Black Point Marine, LLC v. Black Fin Yacht Corporation et al
Filing
59
ORDER granting 43 Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment against Leonardo Llaneza; granting 57 Plaintiff's Motion for Entry of Judgment after Default against Defendants Black Fin Yacht Corporation and Hidromega, LLC; directing Plaintiff to submit a brief within 14 days supporting its claim for maximum statutory damages. Signed by Judge James D. Whittemore on 9/20/2016. (SMA)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION
BLACK POINT MARINE, LLC,
Plaintiff,
vs.
Case No. 8:15-cv-1210-T-27AEP
BLACK FIN YACHT CORPORATION,
HIDROMEGA, LLC, LEONARDO
LLANEZA, SR.,
Defendants.
________________________________/
ORDER
BEFORE THE COURT is Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment with Supporting
Memorandum of Law (Dkt. 43) and Motion for Entry of Judgment after Default against Defendants
Black Fin Yacht Corporation and Hidromega, LLC (Dkt. 57). The time for pro se Defendant
Leonardo Llaneza, Sr. to respond to the Motion for Summary Judgment has passed and that Motion
(Dkt. 43) is deemed unopposed.1 Defendants Black Fin Yacht Corporation and Hidromega, LLC
have failed to obtain counsel pursuant to this Court’s order (Dkt. 44) and Clerk’s Defaults have been
entered against them (Dkts. 55, 56). Upon consideration the Motion for Summary Judgment (Dkt.
43) is GRANTED against Leonardo Llaneza, Sr. The Motion for Entry of Judgment after Default
(Dkt. 57) is GRANTED against Black Fin Yacht Corporation and Hidromega, LLC.
Summary
In this trademark infringement action, Plaintiff claimed federal and common law trademark
1
By Order dated May 13, 2016 (Dkt. 45), Llaneza was advised of the requirements of Rule 56, Fed. R. Civ. P.
and had until June 2, 2016 to file a response. Llaneza subsequently moved for an extension to file his reply (Dkt. 47).
By Order dated June 3, 2016 (Dkt. 49), Llaneza had until July 5, 2016 to file a response.
1
violations, federal and common law unfair competition, and violations of the Anti-Cybersquatting
Consumer Protection Act related to the use of Plaintiff’s mark, U.S. Reg. No. 3821920
(“BLACKFIN”).
Upon reviewing the Complaint (Dkt. 8), the Motions (Dkts. 43, 57), and the supporting
documents, the Court makes the following findings:
1. Plaintiff is the owner of the BLACKFIN mark, U.S. Reg.No. 3821920. Plaintiff’s mark
is strong and distinctive. It has been used in commerce since September 11, 1987. Plaintiff is entitled
to damages and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117, the amount of
which to be determined by future order.
2. Defendant Black Fin Yacht Corporation (“BFYC”) used the BLACKFIN mark in
commerce without Plaintiff’s consent subsequent to Plaintiff’s first use of its mark. BFYC’s mark,
U.S. Serial No. 77746747 (“New-BLACK FIN YACHT”) is similar in design to Plaintiff’s
BLACKFIN mark and is used in connection with products identical to Plaintiff’s products. BFYC
adopted and began use of the BLACK FIN YACHT mark in bad faith.
3. Defendant Hidromega, LLC (“Hidromega”) began using the fictitious name Blackfin
Yacht subsequent to Plaintiff’s use of its mark. The name is confusingly similar to Plaintiff’s mark
and is used in connection with products identical to Plaintiff’s products. Hidromega adopted and
began use of the name in bad faith.
4. Defendant Leonardo Llaneza, Sr. (“Llaneza”) registered the domain name
www.blackfinboats.com. The domain name is confusingly similar to Plaintiff’s mark and is used to
promote products identical to Plaintiff’s products. Without Plaintiff’s authorization, the homepage
of the website prominently displays Plaintiff’s mark. Llaneza’s use of the domain name and
Plaintiff’s mark is subsequent to Plaintiff’s use of the mark.
2
Introduction
The original Black Fin Yacht Corporation (“Original-BFYC”) was a boat manufacturing
company that dissolved and was reestablished (“Old-BFYC”).2 Old-BFYC had an established
trademark, U.S. Reg. No. 1500457 (“‘One Word’ BLACKFIN”).3 But, after a bankruptcy in the late
1990s, its assets, including the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark, were bought and sold from one
owner to another.4 Plaintiff eventually acquired Old-BFYC’s assets and the “One Word”
BLACKFIN mark.5 The “One Word” BLACKFIN mark expired and Plaintiff subsequently registered
2
In the early 1970s in South Florida, Original-BFYC was formed. (Herndon Dep. 7:3-10, Apr. 5, 2016, Dkt.
