprise[d] only a very minor part of [the plaintiff's] song"). Henry Holden, a co-owner of PBT who added the Jackson Five sample to Back That Ass Up, admitted that he included the sample because it stayed in his mind. Further, the fact that the sample came from a Jackson Five song was relevant to the determination of the song's hook because the considerable popularity of the Jackson Five likely makes it more recognizable to the audience. PBT has not shown that the introduction of the fact that Back That Ass Up sampled a portion of the Jackson Five song created a risk of unfair prejudice that substantially outweighed this probative value. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion in deciding that the probative value of the sampling evidence outweighed any risk of unfair prejudice or confusion. See Campbell v. Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., 138 F.3d 996, 1004 (5th Cir.1998) (noting that Fed.R.Evid. 403 "is an extraordinary measure that should be used sparingly." (quoting United States v. Morris, 79 F.3d 409, 411 (5th Cir.1996))).

PBT argues on appeal that the defendants could have introduced evidence that the Jackson Five material was the hook of Back That Ass Up without implying that the sampling was unauthorized.19 PBT is correct that the fact that the sampling was unauthorized is not probative of the question of the song's hook and that such information may have had a prejudicial effect. In a more perfect world, the district court would have admitted the evidence of sampling but would have either prohibited the defendants from characterizing the sampling as unauthorized or given a limiting instruction concerning the purposes for which the jury could consider the evidence.20 See United States v. Sanders, 343 F.3d 511, 518 (5th Cir.2003) ("Under the Rule 403 standard, when the court issues a limiting instruction, it minimizes the danger of undue prejudice."). Regardless, any potential error here is insufficient to warrant reversal. The jury had before it more than ample evidence from which it could have found in favor of the defendants, even if it had never heard that the Jackson Five sampling was unauthorized. Thus, PBT's substantial rights were not affected by the admission of the evidence, and we therefore find no reversible error.

V. Attorney's Fees

The defendants separately appeal the denial of their requests for attorney's fees. Universal requested $323,121.25 in fees, and CMR and Juvenile requested $263,040. Of those, CMR and Juvenile traced $39,456 of their fees to their successful LUPTA counterclaim, for which La. Rev. Stat. 51:1409(A) mandates they receive fees as the prevailing parties. The district court denied the fee requests for the successful copyright defense and granted CMR and Juvenile's request for the LUPTA fees at the markedly reduced sum of $2,500.

This court reviews the district court's refusal to award attorney's fees in a copyright infringement case for an abuse of discretion. Creations Unlimited, Inc., 112 F.3d at 817. A trial court abuses its discretion in awarding or refusing to award attorney's fees when its ruling is based on an erroneous view of the law or a clearly erroneous assessment of the evidence. Sanmina Corp. v. BancTec USA, Inc., 94 Fed.Appx. 194, 196 n. 10 (5th Cir.2004).

Section 505 of the Copyright Act provides: "In any civil action under this title, the court in its discretion may allow the recovery of full costs by or against any party other than the United States or an officer thereof[;] [e]xcept as otherwise provided by this title, the court may also award a reasonable attorney's fee to the prevailing party as part of the costs." 17 U.S.C. § 505 (2000). As the district court below explicitly recognized, an award of attorney's fees to the prevailing party in a copyright action, although left to the trial court's discretion, "is the rule rather than the exception and should be awarded routinely." McGaughey v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., 12 F.3d 62, 65 (5th Cir.1994) (quoting Micromanipulator Co. v. Bough, 779 F.2d 255, 259 (5th Cir.1985)). Noting that attorney's fees should be routinely awarded, the district court nevertheless exercised its discretion not to award such fees in this case.

