Opinion
21-cv-05677-EMC
01-06-2023
BUNGIE, INC., et al., Plaintiffs, v. ANDREW THORPE, et al., Defendants.
ORDER RE SUPPLEMENTAL BRIEFING DOCKET NO. 64
EDWARD M. CHEN United States District Judge
Plaintiffs are companies that own certain online multiplayer video games. They initiated this action against four individuals who Plaintiffs assert are responsible for operating an online business venture called “Ring-1.” Ring-1 markets and sells software that enables Plaintiffs' customers to cheat in the games. Plaintiffs settled their dispute with three of the four defendants. They now move for a default judgment against the remaining defendant, Andrew Thorpe.
Having reviewed the motion, the Court orders Plaintiffs to file supplemental briefing and/or evidence on the issues discussed below. The filing shall be made by January 10, 2023.
(1) Plaintiffs' investigation shows that Ring-1 “is not a formal legal entity, and is not owned or controlled by a partnership or corporate entity.” Mot. at 5. Do Plaintiffs have additional information about what kind of business association Ring-1 is?
(2) Plaintiffs have stated that the developers of Ring-1 own the website and Mr. Thorpe runs it for the developers. See Mot. at 6. What evidence do Plaintiffs have that Mr. Thorpe was more than just an “employee” of Ring-1 - e.g., that he was a developer of the cheating software sold by Ring-1 or that he has an ownership interest in Ring-1? Did Plaintiffs obtain any information from the settling defendants about Mr. Thorpe's role in Ring-1?
IT IS SO ORDERED.