IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS 

AMARILLO DIVISION 

JOE HAND PROMOTIONS, INC., 

Plaintiff, 

V. 

EMELDA AGUIRRE, et al., 

Defendants. 

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2:22-CV-111-Z-BR 

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER 

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Before the Court is Plaintiff Joe Hand Promotion, Inc.' s ("Plaintiff'') Motion for Default 

Judgment ("Motion") (ECF No. 23), filed on November 16, 2022. Having considered the Motion, 

pleadings, and applicable law, the Court GRANTS the Motion. 

BACKGROUND 

Plaintiff alleges the following facts in support of default judgment. Plaintiff is a 

Pennsylvania-based corporation that holds the exclusive commercial license to distribute and 

authorize the public display of the audiovisual, closed-circuit broadcast of the Manny Pacquiao 

vs. Keith Thurman boxing match ("Program"). ECF No. 1 at 2. Plaintiffs license includes all 

undercard bouts and commentary telecast on July 20, 2019, for business entities. Id 

Plaintiff broadcasted the Program via satellite uplink. Id at 3. The Program was then 

retransmitted interstate to cable systems and satellite television companies via satellite signal. Id 

at 4. The interstate satellite transmission of the Program was electronically coded or scrambled in 

an attempt to make the Program unavailable for free use by the general public. Id To distribute 

the Program, Plaintiff entered into agreements with various commercial establishments in the 

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State of Texas. Id These agreements allowed establishments to pay a fee and show the program 

to their patrons. Id 

Defendants Emelda and Ruben Aguirre ("Defendants") are individuals who conducted 

business as "Club Rio" on the date of the Program. See id at 2-3. The Program was legally 

available to Defendants for exhibition only after paying Plaintiff a commercial sublicensing fee. 

Id at 4. But Defendants did not contract with Plaintiff. Id Instead, Defendants "took affirmative 

steps to circumvent the commercial licensing requirement and unlawfully obtained the Program 

through an unauthorized cable signal, satellite signal, and/or internet stream." Id "Defendants 

willfully engaged in wrongful acts to intercept and/or receive the Program for free or at a nominal 

cost or assisted in such actions" and "knew, or should have known, the interception and/or receipt 

and exhibition of the Program at their [e]stablishment was not properly authorized." Id. at 5. 

Defendants did not broadcast the Program as a private viewing for residential, noncommercial purposes. Id. Instead, Defendants advertised the viewing on social media and charged 

a cover fee to enter their establishment and view the Program. Id Defendants also served food and 

drinks to patrons during the broadcast. Id Plaintiff alleges Defendants "intentionally pirated or 

assisted in the intentional piracy of the Program for the purpose of their own economic gain." Id. 

at 6. Defendants lacked "license, authorization, permission, or consent from Plaintiff to exhibit the 

Program." Id. 

On May 26, 2022, Plaintiff sued Defendants for violations of the Communications Act of 

1934, 47 U.S.C. §§ 553 and 605. See generally ECF No. 1. 

LEGAL STANDARD 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55 governs the entry of default and default judgment -

"a drastic remedy, not favored by the Federal Rules and resorted to by courts only in extreme 

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situations." Lewis v. Lynn, 236 F.3d 766, 767 (5th Cir. 2001). A default occurs when a defendant 

fails to plead or otherwise respond to the complaint within the allotted time, thereby entitling the 

plaintiff to apply for judgment based on such default. See FED. R. Civ. P. 55(a) ("When a party 

against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought has failed to plead or otherwise defend, 

and that failure is shown by affidavit or otherwise, the clerk must enter the party's default."). If a 

default occurs and the United States District Clerk enters default, the movant may "apply to the 

court for a default judgment." FED. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2). A district court need not grant a default 

judgment; the rendering of a default judgment is discretionary. Lewis, 236 F.3d at 767. A party is 

not entitled to a default judgment as a matter of right - even when the defendant is technically in 

default. Id. 

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(b)(2) governs applications for default judgment. 

A default judgment is available if the movant establishes: (1) the defendant was served with 

summons and complaint and default was entered for the defendant's failure to appear; (2) the 

defendant is neither a minor nor an incompetent person; (3) the defendant is not in military service; 

and (4) if the defendant has appeared in the action, the defendant was provided with notice of the 

application for default judgment. FED. R. CIV. P. 55; 50 U.S.C. § 3931. The movant must also 

make a prima facie showing of jurisdiction. Sys. Pipe & Supply, Inc. v. M/V Viktor Kurnatovskiy, 

242 F.3d 322, 325 (5th Cir. 2001). 

By failing to answer a complaint, a defendant admits the plaintiff's allegations of fact, and 

the facts are deemed admitted for the purposes of the judgment. Nishimatsu Constr. Co. v. Hous. 

Nat'/ Bank, 515 F.2d 1200, 1206 (5th Cir. 1975). The defendant against whom the court renders 

default judgment is barred from contesting these facts on appeal. Id. Still, "[a] default judgment is 

unassailable on the merits [ ] only so far as it is supported by well-pleaded allegations, assumed to 

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be true." Wooten v. McDonald Transit Assocs., Inc., 788 F.3d 490, 496 (5th Cir. 2015) (quoting 

Nishimatsu Constr., 515 F.2d at 1206); see also FED. R. Clv. P. 8(a)(2). "Put another way, '[t]he 

defendant is not held to admit facts that are not well-pleaded or to admit conclusions of law." 

