Abg-Shaq, LLC

Order on Motion for TRO

MOTION by Plaintiff ABG-SHAQ, LLC for temporary restraining order

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John J. Tharp, Jr: The plaintiff's request for reconsideration of the denial of a temporary restraining order [20] is denied without prejudice. The plaintiff notes that the accused goods bear NBA and Lakers marks, which the plaintiff does not claim as its own. Further, that the combination of the name "O'Neal" with the Lakers identifies the accused merchandise with Shaquille O'Neal doesn't mean that consumers will necessarily conclude that the jerseys are being authorized or produced by O'Neal, rather than the Lakers or the NBA. Nor has the plaintiff cited any case or treatise that supports the plaintiff's position. The plaintiff's motions for leave to file under seal [21] [22] are denied. Where, as here, the plaintiff has not obtained a temporary restraining order, the Court finds no basis to permit the case to proceed under seal. Mailed notice.

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John J. Tharp, Jr: The plaintiff's motion for a temporary restraining order [16] is denied without prejudice. Upon review of the alleged infringement evidence from Schedule A and comparison with the subject trademarks [8], the Court is not persuaded that the plaintiff has demonstrated a likelihood of success on the merits of its claim. None of the accused products appear to bear a "SHAQ" or "Shaquille O'Neal" trademark, and the plaintiff has not alleged that "O'Neal" is one of the plaintiff's trademarks. Furthermore, the Court notes that the plaintiffs have not provided evidence that sales actually took place in Illinois, including proof that the defendant shipped its products to the state. See Liu v. Monthly, 170 F.4th 1090, 1093 (7th Cir. 2026). The plaintiff must show evidence that the product was actually sold to Illinois residents, such as proof of payment, shipping receipts, or other evidence. That evidence of purposefully directed activities is the bare minimum for establishing personal jurisdiction in schedule A cases. See NBA Properties, Inc. v. HANWJH, 46 F.4th 614 (7th Cir. 2022), cert. denied, 143 S. Ct. 577 (2023). The plaintiff may file a renewed motion for TRO, along with any amended exhibits needed to cure these defects, by 9/22/2026. Mailed notice

MOTION by Plaintiff ABG-SHAQ, LLC for temporary restraining order