Chase TRO

 

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA  : CIVIL ACTION : : Plaintiff, : NO. ________  : v. : : : : Defendant :

I. INTRODUCTION Te !nde"l#in$ %tate &'!"t a&ti'n, (i& $ave "i%e t' te &!""ent dive"%it# a&ti'n, (a% filed )# Plaintiff H'*e Line F!"nit!"e Ind!%t"ie%, In&. +H'*e Line- a$ain%t Defendant /anne"  Retail 0a"1etin$, LLC +/anne"- f'" an alle$ed )"ea& 'f &'nfidentialit# a$"ee*ent% ente"ed int' )# te 2a"tie%. Plaintiff i% a f!"nit!"e *an!fa&t!"e" and ('le%ale di%t"i)!t'". di%t"i)!t'". Defendant i% in te )!%ine%% 'f *a"1etin$ 2"'d!&t% %!& a% t'%e %'ld )# Plaintiff. At te %a*e ti*e Plaintiff filed it% C'*2laint in te Piladel2ia C'!"t 'f C'**'n Plea% 'n A2"il 34, 3556, Plaintiff al%' filed a Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n, (i& (a% $"anted te ne8t da# da #, A2"il 33, 3556, )# te %tate &'!"t E*e"$en&# 9!d$ 9!d$e. e. Alt'!$ Plaintiff% Plaintiff% Petiti'n %'!$t a 2"eli*ina"# in7!n&ti'n, te %tate &'!"t E*e"$en&# 9!d$e titled i%  i% '"de" a Te*2'"a"# E8 Pa"te Re%t"ainin$ O"de"- +TRO-, (i& al%' &'ntained a "!le !2'n Defendant t' %'( &a!%e (# te TRO %'!ld n't )e *ade 2e"*anent 2endin$ di%2'%iti'n 'f te !nde"l#in$ C'*2laint. Te TRO %et a ea"in$ date 'f A2"il ;5, 3556 in te Piladel2ia C'!"t 'f C'**'n Plea%. Fede"al R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e <=+)+> %tate% tat On 3 da#% n'ti&e t' te 2a"t# (' ')tained te '"de" (it'!t n'ti&e?'" 'n %'"te" n'ti&e %et )# te &'!"t?te adve"%e 2a"t# *a# a22ea" and *'ve t' di%%'lve '" *'dif# te '"de".- @iven te nat!"e 'f te %it!ati'n tat e8i%ted e"e a% e82lained inf"a, (i& "e!i"ed e82edited &'n%ide"ati'n )# te C'!"t, %'"te" n'ti&e tan t(' da#% (a% (a""anted. Unde" Penn%#lvania R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e 4=;4+a, 4 =;4+a, a &'!"t *a# i%%!e a 2"eli*ina"# '"  %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n 'nl# afte" ("itten n'ti&e and a ea"in$ !nle%% it a22ea"% t' te %ati%fa&ti'n 'f  te &'!"t tat i**ediate and i""e2a"a)le in7!"# (ill )e %!%tained )ef'"e n'ti&e &an )e $iven '" a ea"in$ eld, in (i& &a%e te &'!"t *a# i%%!e a 2"eli*ina"# '" %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n (it'!t a ea"in$ '" (it'!t n'ti&e.n 'ti&e.- Pa. R.C.P. 4=;4+a. Alt'!$ te te"*% 2"eli*ina"# in7!n&ti'nand %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n- a"e n't defined in te R!le, it a22ea"% tat ( (en en an '"de" i% i%%!ed e8  2a"te and (it'!t n'ti&e tat te '"de" i% anal'$'!% t' te ent"# 'f a %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n.- Steel

 

