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Welcome to the Platinum Shield (PSA) official web site.

The Platinum Shield Association (PSA) was founded by those Mail Boxes Etc. franchisees who refused to convert to The UPS Store business model and chose to litgate against UPS and Mail Boxes Etc. for the resultant destruction of the Mail Boxes Etc. brand.

Click on the above Tabs for the following:


About Us:
Background of the fight against UPS.

 Our Mission:
What Platinum shield is all about.
Resources:
Legal Documents such as...

1) The current complaint in our litigation against UPS and Mail Boxes Etc.
Click here for current complaint

2) Transcript of Federal Judge Wanger’s denial of Temporary Restraining Order.
The full document is posted. It details how UPS tried to end run our California case by filing requests for TROs in thirteen Federal jurisdictions against former MBE franchisees who were forced to go independent by UPS. UPS claimed that these franchisees were still using MBE branding in violation of MBE trademarks. On pages 17 & 18 Judge Wanger saw through this ploy and stated that. “Well, he who seeks equity must come into the Court with clean hands and he who seeks equity must do equity and so there's no basis to issue a TRO today. This looks like an ambush.”
Click here for Wagner's denial documents.


Contacts
Click here to be put on our mailing list.



NEWS
Click here for recent and historical press releases and news stories.
 

Breaking News
National Class Action Against UPS Certified!

NEWS RELEASE
Morgate LLC v. Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., Case No. 294647
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Certified National Fraud Class Against UPS

June 19, 2009

The California Superior Court certified a nationwide fraud class action against UPS and its affiliates today. The class consists of owners of The UPS Store who converted from Mail Boxes Etc. stores to The UPS Stores in 2003. Judge William F. Highberger certified the class action late this afternoon allowing 3500 owners of The UPS Store to present their claims that UPS and its affiliated companies violated California law, including the California Franchise Investment Law that protects franchisees from deception.
Legal actions have been filed by The UPS Store owners who alleged they were misled to convert from Mail Boxes Etc. stores to The UPS Stores. Other legal actions have been filed by Mail Boxes Etc. store owners who allege they were subjected to breaches of contract and other violations of California law. Both sets of claims are pending before Judge William F. Highberger.
For comment: Please contact Attorney Amy Darby or Miles Scully, mobile (720)346-3587 or (619) 248-2691.
Dateline June, 2009 Click here for the Court Ruling.




September 25th, 2008

Just in.. Listen to an interview of Howard Spanier and Joe Wightman discussing Platinum Shield and their 6 year battle with UPS on the number one podcast for the Mail and Parcel Industry



Brown has Some Seeing Red

Failed UPS Policies
UPS Fails to Gag Its Franchisees

Mail Boxes Etc. Name Change Lifts Sales, but Lowes Profits

What has Brown Done for Them?

PSA Trial Date Press Release Sep. 08

MBE UPS Franchisees to Protest 2006 UPS Annual Meeting

Top MBE Franchisee Forced by UPS to Go Independent

UPS Forces MBE & UPS Franchisees to Ship Pornographic Materials

UPS Forces MBE & UPS Franchisees to Ship Alcoholic Beverages



Fresno, CA MBE Franchisee Seeks His Day in Court with Shipping Giant UPS

Orange County, CA MBE Franchisee Hanging on To Her Business by a Thread as UPS Forces Business Changes That Are Not Profitable to Owner

Denver, CO MBE Blames UPS for Flawed Business Plan Forced on Store Owners

Court Says UPS Must Face Trial With Its Mom and Pop MBE and UPS Franchisees