Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1 Filed 03/05/15 Page 1 of 15

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HAR
RMEET K. DHILLON
D
(S
SBN: 207873)
harm
meet@dhillon
nlaw.com
KRIS
STA L. BAU
UGHMAN (S
SBN: 26460
00)
kbaug
ghman@dhiillonlaw.com
m
DHIL
LLON LAW
W GROUP IN
NC.
177 Post
P Street, Suite
S
700
San Francisco,
F
California 941
108
Telep
phone: (415)) 433-1700
Facsiimile: (415) 520-6593
Attorrneys for Plaaintiff,
Califfornia Repub
blican Party

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9

IN THE UNIT
TED STATE
ES DISTRIC
CT COURT
T

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T
EAST
TERN DIST
TRICT OF C
CALIFORN
NIA
FOR THE

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12

CALIIFORNIA REPUBLICA
R
AN PARTY,

C
Case Numbeer:

Plaintiff,
P

C
COMPLAIN
NT

v.
v

11. TRADEM
MARK INF
FRINGEME
ENT
(UNDER
R 15 U.S.C.A
A. 1114)
22. TRADEM
MARK INF
FRINGEME
ENT
DILUTIO
ON BY BLU
URRING (U
UNDER
15 U.S.C
C.A. 1125(c))
33. TRADEM
MARK INF
FRINGEME
ENT
DILUTIO
ON BY TARNISHMENT
(UNDER
R 15 U.S.C.A
A. 1125(c))(1))
44. TRADEM
MARK INF
FRINGEME
ENT
UNFAIR
R COMPET
TITION (UN
NDER
15 U.S.C
C.A. 1125(a))

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17

ASIA
AN AMERIC
CAN SMAL
LL BUSINES
SS
POLIITICAL ACTION COM
MMITTEE,
Defendant.
D

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Complaint

Case No
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Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1 Filed 03/05/15 Page 2 of 15

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Plaintiff California
C
Reepublican Paarty (CRP ), by and thrrough its couunsel, Dhilloon Law

Grou
up, Inc., alleg
ges as and fo
or its complaaint against tthe Asian Am
merican Smaall Business Political

Actio
on Committeee (AASB-P
PAC), as fo
ollows:

1.

Th
his is an action for tradem
mark infringgement undeer the Lanham
m Act, 15 U
U.S.C. 1114
4

et seq
q. This action
n arises from
m the fact thaat the Asian American S
Small Busineess Political Action

Comm
mittee a California pollitical action
n committee known in Saacramento foor exclusivelly supporting

and promoting
p
Democratic leegislative can
ndidates sincce it was fouunded in 20005 and run by former

Demo
ocratic legislative stafferrs sent two
o deceptive m
mailers to Reepublican vooters in Senaate District 7

makin
ng unauthorrized use of a famous trademark regiistered to thee California Republican Party. The

10

purpo
ose of these mailers is to
o unfairly inffluence Repuublican voters to cast vootes for a form
mer

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candiidate, Michaaela Hertle, who

w had form
mally withdrrawn from thhe race at thee time the m
mailers were

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publiished. The ap
pparent inten
nded effect of
o the mailerrs is to unlaw
wfully supprress and diveert the votes of

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Repu
ublican voterrs in Senate District
D
7 thrrough fraud,, intellectuall property theeft and chicaanery.

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15

THE PAR
RTIES
2.

Pllaintiff Califo
fornia Repub
blican Party ((CRP) is tthe Californiia affiliate off the United

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States Republican
n Party (the Republican
n Party), annd the officiaal political party organizzation for

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Califfornia Repub
blicans. The CRP has its principal plaace of businness in Sacraamento, Califfornia.

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3.

Deefendant Asiian Americaan Small Bussiness Politiccal Action C

Committee (A
AASB-PAC)

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is a political
p
actio
on committeee, with its prrincipal placce of businesss in Sacram
mento, Califoornia, and an

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officee in Los Ang

geles.

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JURIS
SDICTION
N AND VEN
NUE
4.

Th
his Court hass original jurrisdiction ovver this actioon pursuant tto 15 U.S.C. 1121, and
d

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28 U.S.C. 133
31 and 1338,, in that this Complaint rraises federaal questions uunder the Unnited States

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Lanham Actt), 15 U.S.C. 1051 et seeq.

Tradeemark Act (L

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5.

Th
he Court hass personal jurrisdiction ovver the AASB-PAC becaause it is a reesident of orr

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domiciled in the state of California, has engaged

e
in bbusiness activvities directeed at Califorrnia, and has

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purpo
osefully avaiiled itself off the opportu
unity to condduct commerrcial activitiees in this foruum. The

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claim
ms arise out of
o those com
mmercial actiivities. Moreeover, the AA
ASB-PAC expends fundds on

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Comp
plaint

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Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1 Filed 03/05/15 Page 3 of 15

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camp
paigns throug
ghout Califo
ornia. This Complaint
C
allleges claims that relate tto the AASB
B-PACs

impro
oper activitiees in Califorrnia, includin
ng the illegall, fraudulentt, misleadingg and unauthhorized use of
o

the Republican
R
ellephant insig
gnia.

6.

Veenue is proper in this disstrict under 228 U.S.C. 1391(c), in tthat substanttial injury

occurrred and con

ntinues to occcur in this diistrict, and thhe AASB-PA
AC is subjecct to personaal jurisdiction
n

in thiis district.

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INTRODU
UCTION
7.

Th
his case conccerns egregio
ous, repeatedd violations of the Lanhham Act. On a candidate

maileer published on or about February 23

3, 2015, for a special eleection in California Senaate District 7,

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to tak
ke place on March
M
17, 20
015, AASB--PAC intentiionally and rrepeatedly ussed a tradem
mark a

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Repu
ublican eleph
hant insigniaa (Elephant Insignia) registered tto the CRP aas a service m
mark pursuan
nt

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to 21300 of the California Corporations

C
Code, and llicensed from
m the Repubblican Nationnal

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Comm
mittee, whicch registered
d it pursuant to the Lanhaam Act 43((a), in an illeegal and frauudulent

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mann
ner, for the purpose
p
of misleading
m
the public as tto the origin of the maileer and the enndorsement of
o

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the California
C
Reepublican Paarty.