Cit# @"'!2 v. @l')al Online Di"e&t, In&., 355< U.S. Di%t. LEBIS <;4, at =?< +.D. +.D. Pa. N'v. ;5, 355<. A %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n- !%!all# %ee1% "elief tat i% a!8ilia"# t' te *ain "elief "e!e%ted in te &'*2laint. In "e F"an1lin T'(n%i2 /d. Of S!2e"vi%'"%, ;6 A.3d >, 6 +Pa. 46. Te %tate &'!"t E*e"$en&# 9!d$e in ti% &a%e titled i% '"de" a Te*2'"a"# E8 Pa"te Re%t"ainin$ O"de", a te"* n't !%ed in te Penn%#lvania in7!n&ti'n %tat!te. It a22ea"%, '(eve",  '(eve", tat te TRO i% in te nat!"e a %2e&ial  %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n,and (ill )e &'n%ide"ed ) )# #itti% C'!"t "evie(in$ te  2"'2"iet# 'f te'f i%%!an&e 'f te TRO 'n A2"il 33, %' 3556, and (ete" %'!ld )ein di%%'lved. Defendant "e*'ved ti% a&ti'n t' ti% C'!"t 'n te *'"nin$ 'f A2"il 3;, 3556. On te %a*e da#, Defendant filed a 0'ti'n t' Re&'n%ide" State?C'!"t O"de"ed Te*2'"a"# In7!n&ti'n +D'&. N'. ;. Afte" a tele2'ne &'nfe"en&e (it &'!n%el f'" te 2a"tie% 'n te afte"n''n 'f A2"il 3;, 3556, ti% C'!"t $"anted Defendant Defendan t%% 0'ti'n f'" Re&'n%ide"ati'n and '"de"ed tat te TRO i%%!ed )# te %tate &'!"t 9!d$e (a% di%%'lved, va&ated and %et a%ide. 4 A ("itten O"de" &'nfi"*in$ ti% "!lin$ (a% filed A2"il 3>, 3556 +D'&. N'. >. Ti% O2ini'n %et% f'"t te "ea%'n% f'"  $"antin$ Defendant% 0'ti'n t' Re&'n%ide" State?C'!"t O"de"ed Te*2'"a"# In7!n&ti'n and f'"  di%%'lvin$ te in7!n&ti'n. II. FACTS Plaintiff in%tit!ted ti% a&ti'n in te Piladel2ia C'!"t 'f C'**'n Plea% 'n A2"il 34, 3556. +Def. 0e*'. 'f La( in S!22'"t 'f 0't. f'" Re&'n%ide"ati'n at 4 Ge"einafte" Def. Re&'n%ide"ati'n-. In it% C'*2laint, Plaintiff alle$e% tat Defendant Defendan t %'li&ited Plaintiff a% a &lient. +Pl. C'*2l. at . On&e Plaintiff i"ed Defendant, )!t )ef'"e ) ef'"e "evealin$ an# &'nfidential inf'"*ati'n, Plaintiff "e!i"ed Defendant t' ente" int' Inde2endent C'nt"a&t'" C'n t"a&t'" A$"ee*ent% A$"ee*ent%,, (i& Plaintiff %t#le% a% C'nfidentialit# A$"ee*ent%.- +Id. Plaintiff and Defendant event!all# ente"ed int' t(' %!& a$"ee*ent%. +Id. Afte" ente"in$ int' te%e a$"ee*ent%, Plaintiff alle$e% tat it di%&l'%ed t' Defendant inf'"*ati'n a)'!t Plaintiff Plaintiff % 2"'2"ieta"#e) 2"'2"ieta"#e) Pa"tne" P"'$"a* +PP-, an inte"net *a"1etin$ 2"'$"a* tat Plaintiff devel'2ed at &'n%ide"a)le e82en%e. +Id. at ;?<,  Ve"ifi&ati'n Ve"ifi&ati'n 'f David /"e$le", E8. A t' Pl.% Pl.% Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n at J J=? Ge"einafte" /"e$le" Ve"if.-. Ve"if.-. Plaintiff alle$e% tat afte" "evie(in$ Plaintiff% PP, PP, Defendant &'2ied te 2"'$"a* and )e$an *a"1etin$ a nea"l# identi&al 2"'$"a* t' Defendant% 'te" &lient%, in&l!din$ A%le# F!"nit!"e Ind!%t"ie%, In&. +A%le#-, 'ne 'f Plaintiff% *ain &'*2etit'"%. +Pl. C'*2l. at ?6 /"e$le" Ve"if. Ve"if. J J 3, ;5?;4. Ti% alle$ati'n i% *ade in te affidavit 'f Plaintiff% Di"e&t'" 'f 0a"1etin$, David /"e$le", (it'!t 2"'vidin$ an# d'&!*entati'n '" 'te" evidentia"# %!22'"t in te Petiti'n '" 0e*'"and!*. +Pl. C'*2l. at ?6 /"e$le" Ve"if. Ve"if. J J 3, ;5?;4. A% n'ted a)'ve, te Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n and C'*2laint (e"e filed 'n A2"il 34, 3556. Defendant (a% n't n' t 2"'2e"l# %e"ved (it te C'*2laint. Rate", Defendant (a% 3 Defendant /anne" i% l'&ated in te State S tate 'f a%in$t'n, a%in$t'n, (i& i% ; '!"% )eind Ea%te"n Standa"d Ti*e +EST. It i% :>5 2.*. 2 .*. EST (en it i% >:>5 2.*. PDT. In te tele2'ne &'nfe"en&e eld (it ti% C'!"t and te 2a"tie% 'n A2"il 3;, 3556, Plaintiff &lai*ed tat te E*e"$en&# 9!d$e did n't ea" Plaintiff Plaintiff % Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n !ntil te afte"n''n 'f A2"il 33, and tat Defendant te"ef'"e ad a*2le a *2le ti*e t' %e&!"e &'!n%el, avin$ )een n'tified n' tified a)'!t te ea"in$ te ni$t )ef'"e. H'(eve", Defendant (a% n't inf'"*ed tat te ti*e 'f te ea"in$ ad )een &an$ed f"'* 45:55 a.*. Te 'nl# d'&!*ented

 

&'**!ni&ati'n )et(een Plaintiff and Defendant %'(% tat Plaintiff n'tified Defendant tat te ea"in$ ('!ld ta1e 2la&e at 45:55 a.*. +Lette" f"'* 0atti'ni t' Steven%'n, A2"il 34, 3556, E8. / t' Def. Re&'n%ide"ati'n Ge"einafte" 0atti'ni Lette"-. If Defendant (a% neve" inf'"*ed tat te ti*e ad )een &an$ed, Defendant &ann't )e e82e&ted t' ave a22ea"ed at te ea"in$ eld 'n te afte"n''n 'f A2"il 33, 3556. 3

