Planet Fitness Inc v. Planet Fitness Franchising LLC (PFIP, LLC)

Planet Fitness Inc v. Planet Fitness Franchising LLC (PFIP, LLC)

Because the contemnor intentionally disclosed confidential information from a court-ordered mediation to the public, conduct that was broad in scope and included threats and disparagement, and because the respondent did not prove inability to pay, a monetary penalty is proportionate to vindicate the court's authority, serve general deterrence and mark the gravity of the contempt; a fine of $1,000, at the lower end of comparable jurisprudence, is appropriate given prompt removal of posts and expressions of remorse.

Citation
2025 FC 1713
Parties
Plaintiff / Defendant by Counterclaim: Planet Fitness Inc.; Defendants / Plaintiffs by Counterclaim: Planet Fitness Franchising LLC, also known as PFIP, LLC; Contemnor: Shawn Freeborn
Court
Federal Court
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
23 October 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Contempt Motion / Penalty Phase of Contempt Motion
Outcome
Fine of $1,000 imposed jointly and severally on Planet Fitness Inc. and Shawn Freeborn, payable to the Receiver General for Canada within 30 days.
Legal Topics
Contempt Penalties, Mediation Confidentiality, Sentencing Principles, Rule 472 Federal Courts Rules, Public V Private Dimension of Contempt
Source Language
English
Civil Procedure Contempt of Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Intellectual Property Contempt Penalties Mediation Confidentiality Sentencing Principles Rule 472 Federal Courts Rules +1 more

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Legal principles 5 Authorities cited 9 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Planet Fitness Inc.

Plaintiff / Defendant by Counterclaim

Planet Fitness Franchising LLC, also known as PFIP, LLC

Defendants / Plaintiffs by Counterclaim

Shawn Freeborn

Contemnor

Procedural Posture

Civil Contempt Motion / Penalty Phase of Contempt Motion

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether contempts for disclosure of confidential court-ordered mediation may be punished and what penalty is appropriate
  2. 2 Application of Rule 472 penalties for civil contempt
  3. 3 Assessment of aggravating and mitigating factors including scope of disclosure and remorse

Ratio Decidendi

Because the contemnor intentionally disclosed confidential information from a court-ordered mediation to the public, conduct that was broad in scope and included threats and disparagement, and because the respondent did not prove inability to pay, a monetary penalty is proportionate to vindicate the court's authority, serve general deterrence and mark the gravity of the contempt; a fine of $1,000, at the lower end of comparable jurisprudence, is appropriate given prompt removal of posts and expressions of remorse.

Court Disposition

Fine of $1,000 imposed jointly and severally on Planet Fitness Inc. and Shawn Freeborn, payable to the Receiver General for Canada within 30 days.

Orders

  • Planet Fitness Inc. and Shawn Freeborn are jointly and severally liable to pay a fine in the amount of $1,000.
  • The fine is payable to the Receiver General for Canada and shall be remitted to the Federal Court Registry within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order.