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8.

Up
pon learning
g of the first fraudulent m
mailer, whichh was receivved by Repubblican voters

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in Senate Districtt 7, the CRP, through thee undersigneed counsel, iimmediately sent a ceasee and desist

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notice to AASB-P
PAC, dated February 24
4, 2015. On M
March 2, 2015, AASB-P
PAC publishhed a second

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fraud
dulent mailerr to Republiccan voters this one witth even moree uses of the Elephant Innsignia,

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effecttively doub
bling down on its tradem
mark infringgement after receiving w
written warninng of

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impen
nding legal action.
a

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9.

Th
he CRP conssistently seek
ks to prevennt the unauthhorized and m
misleading uuse of its

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registtered tradem
mark and to protect
p
its inttellectual prooperty and reeputation froom intentionnal copying

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and in
nfringementt. The CRP files
f
this civiil action agaiinst AASB-P
PAC for vioolations of thhe United

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States Trademark
k Act (Lanhaam Act), 15 U.S.C. 10551 et seq., seeeking damages and injuunctive relieff,

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to pro
otect its marrks and to pro
otect the pub
blic from decception through the misuuse of its maarks.

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2
Comp
plaint

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FACTUAL ALL
LEGATION
NS

THE CRPS INTELLEC

CTUAL PR
ROPERTY

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10.

Th
he CRP is th
he Californiaa affiliate of tthe Republiccan Nationall Committeee (RNC),

the naational political organizaation for all Republican voters.

11.

Th
he Elephant Insignia trad
demark is coommonly useed in Republlican politicss throughoutt

the United
U
States, since it waas registered by the RNC
C with the U..S. Patent annd Trademarkk Office in

1969, Registratio
on Number 1908397.

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Registra
ation #: 19088397

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12.

Th
he Republicaan National Committee
C
ggranted the C
CRP permission to utilizze the

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federrally trademaarked RNC Elephant

E
Inssignia in thee CRP logo aand otherwisse to promotee Republican
n

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candiidates, causees, and issues. Along witth the permisssion grantedd above, thee RNC granteed the CRP

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perm
mission to deffend against any infringeement upon tthe rights affforded. The agreement bbetween the

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CRP and the RNC

C is documeented in writiing. The CR
RP is entitledd to and has eenforced thee trademark in
i

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the paast on numerous occasio

ons.

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13.

he Elephant Insignia is registered to the CRP purrsuant to 21300 of the California

Th

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Corporations Cod
de. The tradeemark featurres a red andd blue elephaant featuringg three whitee stars on thee

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top half of the eleephant. Wheen used as a background

b
for print andd digital matterials, it som
metimes

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appeaars to be monochrome.

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3
Comp
plaint

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14.

Beelow are threee examples from the reccent electionn cycle endinng Novembeer 4, 2014, of

autho
orized, legitim
mate uses off the Elephan
nt Insignia bby the state pparty or its constituent, aauthorized

users, to commun
nicate with voters
v
about legitimate R
Republican ccandidates inn an election.
a. Leetter from staate party Ch
hairman Jim Brulte to vooters on behaalf of authoriized candidaate

Daavid Hadley, in Assembly District 6 6:

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Comp
plaint

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b. Mailer
M
from California
C
Reepublican Paarty supportiing Jack Mobbley, the parrtys candidaate

for Assembly District 21:

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c. Au
uthorized Reepublican vo
oter guide froom the San D
Diego Counnty Republicaan Party

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su
upporting thee partys end
dorsed candiddates in the county:

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5
Comp
plaint

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15.

Th
he CRP activ
vely polices its trademarrks and otherr intellectuall property, aand sends

ceasee and desist letters

l
to any
y infringing users.
u
In reccent years, thhe CRP has rreached agreeements with
h

severral infringing
g parties to cease
c
and desist their missuse of the E
Elephant Insignia.
PACS WRO
ONGFUL A
ACTS
AASB-P

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5
6
7
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16.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC publisheed the first innfringing cam
mpaign mailler at issue inn this case on
n

or about February
y 23, 2015 (ssee Exhibit A).
A
17.

Th
he first maileer was receiv
ved by numeerous Repubblican voters in Senate D
District 7 on

Febru
uary 23, 2015, with otheers receiving it very shorrtly thereafteer, as is the nnorm in bulkk mail.
18.

Th
he mailer feaatured a phottograph of M
Michaela Hertle (Hertlee) and threee instances of

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the CRPs
C
Elephaant Insignia, clearly desiigned to fooll recipients iinto believinng that the CR
RP was the

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sourcce of the maiiler, and thatt it had endorsed Ms. Heertles candiddacy.

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13
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15
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19.

Ms.
M Hertle is a candidate who
w filed heer papers, waas certified bby the Secrettary of State,

but th
hen withdrew
w from the Senate
S
Distriict 7 electionn, publicly annnouncing thhe same.
20.

Ms.
M Hertle hass not been en
ndorsed by tthe Californiia Republicaan Party for tthis or any

politiical office.
21.

Up
pon informaation and belief, Ms. Herrtle has not bbeen endorseed by any off the official

Repu
ublican Centrral Committees of the co
ounties withiin Senate Diistrict 7.
22.

Att the time it published

p
th
he first maileer, the AASB
B-PAC was aaware that M
Ms. Hertle haad

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withd
drawn from the
t Senate District
D
7 race, and had e ndorsed anoother candidaate named Stteve Glazer,

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as Ms. Hertles withdrawal

w
an
nd endorsem
ment had beeen reported inn the media..

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23.

Th
he elephant graphic
g
used
d by the AAS
SB-PAC in tthe Hertle m
mailer is idenntical in shap
pe,

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propo
ortion, desig
gn and color to the well-k
known Elephhant Insigniaa consistentlly used by thhe CRP, which

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is reg
gistered pursuant to 213
300 of the Caalifornia Co rporations C
Code, tradem
marked by thee RNC, and

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used throughout the

t United States.
S

25
26
27
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24.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC has neveer sought or oobtained a liicense or autthorization ffor the use off

the Elephant
E
Insignia (or any
y derivatives thereof).
25.

