CopyrightC.D. Cal.2:26-cv-00125

Carl Watts v. Universal Pictures

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Summary

Carl Watts sues Universal Pictures for allegedly copying his copyrighted work without permission.

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

Coverage vs reality meter

Coverage vs realityPress: plaintiff

Coverage events: 1P · 0D · 1N (2 articles)

Latest ruling: defendant (2026-05-21)

Press coverage leans plaintiff-favorable; no court ruling has been classified yet.

Coverage breakdown — the articles behind the meter

1 plaintiff-favorable · 0 defendant-favorable · 1 neutral articles

The meter counts distinct coverage events, not articles: 1 plaintiff · 0 defendant · 1 neutral events — a burst of same-stance coverage counts once, however many outlets ran it.

Plaintiff-favorable
Defendant-favorable

None classified yet.

Coverage sentiment vs. docket activity over time

Coverage sentiment vs. docket activity over time▲ plaintiff-favorable▼ defendant-favorable2026-01-05 · coverage 1P / 0D / 1NDocketFiled 2026-01-062026-01-27 · ruling · favors neutral ORDER RE MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT by Judge Cynthia Valenzuela. (jec) (Entered: 01/27…2026-05-21 · ruling · favors defendant Dismiss Case2026-07-21 · filing · favors defendant Response in Opposition to Motion2026-07-31 · filing · favors neutral Reply (Motion related)Jan 26Apr 26Jul 26filingruling■ plaintiff■ defendantweekly coverage · docket events

Counsel of record

For the plaintiff
For the defendant
Court
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
Docket no.
2:26-cv-00125
Nature of suit
Copyright
Judge
Cynthia Valenzuela
Filed
2026-01-06
Last filing
2026-09-08

Cause

17:101 Copyright Infringement

Entities in this case

Universal34Carl Watts

Parties

Carl Watts (plaintiff) Does (defendant) James Wan (defendant) Akela Cooper (defendant) Blumhouse Productions (defendant) Universal Pictures (defendant)

Docket entries

  1. 2026-10-13

    Text Only Scheduling Notice

  2. #392026-09-14

    Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel (G-123)

  3. #382026-09-08

    Scheduling Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

  4. 2026-08-11

    Text Only Scheduling Notice

  5. #352026-08-10

    Joint Report Rule 26(f) Discovery Plan

  6. #342026-08-07

    Joint Report Rule 26(f) Discovery Plan

  7. #332026-07-31

    Reply (Motion related)

  8. #322026-07-23

    Extension of Time to File

  9. #312026-07-21

    Response in Opposition to Motion

  10. #302026-07-17

    Extension of Time to File Document

  11. #292026-07-13

    Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings

  12. #282026-06-11

    Extension of Time to File

  13. #272026-06-08

    Notice of Appearance or Withdrawal of Counsel (G-123)

  14. #262026-06-05

    Extension of Time to File Document

  15. #252026-06-03

    Extension of Time to File Response/Reply AND Hearing

  16. #242026-05-21

    Certificate/Notice of Interested Parties

  17. #232026-05-21

    Notice of Lodging

  18. #222026-05-21

    Dismiss Case

  19. #212026-04-16

    PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Carl Watts, upon Defendant Akela Cooper served on 4/2/2026, answer due 5/21/2026. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Akela Cooper, Defendant in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by personal service (Williams, Andrew) (Entered: 04/16/2026)

  20. #202026-04-03

    STIPULATION Extending Time to Answer the complaint as to Akela Cooper answer now due 5/21/2026; Blumhouse Productions answer now due 5/21/2026; Universal Pictures answer now due 5/21/2026; James Wan answer now due 5/21/2026, filed by Defendants Akela Cooper; Blumhouse Productions; Universal Pictures; James Wan.(Attorney Aaron J. Moss added to party Blumhouse Productions(pty:dft), Attorney Aaron J. Moss added to party Akela Cooper(pty:dft), Attorney Aaron J. Moss added to party Universal Pictures(pty:dft), Attorney Aaron J. Moss added to party James Wan(pty:dft))(Moss, Aaron) (Entered: 04/03/2026)

  21. #192026-04-02

    PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Carl Watts, upon Defendant Blumhouse Productions served on 3/31/2026, answer due 4/21/2026. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Legal Representative in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by personal service (Williams, Andrew) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

  22. #182026-04-02

    PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Carl Watts, upon Defendant Universal Pictures served on 3/31/2026, answer due 4/21/2026. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon Tatiyana Smith, intake specialist in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure by personal service (Williams, Andrew) (Entered: 04/02/2026)

  23. #172026-01-27

    ORDER RE MOTIONS FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT by Judge Cynthia Valenzuela. (jec) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

  24. #162026-01-27

    STANDING ORDER For Civil Cases upon filing of the complaint by Judge Cynthia Valenzuela. (jec) (Entered: 01/27/2026)

  25. #152026-01-26

    NOTICE OF REASSIGNMENT of MJDAP case from Magistrate Judge Alicia G. Rosenberg to Judge Cynthia Valenzuela for all further proceedings. Any discovery matters that may be referred to a Magistrate Judge are assigned to U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Donahue. The case number will now reflect the initials of the transferee Judges 2:26-cv-00125-CV (PDx). (lh) (Entered: 01/26/2026)

  26. #142026-01-26

    Declination of Consent form received on 1/26/2026 was submitted within deadline set forth in L.R. 73-2.1. THERE IS NO PDF DOCUMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ENTRY. (lkr) TEXT ONLY ENTRY (Entered: 01/26/2026)

  27. 2026-01-26

    MJDAP Timely Opt-Out

  28. #132026-01-15

    21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendant Akela Cooper. (et) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

  29. #122026-01-15

    21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendant James Wan. (et) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

  30. #112026-01-15

    21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendant Blumhouse Productions. (et) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

  31. #102026-01-15

    21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendant Universal Pictures. (et) (Entered: 01/15/2026)

Docket history from CourtListener/RECAP — most recent first.

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