Illustrator Philippa Kirsten Tacla sues a Schedule A online store over a registered Irish Elk illustration

The complaint

Philippa Kirsten Tacla v. The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified on Schedule A, No. 1:26-cv-13601 (N.D. Ill., Eastern Division), was filed November 3, 2026. The complaint is Document 1 and runs 8 pages. The plaintiff is Philippa Kirsten Tacla, who describes herself as an illustrator with a passion for wildlife, science, and natural history, working in watercolor, gouache, and pencil, and says she sells her artwork through print-on-demand platforms. The defendants are the partnerships and unincorporated associations identified on Schedule A. An Amended Schedule A filed November 4, 2026, as Document 12, lists one defendant by store name. The case was assigned to Judge Steven C. Seeger. The complaint pleads jurisdiction under the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq., 28 U.S.C. § 1338(a)-(b), and 28 U.S.C. § 1331, venue under 28 U.S.C. § 1391, and personal jurisdiction based on the defendants' alleged targeting of Illinois and, additionally, under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(k)(2).

The work

The complaint says Tacla owns U.S. Copyright Registration No. VA 2-468-201 covering the creative content of her illustration (the "Philippa Tacla Work"), attaches the registration certificate as Exhibit 1, and alleges, upon information and belief, that the copyright has an effective date that predates the defendants' accused acts. The Copyright Office public record for Registration No. VA 2-468-201 shows a 2-D artwork titled "Irish Elk (Megaloceros)," created in 2015 and first published October 10, 2015, in Australia, with a registration date of July 9, 2025, listing Philippa Kirsten Tacla as author and claimant.

What the complaint alleges

The complaint alleges that the defendants created Defendant Internet Stores designed to appear to be selling authorized products associated with the Philippa Tacla Work, that each defendant has sold and continues to sell online pirated derivative works through online marketplace listings, and that the stores offer shipping to the United States, including Illinois, accept payment in U.S. dollars, and, on information and belief, have sold products bearing infringing versions of the registered work to Illinois residents. It alleges, upon information and belief, that the defendants reside in the People's Republic of China or other foreign jurisdictions, and, upon information and belief, that each defendant's unauthorized listings are accessible and have been accessed by Illinois residents.

Claims and relief

Count I is copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq., alleging violation of the exclusive rights of reproduction, distribution, and public display, citing §§ 106(1), (2), (3), and (5). The count alleges entitlement to relief under § 504, attorneys' fees and costs under § 505, and, under §§ 502 and 503, an injunction and an order that each defendant destroy all unauthorized copies. The prayer seeks temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief; a judgment that the defendants willfully infringed under § 501 and otherwise injured the plaintiff's business reputation and business; actual or statutory damages under § 504 at plaintiff's election; attorneys' fees and costs; and other relief.

Earlier suits

Tacla filed two earlier Schedule A copyright suits in the Northern District of Illinois. No. 1:26-cv-04644 was filed April 23, 2026. On May 7, 2026, the court dismissed that complaint for improper joinder of the 109 defendants it named, allowed an amended complaint by May 27, 2026, and said any amended complaint should also allege facts supporting personal jurisdiction as to each named defendant. After a notice of voluntary dismissal (ECF No. 12), the court dismissed the case without prejudice under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a) on June 2, 2026. No. 1:26-cv-11850 was filed September 28, 2026, against 109 defendants. On October 8, 2026, the court dismissed that complaint for improper joinder and said that if Tacla pursued an amended complaint, her submissions should also support personal jurisdiction as to each defendant. Tacla filed a notice of voluntary dismissal on October 29, 2026, and the court dismissed the case without prejudice under Rule 41(a) on October 30, 2026.