The complaint
Skeith Sean Keith DeWine v. Petersen Automotive Museum et al., No. 8:26-cv-02843 (C.D. Cal.), was filed September 28, 2026 (10 pages). The plaintiff is a visual artist who lives in Orange County, California. The defendants are the Petersen Automotive Museum, which the complaint describes, on information and belief, as an entity of unknown form operating a museum in Los Angeles; the Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation, which it describes, on information and belief, as a California nonprofit public benefit corporation; and Does 1 to 10. DeWine requests a jury trial. (Compl. caption; paras. 1 to 4.)
What it alleges
The complaint alleges that DeWine created a sculptural work titled Betty the Art Car from a 1973 Ford Maverick, that in 2003 it was restored and enhanced at the museum in connection with an exhibit, and that a museum press release that year said it would be donated to the museum's permanent collection after restoration. It alleges DeWine learned in March 2024 that the car had been removed from the museum without his knowledge, and by late March 2024 that it had been destroyed, without the 90 days' notice he says California law requires. It alleges, on information and belief, that when a television news station sought to interview him, the defendants or their agent interfered and claimed he was not credible. (Compl. paras. 8 to 9, 12 to 19.)
The counts and relief
The seven counts are violation of California Civil Code 987; violation of the right of integrity under 17 U.S.C. 106A(a)(3)(B), alleging destruction of a work of recognized stature; violation of 17 U.S.C. 106A(a)(3)(A), alleging distortion, mutilation, or modification; conversion; breach of bailee's duty; breach of contract; and negligence. The prayer asks for a declaration that the defendants violated Civil Code 987 and 17 U.S.C. 106A; an injunction covering any other works by DeWine in the defendants' possession and against further disparagement in the media; compensatory damages of not less than $150,000; punitive damages under Civil Code 987; statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. 106A and related provisions; damages on the state-law counts; attorneys' fees and costs; and interest. (Compl. paras. 20 to 38; Prayer 1 to 9.)
On the docket
The docket shows the complaint, with Exhibits A to C, the civil cover sheet, a notice of interested parties, and the report on the filing of a copyright action, all entered September 28, 2026, followed by the court's notice of assignment, summons, and initial order. (Docket, ECF Nos. 1 to 10.)