`
`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 1 of 10
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`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUNIBIA
`
`)
`)
`
`) )
`
`CUBAN CIGAR BRANDS, N.V.,
`5900 North Andrews Avenue
`Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`) Civil Action No.
`)
`
`) )
`
`)
`)
`)
`
`) )
`
`)
`
`v.
`
`VALLE GRANDE LIMITADA,
`Balmaceda No. 1500
`Isla de Maipo
`Chile
`
`Defendant.
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`Plaintiff, Cuban Cigar Brands, N.V.
`
`(“CCB”), as and for
`
`its Complaint against
`
`Defendant, Valle Grande Limitada (“Defendant”), alleges as follows:
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`1.
`
`This is an action under Section 21(b)(1)' of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §
`
`1071(b)(1), seeking judicial review of a final decision of the United States Patent and Trademark
`
`, Office Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (the “TTAB”) dated August 9, 2007, as allowed to
`
`stand by the T1‘AB’s Order dated June 17, 2008 on CCB’s Motion for Reconsideration, in the
`
`trademark opposition captioned Cuban Cigar Brands, N. V. v. Valle Grande Limitada, Opposition
`
`No. 91165277.
`
`2.
`
`CCB owns a family of MONTECRISTO trademarks for a wide‘ variety of goods
`
`and services,
`
`including, but not
`
`limited to, “cigars,” “cocktail
`
`lounge, bar and restaurant
`
`services,” “alcoholic beverages,” and “ground and whole bean coffee.”
`
`
`
`Case 1:08-cv-01435-JDB Document 1
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`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 2 of 10
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`3.
`
`Defendant seeks to register the mark MONTECRISTO for ‘‘olive oil” and
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`“Vinegars and balsamic vinegar.”
`
`4.
`
`CCB appeals the TTAB’s determination that Defendant’s MONTECRISTO mark,
`
`as used or intended to be used for such goods, is not likely to cause confusion with one or more
`
`of CCB’s previously adopted and used family of MONTECRISTO trademarks, and that
`
`Defendant’s mark will not dilute CCB’s famous MONTECRISTO trademarks.
`
`PARTIES
`
`5.
`
`Plaintiff CCB is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
`
`Netherlands Antilles, having an office at 5900 North Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
`
`33309.
`
`6.
`
`Altadis U.S.A. Inc. (“A1tadis U.S.A.”) is a corporation organized and existing
`
`under the laws of the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 5900 North
`
`Andrews Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33309. CCB has granted Altadis U.S.A. an
`
`exclusive license to use the trademarks, trade names, trade dress, service marks and brand names
`
`associated with MONTECRISTO brand cigars in the United States.
`
`7.
`
`CCB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Altadis U.S.A. CCB brings this action on
`
`behalf of itself, its licensee, Altadis U.S.A., and its parents Altadis U.S.A. and Altadis Holdings
`
`U.S.A. (collectively, “Altadis U.S.A. Group”).
`
`8.
`
`Upon information and belief, Defendant Valle Grande Limitada is a corporation
`
`of Chile having an address at Balmaceda No. 1500, Isla de Maipo, Chile.
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`9.
`
`This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Section 21 of the Lanharn
`
`Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1071(b).
`
`
`
`Case 1:O8—cv-01435-JDB Document 1
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`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 3 of 10
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`10.
`
`This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §
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`1071(b)(4) and because Defendant, by filing an application to register a mark with the United
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`' States Patent and Trademark Office, has purposely availed itself of the laws of this jurisdiction.
`
`11.
`
`Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b) and (c), and 15
`
`U.S.C. § 1071(b)(4).
`
`STATEMENT OF FACTS
`
`12.
`
`Plaintiff CCB is the owner of:
`
`(a)
`
`The MONTE CRISTO & Crossed—Sword Design trademark and U.S. federal
`
`trademark registration number 0,332,324 for “cigars, cigarettes and cut tobacco” in International
`
`Class 34 on the Principal Register;
`
`(b)
`The MONTECRISTO trademark and U.S. federal trademark registration number
`1,173,547 for “cigars” in International Class 34 on the Principal Register. Registration No.