Wooten, 788 F.3d at 496 (quoting Nishimatsu Constr., 515 F.2d at 1206) (alteration in original). 

ANALYSIS 

On May 28 and June 2, 2022, Plaintiff served Defendants with summons and copies of the 

Complaint. See ECF Nos.8, 12. Plaintiff therefore requested entry of default against Defendants. 

See ECF No. 13. The District Clerk entered default on August 3, 2022. See ECF No. 16. As of 

today, Defendants have yet to appear. See United States v. McCoy, 954 F.2d 1000, 1003 (5th Cir. 

1992) ("We have not limited the concept of an 'appearance' to those instances in which the party 

has made a physical appearance in court or has filed a document in the record. Rather, we have 

required only that the party against whom the default judgment is sought indicate in some way an 

intent to pursue a defense."). 

A. The Court Possesses Jurisdiction 

Because Plaintiff sues under 47 U.S.C. §§ 553 and 605, this case presents a federal 

question. See 28 U.S.C. § 1331. Accordingly, the Court finds its possesses subject-matter 

jurisdiction over this action. 

B. Plaintiff Adequately Alleges Violations of 47 U.S.C. §§ 553 and 605 

Section 553 prohibits the unauthorized interception of receipt or cable services, whereas 

Section 605 prohibits same with respect to satellite communications. To prevail under either 

statute, Plaintiff must prove: (1) the Program was shown in Defendants' commercial 

establishment; (2) without Plaintiff's authorization; and (3) Plaintiff was the exclusive licensee. 

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SeeJ & JSports Prods., Inc. v. Q Cafe, Inc., No. 3:10-CV-02006-L, 2012 WL 215282, at *3 (N.D. 

Tex. Jan. 25, 2012). 

Plaintiffs Complaint adequately alleges violations of Sections 553 and 605. See generally 

ECF No. 1. And Plaintiff provides evidence in support of its allegations. See, e.g., ECF No. 24-2 

(containing Texas liquor license and Potter County business records, listing Defendants as owners 

of Club Rio); ECF No. 24-5 ( declaration of Joseph P. Hand, III detailing licensing scheme and 

events pleaded in Complaint); ECF No. 24-6 (commercial licensing agreement); ECF No. 24-7 

(Plaintiffs pricing scheme); ECF No. 24-8 (affidavit of Amanda Grace corroborating Plaintiffs 

allegations); ECF No. 24-9 (Facebook posts by Club Rio promoting the Program). To hold 

Defendants liable for the violations of a limited liability corporation - however - the Court must 

make additional findings. 

Although a court may hold an individual liable for a violation of Sections 553 and 605, it 

must be shown that the individual possessed: (1) the right and ability to supervise the unauthorized 

activities of the establishment in those activities; and (2) an obvious and direct financial interest in 

those activities. See J & J Sports Prods., 2012 WL 215282, at *4. Plaintiff alleges Defendants 

"operated, maintained, and controlled" and had the right to supervise establishment activities. ECF 

No. 1 at 2-3. Plaintiff further alleges Defendants "had an obvious and direct financial interest in 

the activities of [Club Rio] on the date of the Program." See id. at 2, 3. Competent evidence cited 

above supports these allegations. Therefore, the Court finds the facts alleged and evidence 

provided show Defendants violated Sections 553 and 605. 

C. Plaintiff Satisfies Other Default-Judgment Requirements 

Plaintiff has established Defendants were properly served and the District Court entered 

default. See FED. R. C1v. P. 55(a); ECF Nos. 8, 12. Plaintiff has supplied affidavits attesting, to the 

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best of Plaintiffs knowledge, that no Defendant is a minor or incompetent person. See FED. R. 

Civ. P. 55(b)(2); ECF No. 24-1 at 2-3. Plaintiff has also established that no Defendant is "in 

military service." 50 U.S.C. § 3931; see also ECF No. 24-1 at 2-3. 

D. The Court Need Not Hold a Damages Hearing 

Plaintiff asks for several categories of damages. First, Plaintiff seeks damages under 

47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(3)(C)(i)(II). Each violation of Section 605(e)(3)(C)(i)(II) entitles one to 

statutory damages between $1,000 and $10,000. For Defendants' violations, Plaintiff requests 

$10,000 in Section 605(e)(3)(C)(i)(ii) damages. See ECF No. 22 at 24. Second, Defendant asks for 

damages under 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(3)(C)(ii), arguing "the minimum amount" of $50,000 "or five 

times the amount of statutory damages," assuming "$10,000.00 in statutory damages," should be 

awarded. Id. at 27. Third, Plaintiff requests attorney's fees and costs under 

Section 605(e)(3)(B)(iii). Id. Plaintiff seeks all damages, fees, and costs from Defendants jointly 

and severally. Id. at 29. 

