Judge allows lawsuit over Blackbeard’s shipwreck to proceed

Videographer accuses North Carolina of violating his copyright. Florida treasure hunter also suing for breach of contract.

Fayetteville Observer – Fayetteville videographer Rick Allen can continue his lawsuit alleging North Carolina officials illegally copied his videos of Blackbeard’s wrecked pirate ship and then passed a law, nicknamed “Blackbeard’s Law,” in an effort to legalize their actions, a federal judge ruled on Thursday.

In related matters, Florida treasure-hunting company Intersal Inc., which in 1996 found Blackbeard’s wrecked Queen Anne’s Revenge just off the North Carolina coast, is continuing its litigation against North Carolina.

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