5-28-13
In the full filing (which you can read here), Arbitron alleges the Saga abuse of data was more widespread than Lakefront (Milwaukee). Arbitron says the abuse, "extended to the senior executives of its parent company, Saga, whose executives were aware that Lakefront?s radio stations obtained Arbitron?s copyrighted audience estimates and was reproducing, using and distributing them on a regular basis."
Arbitron says the exact amount Saga should pay should be determined at trial but adds it should be awarded $150,000 per act of infringement, plus attorneys' fees, and an award of enhanced damages.
Arbitron also claims Saga was using audience estimates as a way to determine employee compensation. "Defendants decided whether to give their employees bonuses and, if so, the size of those bonuses based on the station?s performance in the Arbitron ratings. This system was so widespread, open and notorious at Defendants? radio stations, that station personnel including senior management commonly referred to the system as the 'Arbitron Bonus.' An employee?s 'Arbitron bonus' was determined by how well or poorly a particular radio program fared in the Arbitron audience estimates regularly obtained and used by Defendants? stations without authorization."
At this time, Saga had no comment.
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