Michael Grecco Productions, Inc. v. Block Club Chicago NFP

Summary

Photographer Michael Grecco is suing Block Club Chicago, a nonprofit news outlet, alleging copyright infringement over the use of his photographs. The dispute centers on whether Block Club Chicago used Grecco's images without permission or proper licensing, raising questions about fair use and attribution in digital journalism.

Summary generated by AI from public docket data. Verify against the original filing before relying on it.

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Cause

17:501 Copyright Infringement

Entities in this case

Parties

Michael Grecco Productions, Inc. (plaintiff) Block Club Chicago NFP (defendant)

Docket entries

1. #302026-08-19

   MINUTE entry before the Honorable Young B. Kim: In light of the judgment in favor of Defendant (R. 29), all matters relating to the referral of this action having been concluded. The referral is closed, and the case is returned to the presiding District Judge. (ec, ) (Entered: 08/19/2026)

2. #292026-08-18

   ENTERED JUDGMENT: Mailed notice. (jcm) (Entered: 08/18/2026)

3. #282026-08-18

   ORDER: For the reasons in the accompanying Order, the Court grants Block Club's motion for judgment on the pleadings 20 . The dismissal is with prejudice, as Grecco did not request leave to amend or suggest how Grecco could cure the defects in its complaint. See Haywood v. Massage Envy Franchising, LLC, 887 F.3d 329, 335 (7th Cir. 2018). Civil case terminated. Signed by the Honorable Franklin U. Valderrama on 8/18/2026. Mailed notice. (jcm) (Entered: 08/18/2026)

4. #272026-03-13

   REPLY by Block Club Chicago NFP to MOTION by Defendant Block Club Chicago NFP for judgment on the pleadings Presented before District Judge 20 (Taylor, Clyde) (Entered: 03/13/2026)

5. #262026-02-27

   MEMORANDUM by Michael Grecco Productions, Inc. in Opposition to motion for judgment on the pleadings, 20 (Desouza, Daniel) (Entered: 02/27/2026)

6. #252026-02-19

   MINUTE entry before the Honorable Young B. Kim: Motion hearing held. Plaintiff does not oppose the motion. As such, Defendant's motion to stay discovery 22 is granted. The unexpired deadlines in this court's January 13, 2026 scheduling order (R. 19) are stricken. This court will monitor the docket and enter a new schedule as needed. (ec, ) (Entered: 02/19/2026)

7. #242026-02-13

   MINUTE entry before the Honorable Young B. Kim: Defendant's motion to stay discovery 22 will be heard as noticed on February 19, 2026, but will take place at 11:15 a.m. (CST) by phone. The conference call number for the hearing is (650) 479-3207 and the passcode is 23158661611#. (Press # when prompted for an attendee number.) (ec, ) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

8. #232026-02-13

   NOTICE of Motion by Clyde Taylor for presentment of motion to stay 22 before Honorable Young B. Kim on 2/19/2026 at 11:00 AM. (Taylor, Clyde) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

9. #222026-02-13

   MOTION by Defendant Block Club Chicago NFP to stay Discovery Presented before Magistrate Judge (Taylor, Clyde) (Entered: 02/13/2026)

10. #212026-02-09

    MINUTE entry before the Honorable Franklin U. Valderrama: The Court sets the following briefing schedule on Defendant's motion for judgment on the pleadings 20 : Plaintiff's response due on or before 2/27/2026; Defendant's reply due on or before 3/13/2026. Mailed notice. (jcm) (Entered: 02/09/2026)

11. #202026-02-05

    MOTION by Defendant Block Club Chicago NFP for judgment on the pleadings Presented before District Judge (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Memorandum in Support of Motion Judgment on Pleadings, # 2 Exhibit Exhibit to Memorandum)(Taylor, Clyde) (Entered: 02/05/2026)

