2018 Firehouse Subs Franchise Federal Copyright Lawsuit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/12/2018 CONTACT: Nathan Mitchell, Publishing & Communication Team 678-876-4002 | nmitchell478@gmail.com ---Newnan, Georgia, US. Northern Federal District Court - April 3rd 2018 2018 Firehouse Subs Franchise Federal Copyright Lawsuit Case#; 3:2018cv00005 filed by the Plaintiff is not dismissed by Federal Judge, Timothy C. Batten, Jr. and should proceed further to Trial in Jacksonville, Florida.

On April 3rd 2018 United States Federal Judge, Timothy C. Batten Jr., Northern District of Georgia, ruled that Plaintiff, William Rogers lawsuit for Copyright Infringement against “Firehouse Subs“ Companies and Chris and Robin Sorensen, personally, would not be DISMISSED and proceed further to Jury Trial. Rogers, a former Florida Fire-Fighter, alleges he was involved in the inception of “FIREHOUSE SUBS” with the Sorensen brothers and in the key formation stages of doing business as “FIREHOUSE SUBS”.

Rogers goes on to allege in his Federal Complaint that he created and contributed intellectual properties in 1993 that are the design elements “total concept and feel” utilized in the FIREHOUSE SUBS Stores and was one of the original FIREHOUSE SUBS “Founders”.

The Georgia, US. Federal Judge, Timothy Batten, Jr., decided that Rogers lawsuit claims in his Federal Complaint have legal merit and ORDERED that the case not be DISMISSED; however, the Federal Judge also ruled Rogers did not convince the court that the case should not be tried in the Jacksonville, Florida, Federal Court regarding jurisdiction over all four of the captioned Defendants.

According to Rogers he was strung along for years by the Sorensens, personally, until his legal rights regarding his 1993 creative contributions were presumed lost. A Supreme Court ruling on Copyright Infringement; Statute of Limitations, extended copyright infringement legal grounds for Rogers to bring this lawsuit concerning the “FIREHOUSE SUBS” Franchise. “It is a miracle I can seek justice concerning my creative contributions in the inception of the “FIREHOUSE SUBS” business venture after all these years” “But it is also deeply painful” Rogers said.

The Federal Complaint, filed by Rogers in Georgia, contains the back-story to what purportedly occurred; within his 33 years of an extremely close friendship, that eventually forced Rogers lawsuit; Rogers alleges the Florida based Parent Company, Firehouse Restaurant Group, Inc., and franchising subsidiary Firehouse of America, as induced by the Sorensen brothers, have infringed his copyrights by their Franchise Store Design Elements. Rogers said, “I did not want my Federal Case to be held in Jacksonville, Florida for the common-sense reason “FIREHOUSE SUBS” has obvious influence in that Jacksonville venue; however, I did not want to sue the hard working Georgia Franchisee' Owner's individual Companies or any others”. “If you just connect the political dots between former, City Councilman President, Stephen Joost (CFO of Firehouse Subs), his colleague, former, Mayor, Alvin Brown (running for Senate) and Brown's noted public appearance with Federal Judge, Brian J. Davis there is not enough separation of influential powers to a fair minded person.” “The Federal Judge is certainly trust-worthy.” “But I hold grave concerns about fairness and outside political influences” “For example, the case transfer to Jacksonville was unlawfully designated to a Magistrate without my legal consent as mandated by Federal Law.” Rogers said. ####

Case 3:18-cv-00005-TCB Document 29 Filed 04/03/18 Page 1 of 2

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF GEORGIA NEWNAN DIVISION

WILLIAM HARRIS ROGERS, Plaintiff, CIVIL ACTION FILE v.

NUMBER 3: 18-cv-5-TCB FIREHOUSE RESTAURANT GROUP, INC., et al, Defendants.

ORDER

This case comes before the Court on the second motion of Defendants Firehouse Restaurant Group, Inc., Chris Sorensen, and Robin Sorensen [19] to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction or in the alternative to transfer to the Middle District of Florida. It is manifestly apparent from the record that Plaintiff has not have carried his burden of showing that the Court has personal jurisdiction over movants.

However, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, does have such jurisdiction over all four

Case 3:18-cv-00005-TCB Document 29 Filed 04/03/18 Page 2 of 2

Defendants; venue there would be proper as to all four Defendants; and Defendants have carried their burden of showing that transfer is in the interests of justice. Accordingly, Defendants' motion is DENIED as to dismissal but GRANTED as to transfer. Moreover, Plaintiffs "Motion to Deny Defendant's Motion to Dismiss or Transfer [26], which is properly considered a response in opposition to Defendants' motion, is hereby STRICKEN. This action is hereby TRANSFERRED to the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 3rd day of April, 2018.

Timothy C. Batten, Sr. United States District Judge