Merkel v. SoundCloud Inc.
| New York Southern District Court | |
| Judge: | Jennifer H Rearden |
| Referred: | Henry J Ricardo |
| Case #: | 1:26-cv-00980 |
| Nature of Suit | 370 Torts - Personal Property - Other Fraud |
| Cause | 28:1332 Diversity Action |
| Case Filed: | Feb 04, 2026 |
| Last checked: Monday Aug 03, 2026 4:07 AM EDT |
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Consolidated Plaintiff
Star Ghanaat
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Represented By
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Consolidated Plaintiff
Ryan Murphy
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Represented By
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Defendant
SoundCloud Inc.
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Represented By
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Plaintiff
Alexander Merkel
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Represented By
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| Docket last updated: 10/12/2026 11:59 PM EDT |
| Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | ||
| 42 | 42
notice
Notice (Other)
Tue 09/29 1:39 PM
NOTICE of Supplemental Authority re:32 MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Consolidated Class Action Complaint .. Document filed by SoundCloud Inc...(Feldstein, Robyn) |
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Att: 1
16 pgs
Exhibit A- Opinion and Order dated September 17, 2026
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| 41 | 41
notice
Notice of Appearance
Tue 09/29 11:23 AM
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Sean Thomas Masson on behalf of Star Ghanaat, Alexander Merkel, Ryan Murphy..(Masson, Sean) |
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| Friday, August 21, 2026 | ||
| 40 | 40
respm
Reply Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion
Fri 08/21 9:11 PM
REPLY MEMORANDUM OF LAW in Support re:32 MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Consolidated Class Action Complaint . . Document filed by SoundCloud Inc...(Feldstein, Robyn) |
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| Friday, July 31, 2026 | ||
| 39 | 39
30+
pgs
respm
Memorandum of Law in Opposition to Motion
Fri 07/31 4:07 PM
MEMORANDUM OF LAW in Opposition re:38 LETTER MOTION for Oral Argument of Plaintiffs' Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss addressed to Judge Jennifer H. Rearden from Joseph P. Guglielmo dated 07/31/2026. . Document filed by Star Ghanaat, Alexander Merkel, Ryan Murphy..(Guglielmo, Joseph) |
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| 38 | 38
motion
Oral Argument
Fri 07/31 4:04 PM
LETTER MOTION for Oral Argument of Plaintiffs' Opposition to Defendant's Motion to Dismiss addressed to Judge Jennifer H. Rearden from Joseph P. Guglielmo dated 07/31/2026. Document filed by Star Ghanaat, Alexander Merkel, Ryan Murphy..(Guglielmo, Joseph) |
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| 37 | 37
misc
Letter
Fri 07/31 3:52 PM
LETTER addressed to Judge Jennifer H. Rearden from Joseph P. Guglielmo dated 07/31/2026 re: Request for Oral Argument on Defendant's Motion to Dismiss (ECF No. 33). Document filed by Star Ghanaat, Alexander Merkel, Ryan Murphy..(Guglielmo, Joseph) |
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| Tuesday, July 14, 2026 | ||
| 36 | 36
misc
Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement
Tue 07/14 2:34 PM
RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. Identifying Corporate Parent SoundCloud Global Limited & Co. KG, Corporate Parent SoundCloud Holdings LLC, Other Affiliate Sirius XM Holdings, Inc., Other Affiliate Sirius XM Radios Inc. for SoundCloud Inc.. Document filed by SoundCloud Inc...(Feldstein, Robyn) |
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| Monday, July 13, 2026 | ||
| 35 | 35
1
pgs
order
Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
Mon 07/13 5:10 PM
ORDER granting34 Letter Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply re34 LETTER MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply addressed to Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo from Brian C. Gudmundson dated July 10, 2026. The Court is in receipt of Plaintiffs' letter motion requesting an extension of time to respond to Defendant's motion to dismiss. ECF No. 34. The request is GRANTED. Plaintiff shall respond to the motion to dismiss by July 31, 2026. Defendant shall file its reply by August 21, 2026. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to terminate the letter motion at ECF No. 34 as GRANTED. Responses due by 7/31/2026 Replies due by 8/21/2026. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Henry J Ricardo on 7/13/2026) (sgz) |
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| Friday, July 10, 2026 | ||
| 34 | 34
motion
Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
Fri 07/10 1:26 PM
LETTER MOTION for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply addressed to Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo from Brian C. Gudmundson dated July 10, 2026. Document filed by Ryan Murphy..(Gudmundson, Brian) |
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| Thursday, July 02, 2026 | ||
| 33 | 33
28
pgs
respm
Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion
Thu 07/02 7:43 PM
MEMORANDUM OF LAW in Support re:32 MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Consolidated Class Action Complaint . . Document filed by SoundCloud Inc...(Feldstein, Robyn) |