Plaintiff asks for several categories of damages. First, Plaintiff seeks damages under 

47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(3)(C)(i)(II). Each violation of Section 605(e)(3)(C)(i)(II) entitles one to 

statutory damages between $1,000 and $10,000. For Defendants' violations, Plaintiff requests 

$10,000 in Section 605( e )(3)(C)(i)(ii) damages. See ECF No. 23 at 19. Second, Defendant asks for 

damages under 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(3)(C)(ii), arguing "the minimum amount" of $50,000 "or five 

times the amount of statutory damages," assuming "$10,000.00 in statutory damages," should be 

awarded. Id. at 27. Third, Plaintiff requests attorney's fees and costs under 

Section 605(e)(3)(B)(iii). Id. Plaintiff seeks all damages, fees, and costs from Defendants jointly 

and severally. Id. at 29. 

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· "A default judgment does not establish the amount of damages." Crawford v. Lee, 

No. 3:10-CV-1499-L, 2011 WL 2115824, at *4 (N.D. Tex. May 24, 2011). "A defendant's default 

concedes the truth of the [well-pleaded] allegations of the Complaint concerning the defendant's 

liability, but not damages." Ins. Co. of W v. H & G Contractors, Inc., No. C-10-390, 2011 WL 

4738197, at *3 (S.D. Tex. Oct. 5, 2011). It is the movant's burden to bring forth competent 

evidence in support of damages. See Ha/ff Assocs., Inc. v. Warner Pac. Props. L.L.C., No. 3-08-

CV-574-B, 2008 WL 3874673, at *2 (N.D. Tex. Aug. 13, 2008). To meet this burden, the movant 

may submit affidavits and declarations to provide an evidentiary basis. See id; Gomez v. Managing 

Innovation & Tech., Inc., 3:14-CV-936-M, 2015 WL 6150905, at *2 (N.D. Tex. Oct. 15, 2015) 

(relying on declaration and attorney affidavit to establish damages and fees). 

Generally, a court may grant default judgment and determine damages without an 

evidentiary hearing if ''the amount claimed is a liquidated sum or one capable of mathematical 

calculation." Leedo Cabinetry v. James Sales & Distrib., Inc., 157 F.3d 410,414 (5th Cir. 1998) 

(quoting James v. Frame, 6 F.3d 307, 310 (5th Cir. 1993)). It is a matter within the Court's 

discretion whether to hold a hearing before awarding damages in a default judgment. See FED. R. 

Civ. P. 55(b)(2). Here, "the Court concludes that a hearing is not necessary on the issue of damages 

under [S]ection 605." Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Escamilla, No. 4:13-CV-182-Y, Order 

Granting Motion for Default Judgment, at 4 n.1 (N.D. Tex. Sept. 17, 2013) (citing United Artists 

Corp. v. Freeman, 605 F.2d 854, 857 (5th Cir. 1979)). "Plaintiff did not request a hearing, but has 

attached detailed affidavits from which damages can be calculated 'with certainty by reference to 

the pleadings and supporting documents alone .... "' Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. v. Mechler, 

No. 2:18-CV-053-AM-VRG, 2019 WL 6048032, at *3 (W.D. Tex. July 26, 2019) (quoting Frame 

v. S-H, Inc., 967 F.2d 194,204 (5th Cir. 1992)), report and recommendation adopted, 2019 WL 

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6048015 (N.D. Tex. Sept. 11, 2019). "Since a hearing would not reveal any additional pertinent 

information, 'the [ C]ourt need not jump through the hoop of an evidentiary hearing.'" Id. ( quoting 

James v. Frame, 6 F.3d 307,311 (5th Cir. 1993)). 

Based on the foregoing, the Court awards the following damages, fees, and costs: 

■ $10,000.00 in statutory damages under 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(3)(C)(i)(II) from all 

Defendants, jointly and severally; 

■ $50,000.00 in statutory damages under 47 U.S.C. § 605(e)(3)(C)(ii) from all 

Defendants, jointly and severally; 

• Attorney's fees from all Defendants,jointly and severally, in the amount of$3,753.00, 

along with attorney's fees for post-trial and appellate services in the amounts of 

$2,500.00 for collection of a judgment rendered in this action in the event Plaintiff 

obtains a writ of execution, writ of garnishment, writ of attachment, or other process, 

$5,000.00 in the event any Defendant files a post-judgment or pre-appeal motion that 

does not result in reversal of judgment, and $15,000.00 in the event any Defendant files 

an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that does not result 

in reversal of judgment; 

■ Costs from all Defendants,jointly and severally, in the amount of$704.00; and 

■ Post-judgment interest at the highest rate allowed by law as of the date of this 

Memorandum Opinion and Order. 1 

CONCLUSION 

The Court GRANTS default judgment as to Defendants. The Court GRANTS Plaintiffs 

request for damages, attorney's fees, and costs as to Plaintiffs claims against Defendants. 

SO ORDERED. 

December J3., 2022 

1 See Post Judgment Interest Rates, https://www.txnd.uscourts.gov/post-judgment-rates. 

8 

SMARYK 

ISTRICT WDGE 

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