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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Dallas jury favors Steve Harvey in videographer's $50M suit against him

Law money 01

DALLAS – Comedian Steve Harvey has beaten a $50 million lawsuit filed against him by a videographer more than two years ago, per recent Dallas federal court records.

A Dallas Division of the Northern District of Texas jury determined that Joseph Cooper failed to prove his breach of contract complaint against Harvey. It also found that Cooper misappropriated Harvey’s name or likeness.

Cooper initiated legal action against Harvey on Nov. 21, 2014 on allegations the Family Feud and Miss Universe host blocked the release of videos of his old stand-up comedy routines.

Cooper asserted that Harvey entered into an agreement with in March 1993. According to the plaintiff, the television star consented to having his performances filmed in exchange for ownership rights and rights to publish the footage.

Cooper’s complaint stated that Harvey violated the agreement by speaking to Music Video Distributors and YouTube about the plaintiff’s use of the subject footage.

Harvey, in turn, pushed back with a counterclaim that Cooper executed extortion attempts against him. The namesake host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show said contended that he did not enter into an agreement, written or oral.

ADR Provider joined Harvey as a co-respondent in the case, but was released on Sept. 15, 2015.

Attorneys J. Michael Weston and Casey S. Erick of the law firm Bennett Weston LaJone & Turner PC in Dallas represented Cooper while Kenneth Jay Rubenstein, Wendle Van Smith, and Aubrey Nick Pittman of Burdin Mediations served as Harvey’s legal counsel.

United States District Court Judge Jane J. Boyle presided over the litigation.

Dallas Division of the Northern District of Texas Case No. 3:14-CV-4152

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