`1,173,547 is incontestable pursuant to Section 15 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1065;
`
`(c)
`
`The Crossed—Sword Design trademark and U.S. federal trademark registration
`
`number 1,459,466 for “cigars” in International Class 34 on the Principal Register;
`
`(d)
`
`The MONTE CRISTO trademark and U.S. federal trademark registration number
`
`2,304,416 for “desk sets, desk pads, pens, stands for pens and pencils" in International Class 16,
`
`for “golf balls" in International Class 28 and for “cigar cases not of precious metal” in
`
`International Class 34 on the Principal Register;
`
`(e)
`
`The MONTE CRISTO trademark and U.S. federal trademark registration number
`
`2,236,889 for “cologne, after shave lotion” in International Class 3,
`
`for “cuff links” in
`
`International Class 14, for “wallets” in International Class 18 andifor “bathrobes, scarves,
`
`‘ headwear” in International Class 25 on the Principal Register;
`
`
`
`Case 1:08-cv-O1435—JDB Document 1
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`Filed 08/ 1 8/2008
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`Page 4 of 10
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`(D
`
`The MONTECRISTO trademark and U.S. federal trademark registration number
`
`2,396,980 for “hat ornaments not of precious metal” in International Class 26, for “ashtrays not
`
`of precious metal" in International Class 34 and for “credit card services” in International Class
`
`36 on the Principal Register;
`(g)
`The MONTECRISTO trademark ‘and U.S. federal trademark registration number
`
`2,623,858 for “cocktail lounge, bar and restaurant services; night clubs” in International Class 42
`
`on the Principal Register;
`(h)
`The IVIONTECRISTO trademark and U.S. federal trademark registration number
`
`2,594,564 for “alcoholic beverages” in International Class 33 on the Principal Register;
`
`(i)
`
`The MONTECRISTO trademark and U.S. federal trademark registration number
`
`2,855,557 for “ground and whole bean coffee” in International Class 30 on the Principal
`
`Register;
`
`(j)
`
`The MONTECRISTO trademark and U.S. federal trademark registration number
`
`3,154,457 for “pipe tobacco” in International Class 34 on the Principal Register;
`
`(k)
`
`The MONTE CRISTO trademark and U.S. federal trademark registration number
`
`1,435,633 for “men’s clothing, namely, suits, topcoats, overcoats, slacks and sport jackets” in
`International Class 25 on the Principal Register;
`’
`
`(1)
`
`THE WORLD OF MONTECRISTO & Design trademark and U.S.
`
`federal
`
`trademark registration number.2,555,239 for “cigars, little cigars, pipe tobacco, roll-your—own
`
`cigarette tobacco and smokeless tobacco” in International Class 34 on the Principal Register;
`
`(m)
`
`The WORLD OF MONTECRISTO trademark and U.S.
`
`federal
`
`trademark
`
`registration number 2,673,772 for “cigars,
`
`little cigars, pipe tobacco, roll-your—own cigarette
`
`tobacco and smokeless .tobacco” in International Class 34 on the Principal Register;
`
`
`
`Case 1:08-cv-01435-JDB Document 1
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`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 5 of 10
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`(n)
`
`The MONTECRISTO LE CIGARE DES ARTS trademark and U.S. federal
`
`trademark registration number 2,423,694 for “cigars, little cigars, pipe tobacco, roll—your-own
`
`cigarette tobacco and smokeless tobacco” in International Class 34 on the Principal Register; and
`(o)
`The MONTECRISTO CASINO trademark and U.S.
`federal
`trademark
`
`registration number 2,872,359 for “cigars” in International Class 34 on the Principal Register.
`
`(collectively, the “MONTECRISTO trademarks”).
`
`13.
`
`MONTECRISTO cigars are manufactured in the Dominican Republic by Altadis
`
`U.S.A.’s subsidiary Tabacalera de Garcia (‘”TdG”), pursuant to a license granted by CCB. The
`
`cigars are imported, promoted and distributed within the United States by Altadis U.S.A.
`
`14.
`
`The MONTECRISTO trademarks were developed and first used by CCB’s
`
`predecessor, Menendez Garcia y Compania Limitada (“M&G”), a Cuban limited liability
`
`company. Upon information and belief, M&G commenced use of the MONTECRISTO
`
`trademarks in the United States at least as early as July 25, 1935 in connection with premium
`
`cigars. From their inception, M&G’s MONTECRISTO cigars were considered among the finest
`
`premium cigars in the world.
`
`15.