inf'"*ed via e*ailt''n A2"il 34, at a22"'8i*atel# 2.*. .*. Pa&ifi& In7!n&ti'n. Da#li$t Ti*e +PDT, tat Plaintiff intended file it% C'*2laint and Petiti'n>:>5 f'" 2 P"eli*ina"# +Def. Re&'n%ide"ati'n at 3. Plaintiff% e*ail %tated tat it ('!ld file te C'*2laint and %ee1 te P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n at 45:55 a.*. EST te f'll'(in$ *'"nin$, A2"il 33, 3556. +Def. Re&'n%ide"ati'n at 3 Ve"ifi&ati'n Ve"ifi&ati'n 'f 9'#&e 9'n%'n, E8. / t' Def. Re%&'n%ide"ati'n at Ge"einafte" 9'n%'n Ve"if.-. Te ne8t *'"nin$ at =:;5 a.* PDT, afte" Defendant ad an '22'"t!nit# t' &'n%!lt (it it% &'"2'"ate &'!n%el in a%in$t'n, 9a*e% Kala*'n, E%!i"e, &'!n%el &alled Plaintiff% &'!n%el t' inf'"* i* tat Defendant ')7e&ted t' a ea"in$ 'n %!& %'"t n'ti&e and tat Defendant did n't )elieve it &'!ld ')tain l'&al &'!n%el t' a22ea" at te TRO ea"in$ at te de%i$nated date and ti*e. +9'n%'n V Ve"if. e"if. at 4. Plaintiff Plaintiff % &'!n%el ('!ld n't a$"ee t' a %'"t &'ntin!an&e t' aff'"d Defendant en'!$ ti*e t' %e&!"e &'!n &'!n%el %el in Piladel2ia %' tat it &'!ld )e "e2"e%ented at te TRO ea"in$. ; Rate", Plaintiff %'!$t te TRO f"'* te %tate &'!"t E*e"$en&# 9!d$e 'n A2"il 33, 3556, )ef'"e Defendant &'!ld )e ea"d in 2e"%'n. In '"de" t' 2"'vide at lea%t %'*e &'**!ni&ati'n &' **!ni&ati'n (it te E*e"$en&# 9!d$e, Defendant% &'!n%el e*ailed Plaintiff% &'!n%el a li%t 'f Defendant% ')7e&ti'n% "e$a"din$ te Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n, and a%1ed Plaintiff% C'!n%el t' $ive te e*ail t' te E*e"$en&# 9!d$e (en e &'n%ide"ed Plaintiff% Petiti'n. +E*ail f"'* Kala*'n t' 0atti'ni, A2"il 33, 3556, E8. D. t' Def. Re&'n%ide"ati'n Re& 'n%ide"ati'n Ge"einafte" Kala*'n E*ail-. Plaintiff% C'!n%el inf'"*ed ti% C'!"t tat Defendant% e*ail (a% $iven t' te E*e"$en&# 9!d$e 2"i'" t' i% de&i%i'n. +T"an%&"i2t 'f Tele2'ne Hea"in$ at , 4>, H'*e Line v. /anne", N'. 56?44; +E.D. Pa. filed +T"an%&"i2t A2"il 33, 3556 Ge"einafte" Tele2'ne Tele2'ne Hea"in$-. >  N'netele%%, te %tate &'!"t E*e"$en&# 9!d$e $"anted Plaintiff% Plaintiff% Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n and en7'ined Defendant f"'*: !%in$ te %!)7e&t inf'"*ati'n in vi'lati'n 'f te C'nfidentialit# A$"ee*ent and f"'* &'2#in$, di%&l'%in$ '" !%in$ '" all'(in$ an# 'te" 2e"%'n t' !%e te T"ade Se&"et% and C'nfidential Inf'"*ati'n '" an# 'te" 2"'d!&t, inf'"*ati'n, 2"'$"a* '" devi&e de"ived f"'* %!& inf'"*ati'n, and %2e&ifi&all# 2"'i)itin$ an# !%e 'f te e) Pa"tne"% P"'$"a* and "elated f'"*%, te*2late%, i*a$e%, 2"'$"a*%, devi&e%, *et'd%, te&ni!e%, 2"'&e%%e% '" 'te" "elated inf'"*ati'n and data '" an# a n# 'te" 2a"t te"e'f '" an# %i*ila" 2"'$"a* (i& a% )een '" *i$t "ea%'na)l# "ea%'na)l # ave )een de"ived f"'* H'*e Line% T"ade Se&"et% and C'nfidential Inf'"*ati'n. +T +Te*2'"a"# e*2'"a"# E8 Pa"te Re%t"ainin$ O"de" at 3, E8. A. Def. Re&'n%ide"ati'n Ge"einafte" E8 Pa"te TRO-.

 