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| 32 | 32
motion
Dismiss
Thu 07/02 7:39 PM
MOTION to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Consolidated Class Action Complaint . Document filed by SoundCloud Inc...(Feldstein, Robyn) |
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| Tuesday, June 09, 2026 | ||
| 31 | 31
order
Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Tue 06/09 10:52 AM
ORDER granting28 Motion for Madison M. DeMaris to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Jennifer H. Rearden)(Text Only Order) (kwi) |
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| 30 | 30
order
Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Tue 06/09 10:51 AM
ORDER granting27 Motion for Brian C. Gudmundson to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Jennifer H. Rearden)(Text Only Order) (kwi) |
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| 29 | 29
order
Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Tue 06/09 10:47 AM
ORDER granting26 Motion for Michael J. Laird to Appear Pro Hac Vice. (Signed by Judge Jennifer H. Rearden on 6/9/2026) (kwi) |
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| Monday, June 08, 2026 | ||
| 28 | 28
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice
Mon 06/08 12:43 PM
MOTION for Madison M. DeMaris to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by Ryan Murphy..(Demaris, Madison) |
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Att: 1
Affidavit of Madison M. DeMaris in Support of Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice,
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Att: 2
Exhibit A - Certificate of Good Standing,
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Att: 3
Proposed Order Proposed Order
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| 27 | 27
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice
Mon 06/08 12:32 PM
MOTION for Brian C. Gudmundson to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by Ryan Murphy..(Gudmundson, Brian) |
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Att: 1
Affidavit of Brian C. Gudmundson in Support of Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice,
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Att: 2
Exhibit A - Certificate of Good Standing,
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Att: 3
Proposed Order Proposed Order
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| 26 | 26
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice
Mon 06/08 12:18 PM
MOTION for Michael J. Laird to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by Ryan Murphy..(Laird, Michael) |
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Att: 1
Affidavit of Michael J. Laird in Support of Motion for Admission Pro Hac Vice,
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Att: 2
Exhibit A - Certificate of Good Standing,
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Att: 3
Proposed Order Proposed Order
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misc
Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion
Mon 06/08 1:29 PM
>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 26 MOTION for Michael J. Laird to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc) |
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misc
Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion
Mon 06/08 1:30 PM
>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 27 MOTION for Brian C. Gudmundson to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc) |
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misc
Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion
Mon 06/08 1:30 PM
>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 28 MOTION for Madison M. DeMaris to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (bc) |
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| Monday, May 18, 2026 | ||
| 25 | 25
cmp
Amended Complaint
Mon 05/18 8:05 PM
AMENDED COMPLAINT amending1 Complaint against SoundCloud Inc. with JURY DEMAND.Document filed by Ryan Murphy. Related document:1 Complaint..(Guglielmo, Joseph) |
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| 24 | 24
cmp
Complaint
Mon 05/18 7:12 PM
COMPLAINT against SoundCloud Inc.. (Filing Fee $ 405.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-32865455)Document filed by Ryan Murphy..(Guglielmo, Joseph) |
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| Thursday, April 09, 2026 | ||
| 23 | 23
notice
Notice of Appearance
Thu 04/09 3:01 PM
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Annie Erin Causey on behalf of Star Ghanaat..(Causey, Annie) |
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| 22 | 22
notice
Notice of Appearance
Thu 04/09 2:57 PM
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by James Francis Woods on behalf of Star Ghanaat..(Woods, James) |
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| Wednesday, April 01, 2026 | ||
| 21 | 21
2
pgs
order
Order
Wed 04/01 3:41 PM
ORDER: For the reasons articulated in the transcript, the relief sought in the Letter is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART. Plaintiffs' request to consolidate cases is GRANTED. The Clerk of Court is directed to consolidate the following cases: (1) Merkel v. SoundCloud, Inc., No. 26- CV-980; (2) Ghanaat v. SoundCloud, Inc., No. 26-CV-1093; and (3) Murphy v. SoundCloud, Inc., No. 26-CV-1169. All future filings shall be on the 26-CV-980 docket. Plaintiffs shall file a consolidated complaint by May 18, 2026. Defendant's response to the consolidated complaint shall be filed by July 2, 2026. Additionally, Plaintiffs' request for appointment of interim lead counsel is DENIED without prejudice to being renewed. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Henry J Ricardo on 4/1/2026) (sgz) |
