LHF Productions, Inc. v. Does 1-20

Filing 12

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge M. Hannah Lauck on 12/22/2016. (cgar)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA
Richmond Division

LHF PRODUCTIONS, INC.,
Plaintiff,
V.

Civil Action No. 3:16cv284

JOHN DOES 1-20,
Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

This matter comes before the Court on three motions: (1) the Second Motion to Extend

Time Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m) (the "Second Motion to Extend Time")

filed by Plaintiff LHF Productions, Inc. ("LHF"), (ECF No. 8); (2) the Motion for Discovery to
Take Pre-Conference Depositions (the "Motion for Discovery") filed by LHF, (ECF No. 9); and,
(3) the Third Motion to Extend Time Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(m) and
Notice of First Amended Complaint (the "Third Motion to Extend Time") filed by LHF,

(ECF No. 11). The Court exercises jurisdiction pursuant to28 U.S.C. § 1338(a). ^ The Court
dispenses with oral argument because the materials before it adequately present the facts and
legal contentions, and argument would not aid the decisional process.
For the reasons that follow, the Court will: (1) order LHF to file a First Amended

Complaint within fourteen (14) days of entry of this Memorandum Opinion and Order; (2) sever
and dismiss without prejudice all defendants except the first named defendant; (3) quash any
subpoenas issued pursuant to its May 26,2016 Order, (ECF No. 5), to the extent the subpoenas

' 28 U.S.C. §1338(a) states in part: "The district courts shall have original jurisdiction of
any civil action arising under any Act of Congress relating to patents, plant variety protection,
copyrights and trademarks." 28 U.S.C. § 1338(a).