/'t 2a"tie% (e"e %&ed!led t' a22ea" and an d *a"1et tei" 2"'d!&t% at a f!"nit!"e t"ade %'( in Hi$ P'int, N'"t Ca"'lina +Hi$ P'int S'(-, (i& (a% %&ed!led t' )e$in 'n A2"il 3> '"  3=, 3556. +Tele2'ne Hea"in$ at =?<. Ti% i% a *a7'" t"ade %'(, 'ne 'f te la"$e%t 'f it% 1ind, (e"e "etail 2"e%entati'n% a"e *ade f'" te f!"nit!"e )!%ine%%. Defendant &lai*% tat te %'( (a% t' )e$in 'n A2"il 3>, t(' da#% afte" te TRO (a% i%%!ed, and Plaintiff &lai*% tat te %'( (a% t' )e$in +Id./'t Te 2a"tie% date te&lai*ed %'( (ill A2"il ;5, te date %et f'" te i*2a&t ea"in$ in te'n E8A2"il Pa"te3=. TRO. tatend tei% TRO ('!ld ave a %i$nifi&ant 'n tei" )!%ine%%e% at te Hi$ P'int S'(. Plaintiff alle$ed in it% C'*2laint and Petiti'n tat all'(in$ Defendant t' *a"1et it% (e) 2"'$"a*, (i& (a% alle$edl# %t'len f"'* Plaintiff, ('!ld &a!%e i""e2a"a)le in7!"# t' Plaintiff% )!%ine%%. Defendant &lai*ed tat 2"eventin$ it f"'* *a"1etin$ it% *ate"ial% at te Hi$ P'int S'( ('!ld &a!%e &a! %e t"e*end'!% ne$ative finan&ial &'n%e!en&e% f'" Defendant. it te 0'ti'n f'" Re&'n%ide"ati'n, Defendant %!)*itted in %!22'"t 'f it% &lai*% te affidavit 'f 9'#&e 9'n%'n, Defendant%% Di"e&t'" 'f H!*an Re%'!"&e% and Planin$ +E8i)it C-. 0". 9'n%'n e82li&itl# Defendant denie% te alle$ati'n% &'ntained in Plaintiff% C'*2laint and denie% tat Defendant vi'lated te C'nfidentialit# A$"ee*ent%. Ti% C'!"t a% "evie(ed te e*ail and dete"*ined tat it i% n't te e!ivalent 'f &'!n%el a22ea"in$ )ef'"e a 9!d$e t' &'nte%t a *atte" afte" fi"%t filin$ an a22"'2"iate ("itten "e%2'n%e t' te Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n. Te e*ail (a% n't a %!)%tit!te f'" te "i$t t' )e ea"d afte" 2"'2e" n'ti&e. @iven te &i"&!*%tan&e% 2"e%ented in te C'*2laint, te Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n, and te 0'ti'n f'" Re&'n%ide"ati'n, ti% C'!"t eld an e82edited tele2'ne &'nfe"en&e (it te 2a"tie% 'n A2"il 3;, 3556 and '"de"ed tat te TRO ente"ed )# te %tate &'!"t E*e"$en&# 9!d$e %'!ld )e di%%'lved. III. LE@AL STANDARD A. Te*2'"a"# Re%t"ainin$ O"de"  Ti% C'!"t 2"e%ide% 've" ti% &a%e !nde" dive"%it# 'f &itien%i2 7!"i%di&ti'n. In a dive"%it# &a%e, te C'!"t *!%t a22l# te %!)%tantive la( 'f Penn%#lvania. E"ie R.R. v. T'*21in%, T'*21in%, ;5> U.S. <>, ?6 +U.S. 46; 46;  F'"d v. E8el, In&., N'. 5?&v?4;=, 355 U.S. Di%t. LEBIS 45;3<3, ;?> +E.D. Pa. De&. 4, 355. In Penn%#lvania, te %tanda"d f'" $"antin$ a %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n- '" TRO i% %et f'"t in Penn%#lvania R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e 4=;4+a. /'t fede"al and Penn%#lvania &'!"t% dee* a TRO t' )e an e8t"a'"dina"# "e*ed#, $"anted 'nl# in li*ited &i"&!*%tan&e%. V Vi$ilante i$ilante v. Stata"'%, N'. 5?&v?;>5, 3556 U.S. Di%t. LEBIS 43;3>, 6 +E.D. Pa. Fe). 4, 3556. In de&idin$ (ete" t' $"ant '" den# a TRO Penn%#lvania C'!"t% (ei$ (ete" +4 an in7!n&ti'n i% ne&e%%a"# t' 2"event i**ediate and i""e2a"a)le a"* +3 $"eate" in7!"# ('!ld "e%!lt f"'* "ef!%in$ an in7!n&ti'n tan f"'* $"antin$ it +; an in7!n&ti'n ('!ld 2"'2e"l# "e%t'"e te 2a"tie% t' tei" %tat!% i**ediatel# 2"i'" t' te alle$ed ("'n$f!l &'nd!&t +> te *'vant i% li1el# t' 2"evail 'n te

 

