Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. v. Doe

SUMMONS Returned Executed by Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. as to MHBEST on 7/9/2026, answer due 7/30/2026.

SUMMONS Issued (Court Participant) as to Defendant MHBEST

SUMMONS Submitted (Court Participant) for defendant(s) MHBEST by Plaintiff Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd.

SEALED TEMPORARY Restraining Order. Signed by the Honorable John J. Tharp, Jr on 7/8/2026. Mailed notice

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John J. Tharp, Jr: Upon review of the plaintiff's supplement [17], the Court finds it has personal jurisdiction over the defendant with respect to its alleged infringement of the copyrights identified in the complaint, except for No. VA 2-497-003. The Court also finds that the Hague Convention does not apply to the defendant. The plaintiff made "reasonably diligent efforts to ascertain and verify [the] defendant's mailing address," and was unable to do so. Kangol LLC v. Hangzhou Chuanyue Silk Import & Export Co., 177 F.4th 793, 799 (7th Cir. 2026) (quoting NBA Props., Inc. v. P'ships & Unincorporated Ass'ns Identified in Schedule "A", 549 F. Supp. 3d 790, 796 (N.D. Ill. 2021)). Accordingly, the plaintiff's motions for a temporary restraining order [7] and electronic service [10] are granted. Enter order. Mailed notice

SUPPLEMENT to order on motion for reconsideration, set deadlines, [14]

ORDER FOR LEAVE TO CONDUCT EXPEDITED DISCOVERY. Signed by the Honorable John J. Tharp, Jr on 6/10/2026. Mailed notice

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John J. Tharp, Jr: The Court finds no basis to permit the case to proceed under seal, particularly given that the discovery process will require disclosure of the defendant's identity. Accordingly, the Clerk is directed to unseal the plaintiffs' filings [2] [4] [8]. Plaintiffs are directed to provide notice to the defendant of their intent to pursue expedited discovery. Mailed notice

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John J. Tharp, Jr: The plaintiff's motion for reconsideration [13] is denied. This Court may not enter a TRO against a defendant over whom it does not have personal jurisdiction. In Liu v. Monthly, 170 F.4th 1090 (7th Cir. 2026), the Seventh Circuit explained that, in cases like these, plaintiffs must "prove actual sales in Illinois" before any relief may be granted. Id. at 1094. The plaintiff's motion fails to address this recent and controlling precedent. The Court grants, however, the plaintiff's motion for expedited discovery. The plaintiff should send a proposed order for expedited discovery, in Word format, to the Court's proposed order inbox at Proposed_Order_Tharp@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Separately, with respect to the motion for electronic service [10], the plaintiff is instructed to file supplemental briefing as to whether the Hague Convention applies to this case. See Kangol LLC v. Hangzhou Chuanyue Silk Imp. & Exp. Co., No. 25-2205, 2026 WL 1502198 at *5-6 (7th Cir. May 29, 2026). This briefing, along with plaintiff's proof of Illinois sales, is due 6/29/2026. Mailed notice

MOTION by Plaintiff Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. for reconsideration regarding order on motion for temporary restraining order, order on motion to seal document, set deadlines, [12]

MINUTE entry before the Honorable John J. Tharp, Jr: The plaintiff's motion to seal 9 is granted. Documents and exhibits listed therein, provisionally under seal pending order, are permitted to remain under seal. The plaintiff's original motion for a TRO 6 is denied as moot in light of the plaintiff's amended motions for a TRO 7 and electronic service 10. Those motions are taken under advisement. The plaintiff's exhibit [8-3] only demonstrates that infringing sales took place in Illinois with respect to one copyright. "'There is no pendent or supplemental theory of specific personal jurisdiction,' so when a plaintiff asserts multiple claims, 'personal jurisdiction over the defendant must be established as to each claim asserted.'" Lexington Ins. Co. v. Zurich Ins. (Taiwan) Ltd., 286 F. Supp. 3d 982, 987 (W.D. Wis. 2017) (quoting MG Design Assocs., Corp. v. Costar Realty Info., Inc., 224 F.Supp.3d 621, 629 (N.D. Ill. 2016)). By 6/5/2026, the plaintiff is directed to supplement its motion with proof that sales actually took place in Illinois with respect to each asserted copyright. The plaintiff must show that the product was actually sold to Illinois residents, such as proof of payment, shipping receipts, or other evidence. Mailed notice

DECLARATION of Adam E. Urbanczyk regarding motion for temporary restraining order 7 re: Fed. R. Civ. P. 65(b)

MOTION by Plaintiff Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. for service by publication (electronic)

MOTION by Plaintiff Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. to seal document exhibit 4, exhibit 2, sealed document 8

SEALED DOCUMENT by Plaintiff Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. Declaration of Fangli Huang

MOTION by Plaintiff Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. for temporary restraining order Amended

MOTION by Plaintiff Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. for temporary restraining order and expedited discovery

MAILED copyright report to Registrar, Washington DC

SEALED EXHIBIT by Plaintiff Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. CORRECTED regarding complaint 1

CIVIL Cover Sheet

SEALED EXHIBIT by Plaintiff Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd. regarding complaint 1

COMPLAINT filed by Union Imagination Tech. Co. Ltd.; Filing fee $ 405, receipt number AILNDC-25111127.

CLERK'S NOTICE: Pursuant to Local Rule 73.1(b), a United States Magistrate Judge of this court is available to conduct all proceedings in this civil action. If all parties consent to have the currently assigned United States Magistrate Judge conduct all proceedings in this case, including trial, the entry of final judgment, and all post-trial proceedings, all parties must sign their names on the attached Consent To form. This consent form is eligible for filing only if executed by all parties. The parties can also express their consent to jurisdiction by a magistrate judge in any joint filing, including the Joint Initial Status Report or proposed Case Management Order.

CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable John J. Tharp, Jr. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Beth W. Jantz. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 3).