{"id":644,"date":"2023-01-13T10:38:26","date_gmt":"2023-01-13T10:38:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/norrismclaughlin.com\/mtym\/?p=644"},"modified":"2023-03-03T12:18:12","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T12:18:12","slug":"seeking-preliminary-injunctive-relief-run-dont-walk-to-the-courthouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/norrismclaughlin.com\/mtym\/court-decisions\/seeking-preliminary-injunctive-relief-run-dont-walk-to-the-courthouse\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeking Preliminary Injunctive Relief? Run, Don\u2019t Walk, to the Courthouse"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Sometimes money alone is not enough to compensate an aggrieved party for certain wrongdoings. In these cases, courts may elect to award injunctive relief, a type of equitable remedy imposed to restrain a party from doing certain acts or to require a party to act in a specific manner. Oftentimes, plaintiffs alleging Lanham Act violations seek preliminary injunctive relief in addition to monetary damages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

A party seeking preliminary injunctive relief must demonstrate the following: (i) a likelihood of success on the merits; (ii) irreparable harm in absence of such relief; (iii) the balance of hardships weighs in its favor; and (iv) public interest favors an award of such relief.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Recently, the Eastern District of New York ruled on a plaintiff\u2019s request for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction in a dispute that arose between two facilities where patrons could roam through a series of rooms with Christmas-themed decorations. In\u00a0Christmas House USA, Inc. v. Christmasland Experience LLC, et al<\/a><\/em>., plaintiff Christmas House alleged that its competitor, defendant Christmasland, committed trade secret misappropriation and trademark infringement resulting from its access to Christmas House\u2019s confidential business information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

However, Christmas House\u2019s filings with the Court revealed that it was aware of Christmasland\u2019s operations in early November, over a month before it sought injunctive relief. The Court ruled that while the delay of a little over a month was relatively short, plaintiff Christmas House could not demonstrate irreparable harm due to its unexplained delay in seeking injunctive relief. Importantly, the Court acknowledged that the seasonal nature of the parties\u2019 respective businesses proved the delay to be critical. As a result, the plaintiff\u2019s request for injunctive relief was denied.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

In issuing its decision, the Court included its own rendition of the popular poem \u201cTwas the Night Before Christmas\u201d as a lighthearted way to explain its ruling:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u2018Twas the week before Christmas
\nAnd at the courthouse,
\nSome lawyers appeared set
\nTo quarrel and grouse.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

More rapid than eagles
\nTheir papers had come:
\nDeclarations, a notice
\nAnd memorandum.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

It seems that each party
\nRuns a holiday show,
\nWith Santa, his reindeer,
\nAnd fresh mistletoe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Defendants are alleged
\nTo\u2019ve made quite a mess,
\nBy stealing trade secrets,
\nAnd even trade dress.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve stolen our secrets
\nThat we use to function!\u201d
\nThe plaintiff asserted
\nWhile seeking injunction.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u201cIt\u2019s veritably Grinch-like,\u201d
\nPlaintiff said with some fire,
\n\u201cThey took our ideas,
\nand Our holiday supplier.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Defendants respond that
\nThey\u2019ve acted with care.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s all public domain,
\nThat\u2019s found everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

To seek an injunction,
\nOne must fast beg redress,
\nShowing irreparable harm
\nAnd likely success.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Plaintiff knew of the problem
\nSince early November,
\nYet waited to file till 17th December.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Plaintiff\u2019s secrets remain
\nElusive at best,
\nAnd there\u2019s been little proof
\nTo establish the rest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

So while plaintiff has sounded
\nThe legal alarm,
\nThey have not established
\nIrreparable harm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

With cases considered,
\nAnd procedure applied,
\nThe preliminary injunction
\nMust now be denied.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Many issues remain,
\nYet no one should fear
\nWe\u2019ll tackle them all in
\nThe coming New Year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

In a footnote, the Court noted that its rhyme in no way undermined the seriousness of the parties\u2019 rights and claims but is instead a nod to the season and an effort to lighten the mood and drive the parties to settlement. Both the Court\u2019s rhyme and its written decision make clear \u2013 seasonal disputes or otherwise \u2013 parties seeking preliminary injunctive relief must act within weeks, not months.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

If you have any questions about this post or any related issue, please feel free to contact me at\u00a0bschwartz@norris-law.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sometimes money alone is not enough to compensate an aggrieved party for certain wrongdoings. In these cases, courts may elect to award injunctive relief, a type of equitable remedy imposed to restrain a party from doing certain acts or to require a party to act in a specific manner. Oftentimes, plaintiffs alleging Lanham Act violations […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":183,"featured_media":646,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[325,281,473,311],"tags":[289],"coauthors":[475],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSeeking Preliminary Injunctive Relief? 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