Th
he CRP first learned of the
t AASB-PACs tradem
mark infringeement on Feebruary 23,

2015, the day thee first mailer was receiveed by the pubblic.

6
Comp
plaint

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2

26.

Th
he CRP sent a cease and
d desist letterr to the AAS
SB-PAC on F
February 24,, 2015,

demaanding that AASB-PAC

A
immediately
y halt its traddemark infriingement. (SSee Exhibit B
B).

27.

Th
he CRP did not
n receive a response frrom the AAS
SB-PAC.

28.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC did not cease
c
its traddemark infrinngement of tthe Elephantt Insignia.

29.

Affter receiving and ignoriing the CRPs cease andd desist letterr, AASB-PA
AC published
da

secon
nd mailer on
n March 2, 20
015 to Repub
blican voterrs in Senate D
District 7 (seee Ex. C), foor the purposse

of inffluencing reccipients into believing th

hat Ms. Herttle was the enndorsed canndidate of thee CRP, whilee

AASP
PBPAC kneew Ms. Hertlle was no lon
nger runningg, and had neever been enndorsed by thhe CRP.

30.

Th
he second fraaudulent maailer from AA
ASB-PAC fuurther compounded the ffalse

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desig
gnation of origination by repeatedly using
u
the woords Repubblican in thee mailer. Forr example, th
he

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maileers urged votters to choosse the One of

o their ownn and urgedd There is onnly one Republican

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candiidate for Statte Senate, bu

usinesswomaan Michaelaa Hertle.

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14
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31.

Att the times itt published the

t second m
mailer, AASB
B-PAC was aware that M
Ms. Hertle

was not
n a candidaate for the Sttate Senate.
32.

AA
ASB-PAC published
p
theese two frauddulent, decepptive, false, and repeateddly infringin
ng

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maileers (collectiv
vely, Hertlee Mailers) for
fo the directt purpose, annd intended eeffect, of supppressing thee

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votess of Republiccans in Senaate District 7, cynically uurging them to vote for a candidate w
who had

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dropp
ped out, and thereby wassting their vo
otes rather thhan voting fo
for one of thee real, remaining

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candiidates in the race and hav

ving their vo
otes countedd.

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FIRS
ST CAUSE OF ACTIO
ON

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Tra
ademark Inffringement Under 15 U
U.S.C. 1114

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23
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33.

he CRP repeeats and inco

orporates by reference eaach allegatioon in the precceding
Th

parag
grpahs as if set
s forth fully
y herein.
34.

Th
he Elephant Insignia trad
demark is inhherently disttinctive. Mooreover, it haas acquired

25

secon
ndary meanin
ng through its
i use, for deecades, in C
California andd national poolitical discoourse to

26

signiffy the Repub

blican Partys official im
mprimatur.

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28

35.

Th
he distinctiveeness and seecondary meeaning of thee Elephant Innsignia tradeemark has

been enhanced an
nd extended through the extensive use of the maark by the CR
RP to designnate the

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Comp
plaint

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Repu
ublican Party
ys endorsem
ment, in every
y aspect of tthe partys official comm
munications tto voters and
d

consu
umers.

36.

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5
6

Th
he CRP has actively
a
poliiced uses andd misuses off the Elephannt Insignia, aand sends ou
ut

ceasee and desist letters

l
immediately upon
n learning off any infringging use.
37.

Att no time hass the CRP co

onsented to A
AASB-PAC
Cs use of thee Elephant Innsignia

tradem
mark, or any
y confusingly
y similar traademark, in ccommerce.

38.

AA
ASB-PAC has
h never beeen authorize d to use the Elephant Insignia.

39.

Ass a political action comm

mittee that exxclusively suupports Dem
mocratic canddidates for

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10
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legisllative office,, AASB-PAC

C would nev
ver have beeen granted a license by thhe CRP to usse the
Eleph
hant Insigniaa for any purrpose.
40.

AA
ASB-PAC willfully
w
used
d the Elephaant Insignia, including a mark with aan identical

12

colorr scheme, sty

yle, and desig
gn, on the tw
wo Hertle maailers in connnection withh the campaiign for Senatte

13

District 7, with th
he full know
wledge that th
he CRP had ownership rrights to the ttrademark, aand that

14

AASB
B-PAC had no rights wh
hatsoever to use the traddemark.

15
16
17
18
19

41.

AA
ASB-PAC published
p
thee Hertle Maiilers in orderr to intentionnally benefitt from the

goodw
will and secondary mean
ning of the Elephant
E
Ins ignia, and thhereby confuuse consumeers.
42.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC willfully
y infringed thhe CRPs exxclusive right in the Elepphant Insigniia

tradem
mark, in vio
olation of 15 U.S.C. 1114.
43.

Th
he CRP prom
mptly sent a cease and deesist letter too AASB-PA
AC regardingg the

20

unautthorized use of their Elep

phant insign
nia on the firrst mailer, onn February 224 (Ex. B). Iggnoring this

21

legal notice, AAS

SB-PAC sen
nt out a secon
nd mailer lesss than a week later, agaain featuring the

22

k. (Ex. C) Thhe second m

mailer was recceived by many
unautthorized use of the CRPs trademark

23

Repu
ublican voterrs in Senate District
D
7 on
n March 2, 20015, and in eensuing days.

24

44.

AA
ASB-PAC has
h used, and
d continues tto use, the C
CRPs tradem
mark, with thhe intent to

25

causee confusion and

a to deceiv
ve consumerrs concerninng the true orrigin, sourcee and/or sponnsorship of

26

the caandidate feattured on the mailers, Miichaela Hertlle.

27
28

8
Comp
plaint

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45.

Ass a direct and

d proximate result of AA
ASB-PACs conduct, thee CRP has suuffered

irrepaarable harm,, and will continue to sufffer irreparabble harm unless the AAS
SB-PAC is rrestrained

from continuing to
t infringe th
he CRPs traademark.

46.

Th
he CRP has no
n adequate remedy at l aw sufficiennt to compennsate it for thhe ongoing,

irrepaarable harm it will sufferr if the AAS

SB-PAC is peermitted to ccontinue infrringing uponn the Elephan
nt

Insign
nia trademarrk.

7
8
9
10
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47.

Ass a direct and

d proximate result of AA
ASB-PACs infringing cconduct, the CRP has

sufferred harm to its reputation and imagee.

