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Home Court filings Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc.

Case docket

Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. — U.S. District Court, E.D.N.C.

Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. — 95 court filings in the archive from U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, filed between June 10, 2021 and March 8, 2022. Among them: 51 exhibits, 8 summonses or warrants and 8 notices.

Case facts

CaptionBeringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc.
CourtU.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Docket number5:21-cv-00251
Filings95 public filings
Filed2021-06-10 – 2022-03-08
Document typesexhibits (51), summonses or warrants (8), notices (8), orders (7), memoranda or briefs (4), proposed orders (3)
Original PDFs95 of 95

Case summary

Beringer Commerce, Inc. doing business as Blue Acorn iCi filed a verified complaint on June 10, 2021 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Western Division, No. 5:21-cv-00251, against FIN Cap, Inc. doing business as blueacorn.co, Blue Acorn PPP, LLC, Blue Oak Forest, LLC, Michael S. Cota, James Flores, Stephanie Hockridge Reis and Nathan Reis. The claims are trademark infringement, copyright infringement, cybersquatting, unfair competition and unfair and deceptive trade practices, over the defendants' operation of what the plaintiff calls an infringing Blue Acorn PPP business assisting small businesses in obtaining Paycheck Protection Program loans. The court granted a temporary restraining order on June 11, 2021. The filings on this page run to a protective order entered March 8, 2022.

Case at a glance

PartiesPlaintiff Beringer Commerce, Inc. doing business as Blue Acorn iCi; defendants FIN Cap, Inc. doing business as blueacorn.co, Blue Acorn PPP, LLC, Blue Oak Forest, LLC, Michael S. Cota, James Flores, Stephanie Hockridge Reis and Nathan Reis
Court and docketU.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Western Division, No. 5:21-cv-00251-BO
ProgramPaycheck Protection Program (PPP); the defendants' business is described as assisting applicants in obtaining PPP loans
ClaimsFederal trademark infringement, unfair competition, cybersquatting and copyright infringement under 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114, 1125 and 17 U.S.C. § 101; state trademark infringement under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 80-11; and unfair and deceptive trade practices under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1
Disposition or statusNo final judgment is on this page. A temporary restraining order issued June 11, 2021, the court denied the plaintiff's motion for an attorneys'-eyes-only designation on February 17, 2022, and a protective order was entered March 8, 2022
Status checked2026-09-23 · against DOJ press releases through 2026-09-22; court docket not yet read

What does the plaintiff say the dispute is about?

That it owns the registered trademark BLUE ACORN ICI and the copyright in the blue acorn logo and artwork, and that the defendants used unregistered logos, marks and images nearly identical or confusingly similar to them, flooding similar channels of commerce from March 2021 and causing actual consumer confusion and complaints directed to the plaintiff.

What did the court order at the outset?

On June 11, 2021 the court found that temporary injunctive relief was warranted and that ex parte relief was justified, on the basis that immediate and irreparable injury would result before the defendants could be heard, given the confusion experienced by the defendants' consumers.

What happened on the protective order?

The parties agreed to a protective order; the dispute was over an attorneys'-eyes-only designation. On February 17, 2022 the court denied that designation, noting there was no trade secrets claim and that the parties were not competitors, and a protective order without the designation was entered March 8, 2022.

Summary written from the documents on this page; every sentence is sourced.

Filings

95 public filings from this case, in filing-date order.