43-7). It was in the business of building fiberglass boats and had Carl Herndon as its president. (Herndon Dep. 6:227:14). Original-BFYC used the Old-BLACKFIN YACHT mark as early as December 14, 1973 to sell boats. (Herndon
Dep. 8:5-19, Ex. 2). Original-BFYC was dissolved on April 18, 1984. (Herndon Dep., Ex. 1). The Old-BLACKFIN
YACHT mark was registered with the USPTO on July 31, 1984. (Herndon Dep. Ex. 2).
In 1987, Old-BFYC was formed with Herndon as its president. (Herndon Dep. 10:20-24). It was also in the
business of manufacturing and selling boats. (Herndon Dep. 10:25-11:4). Old-BFYC acquired the trademark rights in
the Old-BLACKFIN Yacht mark. (Herndon Dep. 12:2-6). Old-BFYC discontinued use of the Old-BLACKFIN YACHT
mark and began using the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark for boat sales. (Herndon Dep. 12:7-18).
3
The “One Word” BLACKFIN mark was used as early as September 11, 1987 and was registered to Old-BFYC
on August 16, 1988. (Dkt. 43-3).
4
Old-BFYC continued to use the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark until it filed for bankruptcy in February 1997.
(Herndon Dep. 13:10-19, Ex. 5; Dkts. 43-9, 43-11). In October 1997, Herndon’s employment with Old-BFYC terminated
and the bankruptcy court ordered substantially all of Old-BFYC’s assets sold to Detroit Diesel Capital Corporation
(“DDCC”). (Herndon Dep., 14:9-17; Dkt. 43-8). Old-BFYC’s tradenames, trademarks, patents and designs were included
in the sale to DDCC. (Dkt. 43-8 ¶ 3).
At the time of the sale, DDCC was a wholly owned subsidiary of Detroit Diesel Corporation. (Dkt. 43-13 at 52).
Another Detroit Diesel Corporation subsidiary, BYC Acquisition Corporation, acquired the assets of Old-BFYC through
a secured lending relationship and began using the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark for boat sales. (Dkts. 43-13, 43-14).
In October 1998, Revenge Marine, Inc. purchased BYC Acquisition Corporation. Included in the purchased
assets were “[a]ll . . . trademarks . . . associated with Blackfin, Blackfin Yacht and Blackfin Yacht Corporation.” (Dkt.
43-15 at 262, 281). Revenge Marine, Inc. continued to use the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark to sell boats. (Dkt. 43-16).
As a result of Revenge Marine, Inc. defaulting on a security agreement, in July 1999, the “assets required to
manufacture the Blackfin line of boats” were sold to HSPC Acquisition Corp. (“HSPC”). (Dkt. 43-17 at 3). HSPC gave
Salt Shaker, LLC a license to use the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark for the production of boats. (Dkt. 43-19 ¶ 2.6). Salt
Shaker, LLC used the trademark license until it was terminated in August 2002. (Dkts. 43-20, 43-21).
5
In September 2002, as a result of HSPC defaulting on a security agreement, the Miami-Dade County Circuit
Court ordered the sale of substantially all of HSPC’s assets, “collectively known as the ‘Blackfin Yacht assets’” including
“trademarks” owned by HSPC. (Dkt. 43-22 ¶ 8). Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation acquired the “Blackfin Yacht
assets” and in December 2002 sold them to Plaintiff. (Dkt. 43-23 Ex. 1).
3
the identical BLACKFIN mark, U.S. Reg. No. 3821920.6
While Old-BFYC’s assets were being sold from one owner to another and the market for
luxury sport fishing boats was dwindling, a new company, BFYC, emerged. It claimed that
Plaintiff’s BLACKFIN mark was identical to its mark, U.S. Serial. No. 77746747 (“New-BLACK
FIN YACHT”) and filed a petition to have the BLACKFIN mark cancelled with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”).7 BFYC also claimed it was the previous owner by
assignment to the mark, U.S. Reg. No. 1287835 (“Old-BLACKFIN YACHT”).8 The Cancellation
Proceeding is suspended pending a resolution of this action. (Dkt. 43 ¶ 9).
