Category Archives: Northern District of Indiana

Mid-May 2022 Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation Update

16 Monday May 2022

Posted by in Copyright, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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No new trademark or copyright lawsuits were filed in Indiana in the last 30 days. Several lawsuits were dismissed. All in all, a quiet month and we’ll look forward to more activity as we move into the summer.

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. Gateway Triangle Corp. et al. (SD, filed 2/5/2021) – No update this month.

Egglife Foods, Inc. v. Crepini, LLC (ND, filed 5/28/2021) – The parties have jointly stipulated to extend the deadlines in their Scheduling Order.

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC v. Lynn Retail, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/4/2021) – On May 16, 2022, the parties filed a joint motion to extend discovery deadlines.

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. AMI Stores Management, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/6/2021) – On May 12, 2022, Noble Roman’s filed a Statement of Claims and Defenses.

Phoenix Intangibles Holding Company et al. v. Virk Brothers, LLC et al. (ND, filed 7/9/2021) – The lawsuit was dismissed on May 3, 2022.

Poulsen Roser A/S v. Gardens Alive, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 7/14/2021) – The lawsuit was dismissed on April 15, 2022.

AWGI, LLC et al. v. CLD Trucking Co. d/b/a Atlas Moving Systems AMS (SD, filed 7/22/2021) – A Motion for Attorney’s Fees was filed.

RE/MAX, LLC et al. v. Dulin et al. (SD, filed 8/24/2021) – The parties have extended discovery deadlines.

Forest River, Inc. v. inTech Trailers, Inc. (ND, filed 8/31/2021) – A Stipulated Protective Order was granted on April 19, 2022.

Thomas v. ooShirts, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 9/24/2021) – No update this month. 

Edutainment Live, LLC v. Video Game Palooza et al. (SD, filed 10/11/2021) – A Settlement Conference is scheduled for June 30, 2022.

Innovative Sports Management Inc. v. La Jalisco LLP (SD, filed 12/15/2021) – On May 12, 2022, the Plaintiff filed a Motion for Entry of Default.

Corson v. Vive Exterior Design, LLC et al. (SD, filed 1/17/2022) – The lawsuit was dismissed on April 12, 2022.

Gabet et al. v. Amazon.com. Inc. et al. (ND, filed 1/20/2022) – The Plaintiff filed an Amended Complaint on April 25, 2022. Amazon filed a new Motion to Dismiss on April 29, 2022.

Reid v. Stephenson (SD, filed 1/27/2022) – No update this month.

Autoniq, LLC v. Laser Appraiser, LLC (SD, filed 2/21/2022) – No update this month.

Microsoft Corporation v. Solution Hat, LLC d/b/a Think Global et al. (SD, filed 2/25/2022) – A Pretrial Conference was held on May 9, 2022, with future dates set for 2023.

The American Automobile Association, Inc. v. All American Auto Hail Dent Repair LLC d/b/a AAA Hail Repair et al. (SD, filed 3/23/2022) – Steven D. Groth has entered an appearance on behalf of the Defendants.

NuStar Enterprises LLC v. Reloaded Merch LLC et al. (ND, filed 4/1/2022) – A Pretrial Conference is scheduled for June 23, 2022. Robert R. Axenfeld has entered an appearance on behalf of the Defendants.

Mapes v. Top Tier Marketers LLC d/b/a Artfily et al. (SD, filed 4/4/2022) – The Plaintiff filed a Motion for Default Judgment on May 9, 2022.

Broadcast Music, Inc. et al. v. Warehouse L.L.C. d/b/a The Verve et al. (SD, filed 4/6/2022) – The Defendants filed an Answer on April 18, 2022.

April 2022 Updates

March 2022 Updates

February 2022 Updates

January 2022 Updates

December 2021 Updates

Mid-April 2022 Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation Update

15 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by in Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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Several new interesting lawsuits were filed since mid-March, so we’ll look forward to watching those develop over the next few months. In existing lawsuits, RE/MAX and Amazon have filed Motions to Dismiss, while Think Global have filed their Answer to Microsoft’s allegations of running a phony tech support scheme. The Amazon Brief is an interesting read considering the extensive litigation history between the parties.

