Johnson v. Mossy Oak Properties Inc et al
Filing
37
MEMORANDUM OPINION-re: Motion for Partial Summary Judgment 31 . Signed by Judge R David Proctor on 11/27/2012. (AVC)
FILED
2012 Nov-27 AM 10:33
U.S. DISTRICT COURT
N.D. OF ALABAMA
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
WESTERN DIVISION
KERRY JOHNSON,
Plaintiff,
v.
MOSSY OAK PROPERTIES, INC., et
al.,
Defendants.
}
}
}
}
}
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Case No.: 7:11-CV-4205-RDP
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before the court is Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. #31), filed on
June 12, 2012. The Motion (Doc. #31) has been fully briefed (Docs. #31, 33, 35) and was deemed
submitted without oral argument on July 17, 2012. For the reasons outlined below, the court finds
that the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. #31) is due to be granted.
I.
Procedural History
Plaintiff Kerry Johnson ("Johnson" or "Plaintiff") commenced this action by filing a
complaint in the Circuit Court of Sumter County on November 4, 2011. (Doc. #1, ¶ 1). The
substance of Plaintiff's allegations relate to a contract dispute arising out of Plaintiff's business
relationship with Defendants. (Doc. #1-1, Compl. at 1-11). Plaintiff's Complaint contains ten counts
to relief. (Id. at 11-18).
Plaintiff asserts various state law claims, including: breach of contract
(Count I); violation of Ala. Code §§ 8-24-1 through 8-24-5 (1975) (Count II); fraud,
misrepresentation, and suppression (Count III); promissory fraud (Count IV); equitable estoppel
(Count V); quantum meruit (Count VI); unjust enrichment (Count VII); negligence and wantonness
(Count VIII); accounting (Count IX); and conspiracy (Count X).
Defendants removed the action to federal court on December 14, 2011. (Doc. #1). In their
notice of removal, Defendants asserted that diversity jurisdiction exists because the parties are
completely diverse and the minimum amount in controversy is met. (Doc. #1, ¶ 10). For diversity
of citizenship purposes, Plaintiff is a citizen of Missouri and Defendants are citizens of either
Delaware or Mississippi. (Doc. #1, ¶¶ 11-16). Defendants assert the amount in controversy is met
based on the amount Plaintiff claims he is owed and based upon Plaintiff's claim under the Alabama
State Sales Representative's Commission Contracts Act, Ala. Code § 8-24-1 et seq. (1975) (the
"Act"), which trebles damages, attorney's fees, and costs.1 (Doc. #1, ¶¶ 22-23).
On December 21, 2011, Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss Count II of Plaintiff's
Complaint alleging violations of the Act. (Doc. #5). Plaintiff filed a Response in Opposition to
Defendants' Motion to Dismiss, or in the Alternative, Motion to Remand on January 13, 2012. (Doc.
#8). On January 24, 2012, Defendants filed a Reply to Plaintiff's Opposition (Doc. #16) and a
Motion to Strike (Doc. #15). After a scheduling conference on March 13, 2012, the court permitted
the parties to conduct limited discovery on the issue presented in Defendants' Motion to Dismiss
(Doc. #5). The court ordered that the parties file all potentially dispositive motions directed to Count
II of the Complaint by May 29, 2012. (Doc. #21). This deadline was subsequently extended to June
12, 2012 (Doc. #25) at which time Defendants filed the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment
currently under consideration. Defendants also filed evidence in support of the motion.2 (Docs. #31-
1
Defendants also argued that based on the formula set out in the Complaint, a disputed claim of at least
$78,876.22 exists. (Doc. #1, ¶ 22). Defendants acknowledged, and Plaintiffs did contend, that the disputed claim is only
$46,127.94 because Defendants had already paid Plaintiff $32,748.28. (Doc. #1, ¶23 n. 2; Doc. #8). However,
Defendants asserted that even if those previous payments were deducted, the $46,127.94 amount would be trebled to
determine the amount in controversy, thus resulting in a claim in excess of $75,000. (Doc. #1, ¶23 n. 2).
