RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES INC v. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF WEST GEORGIA INC

Filing 9

Consent ORDER finding as moot #4 Motion for TRO. Ordered by US DISTRICT JUDGE CLAY D. LAND on 1/18/2023 (tlf).

Case 4:22-cv-00207-CDL Document 9 Filed 01/18/23 Page 1 of 6

IN THE UNITED STATE DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
COLUMBUS DIVISION

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
CHARITIES, INC.

)
)
)
Plaintiff,
) Civil Action
) No. 4:22-cv-00207
v.
)
)
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
)
CHARITIES OF WEST GEORGIA, INC. )
)
Defendant.
)
)
)
)
)
CONSENT ORDER

1.

On December 30, 2022, Plaintiff Ronald McDonald House Charities,

Inc. (“RMHC Global” or “Plaintiff”) filed a Complaint for Declaratory Judgment
and Injunctive Relief against Defendant Ronald McDonald House Charities of West
Georgia, Inc. (“RMHC of West Georgia” or “Defendant”) (collectively with the
Plaintiff the “Parties”), seeking (a) a judgment declaring that the Ronald McDonald
House Funds raised pursuant to the Parties’ License Agreement may only be used
for the Columbus, Georgia Ronald McDonald House and that Defendant RMHC of

Case 4:22-cv-00207-CDL Document 9 Filed 01/18/23 Page 2 of 6

West Georgia may not transfer or otherwise dispose of those Funds to another entity
or for any other purpose, and (2) a temporary restraining order and preliminary
injunction against Defendant RMHC of West Georgia to enjoin it from transferring
or otherwise disposing of the Ronald McDonald House Funds to another entity
pending the adjudication of Plaintiff’s permanent declaratory relief claim on the
grounds asserted in the Complaint [Dkt. 1]; and
2.

On December 30, 2022, Plaintiff RMHC Global also filed an

Emergency Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction,
together with a supporting brief and evidence, (the “Motion”) asking the Court to
enjoin Defendant RMHC of West Georgia from transferring the Ronald McDonald
House Funds to another entity until the Court can rule on the merits of Plaintiff
RMHC Global’s declaratory judgment claim [Dkt. 4]; and
3.

The Court held a hearing for January 10, 2023 where all Parties were

represented by counsel; and
4.

During the January 10 hearing, among other arguments, Defendant

denied that Plaintiff was entitled to the relief requested in the Complaint and
Emergency Motion and contended that Plaintiff’s termination of the License
Agreement also terminated any contractual restrictions on the use of the Funds and
that Defendant was free to continue to operate the House and the Family Room at

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Case 4:22-cv-00207-CDL Document 9 Filed 01/18/23 Page 3 of 6

Piedmont Hospital as it had before but without the use of any RMHC Trademarks
or branding.
5.

During the January 10 hearing, Defendant informed the Court that there

were still families staying at the House located at 1959 Hamilton Rd, Columbus,
Georgia that Defendant had operated as a Ronald McDonald House, prior to the
termination of the License Agreement, and that visitors to the Family Room at
Piedmont Hospital were continuing to be accommodated in the same way that the
Room had been operated previously as the Ronald McDonald Room prior to the
termination of the License Agreement.
6.

During the hearing the Parties consented that, during the pendency of

this action, the Ronald McDonald House Funds may continue to be used solely to
support the regular operation of the House and Family Room, so that families may
continue to use the House and Family Room in a manner consistent as before the
termination of the License Agreement.
7.

During the hearing, Defendant RMHC of West Georgia confirmed that

consistent with the termination of the Parties’ License Agreement, Defendant is in
the process of and will discontinue all use of any RMHC Trademarks or branding.
8.

The Court then deferred ruling on the Plaintiff’s Motion for seven (7)

days, and instructed the Parties to provide the Court with a proposed Order
memorializing the Parties’ agreement reached during the hearing [Dkt. 7].
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Case 4:22-cv-00207-CDL Document 9 Filed 01/18/23 Page 4 of 6

NOW, THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO FEDERAL RULE OF CIVIL
PROCEDURE 65(b)(2) AND THE PARTIES’ CONSENT, THE COURT
HEREBY ORDERS THE FOLLOWING:
1.

While this action remains pending or until further order of the Court,

Defendant RMHC of West Georgia shall only use the Ronald McDonald House
Funds for the purposes of supporting and operating the House located at 1959
Hamilton Rd, Columbus, Georgia and the Family Room at Piedmont Hospital in a
manner consistent with the services provided prior to the termination of the Parties’
License Agreement. Defendant RMHC of West Georgia must not transfer or
otherwise dispose of the Ronald McDonald House Funds to another entity or for any
purpose other than as stated above.
2.

Consistent with the termination of the Parties’ License Agreement and

with the representation from Defendant’s counsel at the January 10 hearing,
Defendant RMHC of West Georgia shall cease all use of any RMHC Trademarks or
branding and will not use any RMHC Trademarks or branding in any public-facing
manner. Defendant will not, however, be required to change its corporate name, nor
change the name on any of its accounts, until further order of the Court.
3.

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d)(2), this Consent

Order shall be binding on Defendant RMHC of West Georgia and its agents,
servants, employees, attorneys, and other persons who are in active concert or
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Case 4:22-cv-00207-CDL Document 9 Filed 01/18/23 Page 5 of 6

participation with it and who receive notice of the Consent Order by personal service
or otherwise.
4.

Consenting to this Order does not bind either party to any admissions

nor waive any claims or defenses in the pending litigation.
SO ORDERED this 18th day of January, 2023.
S/Clay D. Land
CLAY D. LAND
United States District Court Judge

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Case 4:22-cv-00207-CDL Document 9 Filed 01/18/23 Page 6 of 6

Consented to on January 17, 2023 by:
/s/ Daniel F. Diffley
Daniel F. Diffley
Georgia Bar No. 221703

/s/ C. Morris Mullin
C. Morris Mullin
Georgia Bar No. 528550

/s/ Taylor Lin
Taylor Lin
Georgia Bar No. 273408

/s/ David C. Rayfield
David C. Rayfield
Georgia Bar No. 596706

ALSTON & BIRD LLP
1201 W. Peachtree St.
Atlanta, GA 30309
Telephone: [phone]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

WALDREP,
MULLIN,
&
CALLAHAN
111 12th Street,
Suite 300
Columbus, GA 31902
Telephone: [phone]
[e-mail]
Counsel for Plaintiff Ronald McDonald [e-mail]
House Charities, Inc.
Counsel for Defendant Ronald
McDonald House Charities of West
Georgia, Inc.

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