Plaintiff brings this action against BFYC for trademark infringement pursuant to 15 U.S.C.
§ 1114(1) and Florida common law, against all Defendants for unfair competition in violation of
Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), against Leonardo Llaneza, Sr.9 for violation
6
Plaintiff constructed and sold Blackfin branded boats beginning in 2003 through 2007. (Marshall Aff. ¶¶ 7,
10; Dkt. 43-2). On or about June 8, 2005, the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark was cancelled by the USPTO. (Dkt. 43-34).
Plaintiff filed a new registration for the BLACKFIN trademark on or about March 3, 2006, which was registered with
the USPTO on July 20, 2010. (Dkt. 43-4).
The recession in 2008 impacted the boat building business and from 2008 through 2011 “the luxury sportfishing
yacht market had all but disappeared.” (Marshall Aff. ¶ 13). Plaintiff suspended production of Blackfin boats until 2011
when it began designing a new model. (Marshall Aff. ¶ 13). In 2012, Plaintiff released the new model for sale and
continues to sell Blackfin boat models and use the BLACKFIN mark. (Marshall Aff. ¶¶ 14, 16, 17; Dkts. 43-30, 43-31,
43-32, 43-33).
7
In 2012, BFYC petitioned the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the USPTO to cancel the 2010
BLACKFIN mark, alleging that the BLACKFIN mark is virtually identical to the New-BLACK FIN YACHT mark
(“Cancellation Proceeding”). (Dkt. 43-5). BFYC further alleged that the BLACKFIN mark is likely to cause confusion
with its mark and result in damage. (Id.). BFYC cited both the New-BLACK FIN YACHT mark and the Old-BLACKFIN
YACHT mark as its basis for cancellation. (Dkt. 8-8).
BFYC, formed in 2005, (Dkt. 8-2), also alleged it was the previous owner to the Old-BLACKFIN YACHT mark
by virtue of a “2005 assignment” from Herndon, as president of Old-BFYC, to the then owners of BFYC, Martin Alvarez
and Fernando Alvarez. (Dkt. 43-5). But Herndon had not been affiliated with Old-BFYC since 1997, (Hernond Dep.,
10:5-10), Old-BFYC had replaced the Old-BLACKFIN YACHT mark with the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark,
(Herndon Dep., 12:7-18), Herndon testified that while the notarized signature on the 2005 assignment looked like his,
he did not sign it, (Herndon Dep., 17:9-25), and the Old-BLACKFIN YACHT mark had expired on February 26, 2007.
8
BFYC also claimed it “is also the sole owner of the common law trademark rights to ‘Black Fin.[‘]” (Dkt. 8-8
¶ 1), but the Court is unable to determine what Black Fin mark BFYC was referencing.
9
Llanzeza is listed as the registered agent for BFYC. (Dkt. 8-2).
4
of the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d), against BFYC for injury
to business reputation and trademark dilution, and against BFYC and Hidromega10 for common law
unfair competition. (Dkt. 8).
“One Word” BLACKFIN
Old-BLACK FIN YACHT
U.S. Reg. No. 1287835
U.S. Reg. No. 1500457
2010 BLACKFIN
U.S. Reg. No. 3821920
New-BLACK FIN YACHT
U.S. Serial No. 77746747
Standard
Default Judgment
Upon entry of a default, the defendant admits the plaintiff’s well-pleaded allegations of fact.
Nishimatsu Constr. Co., Ltd. v. Houston Nat’l Bank, 515 F.2d 1200, 1206 (5th Cir. 1975).11 The
default, however, does not in itself warrant a default judgment. Id. “[T]he well-pleaded allegations
in the complaint [must] actually state a substantive cause of action” and there must be “a substantive,
sufficient basis in the pleadings for the particular relief sought.” Tyco Fire & Sec., LLC v. Alcocer,
218 F. App’x 860, 863 (11th Cir. 2007). Even after liability has been established, “[a] court has an
obligation to assure that there is a legitimate basis for any damage award it enters . . . .” Anheuser
Busch, Inc. v. Philpot, 317 F.3d 1264, 1266 (11th Cir. 2003); Adolph Coors Co. v. Movement
Against Racism & the Klan, 777 F.2d 1538, 1544 (11th Cir. 1985) (explaining that damages may be
10
Hidromega registered the fictitious name Blackfin Yacht with the State of Florida on April 29, 2014, (Dkt.
8-6), and is listed as an Officer/Director of BFYC,(Dkt. 8-2).