2
Defendants submitted the following evidence: (1) Declaration of Lannie Wallace and attached exhibits (Exhibit
1) and (2) Defendants' Responses to Plaintiff's Special Interrogatories and Requests for Production (Exhibit 2).
2
32). On July 3, 2012, Plaintiff filed a response in opposition to the motion along with supporting
evidence.3 (Doc. #33). Defendants filed a reply brief to Plaintiff's opposition on July 17, 2012.
(Doc. #35).
II.
Legal Standards for Evaluating a Summary Judgment Motion4
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(a), summary judgment is proper "if the pleadings,
depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any,
show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law." Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986); Chapman v. AI
Transport, 229 F.3d 1012, 1023 (11th Cir. 2000). The party asking for summary judgment always
bears the initial responsibility of informing the court of the basis for its motion and identifying those
portions of the pleadings or filings that the moving party believes demonstrate the absence of a
genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323. Once the moving party has met its
burden, Rule 56(a) requires the nonmoving party to go beyond the pleadings and by her own
affidavits, or by the depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, designate specific
facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. Id. at 324.
The substantive law will identify which facts are material and which are irrelevant. Anderson
v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986); Chapman, 229 F.3d at 1023. All reasonable doubts
about the facts and all justifiable inferences are resolved in favor of the nonmovant. Chapman, 229
F.3d at 1023; Fitzpatrick v. City of Atlanta, 2 F.3d 1112, 1115 (11th Cir. 1993). A dispute is genuine
3
Plaintiff submitted a Declaration of Kerry Johnson (Exhibit A) and an attached exhibit.
4
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 was amended on December 1, 2010. However, even considering the 2010
amendments, "the standard for granting summary judgment remains unchanged." Fed. R. Civ. P. 56 Advisory
Committee's Note (2010 Amendments).
3
"if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party."
Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248; Chapman, 229 F.3d at 1023. If the evidence is merely colorable, or is
not significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249-50. The
method used by the party moving for summary judgment to discharge its initial burden depends on
whether that party bears the burden of proof on the issue at trial. See Fitzpatrick, 2 F.3d at 1115-17
(citing United States v. Four Parcels of Real Property, 941 F.2d 1428 (11th Cir. 1991) (en banc)).
If the moving party bears the burden of proof at trial, then it can only meet its initial burden
on summary judgment by coming forward with positive evidence demonstrating the absence of a
genuine issue of material fact (i.e. facts that would entitle it to a directed verdict if not controverted
at trial). Fitzpatrick, 2 F.3d at 1115. Once the moving party makes such a showing, the burden
shifts to the nonmoving party to produce significant, probative evidence demonstrating a genuine
issue for trial.
If the moving party does not bear the burden of proof at trial, it can satisfy its initial burden
on summary judgment in either of two ways. First, the moving party may produce affirmative
evidence negating a material fact, thus demonstrating that the nonmoving party will be unable to
prove its case at trial. Once the moving party satisfies its burden using this method, the nonmoving
party must respond with positive evidence sufficient to resist a motion for directed verdict at trial.
The second method by which the moving party who does not bear the burden of proof at trial
can satisfy its initial burden on summary judgment is to affirmatively show the absence of evidence
in the record to support a judgment for the nonmoving party on the issue in question. This method
requires more than a simple statement that the nonmoving party cannot meet its burden at trial but
does not require evidence negating the nonmovant's claim; it simply requires the movant to point out
4
to the district court that there is an absence of evidence to support the nonmoving party's case.
Fitzpatrick, 2 F.3d at 1115-16.
If the movant meets its initial burden by using this second method, the nonmoving party may
either point out to the court record evidence, overlooked or ignored by the movant, sufficient to
withstand a directed verdict, or the nonmoving party may come forward with additional evidence
sufficient to withstand a directed verdict motion at trial based on the alleged evidentiary deficiency.
However, when responding, the nonmovant can no longer rest on mere allegations, but must set forth
evidence of specific facts. Lewis v. Casey, 518 U.S. 343, 358 (1996) (citing Lujan v. Defenders of
Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 561 (1992)).
III.