12. #192026-01-13

    MINUTE entry before the Honorable Young B. Kim: Parties are ordered to adhere to the following written discovery schedule: (1) exchange Rule 26(a)(1) disclosures by January 23, 2026, if not already completed; (2) serve interrogatories and requests to produce documents by January 30, 2026 (requests to admit may be timely served before the end of fact discovery) if not already served; (3) serve answers to discovery requests (including production of responsive documents) by February 27, 2026; (4) confer about the adequacy of the discovery responses by March 13, 2026; and (5) file a joint status report identifying each side's written discovery issues (must identify the specific interrogatories and requests to produce), along with the relevant discovery responses as exhibits, by March 27, 2026. The court will review the status report and resolve written discovery issues identified therein. The court will not consider general objections to discovery requests when ruling on discovery issues. If the parties do not have any disputed written discovery issues, a status report is not required. Finally, pursuant to Rule of Evidence 502(d), this court orders that "privilege or protection is not waived by disclosure connected with the litigation pending before the court---in which event the disclosure is also not a waiver in any other federal or state proceeding." The court further orders that upon written notification from the opposing side that a disclosure of privileged information has occurred, the party shall return and/or destroy the materials at issue or file a motion for a determination on the claimed privilege within seven calendar days of the written notification. (ec, ) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

13. #182026-01-07

    Pursuant to Local Rule 72.1, this case is hereby referred to the calendar of Honorable Young B. Kim for the purpose of holding proceedings related to: Discovery Supervision (including setting all deadlines, resolution of any discovery motion, and resolution of any motion to stay discovery) and settlement matters. (jcm). Mailed notice. (Entered: 01/07/2026)

14. #172026-01-07

    MINUTE entry before the Honorable Franklin U. Valderrama: The Court has reviewed the parties' joint initial status report 16 . The deadline for amendments to the pleadings is 1/30/2026. The Court refers discovery supervision (including setting all deadlines, resolution of any discovery motion, and resolution of any motion to stay discovery) and settlement matters to Magistrate Judge Kim. Mailed notice. (jcm) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

15. #162026-01-06

    REPORT of Rule 26(f) Planning Meeting by Michael Grecco Productions, Inc. (Desouza, Daniel) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

16. #152025-12-31

    ANNUAL REMINDER: Pursuant to Local Rule 3.2 (Notification of Affiliates), any nongovernmental party, other than an individual or sole proprietorship, must file a statement identifying all its affiliates known to the party after diligent review or, if the party has identified no affiliates, then a statement reflecting that fact must be filed. An affiliate is defined as follows: any entity or individual owning, directly or indirectly (through ownership of one or more other entities), 5% or more of a party. The statement is to be electronically filed as a PDF in conjunction with entering the affiliates in CM/ECF as prompted. As a reminder to counsel, parties must supplement their statements of affiliates within thirty (30) days of any change in the information previously reported. This minute order is being issued to all counsel of record to remind counsel of their obligation to provide updated information as to additional affiliates if such updating is necessary. If counsel has any questions regarding this process, this LINK will provide additional information. Signed by the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall on 12/31/2025: Mailed notice. (tg, ) (Entered: 01/01/2026)

17. 2025-09-16

    CLERK'S NOTICE: Pursuant to Local Rule 73.1(b), a United States Magistrate Judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action. If all parties consent to have the currently assigned United States Magistrate Judge conduct all proceedings in this case, including trial, the entry of final judgment, and all post-trial proceedings, all parties must sign their names on the attached Consent To form. This consent form is eligible for filing only if executed by all parties. The parties can also express their consent to jurisdiction by a magistrate judge in any joint filing, including the Joint Initial Status Report or proposed Case Management Order. (lj, )

18. 2025-09-16

    clerk's notice

19. 2025-09-16

    case assigned

20. 2025-09-16

    CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable Franklin U. Valderrama. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Young B. Kim. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 3). (lj, )

Docket history from CourtListener/RECAP — most recent first.