UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
CASE NO. 24-CV-24499-RAR
YETI COOLERS, LLC,
Plaintiff,
vs.
THE INDIVIDUALS, BUSINESS ENTITIES, AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS IDENTIFIED ON SCHEDULE “A,”
Defendants. ___________________________________/
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR DEFAULT FINAL JUDGMENT
THIS CAUSE comes before the Court upon Plaintiff’s Motion for Entry of Default Final Judgment (“Motion”), [ECF No. 37]. Plaintiff YETI Coolers, LLC (“Plaintiff” or “YETI”) seeks entry of a default final judgment against Defendants,1 the Individuals, Business Entities, and Unincorporated Associations identified on Schedule “A” (“Defendants”) that operate Internet based e-commerce stores that infringe Plaintiff’s trademarks and promote and sell counterfeit goods bearing and/or using Plaintiff’s trademarks. See generally Mot. Plaintiff requests that the Court: (1) enjoin Defendants from producing or selling goods that infringe on its trademarks; (2) cancel, or at Plaintiff’s election, transfer the Internet based e-commerce stores operating under Defendants’ seller names (“E-commerce Store Names”) at issue to Plaintiff; (3) assign all rights,
1 Plaintiff has not included Defendants, amlgtp.com (Defendant Number 15), iikos.com (Defendant Number 16), qustasuan.com (Defendant Number 32) and delilidas.shop (Defendant Number 39), in the Motion’s request for relief as these Defendants have been voluntarily dismissed from this action. See [ECF No. 22]. Additionally, Defendant thegiftio.com (Defendant Number 66) has not been included in Plaintiff’s request for relief as Plaintiff has been granted an extension of time to file a Motion for Default Final Judgment as to Defendant Number 66 until March 6, 2025. See [ECF No. 36]. Accordingly, this Order refers to the remaining Defendants identified on Schedule “A,” attached to this Order, and does not apply to Defendants amlgtp.com (Defendant Number 15), iikos.com (Defendant Number 16), qustasuan.com (Defendant Number 32), delilidas.shop (Defendant Number 39), and thegiftio.com (Defendant Number 66). title, and interest to the E-commerce Store Names to Plaintiff; (4) permanently delist or deindex the E-commerce Store Names from internet search engines; and (5) award statutory damages. See generally id. A Clerk’s Default, [ECF No. 32], was entered against Defendants on February 6, 2025, after Defendants failed to respond to the Amended Complaint, [ECF No. 29], despite having been served. See Proof of Service, [ECF No. 30]. The Court having considered the record and noting no opposition to the Motion, it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Plaintiff's Motion, [ECF No. 37], is GRANTED for the reasons stated herein. BACKGROUND? A. Factual Background Plaintiff is the owner of the following trademarks, which are valid and registered on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (collectively, the “YETI Marks”):
Registration | Registration
January 30, YETI 3,203,869 IC 021 — Portable coolers. 2007
TUNDRA 4,083,930 | “e419 lc 021 — Portable coolers.
ROADIE 4,083,932 | “set! lic 021 — Portable coolers.
> The factual background is taken from Plaintiff's Amended Complaint, [ECF No. 29], the Motion for Entry of Default Final Judgment, [ECF No. 37], and supporting evidentiary submissions.
Page 2 of 29
YETI TANK 4,818,317 | SePeMPET 2? lic 921 — Portable coolers.
RAMBLER COLSTER | 4,871,725. | Peesreet !>> lic 021 — Stainless steel drink holders.
COLSTER 4,883,074 | January 5, 2016 |IC 021 — Stainless steel drink holders.
IC 025 — Clothing, namely t-shirts, Y ET] 4,948,371 October 30, jerseys, shorts, hats, caps, sweatshirts, 2007 socks, jackets.
RAMBLER 4,998,897 | July 12,2016 |IC 021 —Jugs.
HOPPER FLIP. | 5.171.380. | March 28, 2017 |IC 021 — Portable coolers.
HOPPER 5,232,872 | June 27,2017 |IC 021 Portable coolers.
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IC 021 - Beverageware; cups; drinking glasses; tumblers for use as drinking vessels; jugs; mugs; temperature- retaining drinking vessels; storage containers for household or domestic use, namely, vacuum container for hot RAMBLER 5,233,441 June 27, 2017 or cold food and drink; beer growlers; insulated food and drink containers; stainless steel tumblers for use as drinking vessels; stainless steel drinking glasses; stainless steel beverageware; drinking straws.
November 7,
IC 021 - Beverageware; cups; drinking glasses; tumblers for use as drinking vessels; jugs; mugs; temperature-retaining drinking vessels; storage containers for household or domestic use, namely, vacuum container for hot or cold food YETI RAMBLER 5,409,905 Pebrvary 27, |and drink; beer growlers; insulated food and drink containers; insulating sleeve holder for beverage cups; thermal insulated drink holder; portable stainless steel drink holders for holding individual cups, cans, and bottles; stainless steel tumblers for use as drinking vessels; stainless steel drinking glasses; stainless steel beverageware.
November 6 IC 025 - Shirts; t-shirts; hats; sun shirts; YETI 5,601,737 2018 > |caps; sweatshirts; hooded sweatshirts; shorts; vests.
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Registration Registration Trademark Class(es) / Good(s) Number Date
IC 020 - Furniture; outdoor furniture; camping furniture; furniture for camping; furniture for outdoors; metal furniture; patio furniture; lawn furniture; seating furniture; furniture parts; chairs; November 27, HONDO 5,619,235 lounge chairs; metal chairs; lawn chairs; 2018 portable chairs; folding chairs; fishing chairs not affixed to fishing boats; beach chairs; seats; gear bags, and storage pouches, all specifically adapted for chairs. IC 018 - All-purpose carrying bags for attaching to portable coolers; fabric pouches sold empty that may be used to hold wallets, keys, bottle openers, fishing tools and accessories, hunting tools and accessories, utensils, and flashlights for attaching to portable coolers; pouches and bags sold empty for attaching to bags, namely, hunting bags, angler's game bags, tote bags, daypacks, all-purpose carrying bags, duffle bags, and travel bags; pouches and bags sold empty for attachment to February 19, SIDEKICK 5,677,586 backpacks; submersible pouches and 2019 bags sold empty for attaching to bags, namely, hunting bags, angler's game bags, tote bags, daypacks, all-purpose carrying bags, duffle bags, and travel bags; waterproof pouches and bags sold empty for attaching to bags, namely, hunting bags, angler's game bags, tote bags, daypacks, all- purpose carrying bags, duffle bags, and travel bags.