`
`CCB is the successor-in-interest to M&G, having purchased M&G’s U.S. rights
`
`and goodwill in the MONTECRISTO trademarks in 1976.
`
`16.
`
`Upon
`
`information
`
`and
`
`belief, CCB’s
`
`predecessors-in—interest
`
`used
`
`the
`
`MONTECRISTO trademarks in the U.S. continuously until some time after the Castro
`
`government nationalized the Cuban cigar industry in 1960, following the Cuban revolution.
`
`Upon information and belief, CCB reintroduced the MONTECRISTO brand after its predecessor
`
`M&G successfully litigated with the Cuban government over the ownership of the U.S. rights in
`
`the marks. The MONTECRISTO trademarks were reintroduced in 1978.
`
`17.
`
`Since the inception of their use, the MONTECRISTO trademarks have been used
`
`
`
`Case 1:08—cv-01435-JDB Document 1
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`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 6 of 10
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`by the Altadis U.S.A. Group and their predecessors-in—interest only in connection with the finest
`
`quality premium cigars and licensed merchandise. MONTECRISTO cigars are considered to be
`
`among the finest premium cigars available in the United States, and they are sold throughout the
`
`United States. MONTECRISTO cigars have been extensively advertised and are among the
`
`most prestigious cigar brands available in the United States, are highly coveted by cigar
`
`aficionados and are used by the media as a symbol of luxury and excellence.
`l8.
`CCB’s MONTECRISTO trademarks are used on packaging for MONTECRISTO
`
`cigars and other licensed goods and services, in advertisements, on the Internet and in other
`
`forums.
`
`19.
`
`CCB’s MONTECRISTO trademarks are inherently distinctive to the public and
`
`the trade and serve primarily as designators of origin of Altadis U.S.A.’s products.
`
`20.
`
`CCB is actively engaged in the development of MONTECRISTO merchandise
`
`and in selective licensing of the MONTECRISTO trademark.
`
`CCB has
`
`licensed the
`
`MONTECRISTO trademark in connection with, inter alia, cocktail lounge, bar and restaurant
`
`services, alcoholic beverages and coffee.
`
`21.
`
`As a result of the widespread use and display of CCB’s MONTECRISTO brand
`
`cigars:
`
`(a) the public and the trade use the MONTECRISTO trademarks to identify and refer to
`
`CCB’s MONTECRISTO brand; (b) cigars marked with these trademarks are recognized by the
`
`trade and the public as high quality premium cigars emanating from a single source; and (c) these
`
`trademarks have built up secondary meaning and extensive goodwill.
`
`22.
`
`Through long-term use
`
`and controlled marketing,
`
`the MONTECRISTO
`
`trademarks have become highly distinctive and strongly associated in the United States with
`
`cigars and other goods and services of the highest quality emanating from a single source.
`
`Therefore, it is highly likely that distributors, retailers and consumers will assume that olive oil
`
`
`
`Case 1:08-cv-01435-JDB Document 1
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`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 7 of 10
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`and vinegars called “Montecristo” are associated with CCB’s MONTECRISTO brand.
`
`23.
`
`On March 29, 2004, Defendant filed U.S. trademark applicationiserial number
`
`78/392,366 to register the mark MONTECRISTO for use in connection with “olive oil” and
`
`“Vinegars and balsamic vinegar.” That application was published in the 0j_"ficial Gazette of the
`
`United States Trademark Office on January 18, 2005.
`
`24.
`
`Upon information and belief, Defendant has made no use of MONTECRISTO as
`
`a trademark in the United States.
`
`25.
`
`Defendant’s goods are related to the goods sold and provided in connection with
`
`CCB’s MONTECRISTO trademarks and/or represent a natural zone of expansion for CCB and
`
`such goods would travel and/or be promoted through the same channels of trade for sale to, and
`
`use by, the same class of purchasers.
`
`26.
`
`Defendant’s MONTECRISTO mark is exactly the same in appearance, sound and
`
`commercial impression to CCB’s registered and famous MONTECRISTO trademarks.
`
`27.
`
`Thus, Defendant’s use of MONTECRISTO as a trademark for “olive oil” and
`
`“Vinegars and balsamic vinegar” is likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception as to the
`
`source of origin of Defendant’s products in that the public, the trade and others are likely to
`
`believe that Defendant’s products are provided by, sponsored by, approved by, licensed by,
`
`affiliated with or in some other way legitimately connected to CCB’s MONTECRISTO brand
`
`cigars and/or licensed goods and services.