11
In Bonner v. City of Prichard, Ala., 661 F.2d 1206, 1209 (11th Cir. 1981) (en banc), the Eleventh Circuit
adopted as binding precedent all decisions of the former Fifth Circuit handed down prior to October 1, 1981.
5
awarded on default judgment only if the record adequately reflects the basis for the award). Under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(b), an evidentiary hearing may be held to determine appropriate
damages, but it is not required. See Tara Prods., Inc. v. Hollywood Gadgets, Inc., 449 F. App’x 908,
911-12 (11th Cir. 2011) (citing SEC v. Smyth, 420 F.3d 1225, 1230 n.13 (11th Cir. 2005)).
Summary Judgment
Summary judgment is appropriate where “there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact
and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). “A genuine factual
dispute exists only if a reasonable fact-finder ‘could find by a preponderance of the evidence that the
[non-movant] is entitled to a verdict.’” Kernel Records Oy v. Mosley, 694 F.3d 1294, 1300 (11th Cir.
2012) (quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 252, 106 S. Ct. 2505, 91 L. Ed. 2d
202 (1986)). “An issue of fact is ‘material’ if it is a legal element of the claim under the applicable
substantive law which might affect the outcome of the case.” Allen v. Tyson Foods, Inc., 121 F.3d
642, 646 (11th Cir. 1997) (citations omitted). Facts are viewed and reasonable inferences are drawn
in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 378, 127 S. Ct.
1769, 1774–75, 167 L. Ed. 2d 686 (2007).
If the motion for summary judgment is unopposed, the movant still bears the burden of
satisfying the Rule 56(a) requirements and it must be supported by the submitted evidence. See U.S.
v. $688,670.42 Seized from Regions Bank Account No. XXXXXX5028, 449 F. App’x 871, 873 (11th
Cir. 2011). “The district court need not sua sponte review all of the evidentiary materials on file at
the time the motion is granted, but must ensure that the motion itself is supported by evidentiary
materials.” U.S. v. One Piece of Real Prop. Located at 5800 SW 74th Ave., Miami, Fla., 363 F.3d
1099, 1101 (11th Cir. 2004) (citation omitted). At the least, however, “the district court must review
all of the evidentiary materials submitted in support of the motion for summary judgment.” Id. at
6
1101-02 (citing Jaroma v. Massey, 873 F.2d 17, 20 (1st Cir. 1989) (per curiam)).
Discussion
Ownership of the 2010 BLACKFIN mark, U.S. Reg. No. 3821920
“A certificate of registration of a mark . . . [is] prima facie evidence of the validity of the
registered mark . . . and . . . of the registrant’s ownership of the mark . . . .” 15 U.S.C. § 1057(b)
(2006);12 see also In re Tam, 808 F.3d 1321, 1343 (Fed. Cir. 2015), as corrected (Feb. 11, 2016).
Rights in unregistered marks are appropriated through prior use in commerce. Crystal Entm't &
Filmworks, Inc. v. Jurado, 643 F.3d 1313, 1321 (11th Cir. 2011); see also Bauer Lamp Co. v.
Shaffer, 941 F.2d 1165, 1171 (11th Cir. 1991) (“[t]rademark protection accrues with use”).
It is undisputed that Plaintiff owns the certificate of registration of the BLACKFIN mark and
the design of the BLACKFIN mark has been used in commerce since September 11, 1987. (Dkts.
43-3, 43-4). Through a series of defaults, purchases, and ultimately a failure to respond to a petition
for cancellation as described supra in notes 2-5, the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark was owned by
Old-BFYC, used in commerce, acquired by Plaintiff, and cancelled by the USPTO in 2005. After
cancellation, Plaintiff continued to use the “One Word” BLACKFIN mark in commerce, (Marshall
Aff. ¶ 10; Dkt. 43-2), and preserved its rights in the unregistered mark, Crystal Entm’t, 643 F.3d at
1321. Plaintiff filed for the BLACKFIN mark on March 3, 2006, with the registration issuing on July
20, 2010. (Dkt. 43-4). And, Plaintiff has continued to use the mark in commerce through January
2016. (Marshall Aff. ¶¶ 16, 17; Dkt. 43-33).
There is no evidence that Llaneza acquired rights in the BLACKFIN mark or the “One Word”
BLACKFIN mark by virtue of a purchase, assignment, or prior use. By virtue of the default, BFYC
12
The current version of 15 U.S.C. § 1057(b) provides: “A certificate of registration of a mark . . . [is] prima
facie evidence of the validity of the registered mark . . . . and . . . of the owner’s ownership of the mark.” (emphasis
added) (eff. Mar. 17, 2010).