IC 021 - Pouches and bags specially adapted for attachment to non-electric portable coolers. Registration Registration Trademark Class(es) / Good(s) Number Date
IC 018 – All-purpose carrying bags for attaching to portable coolers; fabric pouches sold empty that may be used to hold wallets, keys, bottle openers, fishing tools and accessories, hunting tools and accessories, utensils, and flashlights for attaching to portable coolers; pouches and bags sold empty for attaching to bags, namely, hunting bags, angler's game bags, tote bags, daypacks, all-purpose carrying bags, duffle bags, and travel bags; pouches and bags sold empty for attachment to SIDEKICK DRY 5,746,245 May 7, 2019 backpacks; submersible pouches and bags sold empty for attaching to bags, namely, hunting bags, angler's game bags, tote bags, daypacks, all-purpose carrying bags, duffle bags, and travel bags; waterproof pouches and bags sold empty for attaching to bags, namely, hunting bags, angler's game bags, tote bags, daypacks, all- purpose carrying bags, duffle bags, and travel bags.
IC 021 - Pouches and bags specially adapted for attachment to non-electric portable coolers. IC 021 - Buckets; plastic buckets; industrial buckets; utility buckets; fishing buckets; ranger buckets, LOADOUT 5,764,172 May 28, 2019 namely, buckets for live bait; ice buckets; game buckets for carrying game. IC 021 – Pet feeding and drinking YETI 5,776,845 June 11, 2019 bowls. Registration Registration Trademark Class(es) / Good(s) Number Date
IC 024 – Blanket throws; travelling LOWLANDS 5,846,710 August 27, 2019 blankets; pet blankets; lap blankets; bed blankets; blankets for outdoor use. IC 018 - Tote bags; carryalls; carry-all September 24, bag; weekend bags; day bags, namely, CAMINO 5,869,398 2019 athletic bags; bags, namely, kit bags. October 15, YETI 5,885,556 IC 016 – Lunch bags. 2019 October 15, TUNDRA HAUL 5,886,316 IC 021 – Non-electric coolers. 2019 IC 021 – Insulated lunch boxes; lunch October 22, boxes; lunch bags not of paper; DAYTRIP 5,893,053 2019 insulated lunch bags not of paper; non- electric portable coolers.
IC 020 - Plastic lids for drinkware; plastic lids for drinkware with handle; RAMBLER 6,119,024 August 4, 2020 plastic lids that double as a cup; insulated plastic lids that double as a cup; insulated plastic lids. Registration Registration Trademark Class(es) / Good(s) Number Date
IC 021 - Drinking cups sold with lids therefor; drinkware lids, namely, cup lids; drinkware lid, namely, cup lid with handle; drinkware straw lids, namely, cup lids with integrated straws; drinkware straw lids, namely, cup lids with holes for straws; wine glasses; cups, bottles, and mugs sold with lids that double as a cup, sold empty; cup lids that double as a RAMBLER 6,119,025 August 4, 2020 cup; insulated lids that double as a cup; insulated cups, bottles, and mugs sold with insulated lids that double as a cup, sold empty; insulated cup lids; insulated lids for plates and dishes; drinking cups for babies and children; drinking straws for babies and children; drinking cups for babies and children and parts and fittings therefor, namely, cups for babies and children sold as a unit with valves and lids. September 15, HOPPER BACKFLIP 6,153,620 2020 IC 021 – Non-electric portable coolers. Registration Registration Trademark Class(es) / Good(s) Number Date
IC 018 - Bags with bottle holders, in the nature of day packs, backpacks, hiking bags, duffle bags, all-purpose carrying bags, tote bags, carry-all bags, travel bags, sports bags, and rucksacks with bottle holders.
October 20, YETI 6,181,763 IC 021 - Sleeve holder for bottles, 2020 namely, bottle carriers for domestic use; neoprene bottle holders, namely, bottle carriers for domestic use; sleeve holder for bottles; slings specially adapted for holding bottles; bag specially adapted for holding bottles; stainless steel non-electric portable coolers. November 17, FLIP 6,200,636 IC 021 – Portable coolers. 2020
IC 020 – Plastic portable packing containers.
IC 021 - Buckets; plastic buckets; industrial buckets; utility buckets; fishing buckets; ranger buckets; household containers for food and December 1, YETI 6,211,351 beverages; containers for household or 2020 kitchen use; plastic portable household cargo containers; drinking straws; portable non-electric water coolers; water dispensers; insulated water dispensers; portable beverage dispenser; handles specially adapted for beverageware. IC 020 — Plastic portable packing containers. IC 021 - Buckets; plastic buckets; industrial buckets; utility buckets; fishing buckets; ranger buckets; December 1 household containers for food and YETI 6,211,352 020 > |beverages; containers for household or kitchen use; plastic portable household cargo containers; drinking straws; portable non-electric water coolers; water dispensers; insulated water dispensers; portable beverage dispenser; handles specially adapted for beverageware.
IC 021 - Sleeve holder for bottles, namely, bottle carriers for domestic use; neoprene bottle holders, namely, bottle RAMBLER 6.230.234 December 22, carriers for domestic use; slings ~~? 2020 specially adapted for holding bottles; bag specially adapted for holding bottles; sleeve holder for bottles.
IC 018 - All purpose carrying bags; tote bags; carry-all bags; weekend bags; hiking bags; rucksacks; travel bags; December 22, |sports bags; daypacks; structural parts CROSSROADS 6,230,238 2020 and fittings for the aforesaid goods. IC 021 - Bags specially adapted for holding or carrying water bottles.
