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Federal Judge Grants TRO Freezing ‘Ashes of Creation’ IP in Fight Over Intrepid’s Control

A federal order freezes Intrepid’s trade secrets pending a custodian appointment ahead of a March 18 injunction hearing.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Linda Lopez issued a March 4 temporary restraining order blocking Robert Dawson, TFE Games Holdings, and related parties from accessing, using, selling, or distributing Intrepid’s trade secrets.
  • The order freezes access to 24 company platforms, including AWS, GitHub, Google Workspace, Microsoft, Slack, Autodesk, Adobe, and Docker, and requires a neutral IP custodian to hold credentials by March 9.
  • The court found serious questions on Sharif’s claims challenging an Article 9 foreclosure and alleged trade‑secret misappropriation, noting the balance of hardships tips sharply toward the plaintiff.
  • A Nevada state judge previously granted a February 24 TRO directing Sharif’s side not to withhold credentials, a conflict the federal court acknowledged while inviting briefing on first‑to‑file and abstention issues.
  • Parallel lawsuits and fallout continue, including TFE’s Nevada case filed February 9, Sharif’s federal suit filed February 14, a WARN Act claim by former employees over mass layoffs and unpaid wages, and Sharif’s public denial of financial misconduct alongside his claim of roughly $9 million in December Steam sales.