What case are you watching most closely?

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. Gateway Triangle Corp. et al. (SD, filed 2/5/2021) – No update this month.

Delta Faucet Company v. Iakovlev et al. (SD, filed 3/25/2021) – No update this month. 

Egglife Foods, Inc. v. Crepini, LLC (ND, filed 5/28/2021) – No update this month.

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC v. Lynn Retail, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/4/2021) – A Case Management Plan was approved on March 21, 2022. No other updates.

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. AMI Stores Management, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/6/2021) – No update this month.

Phoenix Intangibles Holding Company et al. v. Virk Brothers, LLC et al. (ND, filed 7/9/2021) – The parties have been ordered to file dismissal papers by May 2, 2022.

Poulsen Roser A/S v. Gardens Alive, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 7/14/2021) – A Stipulation of Dismissal was filed on April 11, 2022.

AWGI, LLC et al. v. CLD Trucking Co. d/b/a Atlas Moving Systems AMS (SD, filed 7/22/2021) – No update this month. The Plaintiff is still seeking to enforce the default judgment from September 2021.

RE/MAX, LLC et al. v. Dulin et al. (SD, filed 8/24/2021) – On April 1, 2022, RE/MAX filed a Motion to Dismiss Defendants’ Counterclaims. The parties jointly extended discovery deadlines.

Forest River, Inc. v. inTech Trailers, Inc. (ND, filed 8/31/2021) – No update this month.

Thomas v. ooShirts, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 9/24/2021) – No update this month.

Edutainment Live, LLC v. Video Game Palooza et al. (SD, filed 10/11/2021) – The Defendants’ Preliminary Exhibit List was filed on March 25, 2022. No other updates.

Innovative Sports Management Inc. v. La Jalisco LLP (SD, filed 12/15/2021) – The Complaint was served on March 9, 2022. No other updates.

Corson v. Vive Exterior Design, LLC et al. (SD, filed 1/17/2022) – A Notice of Voluntary Dismissal was filed on April 12, 2022.

Gabet et al. v. Amazon.com. Inc. et al. (ND, filed 1/20/2022) – Amazon filed a Motion to Dismiss on April 4, 2022. The Brief in Support (below) highlights five reasons why the Complaint fails to state a claim. The Answer also informs in a footnote that this is the third lawsuit filed by Plaintiffs against Amazon and that Amazon will separately move to transfer venue to the Southern District of Indiana. The parties held a pretrial conference on April 12, 2022, whereby discovery has been stayed pending the ruling on the Motion to Dismiss.

Reid v. Stephenson (SD, filed 1/27/2022) – No update this month.

Autoniq, LLC v. Laser Appraiser, LLC (SD, filed 2/21/2022) – No update this month.

Microsoft Corporation v. Solution Hat, LLC d/b/a Think Global et al. (SD, filed 2/25/2022) – The Defendants filed an Answer (all general denials) on March 22, 2022. The Defendants’ counsel is Michele S. Katz of ADVITAM IP, LLC, via pro hac vice, with local counsel of Alice M. Morical and Christopher D. Wagner of Hoover Hull Turner LLP.

The American Automobile Association, Inc. v. All American Auto Hail Dent Repair LLC d/b/a AAA Hail Repair et al. (SD, filed 3/23/2022) – The Defendants were served with the Complaint on April 8, 2022.

NuStar Enterprises LLC v. Reloaded Merch LLC et al. (ND, filed 4/1/2022) – No update yet.

Mapes v. Top Tier Marketers LLC d/b/a Artfily et al. (SD, filed 4/4/2022) – No update yet.

Broadcast Music, Inc. et al. v. Warehouse L.L.C. d/b/a The Verve et al. (SD, filed 4/6/2022) – No update yet.