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Registration Registration Trademark Class(es) / Good(s) Number Date
IC 020 - Dog beds; beds for household pets; portable beds for pets; camping equipment, namely, folding chairs and tables; furniture; outdoor furniture; camping furniture; furniture for camping; furniture for outdoors; metal furniture; patio furniture; lawn furniture; seating furniture; furniture parts; chairs; metal December 29, TRAILHEAD 6,235,558 chairs; chairs, namely, lawn chairs, 2020 portable chairs, folding chairs, fishing chairs not affixed to fishing boats; beach chairs; seats; furniture parts, namely, chair legs, arm rests, joints, feet, fabric holders, and chair fabric sold as an integral component of finished furniture; seating accessories, namely, carrying bags specially adapted for chairs and chair parts.
CROSSROADS 6,301,157 March 23, 2021 IC 018 – Backpacks. PANGA 6,389,505 June 15, 2021 IC 018 – Luggage; duffle bags. IC 021 – Beer glasses; drinking glasses; September 28, YETI 6,496,375 cups and mugs; bottles, sold empty; 2021 bottle openers. Registration Registration Trademark Class(es) / Good(s) Number Date
IC 021 - Beverageware; cups; drinking glasses, namely, tumblers; jugs; temperature retaining vessels; vacuum container for hot or cold food and drink; insulated food and drink containers; cold packs used to keep food and drink December 20, YETI 6,931,251 cold; refreezable ice substitutes in 2022 packaged form, namely, cold packs used to keep food or drink cold; insulating sleeve holder for beverage cups; bottle openers; cooler backpacks, namely, portable coolers which can be worn as a backpack; jockey boxes; ice buckets. See Declaration of Jeni Zuercher (“Zuercher Decl.”), [ECF No. 8-1] ¶¶ 4–5. The YETI Marks are used in connection with the manufacture and distribution of high-quality goods in the categories identified above. See id. Plaintiff’s representative reviewed and visually inspected the detailed web page captures, reflecting various products bearing Plaintiff’s trademarks offered for sale through the E-commerce Store Names and determined the products were non-genuine, unauthorized versions of Plaintiff’s goods. See id. at ¶¶ 13–14. Based on its investigation, Plaintiff alleges Defendants have advertised, promoted, offered for sale, or sold goods bearing and/or using what Plaintiff has determined to be counterfeits, infringements, reproductions, or colorable imitations of the YETI Marks. See id.; see also Am. Compl. ¶¶ 7–14, 25. Defendants are not now, nor have they ever been, authorized or licensed to use, reproduce, or make counterfeits, reproductions, or colorable imitations of the YETI Marks. See Zuercher Decl. ¶¶ 10, 13–14. B. Procedural Background On November 14, 2024, Plaintiff filed its Complaint, [ECF No. 1], and on December 23, 2024, filed its Amended Complaint, [ECF No. 29], against Defendants. On November 18, 2024, Plaintiff filed its Ex Parte Motion for Order Authorizing Alternate Service of Process (“Motion for Alternate Service”), [ECF No. 9]. The Court entered an Order Granting the Motion for
Alternate Service on November 21, 2024, [ECF No. 11]. In accordance with the November 21, 2024 Order, Plaintiff served each Defendant with a Summons and a copy of the Amended Complaint via electronic mail and website posting on December 23, 2024, and December 26, 2024. See Decl. of Stephen M. Gaffigan (“Gaffigan Decl.”), [ECF No. 37-3] ¶ 6; see also Proof of Service, [ECF No. 30]. Defendants failed to file an answer or other response, and the time allowed for Defendants to respond to the Amended Complaint has since expired. See Gaffigan Decl. ¶¶ 7–8. To Plaintiff’s knowledge, Defendants are not infants or incompetent persons, and the Service Members Civil Relief Act does not apply. See id. at ¶ 9. On February 6, 2025, the Clerk entered default against Defendants, [ECF No. 32], for failure to plead or otherwise defend pursuant to Rule 55(a) of the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiff now moves the Court for default final judgment against Defendants. LEGAL STANDARD A party may apply to the court for a default judgment when the defendant fails to timely respond to a pleading. FED. R. CIV. P. 55(b)(2). “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) (quoting Nishimatsu Const. Co. v. Houston Nat’l Bank, 515 F.2d 1200, 1206 (5th Cir. 1975)). However, conclusions of law are to be determined by the court. See Mierzwicki v. CAB Asset Management LLC, No. 14-CV-61998, 2014 WL 12488533, at *1 (S.D. Fla. Dec. 30, 2014). Therefore, a court may only enter a default judgment if there is a “sufficient basis to state a claim.” Id. (citing Nishimatsu, 515 F.2d at 1206). Once a plaintiff has established a sufficient basis for liability, the Court must conduct an
inquiry to determine the appropriate damages. PetMed Express, Inc. v. MedPets.Com, Inc., 336 F. Supp. 2d 1213, 1217 (S.D. Fla. 2004) (citations omitted). Although an evidentiary hearing is generally required, the Court need not conduct such a hearing “when . . . additional evidence would be truly unnecessary to a fully informed determination of damages.” Safari Programs, Inc. v. CollectA Int’l Ltd., 686 F. App’x 737, 746 (11th Cir. 2017) (quoting SEC v. Smyth, 420 F.3d 1225, 1232 n.13 (11th Cir. 2005)). Therefore, where the record adequately supports the award of damages, an evidentiary hearing is not required. See Smyth, 420 F.3d at 1232 n.13; PetMed Express, 336 F. Supp. 2d at 1217 (finding an evidentiary hearing unnecessary because plaintiff was seeking statutory damages under the Lanham Act); Luxottica Group S.p.A. v. Casa Los Martnez Corp., No. 14-CV-22859, 2014 WL 4948632, at *2 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 2, 2014) (same).
