🧠 Learn More About SAD Lawsuits
What They Are, How They Work, and Why You’re Probably Not the Criminal They Want You to Think You Are
⚖️ What Is a SAD Lawsuit?
SAD stands for Schedule A Defendant — a type of mass-filed trademark infringement lawsuit used by large brands and their law firms.
These lawsuits are filed in U.S. federal courts and often include dozens or even hundreds of small sellers grouped together on one long list, known as Schedule A.
You don’t get a personal phone call.
You don’t get served by a sheriff.
You just wake up one day to find an email from a lawyer, or a notice from eBay, Amazon, or PayPal — saying your account has been frozen.
Most sellers don’t even know what a SAD lawsuit is… until it’s too late.
💰 Why Are These Lawsuits So Common?
Because they’re fast, cheap, and profitable for the law firms filing them.
Here’s how the process usually works:
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A brand’s lawyer files a single lawsuit naming dozens (or hundreds) of sellers.
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The court quickly issues a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).
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That TRO allows them to freeze PayPal or marketplace accounts and seize unpaid sales revenue.
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Then comes the “settlement offer” — usually anywhere from $2,000 to $25,000.
It’s a system built on fear, not facts — and most small sellers are too scared, confused, or broke to push back.
🧾 Can You Really Be Sued for Just a Few Sales?
Yes. Sadly, even if you:
✅ Made only a handful of sales — or none at all
✅ Had no idea an item was trademarked
✅ Removed the listing immediately after being contacted
You can still be named in one of these lawsuits.
That’s what makes them so abusive — they often target honest, small sellers who don’t have the resources to defend themselves.
🚨 What Happens If You Ignore It?
If you ignore a Schedule A lawsuit or don’t respond properly, the court may enter a default judgment against you.
That means:
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Your account can be frozen
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Your funds can be seized
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The opposing lawyers can request full payment
Some sellers have lost $10,000 or more simply because they didn’t know what to do or how to respond.
🧩 Why Most Sellers Don’t Deserve to Be Sued
Under U.S. trademark law (the Lanham Act), a brand must prove:
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Intentional infringement
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Significant sales or profit
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Actual damages
If you didn’t knowingly infringe, and your total sales were tiny or nonexistent, you likely shouldn’t have been included at all.
But without knowing how the process works, it’s easy to feel trapped.
📘 How My eBook Helps Sellers Understand the Process
After being sued twice myself — and winning both cases — I wrote Defend Yourself from Schedule A Lawsuits to help sellers:
✅ Understand how these lawsuits really work
✅ Recognize when fear tactics are being used
✅ Learn how to read filings, deadlines, and court documents
✅ Stay calm and take control of their business again
This book doesn’t give legal advice — it gives you clarity.
Because when you understand what’s happening, you stop being afraid of it.
💡 Remember This
Don’t panic. Don’t pay right away. And don’t ignore it.
The more you understand, the stronger your position becomes.