*e"it% 'f te a&ti'n += te "e!e%ted in7!n&ti'n i% "ea%'na)l# %!ited t' a)ate te 'ffendin$ a&tivit# and +< an in7!n&ti'n ('!ld adve"%el# affe&t te 2!)li& 2! )li& inte"e%t. Id. at 6?45 %ee al%' S!**it T'(n Cent"e, In&. v. S'e S'( 'f R'&1#0'!nt, In&., 3 A.3d 66=, 4554 +Pa. 355;. Te%e fa&t'"% 2"a&ti&all# &'in&ide (it te fa&t'"% a fede"al &'!"t &'n%ide"% in i%%!in$ a TRO 2!"%!ant t' Fede"al R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e <=+), a TRO )ein$ te fede"al e!ivalent t' a Steel %2e&ial !nde" Penn%#lvania Vi$ilante, Vi$ilante, 3556 U.S. Di%t. LEBIS 43;3>, at 45 Cit#in7!n&ti'n@"'!2, 355< U.S. Di%t. LEBISla(. <;4, at =?<. Penn%#lvania R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e 4=;4+a, (i& ( i& %et% f'"t te 2"'&ed!"e $'ve"nin$  2"eli*ina"# and %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n%- in te !nde"l#in$ %tate &'!"t a&ti'n, "e!i"e% n'ti&e and a ea"in$ 2"i'" t' $"antin$ '" den#in$ a %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n.- Pa. R.C.P. R.C.P. 4=;4+a PNT, In&. v v.. Se&"et C'**!ni&ati'n In&., <<4 A.3d >56, >45?44 +Pa. S!2e". Ct. 466=. Te S!2"e*e C'!"t 'f  Penn%#lvania a% f!"te" eld tat it i% . . . f!nda*ental tat all 'f te 2a"tie% a"e entitled t' a ea"in$ )ef'"e Ga 2"eli*ina"# in7!n&ti'n %'!ld i%%!e.- PNT, <<4 A.3d at >44 +!'tin$ P!)!%1# v. D.0.F. D.0.F. In&., 3;6 A.3d ;;= +Pa. 46<. A %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n- *a# )e $"anted in te a)%en&e 'f a ea"in$, )!t 'nl# !2'n a de*'n%t"ati'n )# te *'vin$ 2a"t# tat i**ediate and i""e2a"a)le in7!"# (ill )e %!%tained )ef'"e n'ti&e &an )e $iven '" a ea"in$ eld.- Pa. R.C.P. R.C.P. 4=;4+a C'**(. e8 "el. C'%ta v. /'le#, /'le#, 33 A.3d 65=, 656 +Pa. 464. If a t"ial &'!"t i%%!e% an e8 2a"te %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n,- and fail% t' 2"'vide f'" a ea"in$ (itin te five?da# ti*e li*it %et )# Penn%#lvania R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e 4=;4+d, te e8 2a"te %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n i% v'id 'n it% fa&e. C'**(. e8 "el. C'%ta, 33 A.3d at 656. R!le 4=;4+d  2"'vide%: An in7!n&ti'n $"anted (it'!t n'ti&e t' te defendant %all )e dee*ed di%%'lved !nle%% a ea"in$ 'n te &'ntin!an&e &' ntin!an&e 'f te in7!n&ti'n i% eld (itin five da#% afte" te $"antin$ 'f  te in7!n&ti'n '" (itin %!& 'te" ti*e a% te 2a"tie% *a# a$"ee '" a% te &' &'!"t !"t !2'n &a!%e %'(n %all di"e&t.- Pa. R.C.P. R.C.P. 4=;4+d. If te"e i% a $'' $''d d "ea%'n f'" (# a ea"in$ *!%t )e eld )e#'nd te five?da# 2e"i'd *andated )# te R!le, %!& "ea%'n *!%t a22ea" in te '"de"  $"antin$ te %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n. C'**(. e8 "el. C'%ta, 33 A.3d at 656. /. 0'ti'n f'" Re&'n%ide"ati'n eneve" an a&ti'n i% "e*'ved f"'* %tate &'!"t t' a di%t"i&t &'!"t, all in7!n&ti'n%, '"de"%, and 'te" 2"'&eedin$% ad in %!& a&ti'n 2"i'" t' it% "e*'val %all "e*ain in f!ll f'"&e and effe&t !ntil di%%'lved '" *'dified )# te di%t"i&t &'!"t.- 3 U.S.C. M 4>=5 Vi$ilante, 3556 U.S. Di%t. LEBIS 43;3>, at >. U2'n "e*'val t' a fede"al &'!"t, a 2a"t# *a# !tilie te  2"'&ed!"e f'!nd in Ea%te"n Di%t"i&t 'f Penn%#lvania L'&al R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e .4+$ t' *'ve f'" "e&'n%ide"ati'n 'f a %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n ente"ed in %tate &'!"t 2"i'" t' "e*'val. See Vi$ilante, Vi$ilante, 3556 U.S. Di%t. LEBIS 43;3>, at >. Te Ti"d Ci"&!it a% eld tat "e&'n%ide"ati'n %'!ld )e $"anted %2a"in$l#, %2a"in$l#, )!t i% a22"'2"iate (e"e +4 te *'vin$ 2a"t# de*'n%t"ate% an inte"venin$ &an$e in te &'nt"'llin$ la( +3 additi'nal fa&t% a"e *ade availa)le, (i& (e"e n't availa)le (en te &'!"t fi"%t &'n%ide"ed te i%%!e '" +; te"e i% a need t' &'""e&t a &lea" e""'" 'f la( '" fa&t '" t' 2"event *anife%t in7!%ti&e. 0a8% Seaf''d Caf v. !inte"'%, 4 4< < F.;d <<6, < +;d Ci". 4666. A 2a"t# need 'nl# %'( 'ne 'f te a)'ve $"'!nd% t' e%ta)li% tat "e&'n%ide"ati'n i% a22"'2"iate. Id.

 

