What was filed

The complaint is Document 1, filed October 27, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The case is Great Lakes Transportation Holding LLC, d/b/a Metro Cars v. Cab One, LLC, Joel Tejada, and John Edward Hedrick, Jr., No. 2:26-cv-14122-LJM-CI, assigned to Judge Laurie J. Michelson, with Magistrate Judge Curtis Ivy Jr. The plaintiff demands a jury.

The marks

The complaint lists five federal registrations as the "Plaintiff Marks": METRO CARS, U.S. Reg. No. 1,908,853 (August 1, 1995) for chauffeured car for hire in Class 39; METRO CARS and Design, U.S. Reg. No. 4,009,524 (August 9, 2011); METRO CARS FL (Stylized), U.S. Reg. No. 3,261,698 (July 10, 2007); METRO CAB, U.S. Reg. No. 4,009,671 (August 9, 2011); and METRO CAB and Design, U.S. Reg. No. 6,831,297 (August 30, 2022). It alleges the registrations are in full force and effect and incontestable. USPTO TSDR records list all five registrations as live with current owner Great Lakes Transportation Holding LLC.

What the complaint alleges

The complaint alleges that John Edward Hedrick, Jr. signed an owner and independent operator agreement with Metro Cars around May 2024 and drove under the Metro Cars marks until Metro Cars terminated the agreement around March 2025. It alleges, on information and belief, that Hedrick then marketed his own transportation services through the Square platform and sent customer messages and receipts under the name "Metro Cab," and that he drives for or acts with Cab One, LLC and Joel Tejada. It alleges that Cab One was formerly named Metro Cab One, LLC, and that Metro Cars sent cease-and-desist letters to Cab One and Tejada around February 16, 2026 and to Hedrick around April 22, 2026. According to the complaint, Cab One and Tejada agreed to change the registered trade name and transfer a domain name to Metro Cars, but the defendants continue to market their services through a Google Business Profile using the marks and, on information and belief, continue to seek to divert Metro Cars customers.

Claims and relief requested

Count I alleges trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq. (including 1114(1)). Count II alleges federal counterfeiting. Count III alleges unfair competition, false designation of origin, and false advertising under 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(1). Count IV alleges deceptive trade practices under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act, Mich. Comp. Laws 445.901 et seq. Count V alleges common-law unfair competition. Count VI alleges that Hedrick breached the confidentiality and non-solicitation provisions of his agreement. Count VII alleges unjust enrichment. The prayer seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction, including against any business name that pairs "Metro" with words such as "Car" or "Cab," delivery up of infringing materials under 15 U.S.C. 1118, profits, trebled damages or statutory damages under 15 U.S.C. 1117, exemplary damages and attorneys' fees under Michigan law, and an injunction enforcing Hedrick's contract covenants.