`
`
`
`Case 1:08-cv-01435-JDB Document 1
`
`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 8 of 10
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`FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
`
`APPEAL OF TTAB DECISION
`
`28.
`
`CCB repeats and realleges the allegations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 27 as
`
`though fully set forth herein.
`
`29.
`
`On May 17, 2005, CCB timely filed a Notice of Opposition to Defendant’s
`
`application to ‘register the MONTECRISTO mark.
`
`30.
`
`31.
`
`On August 9, 2007, the TTAB rendered a decision dismissing CCB’s Opposition.
`
`On September 10, 2007, CCB timely filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the
`
`TTAB’s August 9, 2007 decision.
`
`32.
`
`33.
`
`On June 17, 2008, the TTAB denied CCB’s Motion for Reconsideration.
`
`The TTAB erred in dismissing the Opposition and allowing registration of
`
`Defendant’s MONTECRISTO mark. The decision is contrary to the evidence submitted to the
`
`TTAB and is in conflict with controlling principles of law. Given the strength and fame of
`
`CCB’s family of MONTECRISTO marks, there is a strong likelihood of confusion between
`
`CCB’s mark and Defendant’s mark.
`
`34.
`
`Many of CCB’s MONTECRISTO marks
`
`are
`
`individually famous,
`
`and
`
`collectively serve as exteremely strong indicators of source. The MONTECRISTO trademarks
`
`are distinctive and famous and had become famous prior to the acquisition of any rights
`
`Defendant may claim in MONTECRISTO as a mark.
`
`35.
`
`Use of the MONTECRISTO mark by Defendant will cause dilution of the
`
`distinctive quality of CCB’s famous MONTECRISTO» trademarks.
`
`36.
`
`CCB will be damaged by the registration sought by Defendant because such
`
`registration would support and assist Defendant in use of the mark and thereby dilute CCB’s
`
`rights in its distinctive and famous MONTECRISTO trademarks.
`
`
`
`Case 1:08-cv-01435-JDB Document 1
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`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 9 of 10
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`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`WHEREFORE, CCB prays:
`
`1.
`
`That the Court will vacate the August 9, 2007 and June 17, 2008 decisions of the
`
`TTAB in Cuban Cigar Brands, N.V. v. Valle Grande Limitada, Opposition No.
`
`91165277, and adjudge that Defendant
`
`is not entitled to registration of
`
`MONTECRISTO as a trademark for use in connection with the goods described
`
`in U.S. trademark application serial number 78/392,366;
`
`2.
`
`That the Court, in accordance with §§ 21(b) and 37 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C.
`
`§§ 1071(b) and 1119, authorize and direct the Commissioner of Trademarks to
`
`deny Defendant’s application to register MONTECRISTO as atrademark, U.S.
`
`trademark application serial number 78/392,366;
`
`3.
`
`That Plaintiff be awarded its attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred in this
`
`action; and
`
`4.
`
`For such other and further relief as this Court deems just and equitable.
`
`
`
`Case 1:08-cv-01435-JDB Document 1
`
`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 10 of 10
`
`Dated: August 18, 2008
`
`Res
`
`ctfully submitted,
`
` rank M. Northam, Esq.
`D.C. Bar No. 206110
`
`John W. Hazard, Jr.
`WEBSTER, CHAMBERLAIN & BEAN
`
`1747 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
`Washington, D.C. 20006
`Tel. (202) 785-9500
`Fax (202) 835-0243
`
`Of counsel:
`
`Charles W. Grimes
`Russell D. Dize
`
`Susan M. Schlesinger
`GRIMES & BATTERSBY, LLP
`488 Main Avenue, Suite 300
`Norwalk, Connecticut 06851-1008
`Tel: 203-849-8300
`
`Fax: 203-849-9300
`
`Attorneys for Plaintiff
`Cuban Cigar Brands, N.V.
`
`10
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`
`
`Case 1:08-cv-01,435-JDB Document 1-2
`Sn
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`CIVIL COVER SHEET
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`Filed 08/18/2008
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`Page 1oE2
`O9'~I ‘+35’
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` :CUBAN CIGAR BRANDS. N.V..