ANALYSIS A. Claims Plaintiff seeks a default judgment for the relief sought in the Amended Complaint, asserting the following claims against Defendants: (1) trademark counterfeiting and infringement under section 32 of the Lanham Act, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (“Claim 1”); (2) false designation of origin under section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) (“Claim 2”); (3) unfair competition under Florida common law (“Claim 3”); and (4) trademark infringement under Florida common law (“Claim 4”). See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 41–66. 1. Counterfeiting and Infringement Section 32 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114, provides liability for trademark infringement if, without the consent of the registrant, a defendant uses “in commerce any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a registered mark . . . which . . . is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive.” 15 U.S.C. § 1114(1)(a). To prevail on its
trademark infringement claim, a plaintiff must demonstrate “(1) that it had prior rights to the mark at issue and (2) that the defendant had adopted a mark or name that was the same, or confusingly similar to its mark, such that consumers were likely to confuse the two.” Planetary Motion, Inc. v. Techsplosion, Inc., 261 F.3d 1188, 1193 (11th Cir. 2001) (footnote and citations omitted). 2. False Designation of Origin The test for liability for false designation of origin under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) is the same as for a trademark counterfeiting and infringement claim—i.e., whether the public is likely to be deceived or confused by the similarity of the marks at issue. See Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc., 505 U.S. 763, 780 (1992) (Stevens, J., concurring in the judgment). 3. Common Law Unfair Competition Whether a defendant’s use of a plaintiff’s trademarks created a likelihood of confusion
between the plaintiff’s and the defendant’s products is also the determining factor in the analysis of unfair competition under the common law of Florida. See Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. v. Forrester, No. 83-CV-8381, 1986 WL 15668, at *3–4 (S.D. Fla. Dec. 9, 1986) (“[I]t is clear that the Court need not find ‘actual confusion[.]’ . . . The proper test is ‘likelihood of confusion[.]’”). 4. Common Law Trademark Infringement The analysis of liability for Florida common law trademark infringement is the same as the analysis of liability for trademark infringement under section 32(a) of the Lanham Act. See PetMed Express, Inc., 336 F. Supp. 2d at 1217–18. B. Liability The well-pleaded factual allegations of Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint properly contain the elements for each of the above claims and are admitted by virtue of Defendants’ defaults. See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 7–14, 25–36, 42–43, 49–53, 57–58, 62–64. Moreover, the Amended Complaint’s factual allegations have been substantiated by sworn declarations and other evidence and establish
Defendants’ liability for each of the claims asserted. Accordingly, default judgment pursuant to Rule 55 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure is appropriately entered against Defendants. C. Relief Plaintiff requests an award of equitable relief and monetary damages against Defendants for trademark infringement in Claim 1. The Court analyzes Plaintiff’s request for relief as to Claim 1 only, as the judgment for Claims 2, 3, and 4—false designation of origin, common law unfair competition, and common law trademark infringement—is limited to entry of the requested equitable relief for Claim 1. See generally Mot. 1. Injunctive Relief Pursuant to the Lanham Act, a district court is authorized to issue an injunction “according to the principles of equity and upon such terms as the court may deem reasonable,” to prevent
violations of trademark law. 15 U.S.C. § 1116(a). Indeed, “[i]njunctive relief is the remedy of choice for trademark and unfair competition cases, since there is no adequate remedy at law for the injury caused by a defendant’s continuing infringement.” Burger King Corp. v. Agad, 911 F. Supp. 1499, 1509–10 (S.D. Fla. 1995) (alteration in original) (internal quotation marks omitted) (quoting Century 21 Real Estate Corp. v. Sandlin, 846 F.2d 1175, 1180 (9th Cir. 1988)). Injunctive relief is available even in the default judgment setting, see, e.g., PetMed Express, Inc., 336 F. Supp. 2d at 1222–23, because Defendants’ failure to respond or otherwise appear makes it difficult for a plaintiff to prevent further infringement absent an injunction. See Jackson v. Sturkie, 255 F. Supp. 2d 1096, 1103 (N.D. Cal. 2003) (“[D]efendant’s lack of participation in this litigation has given the court no assurance that defendant’s infringing activity will cease. Therefore, plaintiff is entitled to permanent injunctive relief.”). Permanent injunctive relief is appropriate where a plaintiff demonstrates: (1) it has suffered