7
and Hidromega have admitted that Plaintiff owns the BLACKFIN mark. Therefore, because Plaintiff
possesses the certificate of registration for the BLACKFIN mark, acquired rights to it, and it has been
in use since September 11, 1987, Plaintiff has established that it owns the mark. See 15 U.S.C. §
1057(c) (2006); In re Tam, 808 F.3d at 1343; Crystal Entm't, 643 F.3d at 1321; J. C. Hall Co. v.
Hallmark Cards, Inc., 340 F.2d 960, 962 (C.C.P.A. 1965) (proof of continual use of a registered
mark relates back to the filing of the application). Accordingly, summary judgment and default
judgment in favor of Plaintiff on the issue of whether Plaintiff owns the BLACKFIN mark is due to
be granted.
Trademark Infringement 15 U.S.C. § 1114,Unfair Competition 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a),
Florida Common Law Trademark Infringement, Florida Common Law Unfair Competition
Federal trademark infringement, federal unfair competition, Florida common law trademark
infringement, and Florida common law unfair competition are distinct causes of action that share
similar elements. See SunAmerica Corp. v. Sun Life Assur. Co. of Canada, 77 F.3d 1325, 1334 (11th
Cir. 1996) (“To establish a prima facie case in an ordinary [federal] trademark infringement suit, a
claimant need only demonstrate that: (1) it enjoys enforceable rights in its mark, and (2) the alleged
infringer adopted a mark that is the same or confusingly similar.”); PetMed Express, Inc. v.
MedPets.Com, Inc., 336 F. Supp. 2d 1213, 1218 (S.D. Fla. 2004) (the elements of a federal unfair
competition claim include the plaintiff showing that it had rights to the mark and “that the defendant
adopted a mark or name that was the same, or confusingly similar, to plaintiff's mark such that
consumers were likely to confuse the two.”); Investacorp, Inc. v. Arabian Inv. Banking Corp.
(Investcorp) E.C., 931 F.2d 1519, 1521 (11th Cir. 1991) (holding that the Florida common law
trademark infringement and unfair competition claims analysis is the same as the federal trademark
8
infringement analysis). Because the legal standards are essentially the same and/or identical, these
claims are analyzed simultaneously. See Contemporary Rest. Concepts, Ltd. v. Las TapasJacksonville, Inc., 753 F. Supp. 1560, 1563 (M.D. Fla. 1991)
As discussed supra, Plaintiff has established that it owns the BLACKFIN mark. Thus, the
first element of each claim has been met. See Suntree Techs., 693 F.3d at 1346; PetMed Express, 336
F. Supp. 2d at 1218; Investacorp, 931 F.2d at 1521.
“A defendant, by his default, admits the plaintiff's well-pleaded allegations of fact, is
concluded on those facts by the judgment, and is barred from contesting on appeal the facts thus
established.” Eagle Hosp. Physicians, LLC v. SRG Consulting, Inc., 561 F.3d 1298, 1307 (11th Cir.
2009) (citations and internal quotations omitted). By virtue of the default, BFYC and Hidromega
have admitted that they adopted either the same mark, (Dkt. 8 ¶¶ 31-35), or a confusingly similar
mark, (Id. ¶ 41-42), and that consumers were likely to confuse the two, (Id. ¶¶ 44, 68, 75-76). See
Eagle Hosp. Physicians, 561 F.3d at 1307. Accordingly, default judgment is due to be entered
against BFYC on the federal trademark infringement, federal unfair competition, Florida common
law trademark infringement, and Florida common law unfair competition claims, and against
Hidromega on the claims of federal unfair competition and Florida common law unfair competition.
See Eagle Hosp. Physicians, 561 F.3d at 1307; Suntree Techs., 693 F.3d at 1346; PetMed Express,
336 F. Supp. 2d at 1218; Investacorp, 931 F.2d at 1521.
Plaintiff argues that Llaneza engaged in unfair competition with its BLACKFIN mark
because he is the “registrant” for the domain name blackfinboats.com and the homepage of the
website prominently displays the mark, pictures of boats, and offers “Parts for Old Blackfin.” See
(Dkts. 8-4, 8-5).
9
“Domain names are unique.” Jysk Bed'N Linen v. Dutta Roy, 810 F.3d 767, 774(11th Cir.
