Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00335/USCOURTS-caed-1_19-cv-00335-4/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

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

TAPATIO FOODS, LLC,

Plaintiff,

v.

SULAIMAN WALEED RODRIGUEZ,

Defendant.

No. 1:19-cv-00335-DAD-SKO

ORDER ADOPTING FINDINGS AND 

RECOMMENDATIONS AND GRANTING 

MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT AND 

PERMANENT INJUNCTION

(Doc. Nos. 16, 24)

On April 3, 2019, plaintiff Tapatio Foods LLC (“plaintiff”) filed a first amended 

complaint (“FAC”), alleging claims for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and unfair 

competition under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114, 1125, as well as a claim for unfair 

competition under California law against defendant Sulaiman Waleed Rodriguez (“defendant”).

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(Doc. No. 5.) The FAC seeks a permanent injunction, restraining defendant from engaging in any 

further trademark infringement, unfair competition, or dilution. (Id. at 11.)

On April 15, 2019, defendant was served with the FAC. (Doc. No. 10.) On June 21, 

2019, after defendant failed to respond to the FAC, plaintiff requested entry of default against 

defendant, and on June 24, 2019, the Clerk of the Court entered default. (Doc. Nos. 11, 12.) On 

August 6, 2019, plaintiff filed a motion for default judgment and a permanent injunction against 

 

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 The FAC initially named other defendants as well, but those defendants were voluntarily 

dismissed by plaintiff. (See Doc. Nos. 13, 14, 15, 17.)

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defendant. (Doc. No. 16.) This matter was referred to a United States Magistrate Judge pursuant 

to 28 U.S.C. § 636 and Local Rule 302.

On November 20, 2019, the assigned magistrate judge issued findings and 

recommendations, recommending that plaintiff’s motion for default judgment and a permanent 

injunction be granted. (Doc. No. 24.) Plaintiff served a copy of the findings and 

recommendations on defendant on November 20, 2019. (See Doc. No. 25.) The findings and 

recommendations provided that any party could file objections thereto within twenty-one (21) 

days. To date, no objections have been filed and the time for doing so has since expired.

In accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636 (b)(1)(C), this court has conducted a 

de novo review of the case. Having carefully reviewed the entire file, the court finds that the 

findings and recommendations are supported by the record and proper analysis. 

Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that that:

1. The November 20, 2019 findings and recommendations (Doc. No. 24) are adopted 

in full;

2. Plaintiff’s motion for default judgment and a permanent injunction (Doc. No. 16) 

is granted;

3. Defendant is permanently enjoined as follows. Defendant and all those acting in 

concert or privity with defendant who receive actual notice of this order by 

personal service or otherwise shall:

a. Permanently cease using and refrain from adopting for any product or 

service, or in any marketing material:

i. any trademarks containing the words TAPATIO;

ii. any marks confusingly similar to the TAPATIO MARKS;2

iii. the TIOWAXY Mark;

iv. the TIOWAXY and Design Mark;

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2 United States Trademark Registration Nos. 1,228,964; 4,997,043; 3,837,981; and 4,545,088.

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v. any trademarks that bear an image of a Charro (meaning a

traditional horseman from Mexico); and

vi. any marks featuring text in an arching red font;

b. Recall and destroy any of its marketing material, letterhead, business cards, 

signs, banners, clothing, or other media whether physical or digital, bearing 

the trademarks identified in ¶ 3a above;

c. Change any username, under its control, for all social media and email 

accounts to one that does not contain the phrase “TAPATIO” or any marks 

confusingly similar to TAPATIO;

d. Be restrained and enjoined from telling any customer, vendor, distributor 

or other person or business that they are in any way related to or affiliated 

with plaintiff; 

e. The court shall retain jurisdiction to enforce this permanent injunction;

4. The Clerk of the Court is directed to enter judgment in plaintiff’s favor and close 

this case; and

5. Plaintiff is directed to mail a copy of this order to defendant at his last known 

address.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 13, 2020 

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 1:19-cv-00335-DAD-SKO Document 28 Filed 02/14/20 Page 3 of 3