Third-Party Subpoena

A Third-Party Subpoena is a legal order issued by a court or administrative agency requiring a person or entity who is not a party to a lawsuit to provide testimony, documents, or other evidence relevant to the case. In a trademark infringement case, a third-party subpoena may be used to obtain information from suppliers, distributors, customers, or other persons who have knowledge of the defendant’s use of the mark, sales, profits, or other relevant facts. The subpoena must be properly served and must specify the time, place, and manner of compliance. The recipient of the subpoena must comply with the order unless they have a valid legal objection or privilege. Third-party subpoenas can be a useful tool to gather evidence and build a case, but they can also be costly, time-consuming, and may lead to disputes or resistance from the third party.