48.

Ass a direct and

d proximate result of AA
ASB-PACs infringing cconduct, the CRP has

sufferred substanttial monetary

y damages, in an amountt to be determ
mined at triaal.
49.

AA
ASB-PACss actions described abovee have been willful and have been uundertaken

12

know
wingly, malicciously, opprressively and
d with the sppecific intenttion of injurring and tradding unfairly

13

upon the CRPs intellectual

i
property
p
and
d goodwill, too confuse Caalifornia connsumers.

14

50.

CR
RP has no ad
dequate remedy at law suufficient to ccompensate for the ongooing

15

irrepaarable harm it will sufferr if the AAS

SB-PAC is peermitted to ccontinue infrringing the E
Elephant

16

Insign
nia trademarrk and passin
ng off the Hertle mailerss as originatiing from thee CRP.

17
18

51.

Un
nless it is enj
njoined and restrained
r
froom continuinng the wronggful acts desscribed abov
ve,

AASB
B-PAC will continue theese actions that
t harm thee CRP and innjure and deeceive the puublic.

19

SECO
OND CAUSE
E OF ACTIION

20

on by Blurriing Trademark Infrin

ngement Un
nder 15 U.S.C.A. 11225(c)
Dilutio

21
22
23

52.

Th
he CRP repeeats and inco
orporates by reference eaach allegatioon in the precceding

parag
graphs as if set
s forth fully
y herein.
53.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC, by reaso
on of dilutionn by blurringg, willfully iintended to ttrade on the

24

recog
gnition of thee famous Eleephant Insignia mark forr ends diameetrically oppposed to the aauthorized,

25

intended uses of the

t Elephantt Insignia.

26

54.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC is in viollation of the federal diluution statute, Lanham Acct, 15 U.S.C.

27

1125(c), 1127, fo
or willfully trrading upon the widesprread recognittion of the C
CRPs tradem
mark, the

28

Eleph
hant Insigniaa.

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Comp
plaint

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2
3
4
5

55.

Th
he Elephant Insignia is registered to the CRP as a service maark. The marrk has becom
me

the ub
biquitous deesignation off the Republiican Party inn California.
56.

Th
he mark is faamous, as it is widely reccognized byy the general consuming public of thee

Uniteed States, inccluding California, as an

n official dessignation of tthe Republiccan Party.
57.

Th
he Elephant Insignia hass recognized advertising and publicaations as well as a strong

identification botth over time and across geographic

g
rreach. Overaall, the publicc is aware thhat the mark

desig
gnates the Reepublican Paarty and no
o other politiical entity.

8
9
10
11
12
13

58.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC has used
d the CRPs ttrademark inn interstate ccommerce thhrough the

produ
uction and distribution of
o the Hertle Mailers to thhe public. This use begaan decades aafter the CRP
Ps
use became
b
famo
ous.
59.

Th
he AASB-PA
ACs use cau
uses dilutionn by lesseninng the capaciity of the CR
RPs mark to
o

identify and distin

nguish good
ds or servicess.
60.

Th
he CRP, as registrant
r
of a famous maark that is diistinctive, innherently or tthrough

14

acquiired distinctiiveness, is en
ntitled to an injunction aagainst the A
AASB-PAC, which, at a time decades

15

after the CRPs mark

m
becamee famous, co
ommenced usse of the maark in commeerce.

16

61.

Th
he above acttions are likeely to cause ddilution by bblurring of thhe famous m
mark,

17

regarrdless of the presence or absence of actual

a
or likeely confusioon, of compeetition, or of actual

18

econo
omic injury.

19

62.

20
21

Un
nless enjoineed and restraained from ccontinuing thhe wrongful acts described above, th
he

AASB
B-PAC will continue theese practicess that harm tthe CRP andd injure and ddeceive the ppublic.
63.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC is in viollation of the federal diluution statute bbecause the CRP can

22

establish, conclussively, that the

t mark in question
q
is fa
famous. The Elephant Insignia is reggistered to the

23

CRP as a service mark.

24
25

64.

he AASB-PA
AC has used
d the CRPs ttrademark inn interstate ccommerce thhrough the
Th

uction and distribution of

o the Hertle Mailers to thhe public.
produ

26

65.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC began usse of the traddemark afterr the CRPs uuse became famous.

27

66.

Th
he AASB-PA
ACs use cau
uses dilutionn by lesseninng the capaciity of the CR
RPs mark to
o

28

identify and distin

nguish good
ds or servicess. Lanham A
Act, 43(c)), 45, 15 U.S
S.C.A. 1125(c), 1127..

10
Comp
plaint

Case No
o.

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1 Filed 03/05/15 Page 12 of 15

1
2
3

67.

Ass a direct and

d proximate result of thee AASB-PA
ACs conductt described aabove, the

CRP has suffered

d substantial monetary damages in ann amount to be determinned at trial.
68.

Th
he CRP has no
n adequate remedy at l aw sufficiennt to compennsate for the ongoing,

PAC is perm
mitted to conttinue dilutingg the Elephaant Insignia
irrepaarable harm it will sufferr if AASB-P

tradem
mark, passin
ng off the Heertle Mailerss and possiblly other mailers or materrials in the ffuture as

origin
nating from the CRP, an
nd distributin
ng a publicattion endorsinng a candidaate as the Republican

Choicce, despite such endorsement being

g utterly fabrricated.

8
9

69.

Un
nless it is enj
njoined and restrained
r
froom continuinng the wronggful acts desscribed abov
ve,

AASB
B-PAC will continue theese actions that
t harm thee CRP and innjure and deeceive the puublic.

10

THIR
RD CAUSE OF ACTIO
ON

11

Dilution by
b Tarnishm
ment Tradeemark Infriingement U
Under 15 U.S
S.C.A. 11225(c)(1)

12

70.

13
14
15
16
17
18

Th
he CRP repeeats and inco
orporates by reference eaach allegatioon in the precceding

parag
graphs as if set
s forth fully
y herein.
71.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC is known
n throughoutt California ppolitical circcles as a poliitical action

comm
mittee that ex
xclusively su
upports Dem
mocrats for leegislative offfice.
72.