IV IV.. ANALYSIS A NALYSIS A. Re&'n%ide"ati'n 'f te TRO i% a22"'2"iate !nde" Ea%te"n Di%t"i&t 'f  Penn%#lvania L'&al R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e .4+$. Defendant a% de*'n%t"ated te e8i%ten&e 'f t(' &'*2ellin$ fa&t'"% (i& (a""ant "e&'n%ide"ati'n 'f te TRO !nde" Ea%te"n Di%t"i&t 'f Penn%#lvania L'&al R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e .4+$. Te# a"e:te +4TRO te 2"e%en&e 'f 2"event add iti'nal additi'nal fa&t% (i& (e"e n't availa)le (en te &'!"t fi"%t &'n%ide"ed and +3 t' *anife%t in7!%ti&e. 4. P"e%en&e 'f Additi'nal Fa&t% Te E8 Pa"te TRO a22ea"% t' ave )een i%%!ed 2!"el# 'n te )a%i% 'f te alle$ati'n% &'ntained in Plaintiff% 2leadin$% and te /"e$le" affidavit. Defendant (a% n't aff'"ded %!ffi&ient ti*e t' "e%2'nd eite" in 2e"%'n at te ea"in$ 'n A2"il 33 '" in a ("itten "e%2'n%e. en te a&ti'n (a% "e*'ved t' ti% C'!"t, Defendant %!)*itted te 0'ti'n f'"  Re&'n%ide"ati'n (it te affidavit 'f Defendant% Di"e&t'" Di"e&t'" 'f H!*an Re%'!"&e% and Plannin$, Plann in$, 9'#&e 9'n%'n, (i& (a% n't )ef'"e te %tate &'!"t E*e"$en&# 9!d$e (en e i%%!ed te TRO. 0".. 9'n%'n %2e&ifi&all# denied Plaintiff% alle$ati'n% 'f a vi'lati'n 'f te C'nfidentialit# 0" A$"ee*ent%. Onl#0". /"e$le"% /"e$le"% &'n&l!%'"# affidavit &'*2lainin$ tat Defendant vi'lated te C'nfidentialit# A$"ee*ent% a% )een 2"e%ented t' 2"'ve tat Defendant *i%a22"'2"iated Plaintiff% &'nfidential inf'"*ati'n. inf'"*ati'n. N' d'&!*ent '" 'te" eviden&e (a% 2"'vided. Te"ef'"e, it i% i*2'%%i)le t' &'n&l!de, (it'!t a f!"te" ea"in$, (i& 2a"t# i% *'"e li1el# t' %!&&eed 'n te *e"it% 'f ti% &a%e, a )!"den (i& (a% 'n Plaintiff a% te 2a"t# %ee1in$ te TRO. C'n%e!entl#,  )e&a!%e Plaintiff a% n't *et it% )!"den and f'" te "ea%'n% tat f'll'( f'll'(,, ti% C'!"t "!led tat te E8 Pa"te TRO *!%t )e di%%'lved. 3. P"event 0anife%t In7!%ti&e Te %e&'nd "ea%'n (# te TRO (a% di%%'lved (a% t' 2"event *anife%t in7!%ti&e. a. 0anife%t in7!%ti&e ('!ld "e%!lt if te TRO "e*ained in effe&t )e&a!%e Plaintiff a% n't e%ta)li%ed tat te fa&t'"% "e!i"ed t' )e &'n%ide"ed in $"antin$ a TRO (ei$ in Plaintiff% fav'". In de&idin$ (ete" t' $"ant '" den# a 2"eli*ina"# '" %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n-: Penn%#lvania C'!"t% C'! "t% (ei$ (ete" +4 an in7!n&ti'n i% ne&e%%a"# t' 2"event i**ediate and i""e2a"a)le a"* +3 $"eate" in7!"# ('!ld "e%!lt f"'* "ef!%in$ an in7!n&ti'n tan f"'* $"antin$ it +; an in7!n&ti'n ('!ld 2"'2e"l# "e%t'"e te 2a"tie% t' tei" %tat!% i**ediatel# 2"i'" t' te alle$ed ("'n$f!l &'nd!&t +> te *'vant i% li1el# t' 2"evail 'n te *e"it% 'f te a&ti'n += te "e!e%ted in7!n&ti'n i% "ea%'na)l# %!ited t' a)ate te 'ffendin$ a&tivit# and +< an in7!n&ti'n ('!ld adve"%el# affe&t te 2!)li& 2! )li& inte"e%t. Vi$ilante, Vi$ilante, 3556 U.S. Di%t. LEBIS 43;3>, at 6?45 %ee al%' S!**it T'(n Cent"e, In&. v. S'e S'( 'f R'&1#0'!nt, In&., 3 A.3d 66=, 4554 +Pa. 355;. /'t 2a"tie% ave a%%e"ted tat i""e2a"a)le a"* (ill "e%!lt f"'* te C'!"t% C'!"t% "!lin$ 'n te TRO, (i&eve" (a (a# # te C'!"t "!le%. Te"ef'"e, te a22li&ati'n 'f te fi"%t fa&t'" i% ne!t"al t' te 2a"tie%.

 