Relevant Undisputed Facts5
On September 28, 2006, Johnson entered into a Development Agent Agreement
("Agreement") with Defendant Mossy Oak Properties ("Mossy Oak"). (Doc. #33, Ex. A, Johnson
Decl. at ¶ 1). Defendants Toxey Haas ("Haas") and Lonnie Wallace ("Wallace") were present at the
time. (Id. at ¶ 2). Mossy Oak kept the original signed Agreement. (Doc. #33, Ex. 1, Agreement at
6-7). Sections 2 and 4 of the Agreement describe in detail Johnson's duties. (Doc. #33, Ex. 1,
Agreement at 2, 4). In Section 2, the Agreement provides in part:
5
The court initially notes that Plaintiff's statement of facts in his reply brief do not comply with the court's Initial
Order. (Doc. #4). Appendix II outlines the summary judgment requirements and requires the opposing party's statement
of facts to be divided into three parts (response to movant's statement, additional undisputed facts, and additional
disputed facts). (See Doc. #4). The court reserves the right sua sponte to strike any statements of fact or responsive
statements that fail to comply with these requirements. (See Doc.#4). The court will not do so here. In their reply brief,
Defendants assume the allegations contained in Plaintiff's Complaint and the "Facts" section of his opposition to be true
and undisputed. (Doc. #35). Thus, the court will not strike Plaintiff's statement of facts for purposes of summary
judgment. As Defendant's suggest, the court will consider the factual allegations in Plaintiff's Complaint and his
opposition as undisputed for summary judgment purposes. If the facts are in dispute, they are stated in the manner most
favorable to the nonmoving party. See Fitzpatrick, 2 F.3d at 1115.
5
a.
Johnson shall be responsible for all activities involved in the
development, supervision and servicing of Mossy Oak Properties
franchises within the Assigned Territory. . .;
f.
Johnson shall devote adequate time to developing and servicing a
network of the Company's franchisees in the Assigned Territory;
g.
Johnson shall assist the company in its efforts to maintain high and
uniform standards of cooperation, integrity and commitment at all
Mossy Oak Properties franchise offices within the Assigned Territory;
thus protecting and enhancing the reputation of Mossy Oak Properties
system and the demand for its brokerage services. . . .
k.
[I]n connection with the sale of Mossy Oak Properties franchises to
prospective franchisees within the Assigned Territory, Johnson agrees
to utilize the Company's offering circular as changed and updated
from time to time; . . . .
(Doc. #33, Ex. 1, Agreement at 2, 3). Additionally, in Section 4, the Agreement states that Johnson
and Mossy Oak share the following duties:
a.
[They] shall assist all potential franchisees in the Assigned Territory
in evaluating prospective sites for franchise offices to be submitted by
such franchisee to the Company for final approval;
b.
assist franchisees in the Assigned Territory in adapting the Company's
policies for the interior design and layout, fixtures, furnishings, signs
and equipment to the franchises premises in compliance with
applicable local and/or state laws, regulations or ordinances, it being
understood that the cost of such adaptation and modification to the
Company's plans shall be borne by the franchisee. Any such changes
or adaptations made with the assistance of Johnson shall be approved
in final form by the Company;
c.
establish a training program and provide training to Mossy Oak
Properties franchisees within the Assigned Territory required by the
Franchise Agreement to be performed by the Company;
d.
provide all pre-opening and opening assistance for offices in the
Assigned Territory;
6
e.
provide recommended computer hardware and software and internet
requirements for franchisees within the Assigned Territory as a part
of its duties under the respective Franchise Agreements and assist
such franchisees in understanding, installing and implementing such
requirements;
f.
be available at all reasonable times to franchisees within the Assigned
Territory to assist with operating problems encountered by such
franchisees;
g.
conduct periodic visits to and inspections of the franchise brokerage
offices within the Assigned Territory, which inspections shall take
place no less often than semi-annually, unless mutually agreed upon
between the parties for a longer time period; and
h.
provide initial and continuing advisory assistance to franchisees
within the Assigned Territory in the operation of the licensed Mossy
Oak Properties business as the Company deems advisable and
necessary in order to maintain the effective operation of real estate
brokerage offices.