Ev
very single California
C
leg
gislator featuured on the A
AASB-PAC
C website

www
w.aasbpac.org
g is a Dem
mocrat.
73.

Th
he AASB-PA
ACs theft an
nd misapproopriation of tthe Elephantt Insignia tarrnishes and

19

cheap
pens the pureely Republiccan image off the insigniaa, and weakeens the publiics identificcation of the

20

Eleph
hant Insigniaa with the CR
RP.

21

74.

Th
he AASB-PA
ACs repeateed misuse off the Elephannt Insignia w
wrongfully aassociates thee

22

insign
nia with a Democrat-pro
D
omoting PAC
C, thereby taarnishing its exclusively Republican connotation
n

23

for ov
ver forty-fou
ur years.

24
25
26

75.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC, by reaso
on of dilutionn by tarnishm
ment, willfuully intendedd to harm, an
nd

did harm, the reputation of th

he famous Ellephant Insiggnia mark reegistered to tthe CRP.
76.

AA
ASB-PACss infringing use
u of the CR
RPs tradem
mark presentss a danger thhat the publicc

27

will misleadingly
m
y associate th
he AASB-PA
AC with the Republican Party, thus tarnishing thhe publics

28

identification of the
t mark.

11
Comp
plaint

Case No
o.

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1 Filed 03/05/15 Page 13 of 15

1
2

77.

Ass a direct and

d proximate result of AA
ASB-PACs conduct desscribed abovve, the CRP

has su
uffered dam
mages in an am
mount to be determined at trial.

78.

Th
he CRP has no
n adequate remedy at l aw sufficiennt to compennsate for the ongoing

irrepaarable harm it will sufferr if AASB-P

PAC is perm
mitted to conttinue infringing the Elepphant Insignia

tradem
mark, passin
ng off the Heertle Mailerss as originatiing from thee CRP, and ddistributing a publication
n

endorrsing a candidate as the Republican

n Choice, deespite such eendorsementt not being ppresent.

Unlesss enjoined and

a restraineed from conttinuing the w
wrongful acts described aabove, AAS
SB-PAC willl

contin
nue these prractices that harm
h
the CR
RP, tarnish thhe Elephant Insignia, annd injure andd deceive the

publiic.

10

FOUR
RTH CAUSE
E OF ACTIION

11

Unfaiir Competition Tradem

mark Infrin
ngement Un
nder 15 U.S..C.A. 11255(a)

12
13
14

79.

Th
he CRP repeeats and inco
orporates by reference eaach allegatioon in the precceding

parag
graphs as if set
s forth fully
y herein.
80.

Seection 43(a) of the Lanhaam Act 15 U

U.S.C.A. 1125(a) prosccribes not onnly acts that

15

would technically
y qualify as trademark
t
in
nfringement,, but also unnfair competiitive practicees involving

16

actuaal or potentiaal deception.

17
18
19
20
21

81.

Th
he AASB-PA
AC made maaterially falsse and misleaading statem
ments on it thhe Hertle

Maileers that had the

t effect off deceiving Republican
R
vvoters, the inntended audience of the m
mailers.
82.

Th
he Hertle Maailers traveleed in and havve had an efffect on interrstate commeerce, and thee

CRP has suffered

d harm in terrms of loss of
o good will and reputation.
83.

Th
he CRP has been
b
damaged by the AA
ASB-PACss use of the E
Elephant Insignia, as it has
h

22

causeed confusion
n and deceiveed the publicc as to its truue origin, whhich is not thhe CRP, or aany official

23

Repu
ublican organ
nization in th
he U.S.

24
25
26
27

84.

Ass a direct and

d proximate result of AA
ASB-PACs conduct desscribed abovve, the CRP

has su
uffered mon
netary damag
ges in an amount to be d etermined att trial.
85.

Th
he CRP has no
n adequate remedy at l aw sufficiennt to compennsate for the ongoing,

irrepaarable harm it will sufferr if AASB-P

PAC is perm
mitted to conttinue tarnishing the Elepphant Insignia

28

12
Comp
plaint

Case No
o.

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1 Filed 03/05/15 Page 14 of 15

1

tradem
mark, passin
ng off the Heertle Mailerss as originatiing from thee CRP, and ddistributing a publication
n

endorrsing a candidate as the Republican

n Choice, deespite such eendorsementt being utterrly fabricated

d.

3
4

86.

AASB
B-PAC will continue theese practicess that harm tthe CRP andd injure and ddeceive the ppublic.

5
6
7

Un
nless enjoineed and restraained from ccontinuing thhe wrongful acts described above,

PR
RAYER FO R RELIEF
WHEREF
FORE, the CRP
C prays fo
or judgment against AAS
SB-PAC as ffollows:
1. For an injjunction prelliminarily an
nd permanenntly enjoininng the AASB
B-PAC and itts agents,

officers, employees,
e
representativ
r
ves, successoors, assigns, partners, atttorneys and aall other

persons accting with, for,

f by, throu
ugh or underr authority frrom Defendaant, from:

10

a.

Imitating, copying,
c
or making
m
unauuthorized usee of the tradeemarked Eleephant

11

Insignia reg
gistered with
h the U.S. PT
TO by the RN
RNC, and reggistered to thhe CRP undeer

12

California law,
l
and dep
picted hereinn and on the attached Exhhibit A and C
C;

13

b.

Manufacturring, producing, distribuuting, circulaating, advertiising, promooting,

14

displaying or otherwisee using any ttrademark thhat imitates oor is confusinngly similar

15

to any tradeemark owned by the CR

RP, or that is likely to cauuse confusioon, mistake,

16

deception, or
o public miisunderstandding as to thee origin of anny mailers/ppublications by
b

17

Defendant or their affilliation with tthe CRP;

18
19

2. That, purssuant to 15 U.S.C.

U
1117
7, the AASB
B-PAC be coompelled to account to thhe CRP and
disgorge all
a profits deerived from its
i illegal actts complaineed of herein;;

20

A
be required to file with the Court annd serve on tthe CRP witthin thirty (30)
3. That the AASB-PAC

21

days afterr entry of an injunction, a report in w

writing underr oath descriibing in detaail the manneer

22

and form in which Deefendant has complied w

with the injunnction;

23

4. That, purssuant to 15 U.S.C.

U
111
18, the AASB
B-PAC be coompelled to deliver to C
CRP for

24

destructio
on all mailerss, labels, sig
gns, prints, paackages, advvertising, proomotional m
material or th
he

25

like in its possession, custody or under

u
the coontrol bearingg the Elephaant Insignia, as well as all

26

paraphern
nalia associaated with mak
king such innfringing maaterials;

27
28

5. That this Court declarre this to be an exceptionnal case andd award the C
CRP its full ccosts and
nt to 15 U.S .C. 1117;
reasonablle attorneys fees pursuan

13
Comp
plaint

Case No
o.