March 2022 Updates

February 2022 Updates

January 2022 Updates

December 2021 Updates

YouTube Celebrity Omi in a Hellcat sued in Indiana for Trademark Infringement

04 Monday Apr 2022

Posted by in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana, Social Media, Trademark

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Since 2016, the Plaintiff in this trademark lawsuit, NuStar Enterprises of Elkhart, Indiana, has used the registered trademark RELOADED in connection with “clothing and apparel, namely, shirts, jackets, pants, hats, belts, scarves, gloves, socks, underwear, swimwear, and wristbands.” They also have pending applications for sandals, slippers, sneakers, athletic shoes, and tactical vests, as well as hookah pipes and related smoking accessories.

In July 2019, NuStar learned that Bill Omar Carrasquillo, a rapper and YouTube celebrity known as “Omi in a Hellcat,” intended to start an apparel company under the brand name RELOADED. NuStar reached out to Mr. Carrasquillo’s agent about its prior trademark rights and the parties attempted to negotiate a licensing agreement. Those negotiations fell apart in late 2019 “due to Mr. Carrasquillo’s legal and financial troubles.”

Despite knowledge of the Plaintiff’s trademark, the Defendants went forward with plans to launch an apparel company called Reloaded Merch in mid-2021. The Complaint (below) references instances of actual consumer confusion, including a notice of violation received by Plaintiff from Amazon.com because their products were not made by the Defendant. The Plaintiff’s products were even taken off of the Amazon marketplace in favor of the Defendants’ products. Due to the Defendants’ popularity, this truly seems to be a situation where the Plaintiff has lost the ability to control its brand identity, lost control over its goodwill and reputation, and has lost the ability to move into new products and markets.

Stay tuned for updates.

NuStar Enterprises LLC v. Reloaded Merch LLC, Bill Omar Carrasquillo

Case Number: 2:22-cv-00080
File Date: April 1, 2022
Plaintiff: NuStar Enterprises LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: Andrew M. Hicks of Warrick & Boyn, LLP
Defendant: Reloaded Merch LLC, Bill Omar Carrasquillo
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, State Trademark Infringement, State Unfair Competition
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Philip P. Simon
Referred To: John E. Martin

Complaint:

Mid-March 2022 Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation Update

15 Tuesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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I feel like I’ve been writing this regularly, but this was a very quiet month in Indiana IP Litigation. There were no interesting filings to share, just a bunch of extensions and mostly inaction. Onward to April!

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. Gateway Triangle Corp. et al. (SD, filed 2/5/2021) – No update this month.

Delta Faucet Company v. Iakovlev et al. (SD, filed 3/25/2021) – No update this month. 

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC v. Lynn Retail, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/4/2021) – A telephonic settlement conference has been scheduled on June 22, 2022.

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. AMI Stores Management, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/6/2021) – A Witness List was filed by AMI. No other updates.

Phoenix Intangibles Holding Company et al. v. Virk Brothers, LLC et al. (ND, filed 7/9/2021) – A Notice of Settlement was filed on March 1, 2022. The parties have been directed to file dismissal papers by May 2, 2022.

AWGI, LLC et al. v. CLD Trucking Co. d/b/a Atlas Moving Systems AMS (SD, filed 7/22/2021) – No update this month. 

RE/MAX, LLC et al. v. Dulin et al. (SD, filed 8/24/2021) – The Plaintiff’s deadline to respond to the Defendants’ counterclaims has been extended to April 1, 2022.

Forest River, Inc. v. inTech Trailers, Inc. (ND, filed 8/31/2021) – The parties have selected a mediator and have been directed to schedule a mediation.

Thomas v. ooShirts, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 9/24/2021) – No update this month. The parties have until July 1, 2022 to file dismissal papers.

Edutainment Live, LLC v. Video Game Palooza et al. (SD, filed 10/11/2021) – A final pretrial conference is scheduled on March 16, 2022. Jury trial is scheduled on April 10, 2023.  

Alcorn v. COTR, LLC (SD, filed 11/22/2021) – The lawsuit was dismissed on February 17, 2022.

Innovative Sports Management Inc. v. La Jalisco LLP (SD, filed 12/15/2021) – No update yet.