(Id. at 5).
The Agreement also provides a detailed fee/commission structure to be paid to Johnson based
on the number of franchises he developed and the revenues and royalties generated by each
franchise. Specifically, the Agreement required Mossy Oak to pay Johnson commissions of 33%
of the franchise fee for the first three (3) franchise sales, 40% for the next three (3) franchise sales,
and 50% for more than six (6) franchise sales. (Id. at 6). In addition, the Agreement required
Mossy Oak to pay Johnson a recurring royalty fee of 7% of gross commissions and a royalty
commission of 25% of Mossy Oak's royalty fees for Year 1 of each new franchisee's operations, 10%
of Year 2 of each new franchisee's operations, 7% after Year 2 of each new franchisee's operations,
and 10% of amount that exceeds the prior year for royalty fees that exceed a franchisee's prior
7
calendar year's production. (Id.). Section 6 of the Agreement states that Plaintiff was to be paid
these amounts "for franchises sold and developed within the Assigned Territory." (Doc. #33, Ex.
1, Agreement at 6.a.). Mossy Oak did not pay Johnson what he was owed pursuant to the express
terms of the Agreement. (Doc. #33, Ex. A, Johnson Decl. at ¶ 5). Mossy Oak also failed to pay
Johnson what he was owed pursuant to its promises outside the express terms of the Agreement.
(Id.).
During his employment with Mossy Oak, the company provided franchise agreements to
Johnson to present to potential franchisees which included multiple references to products. (Doc.
#33, Ex. A, Johnson Decl. at ¶ 6; Doc. #31, Ex. A, Franchise Agreement). The franchise agreement
refers to the term "product" or "products" a minimum of 20 times. (Doc. #31, Ex. A., Franchise
Agreement).
In addition, Mossy Oak trained and told Johnson to tell potential franchise
owners/buyers that the resale of a franchise for profit was available to them. (Doc. #33, Ex. A,
Johnson Decl. at ¶ 7). Mossy Oak also told Johnson to use the resale of franchises as a selling point
to buyers in order to explain to them that they could consider the purchasing of the franchise as an
investment for resale opportunities and that Mossy Oak has allowed such sales of franchises. (Id.).
IV.
Analysis
A.
Applicability of the Act is a Question of Law
Here, there are no genuine issues of material fact, and the key issue is whether the Act applies
in this case. That issue turns on a question of law for the court to decide. See RMC & Assocs., Inc.,
v. Beasley, 958 So. 2d 879, 882-82 (Ala. Civ. App. 2006) ("Whether the Act applied to the
undisputed facts was a question of law. . . .").
8
B.
The Act Does Not Apply Because Mossy Oak is Not a "Principal" and Johnson
is Not a "Sales Representative" Within the Meaning of the Act
In order for the Act to apply, Mossy Oak must meet the definition of "principal" and Johnson
must meet the definition of "sales representative." Because neither Moss Oak nor Johnson meet their
respective definitions under the Act, it does not apply to this action. Section 8-24-1, Alabama Code
1975 provides in pertinent part:
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings,
respectively, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: . . .
(2) Principal. Any person who does all of the following:
a. Engages in the business of manufacturing, producing, importing or
distributing a product or products for sale to customers who purchase the
product or products for resale.
b. Utilizes sales representatives to solicit orders for the product or products.
c. Compensates the sales representatives, in whole or in part, by commission.
(3) Sales Representative. Any person who engages in the business of soliciting, on
behalf of a principal, orders for the purchase at wholesale of the product or products
of the principal but does not include a person who places orders or purchases for his
or her own account for resale, or a person engaged in home solicitation sales. . . .
Ala. Code. § 8-24-1(2) to (3). Mossy Oak does not meet the definition of "principal" and Johnson
does not meet the definition of "sales representative" because Moss Oak does not sell a product at
the wholesale level.
1.
