What was filed
Namiko Chen v. Yama Fuji, Inc., No. 1:26-cv-14470-DJC (D. Mass.), was filed September 30, 2026 (8 pages). Chen is a professional photographer in Belmont, California, and the creative force behind the Japanese recipe website Just One Cookbook. The complaint alleges, on information and belief, that Yama Fuji operates a restaurant business in Medway, Massachusetts. Chen demands a jury trial. The docket shows the case assigned to Chief Judge Denise J. Casper. (Compl. paras. 3, 4, 8; docket.)
What the complaint alleges
The complaint alleges Chen is the author and owner of the photograph and holds Reg. No. VA 2-148-466 for it. It alleges, on information and belief, that Yama Fuji operates yamafujimassdining.com, that someone acting for it downloaded the photograph from Chen's website and uploaded it there, and that the use was willful, pointing to the copyright notice on the restaurant's site. (Compl. paras. 9 to 21.)
Claim and relief
The single claim alleges direct copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. 501. Chen seeks declarations of infringement and willfulness, actual damages and profits or statutory damages of up to $150,000, exemplary and punitive damages, costs and fees, interest, and a permanent injunction. (Compl. paras. 22 to 30; Prayer.)