Free Motion in Limine - District Court of Arizona - Arizona

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Ray K. Harris, # 007408 FENNEMORE CRAIG, P.C. 3003 N. Central Ave., Suite 2600 Phoenix, AZ 85012-2913 [email protected] (602) 916-5414 Edward R. Garvey, admitted pro hac vice GARVEY McNEIL & McGILLIVRAY 634 W. Main Street, Suite 101 Madison, WI 53703 (608) 256-1003 Attorneys for Defendants Harlem Globetrotters Int'l, Inc. and Mannie L. & Catherine Jackson UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF ARIZONA MEADOWLARK LEMON, et al., Plaintiffs, vs. HARLEM_GLOBETROTTERS INTERNATIONAL, INC., et al., Defendants. Defendants GTFM, LLC, Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc. ("HGI"), and Mannie L. and Catherine Jackson submit this joint motion pursuant to Fed. R. Evid. 402 and 403, and the inherent powers of the Court, for an order precluding the Plaintiffs from offering at trial evidence relating to alleged mental and emotional distress caused by the FUBU/HGI Apparel or other actions of Defendants.1 Nos. CV-04-0299 PHX DGC and CV-041023 PHX DGC DEFENDANTS IN LIMINE MOTION TO EXCLUDE EVIDENCE RELATING TO PLAINTIFFS' MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISTRESS

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This motion is made without prejudice to Defendants' other in limine motions, Trial Brief, Motion to Strike or Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Pre-Admission.
PHX/RHARRIS/1856594.1/43458.007

Case 2:04-cv-00299-DGC

Document 506 1 - Filed 11/15/2006

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This Court has recognized a right of publicity claim in Arizona, stating that Arizona follows the Restatement in the absence of Arizona law to the contrary. SJ Order, 6/27/06, at 13 (Doc. # 425). The Court also followed the Restatement in framing the damages available to Plaintiffs; namely, disgorgement of Defendants' profits. Id. at 17. This Court did not recognize that damages for mental and emotional distress are available to Plaintiffs. Id. Nor should it, since the Restatement specifically states that compensation for mental and emotional distress is not available under a right of publicity claim, but must be obtained through an action for invasion of privacy. Restatement (3d) of Unfair Competition § 49, cmt. b. Plaintiffs have not alleged an invasion of privacy, and mental and emotional distress is also not relevant to the four elements of Plaintiffs' remaining right of publicity claim. SJ Order, 6/27/06, at 13 (Doc. # 425). Moreover, the notion that the sale of apparel with names on it could cause mental and emotional distress strains credulity, and would mislead the jury. Any evidence Plaintiffs attempt to present at trial related to alleged mental and emotional distress caused by the FUBU/HGI Apparel or other actions of Defendants is therefore irrelevant. Its presentation would be unduly prejudicial to Defendants and

would also mislead the jury. Such evidence must be precluded at trial. PROPOSED LANGUAGE FOR ORDER Pursuant to ¶ 7 of the Pretrial Order, Defendants respectfully request that the Court enter an order stating that Plaintiffs are precluded at trial from offering any evidence relating to any mental or emotional distress alleged to have been caused by the FUBU/HGI Apparel or other actions of the Defendants. ... ... ...
PHX/RHARRIS/1856594.1/43458.007

Case 2:04-cv-00299-DGC

Document 506 2 - Filed 11/15/2006

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RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this 15th day of November, 2006. By: s/ Ira S. Sacks_________________ By: s/ Edward R. Garvey____________ Ira S. Sacks, admitted pro hac vice Edward R. Garvey, admitted pro hac vice Safia A. Anand, admitted pro hac vice Christa Westerberg, admitted pro hac vice DREIER LLP GARVEY McNEIL & 499 Park Avenue McGILLIVRAY, S.C. New York, NY 10022 634 W. Main St. #101 Telephone: 212-328-6100 Madison, WI 53703 Facsimile: 212-328-6101 Telephone: 608-256-1003 [email protected] Facsimile: 608-256-0933 [email protected] Joel L. Herz, Esq. State Bar No. 015105 Law Offices of Joel L. Herz 3573 East Sunrise Drive, Suite 215 Tucson, AZ 85718 Telephone: 520-529-8080 Facsimile: 520-529-8077 [email protected] Attorneys for Defendant GTFM, LLC Ray K. Harris, # 007408 FENNEMORE CRAIG, P.C. 3003 N. Central Ave., Suite 2600 Phoenix, AZ 85012-2913 Telephone: 602-916-5000 Facsimile: 602-916-5999 [email protected] Attorneys for Defendants Harlem Globetrotters Int'l, Inc. and Mannie L. & Catherine Jackson

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 1. I hereby certify that on November 15, 2006, a true and correct copy of Defendants' In Limine Motion to Exclude Evidence Relating to Plaintiffs' Mental and Emotional Distress was electronically transmitted to the Clerk's Office using the CM/ECF System for filing and transmittal of a Notice of Electronic Filing to the following CM/ECF registrants: Safia A Anand [email protected] [email protected]\ [email protected]

Florence M Bruemmer Joel Louis Herz

Robert Williams Goldwater III Brandon Scott Peters
PHX/RHARRIS/1856594.1/43458.007

[email protected], [email protected] [email protected], [email protected],

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[email protected] Anders V Rosenquist , Jr Ira S Sacks [email protected] [email protected]

Clay M Townsend [email protected], [email protected]; [email protected] 2. I hereby certify that on November 15, 2006, a true and correct copy of the attached document was sent via U.S. Mail, postage paid thereon, to the following parties, at the addresses listed: Keith R. Mitnik Morgan & Morgan PA 20 N. Orange Ave. Suite 1600 Orlando, FL 32802 s/Melody Tolliver

PHX/RHARRIS/1856594.1/43458.007

Case 2:04-cv-00299-DGC

Document 506 4 - Filed 11/15/2006

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