Former New England Patriots linebacker Matthew Chatham and his wife Erin are asking a judge to temporarily block a family they suspect may be moving into a new home in Wrentham that’s at the heart of a federal copyright lawsuit the couple has had pending since 2017.
The Chathams filed an emergency motion in U.S. District Court in Boston on Monday after a moving van was allegedly spotted that morning outside the home on Amber Drive “with movers moving furniture from the van into the house and what appears to be a family — a man, woman and child … ” the document reads.
A hearing on the couple’s request for a preliminary injunction that had been scheduled for next Monday was moved up to this afternoon before Judge Indira Talwani after the Chathams filed a second emergency motion today.
The Chathams’ 2017 complaint states they entered into a $799,000 purchase and sales agreement on July 27, 2016, with Franklin-based Canterbury Ventures to buy an undeveloped lot on Amber Drive in order to have Canterbury build a dream home they designed themselves with the assistance of a licensed architect “reflecting meticulous attention to detail and thoughtful devotion to both interior and exterior aesthetic considerations.”
The house, however, was not completed before the closing date. The Chathams are suing Canterbury and owner Daniel Lewis for copyright infringement to stop them from completing, marketing and providing for the occupation of the palatial property they argue rose from their vision. They tell the court they became concerned when they saw the residence listed as a rental and “a sudden flurry of work taking place last week” to seemingly get it move-in ready.
The defendants were Tuesday ordered by Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell “to make any prospective or actual lessor, renter or buyer aware of this lawsuit and the issues raised.”
Chatham, 41, wore No. 58 for the Pats and helped the team win three of its six Super Bowl championships. He finished his NFL career in 2008 with the New York Jets.
Canterbury contends in court documents it is the sole owner of the property until a willing buyer is found.
A trial date has not been set.