Te %e&'nd fa&t'" (i& *!%t )e &'n%ide"ed )# te C'!"t i% (ete" $"eate" in7!"# ('!ld "e%!lt f"'* "ef!%in$ an in7!n&ti'n tan f"'* $"antin$ it. Vi$ilante, 3556 U.S. Di%t. LEBIS 43;3>, at 6. On te fa&t!al "e&'"d e"e, it &ann't )e dete"*ined if $"eate" in7!"# ('!ld "e%!lt f"'* di%%'lvin$ te TRO, '" all'(in$ it t' "e*ain in 2la&e. /'t 2a"tie% &'ntend tat te i%%!an&e '" te a)%en&e 'f te TRO ('!ld d"a*ati&all# enan&e '" de%t"'# tei" finan&ial  2'%t!"e. /e&a!%e Plaintiff, a% te *'vin$ 2a"t# , a% 2"'ve(ei$% tat $"eate" a"* "e%!lt f"'* di%%'lvin$ te in7!n&ti'n, and 2a"t#, it d'e% n'tte d' )!"den %', ti%t' fa&t'" in fav'" 'f ('!ld di%%'l!ti'n. Te ti"d fa&t'"(ete" an in7!n&ti'n ('!ld 2"'2e"l# "e%t'"e te 2a"tie% 2a "tie% t' tei" %tat!% i**ediatel# 2"i'" t' te alle$ed ("'n$f!l &'nd!&tal%' (ei$% in fav'" 'f di%%'l!ti'n 'f te TRO. See Vi$ilante, Vi$ilante, 3556 U.S. Di%t. LEBIS 43;3>, 43; 3>, at 45. Te"e i% n' eviden eviden&e &e tat te in7!n&ti'n, a% ente"ed, ('!ld "e%t'"e te 2a"tie% t' tei" %tat!% )ef'"e te alle$ed ("'n$f!l &'nd!&t t''1 2la&e. Te *ea$e" fa&t!al "e&'"d and &'nt"adi&t'"# a%%e"ti'n% in te 2a"tie% affidavit% 2"event te C'!"t f"'* *a1in$ an# fa&t!al dete"*inati'n a)'!t (ete" '" n't Defendant &'**itted an# ("'n$f!l &'nd!&t. If te"e (a% n' ("'n$f!l &'nd!&t )# te Defendant, te TRO ('!ld n't "e%t'"e te 2a"tie% t' te %tat!% !', )!t "ate" ('!ld &an$e te 2"evi'!% %tat!% 'f te 2a"tie%. A&&'"din$l#, A&&'"din$l#, a22li&ati'n 'f te ti"d fa&t'" indi&ate% tat te TRO %'!ld  )e di%%'lved. Te f'!"t fa&t'" a &'!"t *!%t &'n%ide" in de&idin$ t' $"ant a %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n- i% (ete" te *'vin$ 2a"t# a% de*'n%t"ated d e*'n%t"ated a li1eli''d 'f %!&&e%% 'n te *e"it% 'f it% !nde"l#in$ &lai*. Vi$ilante, Vi$ilante, 3556 U.S. Di%t. 43;3>, at 45. In *'vin$ f'" te TRO, H'*e Line filed it% C'*2laint, and a Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n, (i& in&l!ded an affidavit 'f  Plaintiff% Di"e&t'" 'f 0a"1etin$, David /"e$le". Plaintiff% C'*2laint %ee*% t' )e ta1en di"e&tl# f"'* te a%%e"ti'n% *ade in te /"e$le" Affidavit. Defendant (a% n't aff'"ded an '22'"t!nit# t' "e%2'nd t' Plaintiff% alle$ati'n%, eite" t"'!$ a ("itten "e%2'n%e '" )# a22ea"in$ at te ea"in$ 'n Plaintiff% Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n. Defendant (a% a)le t'  2"'vide an e*ail %ettin$ '!t )!llet 2'int% f'" (# it )elieved tat a TRO TRO (a% n't (a""anted, (i& (a% $iven t' te %tate &'!"t &'!" t E*e"$en&# 9!d$e ea"in$ Plaintiff% Petiti'n, )!t ti% 'ne2a$e &!"%'"# %!)*i%%i'n (a% n't %!ffi&ient t' %et f'"t Defendant% 2'%iti'n 'n ti% e8t"e*el# i*2'"tant *atte". F"'* te fa&t!al and 2"'&ed!"al )a&1$"'!nd 'f ti% &a%e, it a22ea"% tat te E*e"$en&# 9!d$e $"anted Plaintiff% Petiti'n f'" P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n )a%ed %'lel# 'n Plaintiff% !n&'nte%ted a%%e"ti'n% in it% C'*2laint, Petiti'n, and a&&'*2an#in$ affidavit. Afte" avin$ ad an '22'"t!nit# t' ea" f"'* Defendant in te f'"* 'f a ("itten 0'ti'n f'" Re&'n%ide"ati'n (it te atta&ed affidavit 'f 9'#&e 9'n%'n, and an 'n?te?"e&'"d tele2'ne &'nfe"en&e eld (it all 2a"tie% 'n A2"il 3;, 3556, ti% C'!"t find% tat Plaintiff a% n't de*'n%t"ated a li1eli''d 'f %!&&e%% 'n te *e"it% 'f it% !nde"l#in$ &lai*. Ea& 'f Plaintiff% fa&t!al a%%e"ti'n% a"e vi$'"'!%l# di%2!ted )# Defendant, and at ti% 2'int, (it 'nl# a *ini*al fa&t!al "e&'"d, it i% i*2'%%i)le t' de&ide (i& 2a"t# ('!ld ('! ld )e %!&&e%%f!l 'n te *e"it% 'f ti% &a%e. Unde" %!& &i"&!*%tan&e%, a TRO i% ina22"'2"iate )e&a!%e Plaintiff a% n't #et *et it%  )!"den 'f de*'n%t"atin$ tat it i% li1el# t' %!&&eed 'n te *e"it% 'f it% &lai*. See id. S!**it

 

