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AMOA-NY Reports Settlement With CMG Vending In Copyright Suit

NEW YORK CITY -- The Amusement and Music Owners Association of New York , Inc. has announced that CMG Vending (Union City, NJ) and its principals, Howard and Laurence Preschel, have agreed to a five-figure settlement to resolve a legal action brought by AMOA-NY against CMG. The association's special counsel Kirstin Grant explained that "This was an action for copyright infringement under the United States Copyright Act of 1976 … and for unjust enrichment. This action was triggered by CMG Vending's and th...

June 13, 2018

NEW YORK CITY -- The Amusement and Music Owners Association of New York, Inc. has announced that CMG Vending (Union City, NJ) and its principals, Howard and Laurence Preschel, have agreed to a five-figure settlement to resolve a legal action brought by AMOA-NY against CMG.

The association's special counsel Kirstin Grant explained that "This was an action for copyright infringement under the United States Copyright Act of 1976 … and for unjust enrichment. This action was triggered by CMG Vending's and the Pres¬chels' unauthorized use of AMOA-NY's copyright-protected proprietary agreements in furtherance of the defendants' business dealings."

AMOA-NY executive director Danny Frank added that "This litigation was always about 'compliance'. This is the fourth occasion where AMOA-NY has filed litigation against parties who were violating AMOA-NY's copyrighted 'Installment & Security Agreement.'

"In this latest case, the Preschels have recognized the advantage of paying out a settlement so CMG Vending is able to use the AMOA-NY documents going forward," Frank continued. "As part of this settlement, CMG and the Preschels have returned to AMOA-NY as members."

Frank emphasized that nonmembers  found using AMOA-NY documents without authorization and proper compensation will be sued to the fullest extent of the law. "This is only fair to AMOA-NY members who have paid dues to receive our organization's benefits," he pointed out.

The lawsuit against CMG and the Preschels was filed after AMOA-NY uncovered two AMOA-NY 'agreements' in use, after the company's membership had expired.

Founded in the 1940s, AMOA-NY is a nonprofit organization representing the interests of businesses that own and install coin-operated amusement and music equipment in locations throughout New York State.