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1 Filed 03/05/15 Page 15 of 15

1
2
3

6. That this Court grant the CRP any

y other remeedy to whichh it may be entitled as provided for in
n
15 U.S.C.. 1116 & 1117
1
and/or under
u
Califoornia law;
7. That the Court
C
order such
s
other reelief as the C
Court may deeem approprriate to preveent the publiic

from inco
orrectly assum
ming that the Hertle Maailers distribuuted, manufaactured, distrributed,

marketed or otherwisee circulated or promotedd by the AAS

SB-PAC havve any relation,

connectio
on, or authoriization in an
ny way by thhe CRP; and

7
8
9
10
11
12

8. That the Court

C
grant the
t CRP treb
ble damages for the loss of goodwill and harm too reputation it
has sufferred as a result of the AASB-PACs w
willful, bad ffaith violatioons.
9. For such other
o
and furrther relief as
a this Courtt deems just and approprriate.
DEMA
AND FOR JJURY TRIA
AL
Pursuant to
t Fed.R.Civ
v.P. 38(b), Plaintiff
P
Califfornia Repubblican Partyy demands a jjury trial of
all isssues raised by
b the Comp
plaint.

13
14

Date:: March 5, 2015

2

D
DHILLON L
LAW GROU
UP INC.
By:

15

//s/ Harmeet K. Dhillon

________________________________________
H
Harmeet K. Dhillon, Esqq.
K
Krista L. Baaughman, Essq.
T
Taylor Blooom, Esq.
A
Attorneys foor Plaintiff C
California Reepublican
P
Party

16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

14
Comp
plaint

Case No
o.

CIVIL COVER SHEET

JS 44 (Rev. 12/12)

2:15-at-00306
1-1 theFiled
03/05/15
Page
1 ofpapers
2 as required by law, except as
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the Case
information
contained herein neitherDocument
replace nor supplement
filing and
service of pleadings
or other
provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the
purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS ON NEXT PAGE OF THIS FORM.)
I. (a) PLAINTIFFS

DEFENDANTS

CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY

(b)

ASIAN AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

County of Residence of First Listed Plaintiff Sacramento

County of Residence of First Listed Defendant

(EXCEPT IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES)

NOTE:

(c)

Attorneys (Firm Name, Address, and Telephone Number)

Harmeet Kaur Dhillon (SBN: 207873); Krista L. Baughman (SBN: 264600)
Dhillon Law Group Inc.
177 Post Street, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA 94108
415-433-1700

II. BASIS OF JURISDICTION (Place an X in One Box Only)

1

U.S. Government
Plaintiff

3 Federal Question
(U.S. Government Not a Party)

U.S. Government
Defendant

4 Diversity
(Indicate Citizenship of Parties in Item III)

IV. NATURE OF SUIT

CONTRACT
110 Insurance
120 Marine
130 Miller Act
140 Negotiable Instrument
150 Recovery of Overpayment
& Enforcement of Judgment
151 Medicare Act
152 Recovery of Defaulted
Student Loans
(Excludes Veterans)
153 Recovery of Overpayment
of Veterans Benefits
160 Stockholders Suits
190 Other Contract
195 Contract Product Liability
196 Franchise

REAL PROPERTY
210 Land Condemnation
220 Foreclosure
230 Rent Lease & Ejectment
240 Torts to Land
245 Tort Product Liability
290 All Other Real Property

V. ORIGIN (Place an X in One Box Only)

1 Original
Proceeding

VI. CAUSE OF
ACTION

2 Removed from
State Court

Attorneys (If Known)

III. CITIZENSHIP OF PRINCIPAL PARTIES (Place an X in One Box for Plaintiff

(For Diversity Cases Only)
PTF
1

Citizen of This State

(Place an X in One Box Only)

TORTS
PERSONAL INJURY
310 Airplane
315 Airplane Product
Liability
320 Assault, Libel &
Slander
330 Federal Employers
Liability
340 Marine
345 Marine Product
Liability
350 Motor Vehicle
355 Motor Vehicle
Product Liability
360 Other Personal
Injury
362 Personal Injury Medical Malpractice
CIVIL RIGHTS
440 Other Civil Rights
441 Voting
442 Employment
443 Housing/
Accommodations
445 Amer. w/Disabilities
Employment
446 Amer. w/Disabilities
Other
448 Education

PRISONER PETITIONS
Habeas Corpus:
463 Alien Detainee
510 Motions to Vacate
Sentence
530 General
535 Death Penalty
Other:
540 Mandamus & Other
550 Civil Rights
555 Prison Condition
560 Civil Detainee Conditions of
Confinement

DEF

and One Box for Defendant)

PTF
DEF
4
4

Incorporated or Principal Place

of Business In This State

Citizen of Another State

Incorporated and Principal Place

of Business In Another State

Citizen or Subject of a
Foreign Country

Foreign Nation

FORFEITURE/PENALTY

PERSONAL INJURY
365 Personal Injury Product Liability
367 Health Care/
Pharmaceutical
Personal Injury
Product Liability
368 Asbestos Personal
Injury Product
Liability
PERSONAL PROPERTY
370 Other Fraud
371 Truth in Lending
380 Other Personal
Property Damage
385 Property Damage
Product Liability

3 Remanded from
Appellate Court

Sacramento

(IN U.S. PLAINTIFF CASES ONLY)

IN LAND CONDEMNATION CASES, USE THE LOCATION OF
THE TRACT OF LAND INVOLVED.

