United States. District Court (New York : Southern District)

Konrad Bercovici was a screenwriter who became close friends with actor and director Charlie Chaplin. In this lawsuit, Bercovici claimed that Chaplin had plagiarized from him the idea for Chaplin's film "The Great Dictator." The case went to trial in 1947, with Louis Nizer and Walter S. Beck of law firm Davidson & Davidson representing the plaintiff, and Louis D. Frohlich, Arthur H. Schwartz, and Everett A. Frohlich of Schwartz & Frohlich representing the defendant. The case was settled when Chaplin agreed to pay Bercovici $95,000 in compensation.

From the description of Konrad Bercovici vs. Charles S. Chaplin and United Artists Corporation court documents, docket number 14-190, 1942-1947. (Cornell University Library). WorldCat record id: 708221369

Federal district court for the southern part of New York State, convening in New York City.

From the description of Minutes, Southern District of New York, no. 5, 1872 Mar. 12-June 1. (New York University, Group Batchload). WorldCat record id: 58758898

The U.S. District and Circuit Courts were established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. The Circuit Courts were given jurisdiction over cases involving foreign nationals or citizens of several states and equity suits where the matter in dispute exceeded $500. The Circuit Courts also heard appeals from the District Courts, which handled admiralty cases and bankruptcies under the national bankruptcy acts after 1800. New York was divided into Northern and Southern Districts in 1814. The Circuit Courts were abolished in 1912 and their duties given to the District Courts.

From the description of Equity dockets and case files, 1791-1846 [microform]. (Hagley Museum & Library). WorldCat record id: 86123703