Abilene Music and W Chappell Music sue DBN, Inc. over three songs allegedly performed without a license at Angelos' at the Point in Tennessee

The complaint

Abilene Music LLC and W Chappell Music Corp. d/b/a WC Music Corp. v. DBN, Inc. and Athanasios Angelopoulos, No. 3:26-cv-00503 (E.D. Tenn.), is a six-page complaint filed October 19, 2026 in the Northern Division. The plaintiffs allege that they own the copyrights in the works in suit and that they are members of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). The complaint alleges, on information and belief, that DBN, Inc. is a Tennessee corporation, and says DBN owns or operates Angelos' at the Point, a place of public entertainment in Dandridge, Tennessee. It alleges, on information and belief, that Angelopoulos resides and/or does business in the district, and says he is an owner or officer of DBN responsible for its affairs.

What it alleges

The complaint says that since December 2021 ASCAP has tried to reach the defendants by telephone, mail, and e-mail to offer a license for Angelos' at the Point, and that the defendants refused every offer. It alleges that the defendants continued to perform copyrighted compositions of ASCAP members there without permission, including three compositions owned by the plaintiffs, on dates listed in a Schedule A to the complaint. One composition is alleged to be in its renewal term. It alleges that both defendants had the right and ability to supervise the performances and drew a direct financial benefit from them, and that the infringement was knowing and intentional. The Schedule A listing the compositions, registrations, and performance dates is not available.

The claims and relief

The complaint pleads three causes of action for copyright infringement, one per composition. The plaintiffs ask for a permanent injunction against further public performance of the compositions at the venue or any place the defendants control, statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. 504(c)(1) of between $750 and $30,000 for each cause of action, and costs and a reasonable attorney's fee.

On the docket

Summonses were issued for both defendants on October 20, 2026. An order of recusal was entered on October 21, 2026, and an order reassigning the case on October 22, 2026.