  1. Exhibit I- April 8, 2021 Cease & Desist LetterExhibit · PDF
  2. Exhibit K- May 12, 2021 Letter to Defendant Fin Cap re Consumer Complaints — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 1-12, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Exhibit · PDF
  3. Exhibit M - May 17, 2021 Letter to Defendant Fin Cap re Consumer Information — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 1-14, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Exhibit · PDF
  4. Exhibit O- May 26, 2021 Cease & Desist LetterExhibit · PDF
  5. Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover SheetPDF
  6. Proposed Summons Blue Acorn PPPSummons or warrant · Dkt. 1.18 · PDF
  7. Proposed Summons Blue Oak ForestSummons or warrant · Dkt. 1.19 · PDF
  8. Exhibit A- Assignment of the Acorn Logo from Blue Acorn, LLC to Plaintiff — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 1-2, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Exhibit · PDF
  9. Proposed Summons Fin CapSummons or warrant · Dkt. 1.20 · PDF
  10. Proposed Summons Michael CotaSummons or warrant · Dkt. 1.21 · PDF
  11. Proposed Summons Nathan ReisSummons or warrant · Dkt. 1.22 · PDF
  12. Proposed Summons James FloresSummons or warrant · Dkt. 1.23 · PDF
  13. Proposed Summons Stephanie ReisSummons or warrant · Dkt. 1.24 · PDF
  14. Exhibit B- Marketing Materials Showing Blue Acorn Brand from 2007-present — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 1-3, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Exhibit · PDF
  15. Exhibit C- Blue Acorn ICI Copyright File Wrapper and Trademark Registration Certificate — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 1-4)Exhibit · PDF
  16. Exhibit D- Documents Evidencing Plaintiff's Publications and Awards — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 1-5, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Exhibit · PDF
  17. Exhibit E- Def Fin Cap Articles of Inc. & Trade Name Application & Def Blue Acorn PPs — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 1-6)Exhibit · PDF
  18. Exhibit H- Consumer Complaints Posted OnlineExhibit · PDF
  19. Proposed Order regarding 6 Motion to Seal Document 5 Proposed Sealed — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 10, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Proposed order · PDF
  20. Summons Issued as to Blue Acorn PPP, LLC, Blue Oak Forest, LLC — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 11, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Summons or warrant · PDF
  21. Notice of Appearance filed by Thomas S. Babel on behalf of Beringer Commerce, Inc. — Beringer Commerce v. FIN Cap (Dkt. 12)Notice · PDF
  22. Financial Disclosure Statement by BERINGER COMMERCE, INC. d/b/a…PDF
  23. Notice of Appearance filed by Beth A. Stanfield on behalf of Beringer Commerce — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 3, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Notice · PDF
  24. Notice of Appearance filed by Laura Katherine Greene on behalf of Beringer Commerce — Beringer Commerce v. FIN Cap (Dkt. 4)Notice · PDF
  25. Motion to Seal Document 5 Proposed Sealed Exhibit, filed by Beringer Commerce — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 6, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Motion · PDF
  26. Memorandum in Support regarding 6 Motion to Seal Document 5 Proposed Sealed — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 7, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Memorandum or brief · PDF
  27. MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order and PRELIMINARY…Motion · PDF
  28. Memorandum in Support regarding 8 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 9, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Memorandum or brief · PDF
  29. Order regarding 8 Motion for Temporary Restraining Order — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 14, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Order · PDF
  30. Exhibit A Consumer ComplaintsExhibit · Dkt. 16.1 · PDF
  31. Exhibit B Attorney CommunicationsExhibit · PDF
  32. Exhibit C Blueacorn being used on websites and social media — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 16-3, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Exhibit · PDF
  33. Exhibit A- Proof of DeliveryExhibit · Dkt. 17.1 · PDF
  34. Notice of Appearance filed by Christopher J. — BeringerNotice · PDF
  35. Notice of Appearance filed by D. Martin Warf on behalf of Blue Acorn PPP, LLC — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 19, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Notice · PDF
  36. Financial Disclosure Statement by Blue Acorn PPP, LLC —…PDF
  37. Financial Disclosure Statement by Blue Oak Forest, LLC —…PDF