625 Drug Related Seizure

of Property 21 USC 881
690 Other

BANKRUPTCY
422 Appeal 28 USC 158
423 Withdrawal
28 USC 157
PROPERTY RIGHTS
820 Copyrights
830 Patent
840 Trademark

LABOR
710 Fair Labor Standards
Act
720 Labor/Management
Relations
740 Railway Labor Act
751 Family and Medical
Leave Act
790 Other Labor Litigation
791 Employee Retirement
Income Security Act

SOCIAL SECURITY
861 HIA (1395ff)
862 Black Lung (923)
863 DIWC/DIWW (405(g))
864 SSID Title XVI
865 RSI (405(g))

FEDERAL TAX SUITS

870 Taxes (U.S. Plaintiff
or Defendant)
871 IRSThird Party
26 USC 7609

IMMIGRATION
462 Naturalization Application
465 Other Immigration
Actions

Reinstated or
Reopened

5 Transferred from
Another District
(specify)

6 Multidistrict
Litigation

Cite the U.S. Civil Statute under which you are filing (Do not cite jurisdictional statutes unless diversity):
15 U.S.C.A. 1114, 15 U.S.C.A. 1125(a), 15 U.S.C.A. 1125(c)
Brief description of cause:
Trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114 et seq.
CHECK YES only if demanded in complaint:
DEMAND $ Injunction
CHECK IF THIS IS A CLASS ACTION
UNDER RULE 23, F.R.Cv.P.
Yes
No
JURY DEMAND:

VII. REQUESTED IN
COMPLAINT:
VIII. RELATED CASE(S)
IF ANY

(See instructions):

JUDGE

DATE

SIGNATURE OF ATTORNEY OF RECORD

03/05/2015

/s/ Harmeet K. Dhillon

DOCKET NUMBER

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

RECEIPT #

OTHER STATUTES
375 False Claims Act
400 State Reapportionment
410 Antitrust
430 Banks and Banking
450 Commerce
460 Deportation
470 Racketeer Influenced and
Corrupt Organizations
480 Consumer Credit
490 Cable/Sat TV
850 Securities/Commodities/
Exchange
890 Other Statutory Actions
891 Agricultural Acts
893 Environmental Matters
895 Freedom of Information
Act
896 Arbitration
899 Administrative Procedure
Act/Review or Appeal of
Agency Decision
950 Constitutionality of
State Statutes

AMOUNT

APPLYING IFP

JUDGE

MAG. JUDGE

JS 44 Reverse (Rev. 12/12)

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1-1 Filed 03/05/15 Page 2 of 2

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS COMPLETING CIVIL COVER SHEET FORM JS 44

Authority For Civil Cover Sheet
The JS 44 civil cover sheet and the information contained herein neither replaces nor supplements the filings and service of pleading or other papers as
required by law, except as provided by local rules of court. This form, approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States in September 1974, is
required for the use of the Clerk of Court for the purpose of initiating the civil docket sheet. Consequently, a civil cover sheet is submitted to the Clerk of
Court for each civil complaint filed. The attorney filing a case should complete the form as follows:
I. (a)
(b)
(c)

Plaintiffs-Defendants. Enter names (last, first, middle initial) of plaintiff and defendant. If the plaintiff or defendant is a government agency, use
only the full name or standard abbreviations. If the plaintiff or defendant is an official within a government agency, identify first the agency and
then the official, giving both name and title.
County of Residence. For each civil case filed, except U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county where the first listed plaintiff resides at
the time of filing. In U.S. plaintiff cases, enter the name of the county in which the first listed defendant resides at the time of filing. (NOTE: In
land condemnation cases, the county of residence of the "defendant" is the location of the tract of land involved.)
Attorneys. Enter the firm name, address, telephone number, and attorney of record. If there are several attorneys, list them on an attachment,
noting in this section "(see attachment)".

II.

Jurisdiction. The basis of jurisdiction is set forth under Rule 8(a), F.R.Cv.P., which requires that jurisdictions be shown in pleadings. Place an "X"
in one of the boxes. If there is more than one basis of jurisdiction, precedence is given in the order shown below.
United States plaintiff. (1) Jurisdiction based on 28 U.S.C. 1345 and 1348. Suits by agencies and officers of the United States are included here.
United States defendant. (2) When the plaintiff is suing the United States, its officers or agencies, place an "X" in this box.
Federal question. (3) This refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1331, where jurisdiction arises under the Constitution of the United States, an amendment
to the Constitution, an act of Congress or a treaty of the United States. In cases where the U.S. is a party, the U.S. plaintiff or defendant code takes
precedence, and box 1 or 2 should be marked.
Diversity of citizenship. (4) This refers to suits under 28 U.S.C. 1332, where parties are citizens of different states. When Box 4 is checked, the
citizenship of the different parties must be checked. (See Section III below; NOTE: federal question actions take precedence over diversity
cases.)

III.

Residence (citizenship) of Principal Parties. This section of the JS 44 is to be completed if diversity of citizenship was indicated above. Mark
this section for each principal party.

IV.

Nature of Suit. Place an "X" in the appropriate box. If the nature of suit cannot be determined, be sure the cause of action, in Section VI below, is
sufficient to enable the deputy clerk or the statistical clerk(s) in the Administrative Office to determine the nature of suit. If the cause fits more
than one nature of suit, select the most definitive.

V.

Origin. Place an "X" in one of the six boxes.

Original Proceedings. (1) Cases which originate in the United States district courts.
Removed from State Court. (2) Proceedings initiated in state courts may be removed to the district courts under Title 28 U.S.C., Section 1441.
When the petition for removal is granted, check this box.
Remanded from Appellate Court. (3) Check this box for cases remanded to the district court for further action. Use the date of remand as the filing
date.
Reinstated or Reopened. (4) Check this box for cases reinstated or reopened in the district court. Use the reopening date as the filing date.
Transferred from Another District. (5) For cases transferred under Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1404(a). Do not use this for within district transfers or
multidistrict litigation transfers.
Multidistrict Litigation. (6) Check this box when a multidistrict case is transferred into the district under authority of Title 28 U.S.C. Section 1407.
When this box is checked, do not check (5) above.

VI.

Cause of Action. Report the civil statute directly related to the cause of action and give a brief description of the cause. Do not cite jurisdictional
statutes unless diversity. Example: U.S. Civil Statute: 47 USC 553 Brief Description: Unauthorized reception of cable service

VII.

