Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-03617/USCOURTS-cand-4_16-cv-03617-15/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 840
Nature of Suit: Trademark
Cause of Action: 15:1114 Trademark Infringement

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

GIANNI VERSACE, S.P.A., et al.,

Plaintiffs,

v.

VERSACE 19.69 ABBIGLIAMENTO 

SPORTIVO SRL, et al.,

Defendants.

Case No.16-cv-03617-HSG 

ORDER STRIKING LICENSEE 

DEFENDANTS’ ANSWER TO 

AMENDED COMPLAINT

Re: Dkt. No. 162

Plaintiffs Gianni Versace, S.p.A. and Versace USA, Inc. have sued ten different defendants 

in this action, of which only three are relevant to this order: V1969 Versace SMO, LLC; V1969 

Versace HG, LLC; and V1969 USA, LLC (collectively “Licensee Defendants”).1 See Dkt. No. 

123 ¶¶ 6–16. On July 14, 2017, the Court granted the motion to withdraw filed by Licensee 

Defendants’ counsel, Adam S. Rossman. Dkt. No. 158. As ordered, the Licensee Defendants 

filed their answer to the amended complaint shortly thereafter. Dkt. No. 162. However, they did 

not obtain substitute counsel, despite being given 30 days to do so and despite being on notice that 

they cannot appear in federal court without counsel. See Dkt. No. 158 at 3. 

Therefore, for the reasons articulated in the order granting the motion to withdraw, the 

Court STRIKES the Licensee Defendants’ answer and will allow Plaintiffs to seek entry of 

default and a default judgment against the Licensee Defendants. See id. If Plaintiffs intend to 

seek entry of default, they must do so by August 25, 2017. If default is entered, the Court will set 

a schedule for the filing of a motion for default judgment. Until further notice by the Court, 

 

1 Over the course of this litigation, these same defendants have collectively been referred to as 

both the “LVBHQ Defendants” and the “Licensee Defendants.” Compare, e.g., Dkt. No. 61 

(former) with Dkt. No. 115 (latter).

Case 4:16-cv-03617-HSG Document 170 Filed 08/17/17 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

Attorney Rossman shall continue accepting service of papers to the Licensee Defendants for 

forwarding purposes. See Civil L.R. 11-5(b).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated:

HAYWOOD S. GILLIAM, JR.

United States District Judge

8/17/2017

Case 4:16-cv-03617-HSG Document 170 Filed 08/17/17 Page 2 of 2