Opinion
This panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).
NOT FOR PUBLICATION. (See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure Rule 36-3)
Michael J. McCue, Esq., Lewis and Rocca LLP, Las Vegas, NV, Lara Pearson, Esq., Law Offices of Lara Pearson Ltd, Incline Village, NV, for Plaintiffs-Appellees.
Mark H. Gunderson, Esq., Elaine S. Guenaga, Esq., Mark H. Gunderson, Ltd., Kirstin M. Jahn, Esq., Jahn & Associates LLC, Reno, NV, for Defendant-Appellant.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, David Warner Hagen, District Judge, Presiding.
Before KLEINFELD, TASHIMA and THOMAS, Circuit Judges.
Page 201.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
Cash Processing Services, LLC ("CPS"), appeals the district court's grant of a preliminary injunction to David and Ingrid Burgess, and Sherwin Fellen (collectively "the Burgesses"), and denial of CPS' motion for a preliminary injunction, after the Burgesses filed a declaratory action against CPS regarding ownership of the "MUSTANG RANCH" trademark in connection with prostitution services in Nevada and CPS counterclaimed for infringement and unfair competition under the Lanham Act. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(1), and we affirm.
Our review of a district court's decision regarding preliminary injunctive relief is "limited and deferential," and an order will be reversed only if the district court relied on an erroneous legal premise or abused its discretion. Southwest Voter Registration Educ. Project v. Shelley, 344 F.3d 914, 918 (9th Cir.2003) (en banc). Here, the district court correctly identified the legal standards for abandonment of a trademark under the Lanham Act. See, e.g., Abdul-Jabbar v. General Motors Corp., 85 F.3d 407, 410-11 (9th Cir.1996). Also, the district court did not abuse its discretion by concluding that the Burgesses are likely to succeed on the merits in proving abandonment of the Mustang Ranch mark, nor in its consideration of the balance of the hardships and the possibility of irreparable injury. See Southwest Voter Registration Educ. Project, 344 F.3d at 917-18.
AFFIRMED.