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| 20 | 20
minutes
Telephone Conference
Wed 04/01 10:28 AM
Minute Entry for proceedings held before Magistrate Judge Henry J Ricardo: Motions. Telephone Conference held on 4/1/2026. See transcript for details. Transcript for this proceeding is available by utilizing the attached Order Form. (rdz) |
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| Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | ||
| 19 | 19
misc
Letter
Wed 03/18 4:11 PM
LETTER addressed to Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo from Robyn M. Feldstein dated March 18, 2026 re: Response to Plaintiffs' Request for a Pre-Motion Conference. Document filed by SoundCloud Inc...(Feldstein, Robyn) |
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| Monday, March 16, 2026 | ||
| 18 | 18
order
Scheduling Order
Mon 03/16 12:50 PM
ORDER: The Court is in receipt of Plaintiffs letter requesting a pre-motion conference regarding his anticipated motions for consolidation and appointment of interim lead counsel. ECF No. 16. Defendant is directed to file its letter response by March 18, 2026. A conference is scheduled on April 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. by telephone to address the anticipated motions. Counsel should contact chambers using the Court's conference line,+ 1 646-453-4442 (Conference ID: 854 363 491#). SO ORDERED. Telephone Conference set for 4/1/2026 at 10:00 AM before Magistrate Judge Henry J Ricardo. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Henry J Ricardo on 3/16/2026) (sgz) |
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| 17 | 17
notice
Notice of Appearance
Mon 03/16 11:52 AM
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Joseph Peter Guglielmo on behalf of Alexander Merkel..(Guglielmo, Joseph) |
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| Friday, March 13, 2026 | ||
| 16 | 16
misc
Letter
Fri 03/13 3:26 PM
LETTER addressed to Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo from Joseph P. Guglielmo dated 03/13/2026 re: Request for Pre-Motion Conference Regarding Motion for Consolidation and Appointment of Interim Lead Counsel. Document filed by Alexander Merkel..(Guglielmo, Joseph) |
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| Friday, March 06, 2026 | ||
| 15 | 15
order
Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
Fri 03/06 2:01 PM
ORDER granting14 Motion for Gerald D. Wells, III to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge Jennifer H. Rearden)(Text Only Order) (kwi) |
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| Thursday, March 05, 2026 | ||
| 14 | 14
motion
Appear Pro Hac Vice
Thu 03/05 11:25 AM
MOTION for Gerald D. Wells, III to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-32498605. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff. Document filed by Alexander Merkel..(Wells, Gerald) |
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Att: 1
Affidavit of Gerald D. Wells, III,
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Att: 2
Exhibit Certificates of Good Standing,
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Att: 3
Proposed Order Text of Proposed Order
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misc
Notice Regarding Pro Hac Vice Motion
Thu 03/05 3:36 PM
>>>NOTICE REGARDING PRO HAC VICE MOTION. Regarding Document No. 14 MOTION for Gerald D. Wells, III to Appear Pro Hac Vice . Filing fee $ 200.00, receipt number ANYSDC-32498605. Motion and supporting papers to be reviewed by Clerk's Office staff.. The document has been reviewed and there are no deficiencies. (rju) |
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| Friday, February 27, 2026 | ||
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1
pgs
order
Order on Motion to Consolidate Cases Order on Motion to Appoint Counsel
Fri 02/27 5:30 PM
ORDER denying7 Motion to Consolidate Cases ; denying7 Motion to Appoint Counsel. The Court is in receipt of Plaintiffs Motion for Consolidation and for Appointment of Interim Lead Counsel, ECF No. 7 (the "Motion"). Because Plaintiff did not seek a pre-motion conference pursuant to Rule Il(B) of the undersigned's Individual Rules and Practices, and Defendants have not yet appeared in the related cases Ghanaat v. SoundCloud Inc., No. 26-CV-1093; and Murphy v. SoundCloud Inc., No. 26-CV-1169, the Motion is premature and therefore DENIED without prejudice. Plaintiff is directed to confer with Defendant regarding the requested relief before seeking a pre-motion conference. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to terminate the Motion at ECF No. 7 as DENIED. SO ORDERED. (Signed by Magistrate Judge Henry J Ricardo on 2/27/2026) (jjc) |
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| 12 | 12
order
Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
Fri 02/27 4:21 PM
ORDER granting10 Letter Motion for Extension of Time to Answer SoundCloud Inc. The Court is in receipt of Defendant's motion requesting an extension to respond to the complaint. Defendant shall respond to the complaint by April 16, 2026. (HEREBY ORDERED by Magistrate Judge Henry J Ricardo)(Text Only Order) (eds) |
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| Thursday, February 26, 2026 | ||