After McGaughey was decided, the Supreme Court decided Fogerty v. Fantasy, Inc., 510 U.S. 517, 114 S.Ct. 1023, 127 L.Ed.2d 455 (1994). In Fogerty, the Court rejected the Ninth Circuit's "dual" standard of assessing attorneys's fees under the Copyright Act, under which "prevailing plaintiffs are generally awarded attorney's fees as a matter of course, while prevailing defendants must show that the original suit was frivolous or brought in bad faith." 510 U.S. at 520-21, 114 S.Ct. 1023. Instead, Fogerty adopted the Third Circuit's "`evenhanded' approach in which no distinction is made between prevailing plaintiffs and prevailing defendants." Id. at 521, 114 S.Ct. 1023. The Supreme Court reasoned that this was the better rule:

Id. at 527, 114 S.Ct. 1023. However, the Court made clear that it was not adopting the British Rule, under which prevailing parties — whether plaintiffs or defendants — are always granted attorney's fees. See id. at 533, 114 S.Ct. 1023 ("Petitioner argues that ... both prevailing plaintiffs and defendants should be awarded attorney's fees as a matter of course, absent exceptional circumstances.... [W]e reject this argument for the British Rule."). The Court reasoned that the language of § 505 that the court "may" award fees "clearly connotes discretion" and that Congress legislated the Copyright Act against the "strong background of the American Rule." Id. Accordingly, "[p]revailing plaintiffs and prevailing defendants are to be treated alike, but attorney's fees are to be awarded to prevailing parties only as a matter of the court's discretion." Id. at 534, 114 S.Ct. 1023; see also Hogan Sys., Inc. v. Cybresource Int'l, Inc., 158 F.3d 319, 325 (5th Cir.1998).21

The Fogerty Court noted that "[t]here is no precise rule or formula for making these determinations, but instead equitable discretion should be exercised in light of the considerations we have identified." 510 U.S. at 534, 114 S.Ct. 1023 (internal quotation marks omitted). However, the Court agreed that a non-exclusive list of factors may be used to guide the district court's discretion; this list includes "frivolousness, motivation, objective unreasonableness (both in the factual and in the legal components of the case) and the need in particular circumstances to advance considerations of compensation and deterrence."22 Id. at 534 n. 19, 114 S.Ct. 1023 (internal quotation marks omitted). The Fifth Circuit previously applied these factors to deny a successful copyright defendant's request for attorney's fees. Creations Unlimited, Inc., 112 F.3d at 817 ("We see no abuse of discretion in the district court's rejection of the [defendants'] motion for attorney's fees. The court properly applied the Lieb factors ... before denying the [defendants'] motion....").

Here, the district court set forth the standard described above, noting the text of § 505, the principle that fee awards — although discretionary — are the rule rather than the exception and should be awarded routinely, and that under Fogerty the court's discretion is guided by the non-exclusive list of Lieb factors. The court then determined that in this case, those factors suggested that attorney's fees should not be awarded to the defendants. Specifically, the court stated:

The defendants' claim that the district court applied the wrong legal standard is incorrect. The Supreme Court has explicitly approved of a district court considering frivolity and motivation as two of the multiple factors in a non-exclusive list may guide the court's discretion over attorney's fees in copyright cases. Fogerty, 510 U.S. at 535 n. 19, 114 S.Ct. 1023. Thus, to the extent that the defendants argue that the district court erred in considering these factors at all, they are unquestionably wrong. Second, to the extent that the defendants argue that the district court erred because it considered only frivolity and bad faith, they are equally wrong. The district court did not focus solely on whether the lawsuit was frivolous or brought in bad faith; rather, the court expressly found that the claims were "not objectively unreasonable," and it provided a reasonable explanation for this finding.23 Furthermore, the district court considered the possible effect, or lack thereof, that awarding fees would have on deterring future meritless lawsuits, and it determined that this is a rare case in which awarding fees is not appropriate. Finally, the defendants' assertion that the district court improperly "might have been motivated by sympathy for a small, locally-owned, family company" simply has no support in the record. Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in concluding that the defendants were not entitled to attorney's fees under § 505 in this instance.

VI. Conclusion

For the forgoing reasons, in No. 03-30625 we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court in favor of the defendants; in No. 03-30702, we AFFIRM the district court's minute entry denying defendants' motions for award of attorney's fees on the copyright infringement claim. All outstanding motions are denied. Costs in No. 03-30625 shall be borne by plaintiff; costs in No. 03-30702 shall be borne by defendants.