irreparable injury; (2) there is no adequate remedy at law; (3) the balance of hardship favors an equitable remedy; and (4) an issuance of an injunction is in the public’s interest. See eBay, Inc. v. MercExchange, LLC., 547 U.S. 388, 391 (2006). Plaintiff has carried its burden on each of the four factors. Specifically, in trademark cases, “a sufficiently strong showing of likelihood of confusion [caused by trademark infringement] may by itself constitute a showing of . . . a substantial threat of irreparable harm.” E. Remy Martin & Co., S.A. v. Shaw-Ross Int’l Imp., Inc., 756 F.2d 1525, 1530 (11th Cir. 1985) (alterations added) (footnote omitted); see also Levi Strauss & Co. v. Sunrise Int’l Trading Inc., 51 F.3d 982, 986 (11th Cir. 1995) (“There is no doubt that the continued sale of thousands of pairs of counterfeit jeans would damage [the plaintiff’s] business reputation and
decrease its legitimate sales.”). Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint and the submissions show that the goods produced and sold by Defendants are nearly identical to Plaintiff’s genuine products, and consumers viewing Defendants’ counterfeit goods post-sale would actually confuse them for Plaintiff’s genuine products. See, e.g., Am. Compl. ¶ 26 (“Defendants’ actions are likely to cause confusion of consumers at the time of initial interest, sale, and in the post-sale setting, who will believe all of Defendants’ goods offered for sale in or through Defendants’ e-commerce stores, are genuine goods originating from, associated with, and/or approved by YETI.”). Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law so long as Defendants continue to operate the E- commerce Store Names because Plaintiff cannot control the quality of what appear to be its products in the marketplace. An award of monetary damages alone will not cure the injury to Plaintiff’s reputation and goodwill if Defendants’ infringing and counterfeiting continue. Moreover, Plaintiff faces hardship from loss of sales and its inability to control its reputation in the marketplace. By contrast, Defendants face no hardship if they are prohibited from the
infringement of Plaintiff’s trademarks. Finally, the public interest supports the issuance of a permanent injunction against Defendants to prevent consumers from being misled by Defendants’ products and potentially harmed by their inferior quality. See Chanel, Inc. v. besumart.com, 240 F. Supp. 3d 1283, 1291 (S.D. Fla. 2016) (“[A]n injunction to enjoin infringing behavior serves the public interest in protecting consumers from such behavior.”) (citation omitted); World Wrestling Entm’t, Inc. v. Thomas, No. 12-CIV-21018, 2012 WL 12874190, at *8 (S.D. Fla. Apr. 11, 2012) (considering the potential for harm based on exposure to potentially hazardous counterfeit merchandise in analyzing public’s interest in an injunction). Broad equity powers allow the Court to fashion injunctive relief necessary to stop Defendants’ infringing activities. See, e.g., Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Bd. of Educ., 402
U.S. 1, 15 (1971) (“Once a right and a violation have been shown, the scope of a district court’s equitable powers to remedy past wrongs is broad, for breadth and flexibility are inherent in equitable remedies. The essence of equity jurisdiction has been the power of the Chancellor to do equity and to mould [sic] each decree to the necessities of the particular case.” (citation and internal quotation marks omitted)); United States v. Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., 321 U.S. 707, 724 (1944) (“Equity has power to eradicate the evils of a condemned scheme by prohibition of the use of admittedly valid parts of an invalid whole.” (citations omitted)). Defendants have created an Internet-based counterfeiting scheme in which they are profiting from their deliberate misappropriation of Plaintiff’s rights. Accordingly, the Court may fashion injunctive relief to eliminate the means by which Defendants are conducting their unlawful activities. Appropriate remedies to achieve this end include canceling or transferring the E- commerce Store Names, assigning all rights, title, and interest to the E-commerce Store Names to Plaintiff, and delisting or de-indexing the E-commerce Store Names from any Internet search
engine, such that these means may no longer be used as instrumentalities to further the sale of counterfeit goods. 2. Statutory Damages In a case involving the use of counterfeit marks in connection with the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of goods, 15 U.S.C. § 1117(c) provides that a plaintiff may elect an award of statutory damages at any time before final judgment is rendered in the sum of not less than $1,000.00 nor more than $200,000.00 per counterfeit mark per type of good. See 15 U.S.C. § 1117(c)(1). In addition, if the Court finds Defendants’ counterfeiting actions were willful, it may impose damages above the maximum limit up to $2,000,000.00 per mark per type of good. See id. § 1117(c)(2). The Court has wide discretion to determine the amount of statutory damages. See PetMed