`‘
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`.5900 North Andrews Avenue
`:Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
`
`(b) COUNTY OF RESIDENCE OF FIRST LISTED PLAINTIFF
`(EXCEPT IN US. PLAINTIFF CASES)
`
`9!‘3_FF-l“_D.*’é1§‘T§ ________________________________ _ _
`IVALLE GRANDE LIMITADA.
`'
`iaalmacoda Na. 1500
`list: do Malpo
`
`COUNTY OF RESIDENCE OF FIRST LISTED DEFENDANT
`(IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)
`NOTE: IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES. USE THE LOCATION OF THE TRACT OF
`LAND INVOLVED
`ATTORNEYS (IF KNnwN\
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`'
`-----__--.
`Case: 1:08—cv-01435
`5
`:1747 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW, Suite 1000
`Assigned To : Bates, John D.
`lwashington. DC 20006
`
`Assign. Date : 8/18/2008
`Description: General Civil
`_
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`
`II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION
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`Foreign Country
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`O lU.S.Govemmcnt wé Federal Question
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`Citizen of this State
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`PTF
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`Incorporated or Principal Place 0 4 O 4
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`Defendant
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`Citizenorsubjectofa O 3 O 3
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`Citizen ofAnothcrState O 2 O 2
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`ForeignNation
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`O C. Administrative Agency
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`IV. CASE ASSIGNMENT AND NATURE OF SUIT
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`Injunction
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`assignment.
`E 861 HIA ((1395iI)
`862 Black Lung (923)
`[:1 863 Drwc/Diww' (405(g)
`[:1 354 SSID Title XVI
`D 865 RSI (4D5(g)
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`E 892 Economic Stabilization Act
`E] 893 Environmental Matters
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`[:1 890 Other Statutory Actions (If
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`D 620 Other Food &Drug
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`D 625 Drug Related Seizure
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`["_'_'_] 875 Customer Challenge 12 USC
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`D370 Other Fraud
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`E] 400 State Reapportionment
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`not administrative agecy
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`D 450 Commerce/ICC
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`891 Agricultural Acts
`
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`D 310 Airplane
`E] 315 Airplane Protliicl Liability
`Z 320 Assault, Libel .~; Slander
`D 330 Federal Empl--_\ne Liability
`D 340 Marine
`III 345 Marine Product Liability
`III 350 Motor Vehicle
`I3 355 Motor Vehii.-Ir Pmduct Liability
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`E :22‘l3l‘e":i::’l°l;I‘::'“:a‘c';§‘:’
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`El 365 Product Lmgmy
`
`[3 368 Asbestos Protliirt I inhiilty
`
`'
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`C
`
`ase
`
`1208-
`
`
`
`
`D 530 Ilabeas Corpus~General
`D Sill Motion/Vacate Sentence
`
`
`
`0 G. Habeas Corpus/
`2255
`
`O H.
`
`-
`-
`cv 01435 JDB Document 1-2
`L.
`
`
`0 J. Student Loan
`O I. FOIA/PRIVACY
`
`
`.'~.'/nployment
`A CT
`
`
`III 152 Recovery of Defaulted
`‘fccrimination
`
`Student Loans
`D 895 Freedom of Information Act
`
`(excluding veterans)
`I: 890 Other Statutory Actions
`(if Privacy Act)
`
`‘(Ii pro St‘.
`0
`
`
`
`O K. Labor/ERISA
`(nomemplaymem)
`
`
`
`D ‘I Voting (if not Voting Rights
`E 710 Fair Labor Standards Act
`
`Act)
`C] 720 Labor/Mgmt. Relations
`‘ Housing/Accommodations
`D -1
`
`
`[:1 no LaborIMgmt. Reporting &
`Disclosure Act
`D J Welfare
`I: 740 Labor Railway Act
`‘I Other Civil Rights
`
`
`E:I 790 Other Labor Litigation
`I;_.