  38. Financial Disclosure Statement by Fin Cap, Inc. identifying…PDF
  39. Memorandum in Support regarding 23 MOTION regarding 14 Order…Memorandum or brief · PDF
  40. Declaration regarding 23 MOTION regarding 14 Order, (to…Declaration · PDF
  41. Exhibit A-Letter from ForestFirm 5-12-21Exhibit · PDF
  42. Exhibit B-May 27 email from Meyerson to StanfieldExhibit · PDF
  43. Exhibit C-May 28 email from Stanfield to MeyersonExhibit · PDF
  44. Exhibit A FedEx Delivery - Nathan ReisExhibit · PDF
  45. Exhibit B FedEx Delivery - Stephanie ReisExhibit · PDF
  46. Exhibit C FedEx Delivery - James FloresExhibit · PDF
  47. Exhibit D FedEx Delivery - Michael CotaExhibit · PDF
  48. Exhibit E FedEx Delivery - Blue Acorn PPPExhibit · PDF
  49. Exhibit F FedEx Delivery - Blue OakExhibit · PDF
  50. Exhibit G FedEx Delivery - Fin CapExhibit · PDF
  51. Exhibit A Stephanie Reis CommunicationExhibit · PDF
  52. Exhibit B Jim Flores CommunicationExhibit · PDF
  53. Exhibit 1-Press ReleaseExhibit · Dkt. 31.1 · PDF
  54. Exhibit 2-Screen shot, Facebook-blueacornstudioExhibit · PDF
  55. Exhibit 3-Screen shot, blueacornmarketingExhibit · PDF
  56. Text of Proposed OrderProposed order · Dkt. 33.1 · PDF
  57. Order granting 33 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 34, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Order · PDF
  58. Exhibit I - VoicemailExhibit · Dkt. 36.10 · PDF
  59. Exhibit J - AZ Attorney General Consumer ComplaintsExhibit · PDF
  60. Exhibit K - Bankruptcy filingExhibit · Dkt. 36.12 · PDF
  61. Exhibit L - FL SubpoenaExhibit · Dkt. 36.13 · PDF
  62. Exhibit M - ArticleExhibit · Dkt. 36.14 · PDF
  63. Exhibit A - Bankruptcy filingExhibit · Dkt. 36.2 · PDF
  64. Exhibit B - PPP loan mailExhibit · Dkt. 36.3 · PDF
  65. Exhibit C - PPP loan emailExhibit · Dkt. 36.4 · PDF
  66. Exhibit D - PPP loan emailExhibit · Dkt. 36.5 · PDF
  67. Exhibit E - LinkedIn Message (1)Exhibit · Dkt. 36.6 · PDF
  68. Exhibit F - LinkedIn Message (2)Exhibit · Dkt. 36.7 · PDF
  69. Exhibit G - Support TicketExhibit · Dkt. 36.8 · PDF
  70. Exhibit H - Voicemail TranscriptionExhibit · PDF
  71. Order granting 6 Motion to Seal Documents Attached to 1 Complaint — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 39, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Order · PDF
  72. Exhibit A - Delivery ReceiptExhibit · Dkt. 40.1 · PDF
  73. Exhibit A - Delivery ReceiptExhibit · Dkt. 41.1 · PDF
  74. Exhibit A - Delivery ReceiptExhibit · Dkt. 42.1 · PDF
  75. Exhibit A - Delivery ReceiptExhibit · Dkt. 43.1 · PDF
  76. Exhibit A - Delivery ReceiptExhibit · Dkt. 44.1 · PDF
  77. Exhibit A - Delivery ReceiptExhibit · Dkt. 45.1 · PDF
  78. Notice of Appearance filed by Christopher T. — BeringerNotice · PDF
  79. Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to File Answer regarding 1 Complaint,,,,,,, filed…Motion · Dkt. 47 · PDF
  80. Text of Proposed Order Proposed Order Granting Motion —…Proposed order · PDF
  81. Financial Disclosure Statement by James FloresPDF
  82. Financial Disclosure Statement by Nathan ReisPDF
  83. Financial Disclosure Statement by Stephanie Hockridge Reis —…PDF
  84. Notice of Appearance filed by Christopher T. Graebe on behalf of Michael S. Cota — Beringer Commerce v. FIN Cap (Dkt. 52)Notice · PDF
  85. Financial Disclosure Statement by Michael S. CotaPDF
  86. Scheduling Order: Discovery due by 2/18/2022. Motions due — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 57, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Order · PDF
  87. ORDER granting 62 Motion to Amend Scheduling OrderOrder · PDF
  88. Exhibit C - Jan. 12 - 14, 2022 Emails Between Counsel for Plaintiff and Defendant — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 71-4)Exhibit · PDF
  89. Exhibit F - USA Today Article, "Congress Widens PPP Fraud Probe to more Online — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 71-7)Exhibit · PDF
  90. Declaration regarding 70 Motion for Protective Order With "Highly — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 72, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Declaration · PDF
  91. Notice of Appearance filed by John C. McElwaine on behalf of All Defendants — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 73, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Notice · PDF
  92. Memorandum in Opposition regarding 70 Motion for Protective Order — Beringer Commerce, Inc. v. FIN Cap, Inc. (Dkt. 74, E.D.N.C. No. 5:21-cv-00251)Memorandum or brief · PDF
  93. Exhibit A-US Copyright Office Letter to Forrest Firm 10-7-21 —…Exhibit · PDF
  94. Order denying 70 Motion for Protective Order — BeringerOrder · PDF
  95. PROTECTIVE ORDEROrder · Dkt. 77 · PDF

Court, dates and docket numbers are as recorded on the filings.

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