Express, Inc., 336 F. Supp. 2d at 1219 (citing Cable/Home Commc’n Corp. v. Network Prods., Inc., 902 F.2d 829, 852 (11th Cir. 1990)). An award of statutory damages is appropriate despite a plaintiff’s inability to prove actual damages caused by a defendant’s infringement. See Ford Motor Co., v. Cross, 441 F. Supp. 2d 837, 852 (E.D. Mich. 2006); Playboy Enters., Inc. v. Universal Tel- A-Talk, Inc., No. 96-CV-6961, 1998 WL 767440, at *8 (E.D. Pa. Nov. 3, 1998) (awarding statutory damages where plaintiff failed to prove actual damages or profits). The option of a statutory damages remedy in trademark counterfeiting cases is sensible given evidence of a defendant’s profits in such cases is frequently almost impossible to ascertain. See, e.g., S. Rep. No. 104-177, pt. V § 7, at 10 (1995) (discussing purposes of Lanham Act statutory damages); PetMed Express, Inc., 336 F. Supp. 2d at 1220 (statutory damages are “[e]specially appropriate in default judgment cases due to infringer nondisclosure”) (citations omitted). This case is no exception. Here, the allegations of the Amended Complaint and the evidence establish the Defendants intentionally copied one or more of the YETI Marks for the purpose of deriving the benefit of
Plaintiff’s world-famous reputation. Defendants have defaulted on Plaintiff’s allegations of willfulness. See Am. Compl. ¶ 32; see also Arista Records, Inc. v. Beker Enters., Inc., 298 F. Supp. 2d 1310, 1313 (S.D. Fla. 2003) (finding a court may infer willfulness from the defendants’ default) (citations omitted); PetMed Express, Inc., 336 F. Supp. 2d at 1217 (stating that upon default, well-pleaded allegations are taken as true). As such, the Lanham Act permits the Court to award up to $2,000,000.00 per infringing mark on each type of good as statutory damages to ensure Defendants do not continue their intentional and willful counterfeiting activities. The only available evidence demonstrates that each Defendant promoted, distributed, advertised, offered for sale, and/or sold at least one (1) type of good bearing at least one (1) mark which is a counterfeit of at least one of the YETI Marks protected by federal trademark
registrations. See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 15, 25–33, 42–46; Zuercher Decl. ¶¶ 10–14; see also Declaration of Jeni Zuercher in Support of Plaintiff’s Motion (“Zuercher Decl. in Support of Motion”), [ECF No. 37-1] ¶ 5; Ex. 1 to Zuercher Decl. in Support of Motion, [ECF No. 37-2]. Based on the above considerations, Plaintiff has asked the Court to award statutory damages in the amount of $1,000,000.00 per mark, per type of good. See Mot. at 13. As each Defendant used at least one counterfeit mark on one type of good, Plaintiff requests a statutory damage award in the amount of $1,000,000.00 against each Defendant. See id. The award should be sufficient to deter Defendants and others from continuing to counterfeit or otherwise infringe Plaintiff’s trademarks, compensate Plaintiff, and punish Defendants, all stated goals of 15 U.S.C. § 1117(c). The Court finds that this award of statutory damages falls within the permissible range under 15 U.S.C. § 1117(c) and is just. See Chanel, Inc. v. Individuals, Bus. Entities, & Unincorporated Ass’ns, No. 23-62201 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 5, 2024), ECF No. 34 (awarding the plaintiff $1,000,000.00 against each of the defendants based on at least one mark counterfeited and one type of good); Richemont Int'l Sa v. Cartierclone.Com, No. 23-60536 (S.D. Fla. April 26, 2023), ECF No. 29 (awarding plaintiff $1,000,000.00 against each defendant); Tiffany NJ LLC v. Individuals, No. 22-62299 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 3, 2023), ECF No. 34 (awarding plaintiff $1,000,000.00 against each defendant); Specialized Bicycle Components v. Individuals, No. 21-61893 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 12, 2021), ECF No. 35 (awarding plaintiff $1,000,000.00 against each defendant). CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff is entitled to the entry of default final judgment. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Plaintiff's Motion, [ECF No. 37], is GRANTED. Default final judgment and a permanent injunction shall be entered by separate order. DONE AND ORDERED in Miami, Florida, this 26th day of February, 2025.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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SCHEDULE “A” DEFENDANTS BY E-COMMERCE STORE NAME, FINANCIAL ACCOUNT INFORMATION, AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES
Financial Defendant / E- Merchant ID / Def. Account commerce Store Transaction PayPal Account E-mail Address No. Information / Name Information Payee 1 yetifactoryoutlet.com Shop Store L6V2WAE2YB3C4 FASHIONWAR* JTDIRZOY4H Bill No.: 2024100119160186580 Transaction date: 10/1/24 FASHION Posted date: 10/2/24 WARRIORS Category: Merchandise & customer@yeticoolerdeals979.sh 2 yeticoolerdeals979.shop LTD Inventory op FASHION WARRIORS 2 coolerkings.shop LTD customer@coolerkings.shop LUBOS ONLI* IXPSX4DEUY Bill No.: 2024100119505360349 LUBOS Transaction date: 10/1/24 ONLINE Post date: 10/2/24 WARDROBE Category: Merchandise & 3 yetiarcticgear.shop LIMITED Inventory customer@yetiarcticgear.shop LUBOS ONLI* QJWLNRFIBZ Bill No.: 2024100119201282261 LUBOS Transaction date: 10/1/24 ONLINE Post date: 10/2/24 WARDROBE Category: Merchandise & 3 kingscooler.shop LIMITED Inventory customer@kingscooler.shop LUBOS ONLINE WARDROBE customer@coolerswarehouse.sh 3 coolerswarehouse.shop LIMITED op SALTOALTOS LLC Order No. 56225 Transaction date: 4/1/24 Post date: 4/2/24 4 xlngtyn.com SALTOALTO Category: Merchandise & Service@xlngtyn.com S LLC Inventory AC8HB9NHSX786 mostovskayadaniyat@mai HTUDHN59DJ8DE l.ua info@mallhelpcenter.com info@shophelpcenter.com 5 yeti-coolers.top H5N5QQNFLD3BU info@storehelpcenter.com HNL2XBG4ZLHDG 2DYUZTN9DQLCW MQB258KLM5L3N 6 yetishopus.com kmhwjjgder@hotmail.co admin@yetishopus.com 6LRZPPQ7PU54Q m HoraceQuade4885@hotm CKYCVYBJKNB3L ail.com zpjyctjeakdfnl@hotmail.c RM3Q6N2YRUCXJ om MQB258KLM5L3N 6 bestbuysmall.com G4UH6MPHV7YGE Service@airservice.vip 4XS6UWZCQ9RNL LBH32QZUEAYBA 7 bigbigmall.shop service@airservice.vip 3RHMW9X7ZVPTJ 8 buybargains.top 8MW5ZKJVAX47Q bjtxrczur@hotmail.com service@airservice.vip LZUZDJ4MPTV8J WWYP783GGZD6G 5BUF553R995JG stimpleloriofx@gmail.com QG4GHUZNUJSA4 SERVICE- 9 mmalk.shop NMWRNS7AVRSJG AFTERSALES@OUTLOOK .COM 3RV8DPBZURTBA service@airservice.vip 39PTJE9YPTXSE 9UUV3VEGR24UU M7WBM6VATSQVC 9 nh003.top LZUZDJ4MPTV8J stimpleloriofx@gmail.com 9 wowowo-9.top LZUZDJ4MPTV8J stimpleloriofx@gmail.com 2LGNJU7PQR5A6 D49LXACDRB5ZS 64EH66N6SEKFU 9 tbuygoods.com Support@Tbuygoods.com 5BUF553R995JG 4THB2V3VAKRDL CHRJG4UGB57SS N9XZ6RM2NT7T8 10 shoplfy-co.com 83W6F43CB7F4Y stimpleloriofx@gmail.com 11 uskok.shop YQHCWGGLN2TWN stimpleloriofx@gmail.com 12 6ro9.com BrendaJuarez PQM3T3GZKGVU6 NK-markets@gmail.com 12 arpou.com BrendaJuarez PQM3T3GZKGVU6 NK-markets@gmail.com 12 auliy.com BrendaJuarez PQM3T3GZKGVU6 NK-markets@gmail.com
BrendaJuarez PQM3T3GZKGVU6 12 liyuz.com NK-markets@gmail.com 72J4PW2JVA9XG 13 90mon.com BrittanyGibson FZ3RHXKYR58X4 NK-markets@gmail.com 13 anlaog.com BrittanyGibson FZ3RHXKYR58X4 NK-markets@gmail.com 13 hojoira.com BrittanyGibson FZ3RHXKYR58X4 NK-markets@gmail.com 13 lerha.com BrittanyGibson FZ3RHXKYR58X4 NK-markets@gmail.com 13 meixd.com BrittanyGibson FZ3RHXKYR58X4 NK-markets@gmail.com 14 aleeeok.com JesseFlores USUY4US4G8SHC NK-markets@gmail.com 14 gnuni.com JesseFlores USUY4US4G8SHC NK-markets@gmail.com 14 heqop.com JesseFlores USUY4US4G8SHC NK-markets@gmail.com 14 loein.com JesseFlores USUY4US4G8SHC NK-markets@gmail.com 14 yutid.com JesseFlores USUY4US4G8SHC NK-markets@gmail.com 15 N/A 16 N/A ANDREACAR 17 a7hh.vip LTON PQKVFLDP9CJA8 service-aftersales@outlook.com DANIELTRIC E 52DTSNGAFCSZ6 18 nh001.top service-aftersales@outlook.com JUANTREVIN O PVG2FB8C8VDH2
19 beautybanquet.com.au ADA4NR3L3X7N4 ADA4NR3L3X7N4 19 sebelhuntervalley.com.au order@sebelhuntervalley.com.au 4NDX68ZBRMZ7Y LXSSQVJJDVTZC 20 canvasthis.com.au sale@canvasthis.com.au NVMG3SQVBUDRA 21 cecalorori.com L4NQY9D2V4988 Econ-Market@gmail.com 22 hommerock.com ZU9XBVRT8HMJE Econ-Market@gmail.com 22 xhahamster.com ZU9XBVRT8HMJE Econ-Market@gmail.com Mary Smith 23 iptvboxhq.com @smith5012 JKCDXTMN566W6 Econ-Market@gmail.com 2UVVQY9Z7G3W8 Mary Smith Econ-Market@gmail.com 23 nathaliaotero.com @smith5012 JKCDXTMN566W6 4RCYABCAT9EHQ Mary Smith 23 tankwing.com @smith5012 JKCDXTMN566W6 Econ-Market@gmail.com Brandon 23 socialmim.com Boschi 4RCYABCAT9EHQ Econ-Market@gmail.com 6HHCHQN3WRD5C 23 apkluggage.com 6HHCHQN3WRD5C Econ-Market@gmail.com 24 janirlirem.com 35A3AU7L8QTVW Econ-Market@gmail.com 24 maniskowmit.com 35A3AU7L8QTVW Econ-Market@gmail.com 25 joscryptos.com 3HJSYNK4V586L Econ-Market@gmail.com 26 lirupicsa.com UVBGG4NQXCG64 Econ-Market@gmail.com 26 soundlessslam.com UVBGG4NQXCG64 Econ-Market@gmail.com 27 lyongaz.com 7JBYYE9KURCJ6 Econ-Market@gmail.com 27 miropadere.com 7JBYYE9KURCJ6 Econ-Market@gmail.com 28 mimindress.com VMR2DGKYHG852 Econ-Market@gmail.com VMR2DGKYHG852 28 torencleaner.com MohamedRaja Econ-Market@gmail.com b W5Q36KXLH7ZKW HYMNTH8VC2G52 UY5X2N9M4GR9J Z8XGNF6S6SVHY 29 panekanine.com Econ-Market@gmail.com 2F9WXN6JLQWXE B8BEPD4F62V5Q MUUP535EF73RA 30 qalacerade.com StormySpeers AYUC3NPTCSV5W Econ-Market@gmail.com 30 wristsnapz.com AYUC3NPTCSV5W Econ-Market@gmail.com 31 qiswetonde.com 8LB8Y37R4AMSJ Econ-Market@gmail.com 32 N/A 33 saiyandoc.com GU2JEYEHEPLYW Econ-Market@gmail.com 34 startnowd.com V4BSH4K9JH982 Econ-Market@gmail.com 35 ttobao.com 8GKGAT2AT3HC6 Econ-Market@gmail.com 36 usexebikel.com 6DSMPAY8948BE Econ-Market@gmail.com 36 zimmanz.com 6DSMPAY8948BE Econ-Market@gmail.com
37 clayaery.com J22EJEKUTTHQW Service@kkluxury.store eppleyhornsanvvj5170@gmail.c 38 couturechiccorner.shop Ashkinst-re JLSE5FLSXNCDU om 76Q2WXMW992W4 DBGXVEWET88E8 38 exceptionalbuysnow.shop Ashkinst-re JLSE5FLSXNCDU ButtelEmling@gmail.com Glamerousk VEBZRWSGKYYBE
39 N/A