| 11 | 11
1
pgs
order
Order Referring Case to Magistrate Judge
Thu 02/26 4:24 PM
ORDER REFERRING CASE TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE. Order that case be referred to the Clerk of Court for assignment to a Magistrate Judge for Specific Non-Dispositive Motion/Dispute: ECF No. 7, Motion for Consolidation and for Appointment of Interim Lead Counsel. General Pretrial (includes scheduling, discovery, non-dispositive pretrial motions, and settlement) Referred to Magistrate Judge Henry J Ricardo. SO ORDERED. Motions referred to Henry J Ricardo. (Signed by Judge Jennifer H. Rearden on 2/26/2026) (jca) |
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| Wednesday, February 25, 2026 | ||
| 10 | 10
motion
Extension of Time to File Answer
Wed 02/25 3:17 PM
LETTER MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer to the Complaint addressed to Judge Jennifer H. Rearden from Robyn M. Feldstein dated February 25, 2026. Document filed by SoundCloud Inc...(Feldstein, Robyn) |
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| 9 | 9
notice
Notice of Appearance
Wed 02/25 3:13 PM
NOTICE OF APPEARANCE by Robyn Mara Feldstein on behalf of SoundCloud Inc...(Feldstein, Robyn) |
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| Thursday, February 19, 2026 | ||
| 8 | 8
21
pgs
respm
Memorandum of Law in Support of Motion
Thu 02/19 2:00 PM
MEMORANDUM OF LAW in Support re:7 MOTION to Consolidate Cases 1:26-cv-01093; 1:26-cv-01169 . MOTION to Appoint Counsel re: Motion for Consolidation and for Appointment of Interim Lead Counsel . . Document filed by Alexander Merkel..(Lynch, Gary) |
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Att: 1
Exhibit A- Lynch Carpenter, LLP Firm Resume,
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Att: 2
Exhibit B - Resume of Joseph P. Guglielmo and Scott + Scott Attorneys at Law LLP,
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Att: 3
Exhibit C - Resume of Brian C. Gudmundson and Zimmerman Reed LLP,
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Att: 4
Exhibit D - Woods Lonergan PLLC Firm Resume
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| 7 | 7
motion
Consolidate Cases Appoint Counsel
Thu 02/19 1:53 PM
MOTION to Consolidate Cases 1:26-cv-01093; 1:26-cv-01169 ., MOTION to Appoint Counsel re: Motion for Consolidation and for Appointment of Interim Lead Counsel . Document filed by Alexander Merkel..(Lynch, Gary) |
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Att: 1
Proposed Order
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| Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | ||
| 6 | 6
service
Summons Returned Executed
Tue 02/10 1:10 PM
SUMMONS RETURNED EXECUTED Summons and Complaint served. SoundCloud Inc. served on 2/9/2026, answer due 3/2/2026. Service was accepted by Ms. Denise, Managing Agent at Corporation Service Company, registered agent. Document filed by Alexander Merkel..(Lynch, Gary) |
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| Thursday, February 05, 2026 | ||
| 5 | 5
service
Summons Issued
Thu 02/05 1:42 PM
ELECTRONIC SUMMONS ISSUED as to SoundCloud Inc.. (sj) |
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notice
Case Opening Initial Assignment Notice
Thu 02/05 1:39 PM
CASE OPENING INITIAL ASSIGNMENT NOTICE: The above-entitled action is assigned to Judge Jennifer H. Rearden. Please download and review the Individual Practices of the assigned District Judge, located at[LINK:https://nysd.uscourts.gov/judges/district-judges] . Attorneys are responsible for providing courtesy copies to judges where their Individual Practices require such. Please download and review the ECF Rules and Instructions, located at[LINK:https://nysd.uscourts.gov/rules/ecf-related-instructions] ..(sj) |
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utility
Case Designation
Thu 02/05 1:40 PM
Magistrate Judge Henry J. Ricardo is designated to handle matters that may be referred in this case. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 636(c) and Fed. R. Civ. P. 73(b)(1) parties are notified that they may consent to proceed before a United States Magistrate Judge. Parties who wish to consent may access the necessary form at the following link:[LINK:https://nysd.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2018-06/AO-3.pdf] . (sj) |
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utility
Case Designated ECF
Thu 02/05 1:40 PM
Case Designated ECF. (sj) |
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| Wednesday, February 04, 2026 | ||
| 4 | 4
misc
Rule 7.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement
Wed 02/04 2:47 PM
RULE 7.1 CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. No Corporate Parent. Document filed by Alexander Merkel..(Lynch, Gary) |
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| 3 | 3
service
Request for Issuance of Summons
Wed 02/04 2:46 PM
REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF SUMMONS as to SoundCloud Inc., re:1 Complaint. Document filed by Alexander Merkel..(Lynch, Gary) |
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| 2 | 2
misc
Civil Cover Sheet
Wed 02/04 2:44 PM
CIVIL COVER SHEET filed..(Lynch, Gary) |
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| 1 | 1
34
pgs
cmp
Complaint
Wed 02/04 2:43 PM
COMPLAINT against SoundCloud Inc.. (Filing Fee $ 405.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-32363763)Document filed by Alexander Merkel..(Lynch, Gary) |
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