Mossy Oak Does Not Sell a Product
Pursuant to the plain text of the relevant statute, the definitions of both "principal" and "sales
representative" require that a "product" be involved in the sale or transaction. Ala. Code § 8-24-1(2)(3). That is, the "principal" must be "in the business of manufacturing, producing, importing or
9
distributing a product or products," and the "sales representative" must be soliciting orders for that
"product." Id. The parties disagree as to whether the term "product" includes intangible goods.
Defendants assert that the word "product" only refers to a tangible good. (Doc. #31). Plaintiff
contends that the term "product" should include intangibles–such as the franchises at issue here.
(Doc. #33).
The Act does not define the term "product." Thus, the court must give effect to the intent of
the legislature and must give the term "product" it's "natural, ordinary, and commonly understood
meaning." See IMED Corp. V. Sys. Eng'g Assocs. Corp., 602 So. 2d 344, 346 (Ala. 1992).
Additionally, "where plain language is used [the court] is bound to interpret that language to mean
exactly what it says." Id. To determine whether the term "product" as used in the Act has a plain
and unambiguous meaning, the court refers "to the language itself, the specific context in which the
language is used, and the broader context of the statute as a whole." Bautista v. Star Cruises, 396
F. 3d 1289, 1295 (11th Cir. 2005).
Reading the word in context of the statutory language of Section 8-24-1, the court finds that
the term "product" refers only to tangible goods. Sales subject to the Act must be made at the
wholesale level. See Ala. Code § 8-24-1(3). A wholesale transaction generally involves the sale of
a tangible good. See Black's Law Dictionary (9th ed. 2009) (defining "wholesale" as the sale of
goods or commodities usually to a retailer for resale, and not to the ultimate consumer"); see also
Ala. Code § 40-23-1(a)(9) (Alabama's tax code referring to the term "wholesale sale" as "a sale of
tangible personal property by wholesalers to licensed retail merchants, jobbers, dealers, or other
wholesalers for resale and does not include a sale by wholesalers to users or consumers, not for
resale"). Reading the term "product" in conjunction with the requirement that sales subject to the
10
Act be made at the wholesale level, the court concludes that the word "product" refers to the sale of
tangible goods. Thus, Mossy Oaks intangible franchise rights are not a "product" for purposes of
the Act; therefore, the parties do not fall within the statute's definitions of "principal" and "sales
representative."
The court's conclusion that the plain language of the term "product," read in context with
other provisions of the Act, suggests that only tangible goods are covered is further supported by the
lack of Alabama case law applying the Act to the sale of a franchise agreement or any intangible
good or product. Neither party has cited (and the court is unaware of) any such case law. In fact,
the cases to which the Alabama Supreme Court and the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals have
applied the Act all involve tangible goods. See e.g., Ex Parte Tahsin Indus. Corp. U.S.A., 4 So. 3d
1121, 1122 (Ala. 2008) (sale involved outdoor apparel and sports gear); RMC & Assocs, Inc., 958
So. 2d at 880 (sale involved industrial pipeline products such as valves, expansion joints, and
coatings); Lindy Mfg. Co v. Twentieth Century Mktg., Inc., 706 So. 2d 1169 (Ala. 1997) (sale
involved electronic component parts)
Plaintiff represents that the Supreme Court of Alabama has routinely held that intangible
products are considered products under Alabama law. However, the cases cited by Plaintiff in
support of this position6 are inapposite and unpersuasive. These cases do not hold that various
intangibles are in fact "products" under Alabama law. Moreover, these cases do not analyze the
6
See Dawsey v. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., 17 So. 3d 639, 639 (Ala. 2009) (insurance company
and financial adviser sued in connection with sale of financial "product"); Ex parte Allianz Life Ins. Co. of North
America, 25 So. 3d 411, 412 (Ala. 2008) (annuity insurance policy); Ex parte John Alden Life Ins. Co., 999 So. 2d 476,
479 (Ala. 2008) (group health insurance); Waddell & Reed, Inc. V. United Investors Life Ins. Co., 875 So. 2d 1143,
1156-57 (Ala. 2003) (inland marine insurance); Alfa Life Ins. Corp. v. Hughes, 861 So. 2d 1088, 1091 (Ala. 2003) (life
insurance); Ex parte Life Ins. Co. Of Georgia, 810 So. 2d 744, 746 (Ala. 2001) (health insurance).