M958FHCEBNGAU DENALI WATER SOLUTIONS LLC KH29A54LN2FKN info@enra.shop 40 enra.shop EYTVMFXLT3DU2 support@shopsupers.com MKMAQXHXPW6BE ARROW PHARMACY HOLDINGS LLC SA4U9WFDTZPGS SXHFMC3SMWSVA 4ZD54PA8SSMME BZZ2SDKECKMK8 N99WHFSQFSNBN 40 ghardailo.shop TF5SMMX9CFZBN info@ghardailo.shop DENALI WATER SOLUTIONS LLC KH29A54LN2FKN Ethan-james Hindmarch BLMR3U5834C2L Luke Carey@LukeC 41 etronrohh.shop arey288 H6P952HSGTVM8 service18@wholeshopx.com Luke Carey@LukeC 41 spainse.shop arey288 H6P952HSGTVM8 sanghyunsun3@gmail.com Jonathan Wells@Jonatha 42 spainzz.online nWells331 9MH3JRXF26Y3L sanghyunsun3@gmail.com Jonathan Wells@Jonatha sanghyunsun3@gmail.com 42 troniee.co nWells331 9MH3JRXF26Y3L service18@wholeshopx.com Louise Robertson @LouiseRober 43 furnitufb.top tson695 QYS8Z4PLGQD9Y sanghyunsun3@gmail.com Lara Rose 44 miitunn.shop @LaraRose864 JCJACNQYFN2P8 sanghyunsun3@gmail.com Tyler Boyle @TylerBoyle4 45 miteroh.vip 01 ZNY46JKJ643ZG sanghyunsun3@gmail.com LaradamsTD T8SDZVP3DERGU hdfheryre66@gmail.com 46 barrmall.shop sanghyunsun3@gmail.com Rarpdreston GZXUE47FP245A beautifuldiscountsmall.sh 47 op Buckrysine HZJBXVCFYGWVG sanghyunsun3@gmail.com 48 brownrucemall.shop Allenryilda ZN72YXBRTFZM6 sanghyunsun3@gmail.com NGUYENNG hdfheryre66@gmail.com. 49 darrenmall.shop UYEN JSW57G2WXR3L4 sanghyunsun3@gmail.com NGUYENNG 49 martinmall.shop UYEN JSW57G2WXR3L4 sanghyunsun3@gmail.com 50 popeyemall.shop 857RRZCYMJ5CL sanghyunsun3@gmail.com 51 paulmall.shop ZS5PUUU5MB9U2 sanghyunsun3@gmail.com info@mallhelpcenter.com 6UH8ZAU2MY2CS info@storehelpcenter.com 52 goodvipl.shop info@shophelpcenter.com 2V887QVRC47M8 culpcathey2193@gmail.com info@mallhelpcenter.com 6UH8ZAU2MY2CS info@storehelpcenter.com 52 myopz.shop info@shophelpcenter.com HQB699WJTAKDW culpcathey2193@gmail.com info@mallhelpcenter.com info@storehelpcenter.com info@shophelpcenter.com 52 okdvip.shop 6UH8ZAU2MY2CS culpcathey2193@gmail.com 53 mallsaleusa.top 82FNU7BF8QB4A support@customerafter.com LGAZ89UW6PYMN PCT8WE25QHKVQ 8ZDJCGJER29CN 8DLLBHH77ALKS 8LJNPMMRB7VSA ENMC2QCWUNXHG DCNKTRGQXKUDN 54 osdaq.com Support@osdaq.com RREFHJ8NXMD66 AXWPUGKDNZ69C W6N8SRFBNFXZW FSNRNSHUQEXAW 3JAMJVEQ7AL9G ZFV6ZM9QA4HX4 T3YWEASVRRYX4 7N76T5HL8H77C BRDG6NQCWLGK4 35MRZFSUQLP3U ElizabethHairstonb84@g Catia Augusto R9YJ9CG3W2B52 mail.com AGENCIJA AVANTA 55 softcooleruk.com d.o.o. Ljubljana 89XFGTUN7C5YU admin@husqvaoutlet.com 56 stocknexapulsepro.com FMPNQY4KQZ7AN support@dailysale.com Andrew stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com Wilcox hi@yourdomain.com 57 tctocc.shop @Wilcox622 7BXWG64YKKH4S gibsonmelanie13@gmail.com Imran Khan customercare@laura- 58 tctocd.shop @IKhan426 M339QMQX3XDNQ james.co.uk Matthew Hicklin @MatthewHic customercare@laura- 59 tctocf.shop klin225 D84PGRXXD6GBW james.co.uk stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com Peter Peter hi@yourdomain.com 60 tctoch.shop @PPeter812 UKUQ69F5YBU4C gibsonmelanie13@gmail.com Louis Brazendale @LouisBrazen dale CWKHW9AK9RPPC Natalie Lister @Lister590 W83ZY7XG89CTE Susan Mccord @Susan419526 UCSMPFSVPJVDJ 60 ucuocj.shop rodneyperkins742@gmail.com Kerryann Hayton @KerryannHa yton Q4RGV4JREL8NJ Terence Casey @TCasey657 E6V6WLA6DZ6NS Peter Peter @PPeter812 UKUQ69F5YBU4C Rhoda Newton customercare@laura- @RhodaNewto james.co.uk 61 tctocj.shop n923 KSVFZAMZMWCG4 gibsonmelanie13@gmail.com Mark Gough @MarkMacfarr customercare@laura- 62 tctock.shop en VMUNEUPTKRGXG james.co.uk stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com Jessica Palmer hi@yourdomain.com 63 tctocp.shop @JPalmer112 YY3YHMNW6MPVW gibsonmelanie13@gmail.com Jessica Palmer @JPalmer112 YY3YHMNW6MPVW 63 ucuocv.shop rodneyperkins742@gmail.com Anne Whichcord N66HSVYJMZMDG @AnneWhichc ord Karen Roche @KarenRoche 75 EKDPX49ENTFGU Gillian Kilroy @Gillian619 ECKEM4CUPRMUU Carl Jessup @Jessup396 XE6YZSNDYVEY8 Gordon Ward @GordonW71 2 PHU3VJTV6BE2Y stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com Gillian Kilroy hi@yourdomain.com 63 tctocs.shop @Gillian619 ECKEM4CUPRMUU gibsonmelanie13@gmail.com Julie Herbert @JulieHerbert customercare@laura- 64 tctocr.shop 452 QK7G2DSTR6Z8W james.co.uk Christina Grant @ChristinaGra customercare@laura- 65 tctocv.shop nt510 GEUBGP9SG48GJ james.co.uk 66 N/A Louise Stennett @LouiseStenn stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com 67 wcwocr.shop ett 3UYWSFFJVRS5Q gibsonmelanie13@gmail.com Kenneth Clayton @KennethClay 68 wcwocs.shop ton916 XEQ5V78RG2ZBG stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com Nicholas Dark @NicholasDar 69 wcwocw.shop k392 6TUV4DB66PHH8 stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com Richard Elliott @RichardElliot stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com 70 xcxocf.shop t648 5QJ4TSEY347DU gibsonmelanie13@gmail.com Sheryl Marley @LeanneMarle 71 xcxocg.shop y321 C897FGW93PHKA stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com Muhammad Usmani @Muhammad stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com 72 xcxoch.shop Usmani150 PK6BDT3SFXG3Q gibsonmelanie13@gmail.com Marc Webber @MarcWebber 73 xcxock.shop 703 XW4AZRY7CE5H2 stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com Julie Varo 74 xcxocx.shop @JulieVaro JGNJNXSVKUA68 stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com Adeline Hagan-Wobil @AdelineHaga stelaalbulescu120@gmail.com 75 xcxocy.shop nWobil QWZA246RUDQZQ gibsonmelanie13@gmail.com