Warren Communications sues Crane Worldwide Logistics over copying of its trade newsletters

The complaint

Warren Communications News, Inc. v. Crane Worldwide Logistics, LLC, No. 4:26-cv-07526 (S.D. Tex., Houston Division), was filed September 8, 2026 (11 pages). The plaintiff is Warren Communications News, Inc., a Delaware corporation based in Washington, D.C. that publishes trade newsletters. The defendant is Crane Worldwide Logistics, LLC, a South Dakota company based in Houston that provides supply chain services. The complaint demands a jury trial. (Compl. caption; paras. 5 to 6.)

The works

Warren alleges it owns the copyrights in issues of International Trade Today published from April 1, 2023 through April 30, 2025 and issues of Export Compliance Daily published from June 1, 2022 through April 30, 2025, and lists monthly group registration certificates for both newsletters. (Compl. paras. 7 to 9.)

What it alleges

The complaint alleges that Crane bought a single-user subscription to International Trade Today and a three-user subscription to Export Compliance Daily, whose terms barred forwarding or copying beyond one personal copy, and that beginning in early 2023 two authorized recipients made and provided copies to other present and former Crane personnel. It alleges, on information and belief, that at least 1,250 separate issues were copied and disseminated without authority. Warren says it discovered the copying in early 2025, sent a cease-and-desist letter on March 17, 2025, and later entered a tolling agreement effective from that date. It pleads direct, vicarious, and contributory infringement and alleges willfulness. (Compl. paras. 11 to 25, 26 to 29.)

Relief sought

Warren asks for actual damages and Crane's profits or, at its election, statutory damages for each timely registered work, including enhanced damages of $150,000 per work for willful infringement, an injunction, interest, and costs and attorneys' fees. The complaint states that a jury may award up to $150,000 for each of the 1,250 issues, or about $187,500,000. (Compl. paras. 30 to 31; Prayer 1 to 5.)

Docket activity

Judge Sim Lake signed an order on September 17, 2026 setting an initial pretrial and scheduling conference for December 18, 2026. The summons issued September 14, 2026, and Warren filed its certificate of interested parties on October 2, 2026. (ECF Nos. 5 to 8.)