I posted previously I was going to trial, and now there is a verdict (issued Feb. 15th, 2008). Federal District Court Judge Ann D. Montgomery ruled Vilana Financial, Inc. stole photos from my website, published them, then forged a sales agreement and lied about the source of the images. I was awarded $19,462.00 in a combination of actual and statutory damages, including for removal of copyright management information (Gregerson v. Vilana Financial, et al. 06-cv-01164, D. Minn.). I defeated six claims against me for appropriation of name and likeness, defamation, and trademark infringement, and others. I represented myself in the two+ years of litigation. The details of the lawsuit are on my website. Gregerson v. Vilana Financial, Inc.

—Chris Gregerson