`5 American w/i)isabllities-
`
`
`Employment
`C] 791 Empl. Ret. Inc. Security Act
`E .u Americans w/Disabiiitles-
`Other
`
`V. ORIGIN6 1Original 0 2Removed 0 3 Re:
`nlcdfrom
`Proceeding
`from State
`Ap v “.112 Court
`Court
`
`O 4Relnstated O 5Transi'erredfrom
`or Reopened
`another district
`(specify)
`
`0 oMuitidistrict 0 1Appealto
`Litigation
`DistrictJudge
`from Mag. Judge
`
`
`
`
`
` -CAU_S.E.9.F.éCT.I9l‘I.LC!T_E.Il!EU-.5-.' -:'!le5.TLA.TUTE UNDERWHICH YOU ARE FILING AND.“IF.~1'.1'!3!~_3_R.1|:3F.§IA.1'.EME..N.T.QF.§Al2S_E.-)_ ,
`
`_
`:15 U.S.C. Section 1071 ~ objection to tradema1- .cgistration
`.
`DEMAND s -'_-_'_'_'___'_'_._'_'_'_'_': Checkwason
`v11. REQUESTED 1N
`CHECK: "rats is A cLAss
`;
`ifdem .. .-3.
`
`
`COMPLAINT
`yes M
`E] ACTIO‘ _\'DERF.R.c.1>.23
`JURY DEMAND:
`
`
`
`'ion)
`VIII. RELATED CASE(S)
`(See Insli
`ifyes, please complete related case fonn.
`IF ANY
`
`YES E NO
`
`
`
`:01: ATTORNEY or REC
`SIGNA'l‘l'-
`DATE
`__.._.?_2_._._...______
`INS '4 UCTIONS FOR COMPLETING CIVIL COVER SHEET JS-44
`Authority for Civil Cover Sheet
`The JS-44 civil cover sheet and the inform.~ an contained herein neither replaces nor supplements the filings and service ofpleadings or other papers as required by
`law,except asprovidedby local rules ofcourt. This 1. n. approvedby theJudicial Conference ofthe United States in September 1974, is required forthe useofthe Clerkof
`Court forthe purposeofinitiatingthe civil docketshew Consequently acivil cover sheet is submitted to the Clerk ofCourt foreach civil complaint filed. Listedbelowaretips
`for completing the civil cover sheet. These tips coinci
`u ilh the Roman Nurnerais on the Cover Sheet.
`I.
`COUNTY OF RESIDENCE ()1
`IRST LISTED PLAINTIFF/DEFENDANT (b) County ofresidence: Use ii00l to indicate plaintiffis resident of
`Washington, D.C.; 88888 ifplus.
`.51‘ is resident ofthe United States but not ofWashington, D.C., and 99999 ifplaintiffis outside the United States.
`III.
`CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL I‘-\l{TlES: This section is completed grlly ifdiversity ofcitizenship was selected as the Basis ofJurisdiction under Section
`I].
`CASE ASSIGNMENT AND \‘
`primary cause ofaction found in
`the category of case.
`CAUSE OF ACTION: Cite the
`RELATED CASES, IF ANY: ll" _
`Office.
`Because ofthe need for accurate and comp’:
`
`IV.
`
`VI.
`VIII.
`
`‘I ‘RE OF SUIT: The assignment ofajudge to your case will depend on the category you select that best represents the
`~v.Ir complaint. You may selectonlyggcategory. You must also selecto_ng corresponding nature ofsuit found under
`
`"ivii Statute under which you are filing and write a briefstatement ofthe primary cause.
`vu indicated that there is a relatedcase, you must complete a related case fonn, which may be obtained from the Clerk's
`
`: information, you should ensure the accuracy ofthe information provided prior to signing the form.
`
`-
`Filed 083/2008
`
`Page 2 of 2
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`[3 442 ' Evil Rights-Employment
`u-riteria: race, genderlsex,
`1. ..1iona| origin,
`1
`.rrlmination,dIsz1bility
`.- -<'. religion, retaliation)
` ‘(If pro se, select this deck)’
`t'IL't.'i this deck)’
`.. Other Civil Rights 0 M. Contract
`0 N. Three-Judge Court
`
`‘non-employment)
`E III) insurance
`
`[:1 441 Civil Rights-Voting
`
`
`(if Voting Rights Act)
`[:1 120 Marine
`
`E] 130 Miller Act
`
`2 140 Negotiable Instrument
`D 150 Recovery oi‘0verpayment&
`
`Enforcement ofJudgment
`C] 153 Recovery of Overpayment of
`
`Veteran’s Benefits
` Cl 160 Stockholder’: Suits
`D 190 Other Contracts
`
`El 195 Contract Product Liability
`
`
`E 196 Franchise