T'(ne Cente", 3 A.3d at 4554 it "e%2e&t t' te fift fa&t'", Plaintiff a% n't %!%tained it% )!"den 'f 2"'vin$ tat te"e i% 'ffendin$ a&tivit# tat need% t' )e a)ated. /e&a!%e te (ei$t 'f te fi"%t five fa&t'"% &'*2el tat te TRO )e di%%'lved, te C'!"t need n't dete"*ine (ete" te %i8t fa&t'" ('!ld a22l# e"e.  ). 0anife%t ('!ld if te te TRO+4 "e*ained in effe&t  )e&a!%e te in7!%ti&e TRO ente"ed )#"e%!lt te %tate &'!"t: (a% i%%!ed (it'!t (it'!t  2"'2e" n'ti&e and a ea"in$, and +3 it i% invalid. i. Te TRO (a% $"anted (it'!t %!ffi&ient n'ti&e t' Defendant and (it'!t a  2"'2e" ea"in$. Unde" Penn%#lvania R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e 4=;4+a, 4 =;4+a, A C'!"t %all i%%!e a 2"eli*ina"# in7!n&ti'n . . . 'nl# afte" ("itten n'ti&e and a ea"in$ . . .- Pa. R.C.P. R.C.P. 4=;4+a. Unde" ti% R!le: GA 2"eli*ina"# in7!n&ti'n *a# )e $"anted (it'!t n'ti&e and a ea"in$ 'nl# (en te"e e8i%t% a need f'" !n!%!al a%te %' tat a &lea" "i$t *a# )e 2"'te&ted f"'* i**ediate and i""e2a"a)le in7!"#.in7!"# .- PNT, <<4 A.3d at >44. Plaintiff a% n't %'(n tat te"e (a% a need f'" %!& a%te. A ea"in$ 'n te Petiti'n &'!ld ave )een 2'%t2'ned a da# '" t(' in '"de" t' 2e"*it Defendant t' ')tain &'!n%el and )e ea"d )ef'"e te %tate &'!"t E*e"$en&# 9!d$e. Te f!"nit!"e t"ade %'( (a% n't %&ed!led t' )e$in !ntil A2"il A2"il 3> '" 3=, 3556, 3556 , and it d'e% n't a22ea" tat Plaintiff ('!ld ave )een i""e2a"a)l# a"*ed )# te %'"t dela#. 0'"e've", Defendant (a% inf'"*ed 'f te e8i%ten&e 'f ti% la(%!it via e*ail. It a22ea"% 'n ti% "e&'"d tat Plaintiff% 2"e&i2it'!% a&ti'n% en%!"ed tat Defendant% 2'%iti'n ('!ld n't )e effe&tivel# 2"e%ented t' te %tate &'!"t E*e"$en&# 9!d$e (' ea"d Plaintiff% Petiti'n f'"  P"eli*ina"# In7!n&ti'n. Defendant did n't "e&eive %!ffi&ient n'ti&e 'f te TRO and (a% f'" all  2"a&ti&al 2!"2'%e% )a""ed f"'* 2a"ti&i2atin$ in te 2"'&e%% (i& lead t' te i%%!an&e i%%!an&e 'f te TRO. See C'**(. e8 "el. C'%ta, 33 A.3d at 656 PNT, <<4 A.3d at >44 +va&atin$ te $"ant 'f a 2"eli*ina"# in7!n&ti'n (i& (a% $"anted (it'!t ea"in$. ii. Te TRO i% invalid )e&a!%e it 2"'vided f'" a ea"in$ *'"e tan five da#% afte" te i%%!an&e 'f te in7!n&ti'n in &'nt"aventi'n 'f Penn%#lvania Penn% #lvania R!le 'f Civil P"'&ed!"e 4=;4+d. If an e8 2a"te %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n- i% $"anted, a ea"in$ %till *!%t )e eld (itin five da#% da #% 'f te i%%!an&e 'f te '"de", '" te %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n- i% invalid 'n it% fa&e. Pa. R.P.C. R.P.C. 4=;4+d +An in7!n&ti'n $"anted (it'!t n'ti&e t' te defendant %all )e dee*ed di%%'lved !n !nle%% le%% a ea"in$ 'n te &'ntin!an&e 'f te in7!n&ti'n i% eld (it five da da#% #% afte" te $"antin$ 'f te in7!n&ti'n '" (itin %!& 'te" ti*e a% te 2a"tie% a$"ee '" a% te &'!"t !2'n &a!%e %'(n %all di"e&t.-. If an e8 2a"te %2e&ial in7!n&ti'n i% t' e8tend )e#'nd te five da# li*it eite" )e&a!%e te 2a"itie% %' a$"ee, '" )e&a!%e 'f &a!%e %'(n, %!& a "ea%'n *!%t a22ea" in te de&"ee.< C'in&identall# C'in&identall#,, te date te ea"in$ (a% %&ed!led al%' a22en% t' )e te da# tat te Hi$ P'int t"ade %'( end%. Te"e (a% little "ea%'n t' 'ld a ea"in$ 'n A2"il ;5, 3556, afte" te

 

TRO ('!ld ave e82i"ed !nde" ! nde" %tate la(, la(, (en )'t 2a"tie% alle$e e8t"a'"dina"# a"* in&ident t' tei" 2a"ti&i2ati'n in te Hi$ P'int S'(. C'**(. e8 "el. C'%ta, 33 A.3d at 656 +Te G%2e&ial in7!n&ti'n i% al%' v'id )e&a!%e it C'**(.  2"'vide% f'" a ea"in$ *'"e tan five da#% f"'* te date 'f it% i%%!an&e (it'!t %ettin$ %ettin$ f'"t in te de&"ee te "ea%'n% f'" te e8ten%i'n 'f te ea"in$ ti*e )e#'nd te five da# li*it *andated  )# Pa. R.C.P. R.C.P. 4=;4+d.-. Te e8 2a"te '"de" f'" a TRO (a% i%%!ed )# te %tate &'!"t 9!d$e 'n A2"il 33, 3556. It  2"'vided f'" a ea"in$ 'n A2"il ;5, 3556, *'"e tan five da#% f"'* f"'* te date tat te O"de" (a% i%%!ed. In '"de" t' )e valid !nde" !nd e" Penn%#lvania la(, te O"de" *!%t $ive a "ea%'n (# te ea"in$ (a% %et *'"e tan five da#% da #% late", late", and it d'e% n't n 't d' %'. C'**(. e8 "el. C'%ta, 33 A.3d at 656 +E8 Pa"te TRO at 3.. N' "ea%'n a% )een 2"'vided (# a ea"in$ 'n te TRO &'!ld n't ave '&&!""ed (itin te le$all# *andated five?da# 2e"i'd.< /e&a!%e te '"de" f'" te TRO did n't 2"'vide f'" a ea"in$ (itin te five?da# 2e"i'd "e!i"ed )# Penn%#lvania la(, and al%' did n't 2"'vide a "ea%'n f'" %!& dela#, dela#, te E8 Pa"te TRO i%%!ed )# te %tate &'!"t 9!d$e 'n A2"il 33, 3556 i% invalid 'n it% fa&e. See C'**(. e8 "el. C'%ta, 33 A.3d at 656. V. CONCLUSION /a%ed 'n te f'"e$'in$, and in a&&'"dan&e (it te O"de" 'f ti% C'!"t i%%!ed 'n A2"il 3>, 3556, te E8 Pa"te TRO ente"ed )# te %tate &'!"t 9!d$e 'n A2"il 33, 3556 *!%t )e di%%'lved. Defendant%% 0'ti'n t' Re&'n%ide" State?C'!"t O"de"ed Te*2'"a"# In7!n&ti'n +D'&. N'. ; i% Defendant $"anted.