Lantern Press sues Schedule A online stores over registered travel illustrations

The complaint

Lantern Press, LLC v. The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A, No. 1:26-cv-13164 (N.D. Ill.), was filed October 26, 2026. The complaint is Document 1 and runs 8 pages. The plaintiff is Lantern Press, LLC, which the complaint describes as a publisher and manufacturer of travel-inspired art, gifts, and keepsakes founded in 2007. The defendants are the partnerships and unincorporated associations identified on Schedule A. Jurisdiction is pleaded under the Copyright Act, 28 U.S.C. 1338(a)-(b), and 28 U.S.C. 1331; venue under 28 U.S.C. 1391. The complaint also invokes Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(k)(2).

The works

The complaint asserts five United States copyright registrations that it calls the Lantern Press Works: VA 2-476-737; VA 2-476-763; VA 2-476-745; VA 2-476-747; and VA 2-476-738. It alleges Lantern Press owns the registrations, that the registrations are valid and in force, and that certificates are attached as Exhibit 1. It describes the company's artwork as illustrations of travel destinations, landmarks, and regional themes inspired by vintage travel posters, which it pairs with keepsake and souvenir products. The Copyright Office records show each of the five registrations effective October 28, 2025, and list first publication of the registered works between 2010 and 2015. The complaint alleges, upon information and belief, that the copyrights have effective dates that predate the defendants' acts of infringement.

What the complaint alleges

It alleges the defendants created numerous interactive commercial internet stores under aliases and marketplace accounts identified on Schedule A, designed them to appear to sell authorized Lantern Press products, and sold and continue to sell unauthorized products based on and derived from the Lantern Press Works. It alleges, on information and belief, that the defendants reside in the People's Republic of China or other foreign jurisdictions, target United States consumers including Illinois residents by offering shipping to the United States, accepting payment in U.S. dollars, and, on information and belief, have sold products bearing infringing versions of the registered works to Illinois residents. It alleges the stores share unique identifiers such as design elements and similarities of the unauthorized products.

Claims and relief requested

The complaint states one count for copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. 101 et seq., alleging each defendant violated the plaintiff's exclusive rights of reproduction, distribution, and public display, citing 17 U.S.C. 106(1), (2), (3), and (5). The count alleges that the plaintiff is entitled to relief under 17 U.S.C. 504, attorneys' fees and costs under 17 U.S.C. 505, and, under 17 U.S.C. 502 and 503, an injunction and an order that each defendant destroy all unauthorized copies. The prayer asks for temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctions restraining use of the Lantern Press Works in connection with unauthorized products and use of or control over the defendant internet stores; a judgment that the defendants willfully infringed the registered copyrights under 17 U.S.C. 501 and otherwise injured the plaintiff's business reputation and business; actual or statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. 504, at the plaintiff's election; reasonable attorneys' fees and costs; and other relief the court deems just and proper.

On the docket

The case is before Judge Virginia M. Kendall. On October 28, 2026, the court entered a minute order taking the plaintiff's motion for a temporary restraining order, motion for leave to file under seal, and motion for leave to file excess pages under advisement, and striking the motion hearings that had been set for November 3, 2026.