Judge sets trial date for Cubs vs. rooftop owners

By Shia Kapos
Tribune staff reporter

February 12, 2003

A 2004 trial date was set today in federal court for a lawsuit pitting the Chicago Cubs against owners of rooftop bleachers near Wrigley Field.

U.S. District Judge James Holderman set the trial to begin Feb. 23, 2004. The rooftop owners had asked that the trial be scheduled so that it might finish prior to the start of the 2004 baseball season, but Holderman warned them that with appeals, the case could extend into the season.

The judge also told both sides to schedule meetings with U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney Schenkier to try to reach a settlement in their litigation. No other court dates were scheduled.

The Cubs sued 13 rooftop owners Dec. 16, accusing them of stealing the team's product, infringing on its copyright and unjustly enriching themselves "to the tune of millions of dollars each year."

In a response filed Jan. 6, the defendants said the Cubs had raised no objection while the rooftop owners spent millions of dollars to upgrade their facilities and obtain city licenses to operate.

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