TRO Case
Zhenbiao Zhang v. The Partnerships and Unincorporated Associations Identified in Schedule A
Trademark Infringement
Case No.
1:2026-cv-04534
Filing Date
4/22/2026
Plaintiff
Zhenbiao Zhang
Court
Northern District of Illinois
5/14/2026
ORDER granting Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Conduct Expedited Discovery Signed by the Honorable LaShonda A. Hunt on 5/14/2026. Mailed notice (gel,)
4/30/2026
MINUTE entry before the Honorable LaShonda A. Hunt: This case has been assigned to Judge LaShonda A. Hunt. All attorneys and self-represented ("pro se") parties are required to review the case procedures posted on the Court's webpage, including the requirement to set motions for in-person presentment on at least 3 business days' notice and propose an agreed briefing schedule for opposed motions. Filings that do not comply with the Local Rules or Judge Hunt's case procedures may be summarily stricken. Currently before the Court are Plaintiff's motions to seal [8], for expedited discovery [10], and for electronic service [11]. Plaintiff's motion for leave to file under seal [8] is denied. Plaintiff has not established good cause under Local Rule 26.2 or Seventh Circuit precedent to justify sealing the names of defendants or documents pertaining to alleged infringing activity. "Secrecy makes little sense if the goal of the litigation is to protect rightholders' IP interests by obtaining an injunction against defendants' sales of infringing or counterfeit goods." See Eicher Motors Ltd. v. P'ships & Unincorporated Ass'ns Identified on Schedule A, 794 F. Supp. 3d 543, 552 (N.D. Ill. 2025) (Kness, J.). More importantly, this presumption of sealing runs counter to the well-established authority of this Circuit holding that "[m]any a litigant would prefer that the subject matter of a case. be kept from the curious (including its business rivals and customers), but the tradition that litigation is open to the public is of very long standing." See Union Oil Co. of Cal. v. Leavell, 220 F.3d 562, 567-68 (7th Cir. 2000). Accordingly, the Clerk's office is directed to unseal the documents filed at [2], [3], [4], and [5]. Plaintiff's motion for leave to conduct expedited discovery [10] is granted in part because the Court finds that expedited discovery is warranted to obtain Defendant's contact information for service of process but denied in all other respects. Consistent with the Court's case management procedures, Plaintiff is ordered to submit a draft order granting such relief to [email protected] by close of business on 5/1/26. Plaintiff's request for electronic service of process [11] is denied without prejudice. Plaintiff seeks authorization to effectuate service of process by email and electronic publication but has not yet shown that it has a reliable email address at which it may reach Defendant. Any renewed motion must include these details. Plaintiff is ordered to file a status report regarding the progress of expedited discovery and proposed next steps in the case by 5/21/26, if other appropriate relief has not been sought by that date. Mailed notice
4/23/2026
Miscellaneous Relief
4/23/2026
Amended Complaint
4/23/2026
Miscellaneous Relief
4/22/2026
SEALED DOCUMENT by Plaintiff Zhenbiao Zhang Schedule A to Complaint 1
4/22/2026
Complaint
4/22/2026
CASE ASSIGNED to the Honorable LaShonda A. Hunt. Designated as Magistrate Judge the Honorable Beth W. Jantz. Case assignment: Random assignment. (Civil Category 2).
4/22/2026
SEALED DOCUMENT by Plaintiff Zhenbiao Zhang Exhibit 1 to Complaint 1
4/22/2026
SEALED DOCUMENT by Plaintiff Zhenbiao Zhang Ex.3 Pt.1 to Complaint 1
4/22/2026
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.
4/22/2026
MOTION by Plaintiff Zhenbiao Zhang for leave to file documents under seal
4/22/2026
SEALED DOCUMENT by Plaintiff Zhenbiao Zhang Exhibit 2 to Complaint 1
4/22/2026
CIVIL Cover Sheet
4/22/2026