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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MARYLAND BRUCE M. BATES v. TRAVELSUITE, INC. * * * Civil No. JFM-04-1956 * Exempt from ECF * ***** MEMORANDUM This is an action for a trademark infringement and unfair competition. Despite this court's strong suggestion that they retain counsel, all parties are appearing pro se. As a result, proceedings have not gone smoothly and have been delayed. There are a number of pending matters this memorandum will address. 1. Motion for leave to file amended complaint (document 15). No opposition has been filed to plaintiff's motion for leave to file this motion, and by an order I entered on December 8, 2004 (document 15) I directed the Clerk to issue summonses for Kenneth Starnes and TravelSuite, Inc., two of the parties plaintiff sought to join in the amended complaint.1 I will now enter an order expressly granting the motion to add Starnes and TravelSuite as defendants. 2. Motion for judgment against JETBID (document 17). In a memorandum I issued on March 24, 2005, I directed that JETBID advise this court

Plaintiff also seemed to be seeking to join Andrew Zarrow, Starnes' attorney, as a defendant. However, plaintiff has stated no facts that would support a claim against Zarrow. Thus, to the extent that plaintiff's motion does request leave to file an amended complaint against Zarrow, the motion is denied.

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on or before April 22, 2005, if it intended to defend this action. JETBID has filed no response.2 Moreover, as a corporation, JETBID may not appear pro se, see Local Rule 101.1.a, and it was notified that unless counsel entered an appearance on its behalf, a default judgment would be entered against it. Accordingly, plaintiff's motion for judgment against JETBID will be granted and judgment by default will be entered against JETBID. 3. Motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction (document 18). In my March 24, 2005 memorandum, I deferred ruling on this motion.3 The record remains sparse on the jurisdictional question. However, because plaintiff is asserting a violation of federal trademark infringement law, this court has federal jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.

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