Romero

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

VIRAL DRM LLC, et al., Case No. 24-cv-07060-RFL

Plaintiffs,

ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR

v. ALTERNATIVE SERVICE

JOSE MANUEL ROMERO, et al., Re: Dkt. No. 23 Defendants.

Plaintiffs seek permission to serve Defendants Jose Manuel Romero and TV Azteca SAB DE CV by email, WhatsApp, and website posting. Because Plaintiffs’ request is not permitted under the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters (the “Hague Service Convention” or “Convention”), Plaintiffs’ motion is DENIED. Romero and TV Azteca reside in Mexico. Mexico is a signatory to the Hague Service Convention. As Plaintiffs acknowledge, Mexico has objected to alternative methods of service under the Convention, so “service through Mexico’s Central Authority is the exclusive method by which . . . Plaintiffs can serve the defendant.” (Dkt. No. 23 at 8.) Still, Plaintiffs argue that courts can order alternative methods of service as long as they are not expressly prohibited by the Hague Service Convention or objected to by the receiving state. See Fed. R.…