11
meaning of the term "product" as used in the context of the Act (or any other related context for that
matter).7
Because the court is unaware of any Alabama case law applying the Act to the sale of an
intangible franchise, the court has examined relevant authority from other states that have similar
versions of the Act and use a definition of "principal" that is virtually identical to Alabama's. See
Bowman v. PHP Cos., Inc., No. 3:04-CV-114; 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44469, at *30-*32 (E.D.
Tenn. Nov. 8, 2005) ("holding that "a 'product' under [the Act] does not include an intangible
item…."); Nicor Energy v. Dillon, No 03 C 1169, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 86, at *4-*5 (N.D. Ill. Jan.
7, 2004) ("The term 'product' as used in the Act refers only to purveyors of tangible goods…."
(internal quotations omitted)); Wujec v. AT&T Corp., No. 03 C 7671, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 797,
at *3-*6 (N.D. Ill. Jan. 21, 2004) ("Given the plain language of the Act, we believe that … only
sellers of tangible goods qualify as 'principals.'"); Klapp v. United Ins. Group Agency, Inc., 674 N.W.
2d 736, 737-40 (Mich. Ct. App. 2003) ("The terms 'manufacture,' 'produce,' 'import,' and 'distribute'
are identifiable with tangible, manufactured goods, not with intangible items….") Formestic, Inc.
v. Residential Warranty Corp., No. 96 C 6638, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1010, at *5-*10 (N.D. Ill.
Feb. 3, 1997) (warranty policies were intangible property and thus not a 'product' under the Act);
Kenebrew v. Connecticut General Life Ins. Co., 882 F. Supp. 749, 752-754 (N.D. Ill. 1995); Am.
7
Indeed, four of the cases cited by Plaintiff use the term "product" only when discussing a plaintiff's allegations,
never addressing or analyzing whether contractual rights actually can constitute a "product" for any particular legal
purpose. See Dawsey, 17 So. 3d at 639; Ex Parte Allianz Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., 25 So. 3d at 412; Ex Parte John Alden
Life Ins. Co., 999 So. 2d at 478; Ex Parte Life Ins. Co. of Georgia, 810 So. 2d at 746. One of the remaining two cases
merely uses the term when quoting from the plaintiff's own documents. See Alfa Life Ins. Corp., 861 So. 2d at 1091.
In the final case, the court did not hold that intangible contract rights are a "product" for purposes of an Alabama statute
or any other Alabama law. See Waddell & Reed, Inc., 875 So.2d at 1143. Rather, the court, while addressing a
completely unrelated legal issue, quoted a Georgia opinion referring offhand to marine insurance "products," without
any analysis. Id. at 1152-59.
12
Delta Tech., Inc. v. RK Elec. Concepts, 647 A.2d 1344, 1346-47 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1994)
(requiring "tangible products so as to bring the transaction within the ambit of the Act."); cf. Kamco
Indus. Sales, Inc. v. Lovejoy, Inc., 779 F. Supp. 2d 416, 430-32 (E.D. Pa. 2011) (requiring a "tangible
good or product" to satisfy the definition of a "retailer" under the statute); United Prods. Corp. v.
Admiral Tool & Mfg. Co., 122 F. Supp. 2d 560, 564 (E.D. Pa. 2000) (same).
In Kenebrew, the court held that insurance policies were not a "product" under Illinois'
version of the Act. Kenebrew, 882 F. Supp. at 752-54. Like Alabama's Act, Illinois' version defines
a "principal" as one who "manufacturers, produces, imports or distributes a product for sale." 820
Ill. Comp. Stat. 120/1 (West 2012). In a detailed discussion of the issue, the court determined that
"the most reasonable construction of the statute's plain meaning is not to include intangibles . . .
because of the context in which the term 'product' is found." Id. at 754. The court noted that the
statute did not use "broad or openended language; rather it provide[d] a defined context in which to
interpret the word 'product.'" Id. The court stated that the terms "'manufacture,' 'produce,' 'import,'
and 'distribute' are identifiable with tangible, manufactured goods, not with intangible items or
services." Id. The court concluded "[a]n intangible item or service … simply does not fit within the
plain meaning of the wording of the statute." Id. This court does the same.
