WWE filed a lawsuit against “various anonymous defendants” regarding the selling of their trademarked merchandise, something that was allowed in the past.
U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan issued a ruling against WWE, denying them the right to control the sale of merchandise within a five-mile radius of The Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Berrigan said the following regarding the case:
“The problem with Plaintiff’s request is apparent once one recalls that the order it requests is not directed against a single named, identified, or even described person—all the defendants are John Does, and Plaintiff provides no particular information about the identity of any of them. At best, Plaintiff defines Defendants almost tautologically: Defendants are anyone who would be a proper defendant within broad geographic and temporal limits.”
In response, WWE issued the following statement to HollywoodReporter.com:
“It is customary practice for all touring shows to ask for a temporary restraining order to prevent their fans from being sold counterfeit, inferior goods. Merchandise sales are important to the promoter, as well as to the arena or the stadium in which they play. Sales of legitimate merchandise generate revenue for the promoter, the arena and to the local municipality. This is the first time that WWE has experienced a negative decision for a temporary restraining order by a federal judge. Caveat emptor!”
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