Mail Boxes Etc. Inc et al v. MJK Of Ithaca Inc. et al

Filing 14

ORDER denying 9 Plaintiffs' Ex Parte Application for Temporary Restraining Order. Signed by Judge Dana M. Sabraw on 11/15/10. (All non-registered users served via U.S. Mail Service)(lao)

-BGS Mail Boxes Etc. Inc et al v. MJK Of Ithaca Inc. et al

Doc. 14

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 MJK OF ITHACA INC., et al., Defendants. vs. MAIL BOXES ETC., INC., et al., Plaintiffs, ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFFS' EX PARTE APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER [Docket No. 9] CASE NO. 10cv2112 DMS (BGS)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiffs' ex parte application for a temporary restraining order ("TRO") against one of its former franchisees. Defendants MJK of Ithaca, Inc., David Lamoureux and Joanne Lamoureux oppose the application. I. DISCUSSION The purpose of a temporary restraining order is to preserve the status quo before a preliminary injunction hearing may be held; its provisional remedial nature is designed merely to prevent irreparable loss of rights prior to judgment. See Granny Goose Foods, Inc. v. Brotherhood of Teamsters & Auto Truck Drivers, 415 U.S. 423, 439 (1974) (noting that a temporary restraining order is restricted to its "underlying purpose of preserving the status quo and preventing irreparable harm just so long as is necessary to hold a hearing, and no longer.") The standard for issuing a temporary restraining order is identical to the standard for issuing a preliminary injunction. Lockheed Missile & Space Co., Inc. v. -1-

10cv2112

Dockets.Justia.com

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Hughes Aircraft Co., 887 F. Supp. 1320, 1323 (N.D. Cal. 1995). A party seeking injunctive relief under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65 must show "that he is likely to succeed on the merits, that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest." Am. Trucking Ass'ns v. City of Los Angeles, 559 F.3d 1046, 1052 (9th Cir. 2009) (quoting Winter v. Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc., ___ U.S. ___, 129 S.Ct. 365, 374 (2008)). Here, Plaintiffs argue they have shown a likelihood of success on the merits of their trademark infringement claim. In support of this argument, Plaintiffs cite Defendants' "continued, unauthorized use" of Plaintiffs' marks. (Mem. of P. & A. in Supp. of Ex Parte App. at 12.) However, Defendants assert the cited uses of the marks were isolated, inadvertent events, and that they "have taken all steps to ensure that such an incident will never happen again." (Opp'n to Ex Parte App. at 8.) Defendants also explain the efforts they have taken to de-identify their store as a The UPS Store. Under these circumstances, Plaintiffs have not shown a likelihood of success on their trademark infringement claim, nor have they shown they are likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of a temporary restraining order. Furthermore, Plaintiffs have not shown that the balance of equities weighs in their favor, or that an injunction would serve the public interest in this case. In the absence of such a showing, Plaintiffs are not entitled to a temporary restraining order. II. CONCLUSION For these reasons, Plaintiffs' ex parte application for temporary restraining order is denied. IT IS SO ORDERED. DATED: November 15, 2010

HON. DANA M. SABRAW United States District Judge

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10cv2112