Requested in Complaint. Class Action. Place an "X" in this box if you are filing a class action under Rule 23, F.R.Cv.P.
Demand. In this space enter the actual dollar amount being demanded or indicate other demand, such as a preliminary injunction.
Jury Demand. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether or not a jury is being demanded.

VIII.

Related Cases. This section of the JS 44 is used to reference related pending cases, if any. If there are related pending cases, insert the docket
numbers and the corresponding judge names for such cases.

Date and Attorney Signature. Date and sign the civil cover sheet.

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1-2 Filed 03/05/15 Page 1 of 10

EXHIBIT A
To the Complaint of California Republican Party

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1-2 Filed 03/05/15 Page 2 of 10

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1-2 Filed 03/05/15 Page 3 of 10

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1-2 Filed 03/05/15 Page 4 of 10

EXHIBIT B
To the Complaint of California Republican Party

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1-2 Filed 03/05/15 Page 5 of 10

Harmeet K. Dhillon
harmeet@dhillonlaw.com

February 24, 2015

VIA EMAIL AND FEDERAL EXPRESS
Mr. Bill Wong
Political Director
Asian American Small Business PAC I.D. #1276929
bill@billwong.net
916.708.2828
Northern
Post Office Box 188858
Sacramento CA, 95818
Southern
3699 Wilshire Blvd., #1290
Los Angeles, CA 90012
CC:
Executive Board
James Santa Maria
Lucy McCoy
Jadine Nielsen
Re:

Cease and Desist Concerning Unauthorized Use by the Asian

American Small Business PAC of Insignia Owned By California
Republican Party

Dear Mr. Wong:

This law firm represents the California Republican Party (CRP) regarding the
illegal, fraudulent, misleading and unauthorized use of the Republican elephant insignia
(Elephant Insignia) on a mailer recently published by the Asian American Small
Business PAC (you or your) to recommend Michaela Hertle for the 7th State Senate
District special election. Please direct all future communications concerning this matter to
our attention. This is a serious matter requiring a prompt response in order to avoid a
lawsuit.
As you are well aware, the mailer referenced above is intentionally misleading in
that it appears to reflect an endorsement of Michaela Hertle by the CRP, which has not
endorsed Ms. Hertle in main part, because she is not running for the seat. Specifically,
the mailer publishes a red and white elephant insignia with three white stars on the top

177 POST STREET, SUITE 700 | SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108 | 415.433.1700 | 415.520.6593 (F)

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1-2 Filed 03/05/15 Page 6 of 10

Mr. Bill Wong
February 24, 2015
Page 2 of 3
half of the elephant. This elephant graphic is identical in shape, proportion, design and
color to the well-known Elephant Insignia consistently used by the CRP, which is
registered to the CRP pursuant to 21300 of the California Corporations Code. You did
not seek or obtain a license or authorization for the use of the Elephant Insignia (or any
derivatives thereof) prior to including that image in the mailer, nor do you currently have
such license or authorization. Further, the mailers broader suggestion that Ms. Hertle is
generally supported by Republican Party organizations is highly deceptive and misleading.
Please be advised that, as a result of your actions described above, you are liable
for violations of numerous federal and state laws, including, without limitation, various
provisions of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C.A. 1125 et seq., California trademark common
law, California Corporation Code 21300 et seq., and Californias Unfair Business
Practices Act, Corporations Code 17200 et seq. Your conduct has directly and
proximately caused the CRP substantial harm, and subjects you to legal liability to the
CRP for actual damages as well as statutory damages. Given the willfulness of your
misconduct, the likelihood of confusion, actual confusion, and the threat of recurrence,
damages are likely to include lost profits, disgorgement of your profits, treble damages,
injunctive relief, and reasonable attorneys fees as well as costs of legal action.
The CRP demands that you immediately cease and desist from further publication of
any materials that make unauthorized use, in any manner whatsoever, of the Elephant Insignia,
including but not limited to displaying that insignia on any slate mailers.
Litigation is likely to ensue concerning this matter. Under governing state and federal
court rules, you are on notice to maintain hard copies of documents as well as all e-mail and
other electronically stored information pertaining to the mailers in question, including all
communications with other vendors, with the candidates listed on the mailers, with postal
authorities, or with any other person. Electronic information includes e-mail, voicemail, word
processing documents, spreadsheets, databases, calendars, networks, computer systems
(including legacy systems), servers, archives, backup and disaster recovery systems, tapes,
disks, drives, cartridges, other storage media, laptops, internet records, web pages, personal
computers, and other information storage devices. You are instructed to retain any copies you
have on any storage medium, including sources of data such as portable hard drives, memory
cards, thumb drives, blackberry, personal digital assistants, mobile telephones, iPods and
smartphones.
This list is not exhaustive; these potential locations of relevant data are included by way
of example only, and all documents relating in any way to the dispute discussed in this letter
must be preserved. Your failure to comply with all statutory document and data preservation
obligations that now exist may be severe, including monetary sanctions, terminating sanctions,
or other sanctions.
Should you wish to discuss a voluntary resolution of this dispute, please contact us no
later than noon on Friday, February 27, 2015. If we do not hear from you by that date with a
substantive proposal to resolving the matter, we intend to proceed with filing the complaint that
DHILLON LAW GROUP INC.
177 POST STREET, SUITE 700 | SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108 | 415.433.1700 | 415.520.6593 (F)

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1-2 Filed 03/05/15 Page 7 of 10

Mr. Bill Wong
February 24, 2015
Page 3 of 3
is already being drafted, and seek injunctive relief.
If you have any questions about the contents of this letter, please contact me or my
colleague, Taylor Bloom.
Best regards,

Regards,

Harmeet K. Dhillon
CC:
Executive Board
James Santa Maria
Lucy McCoy
Jadine Nielsen
Taylor Bloom

DHILLON LAW GROUP INC.

177 POST STREET, SUITE 700 | SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108 | 415.433.1700 | 415.520.6593 (F)

Case 2:15-at-00306 Document 1-2 Filed 03/05/15 Page 8 of 10

EXHIBIT C
To the Complaint of California Republican Party

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