Here, Johnson sold Mossy Oak franchises. The Agreement between the parties does not refer
to the sale of products by Mossy Oak to its franchisees. Johnson attempts to create an issue of
material fact by relying on the appearance of the word "product" in the franchise agreements that he
presented to potential franchisees. (Doc. #33; Id., Johnson Decl. at 6). However, the franchise
agreements mention of the term "products" does nothing to change the undisputed fact that the
Agreement Johnson and Mossy Oak entered into provides commission for the sale of intangible
13
franchises–not for the sale of tangible products. The franchise agreements make clear that the word
"product" refers to items that Mossy Oak makes available to franchisees for use in their business.
(Doc. #31-2; Defs' Resp to Pl.'s Special Interrog. 3). The franchise agreements do not refer to items
that are sold to the franchisee for resale to a consumer. (Id.). Because the Act requires the sale of
a tangible good and Mossy Oak's franchises are not considered "products" under the Act, it follows
that Mossy Oak does not meet the definition of a "principal" and Johnson does not meet the
definition of a "sales representative," and the Act does not apply here.
2.
Alternatively, Even if a Mossy Oak Franchise is Considered a
Product, it is Not Sold at the Wholesale Level
Even assuming a Mossy Oak franchise is considered a "product" under the Act, which it is
not, the Act does not apply here because the franchise is not sold at the wholesale level. In order for
Mossy Oak to meet the definition of a "principal" and in order for Johnson to meet the definition of
"sales representative" under the Act, Mossy Oak must sell "to customers who purchase the product
or products for resale" and Johnson must solicit "orders for the purchase at wholesale of the product.
. . ." See Ala. Code § 8-24-1(2) to (3). Through Johnson, Mossy Oak entered into franchise
agreements directly with an "end-user"– the franchisee. (Doc. #31, Ex. 1, Wallace Decl. at 6).
Furthermore, Moss Oak franchise agreements contain language which expressly prohibits a
franchisee from "wholesaleing" franchises. (Doc. #31, Ex. A to Ex. 1, Moss Oak Franchise
Agreement, § 14.1-14.6). Under the terms of the franchise agreements, a franchisee represents that
he or she is "not obtaining this Franchise for speculative purposes" and that he or she has "no present
intention to sell or transfer or attempt to sell of transfer the Franchise in whole or part." (Id., § 13.2).
Therefore, even if considered a "product" for purposes of the Act, Mossy Oak franchises are not sold
14
at the wholesale level and Johnson could not have sold franchises to customers for resale. See RMC
& Assocs., Inc., 958 So. 2d at 883 (finding that the Act did not apply because the product was sold
to an end user and not to a customer who purchased the product for resale).
Johnson argues that Mossy Oak "trained and told [him] to represent to potential franchise
owners/buyers that the resale of a franchise for profit was available [and. . . ] that they could consider
the purchasing of the franchise as an investment for resale opportunities. (Doc. #33, Ex. A, Johnson
Decl. at 7). However, and in any event, this statement alone does not convert the selling of a
franchise into a wholesale transaction involving the purchase of the franchise in quantity for the
purpose of resale to consumers. That one end-user could ultimately sell the franchise to another end
user does not change the terms of the franchise agreements that require franchisees to represent they
are not buying a Mossy Oak franchise with a present intention to sell or transfer the franchise in
whole or part. Therefore, even if a Mossy Oak franchise is considered a "product" under the Act,
the franchise is not sold at the wholesale level. Thus, the Act does not apply for this alternative
reason.
V.
Conclusion
For the reasons stated above, there being no dispute as to any material fact, Defendants'
Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. #31) is due to be granted. A separate order will be
entered dismissing Count II of Plaintiff's Complaint.
DONE and ORDERED this
27th
day of November, 2012.
___________________________________
R. DAVID PROCTOR
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
15
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