2015) (citing Karl M. Manheim & Lawrence B. Solum, An Economic Analysis of Domain Name
Policy, 25 Hastings Comm. & Ent. L.J. 359, 364–65 (2003)). “It is . . . important that [a] trademark
owner reserve the domain name closely associated with or identical to its trademark so that it may
take advantage of its goodwill.” Id. at 774-775. Domain names are managed by the Internet
Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers that oversees third-party registries. Id. at 775. A
third-party registry is referred to as the “registrar” and is where the applicant registers the domain
name. Id. at 775. The “registrant” of the domain name, is also the owner of the domain name. Id.
Blackfinboats.com has infringed on Plaintiff’s mark by using a name similar closely
associated with Plaintiff’s mark and displaying Plaintiff’s mark on the site. See Jysk Bed'N Linen
810 F.3d at 774-75; PetMed Express, 336 F. Supp. 2d at 1218.
The document Plaintiff relies on to support that Llaneza adopted its mark is a 3rd party
website containing hearsay statements attributing the ownership of blackfinboats.com to Llaneza.13
“When [as the case is here] the moving party has the burden of proof at trial, that party must show
affirmatively the absence of a genuine issue of material fact: it “must support its motion with credible
evidence . . . that would entitle it to a directed verdict if not controverted at trial.” United States v.
Four Parcels of Real Prop. in Greene & Tuscaloosa Ctys. in State of Ala., 941 F.2d 1428, 1438
(11th Cir. 1991) (alterations and emphasis in original) (quoting Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S.
13
Generally, “inadmissible hearsay cannot be considered on a motion for summary judgment.” Jones v. UPS
Ground Freight, 683 F.3d 1283, 1293 (11th Cir. 2012). But, it may be considered if the statement could be reduced to
admissible evidence. Id. at 1293-1294. Thus,“[w]hether [a] statement could be reduced to admissible form at trial - is
a necessary condition [before] consideration of hearsay evidence at summary judgment.” Id. at n. 37 While a
representative from Whois.com is likely without personal knowledge that Llaneza is the registrant of the domain name,
presumably a representative from Wild West Domains, LLC, the registrar of blackfinboats.com, could provide admissible
evidence that Llaneza is the owner of the site.
10
317, 331, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 2557, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986)). Although the Court has serious questions
about the admissibility of the 3rd party website in its current form as evidence, it presumably can be
reduced to an admissible form, it is not controverted by Llaneza, and despite ample opportunity for
Llaneza to respond to the Plaintiff’s motion, he has failed to do so. See id.; Jones, 683 F.3d at 129394. Thus, because Llaneza is the owner of a website with a similar name that displays Plaintiff’s
mark, summary judgment is due to be granted on the unfair competition claim against him.
Conclusion
Accordingly, it is ORDERED that:
1. Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Memorandum of Law is GRANTED
against Leonardo Llaneza, Sr on Count II.
2.
Plaintiff’s Motion for Default Judgment against Black Fin Yacht Corporation and
Hidromega, LLC is GRANTED.
3. Plaintiff is directed to submit a brief, not to exceed 10 pages including the certificate of
service, in support of its claim for maximum statutory damages against each Defendant and an
affidavit detailing its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs within fourteen (14) days of the date of
this Order.
4. Defendants Black Fin Yacht Corporation, Hidromega, LLC, and Leonardo Llaneza, Sr.
and their divisions, subsidiaries, owners, officers, agents, employees, successors, assigns, and all
those persons in active concert or participation with them are hereby permanently enjoined and
restrained from:
(i)
making any present or future use of the marks BLACKFIN, U.S. Reg. No.
3821920, New-BLACK FIN YACHT, U.S. Serial No. 77746747, or any other mark confusingly
11
similar to the BLACKFIN mark;
(ii) making any present or future use of the fictitious name Blackfin Yacht or any
other name confusingly similar to the BLACKFIN mark;
(iii) making any present or future use of the domain name www.blackfinboats.com
or any other domain name confusingly similar to the BLACKFIN mark;
(iv)
engaging in activity constituting infringement of Plaintiff’s rights in the
BLACKFIN mark.
5. The Clerk is directed to terminate all pending motions and ADMINISTRATIVELY
CLOSE the file.
DONE AND ORDERED this 20th day of September, 2016.
/s/ James D. Whittemore
JAMES D. WHITTEMORE
United States District Judge
Copies to:
Counsel of Record,
Pro se Defendant,
Unrepresented parties
12
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