AWGI LLC et al. v. Doe (SD, filed 1/7/2022) – The lawsuit was dismissed by the Plaintiff on February 24, 2022.

Corson v. Vive Exterior Design, LLC et al. (SD, filed 1/17/2022) – The initial pretrial conference has been scheduled on May 3, 2022. The Defendant has filed a notice of extension of time for its response to the Complaint.

Gabet et al. v. Amazon.com. Inc. et al. (ND, filed 1/20/2022) – A preliminary pretrial conference is scheduled on April 12, 2022. The Defendants’ response deadline has been extended to April 4, 2022.

Reid v. Stephenson (SD, filed 1/27/2022) – No update this month.

Autoniq, LLC v. Laser Appraiser, LLC (SD, filed 2/21/2022) – No update yet.

Microsoft Corporation v. Solution Hat, LLC d/b/a Think Global et al. (SD, filed 2/25/2022) – The defendants were served with the Complaint on March 1, 2022. Microsoft’s attorneys have been admitted pro hac vice.

February 2022 Updates

January 2022 Updates

December 2021 Updates

Mid-February 2022 Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation Update

15 Tuesday Feb 2022

Posted by in Copyright, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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A very quiet month, with few updates and no interesting documents to share. A few lawsuits ended with a whimper and most had no action whatsoever. We’ll see if Intellectual Property litigators get back to business now that the snow is melting in Indiana.

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. Gateway Triangle Corp. et al. (SD, filed 2/5/2021) – A final pretrial conference is scheduled for April 27, 2023 and a jury trial will commence on May 15, 2023.

Delta Faucet Company v. Iakovlev et al. (SD, filed 3/25/2021) – No update this month.

Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC v. Lynn Retails, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/4/2021) – No update this month.

Noble Roman’s, Inc. v. AMI Stores Management, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 6/6/2021) – No update this month.

Phoenix Intangibles Holding Company et al. v. Virk Brothers, LLC et al. (ND, filed 7/9/2021) – No update this month. 

AWGI, LLC et al. v. CLD Trucking Co. d/b/a Atlas Moving Systems AMS (SD, filed 7/22/2021) – No update this month. 

RE/MAX, LLC et al. v. Dulin et al. (SD, filed 8/24/2021) – The parties’ deadline to amend pleadings or join additional parties has been extended to February 23, 2022. 

Forest River, Inc. v. inTech Trailers, Inc. (ND, filed 8/31/2021) – The parties are still in the process of selecting a mediator, with Defendant striking no later than February 15, 2022, and the Plaintiff striking no later than March 1, 2022.

Thomas v. ooShirts, Inc. et al. (SD, filed 9/24/2021) – No update this month.

Edutainment Live, LLC v. Video Game Palooza et al. (SD, filed 10/11/2021) – The parties held an initial pretrial conference on January 24, 2022. A telephone status conference is schedule on April 25, 2022.

Indiana University Health, Inc et al. v. Thomas A. Brady Sports Medicine Center, P.C. (SD, filed 11/1/2021) – A Notice of Voluntary Dismissal was filed on February 14, 2022.

Alcorn v. COTR, LLC (SD, filed 11/22/2021) – The Defendant filed an Answer on January 20, 2022. On February 8, the Court reported notice of a settlement and the Plaintiff was given thirty days to file a motion to dismiss.

Innovative Sports Management Inc. v. La Jalisco LLP (SD, filed 12/15/2021) – No update yet.

AWGI LLC et al. v. Doe (SD, filed 1/7/2022) – No update yet. 

Corson v. Vive Exterior Design, LLC et al. (SD, filed 1/17/2022) – Vive was served with the Complaint on February 9, 2022. No other updates.

Gabet et al. v. Amazon.com. Inc. et al. (ND, filed 1/20/2022) – The lawsuit was transferred to the Fort Wayne Division on January 28, 2022. No other updates.

Reid v. Stephenson (SD, filed 1/27/2022) – The Complaint was served on a Nolan Cooney on February 2, 2022.

January 2022 Updates

December 2021 Updates