North Sails Group LLC v. Boards and More GmbH et al

Filing 16

ORDER REGARDING SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION (see attached) directing Plaintiff North Sails Group, LLC to submit affidavits establishing citizenship of the parties for federal diversity jurisdiction purposes on or before February 15, 2018. See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(2). If, upon review of the affidavits, the Court determines that it possesses subject matter jurisdiction, the action may proceed. Once Defendants have appeared, the Court will hold a hearing to resolve the 6 preliminary injunction motion. Otherwise, in the absence of such jurisdiction, the Court will dismiss the action. Signed by Judge Charles S. Haight, Jr. on February 6, 2018. (Dorais, L.)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT

NORTH SAILS GROUP, LLC,
Civil Action No.
3:18 - CV - 160 (CSH)

Plaintiff,
v.
BOARDS AND MORE GMBH
EMERAM CAPITAL PARTNERS,

AND
FEBRUARY 6, 2018

Defendants.

ORDER REGARDING SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION
HAIGHT, Senior District Judge:
I. INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff North Sails Group, LLC ("North Sails") brings this action against Boards and More
GmbH ("B&M") and Emeram Capital Partners GmbH ("Emeram"), the private equity company that
owns B&M, asserting that these defendants have breached a Trademark License Agreement
("License Agreement") entered between North Sails and B&M on October 1, 2000.1 Under this
License Agreement, North Sails provided B&M a worldwide exclusive license to use North Sails
trademarks and a North Sails trade name ("North Marks") on certain B&M windsurfing, kitesurfing,
and associated products ("Surf Sport Products"). Doc. 1, at 1. In return, B&M promised to use its
"best good faith efforts to maximize the production, marketing, and sale of the Licensed Products"

1

North Sails has alleged that Emeram is a German private investment company that "takes
an active role in the management and operations of its portfolio companies, including B&M." Doc.
1, at 4. When Emeram acquired B&M, it set up a holding company, Emeram Aquatics Holding
GmbH, directed by three Emeram partners: Volker Schmidt, Korbinian Knoble, and Christian
Näther. Doc. 1, at 2, ¶ 4.
1

and to pay North Sails royalties on the these products. Id., at 2, 5.
According to North Sails, contrary to the License Agreement, B&M is presently launching
it own trademark for use with the Surf Sport Products. This B&M trademark which will replace the
North Marks on all of B&M's 2019 models of Surf Sport Products, which will be released in Fall
2018. Id., at 2, ¶ 3. North Sails alleges that the replacement of its trademark will result in
"irreparable and other substantial harm to North Sails."2 Id. Accordingly, North Sails has filed a
motion for preliminary injunction, requesting that this Court enjoin B&M and its owner, Emeram,
from "further breach of the Trademark License Agreemnt." Doc. 6, at 1.
In the Complaint, North Sails alleges that this Court has "diversity of citizenship" subject
matter jurisdiction over this action under 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(2). Doc. 1, at 4, ¶ 13. That statutory
provision states that "[t]he district courts shall have original jurisdiction of all civil actions where
the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and
is between – . . .citizens of a State and citizens or subjects of a foreign state, except that the district
courts shall not have original jurisdiction under this subsection of an action between citizens of a
State and citizens or subjects of a foreign state who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence
in the United States and are domiciled in the same State."
Reviewing the Complaint, however, the Court finds that the Plaintiff has failed to allege
sufficient facts from which this Court may determine the citizenship of the parties for purposes of
2

North Sails alleges that "it is now too late for [it] to partner with any party other than B&M
for the marketing, production and sale of the 2019 models of the Surf Sport Products" so that the
breach by B&M "will result in no new line of Surf Sport Products featuring the North Marks
[trademark] during the upcoming season." Doc. 6-2 (Plaintiff's Memorandum), at 21. Moreover,
current users of products with the North Marks will be "left without a supported brand." Id. The
forthcoming breach by B&M will thus result in "immediate and irreparable damage" to North Sails's
market exposure, goodwill, and reputation, all leading to a permanent loss of business. Id.
2

diversity of citizenship jurisdiction. Therefore, as set forth infra, the Court must ascertain whether
subject matter jurisdiction exists or this case should be dismissed for lack thereof. It thus follows
that Plaintiff must make additional submissions so the Court may consider the existence vel non of
its subject matter jurisdiction.
II. DISCUSSION
A.

Subject Matter Jurisdiction
Federal district courts are courts of limited jurisdiction under Article III, Section 2, of the

United States Constitution. See, e.g., Chicot Cnty. Drainage Dist. Baxter State Bank, 308 U.S. 371,
376 (1940), reh'g denied, 309 U.S. 695 (1940). The question of subject matter jurisdiction is
fundamental so that a court must raise the issue sua sponte, of its own accord, when the issue is not
addressed by the parties. Mansfield, C. & L.M. Ry. Co. v. Swan, 111 U.S. 379, 382 (1884). See also
Joseph v. Leavitt, 465 F.3d 87, 89 (2d Cir. 2006) ("Although neither party has suggested that we lack
appellate jurisdiction, we have an independent obligation to consider the presence or absence of
subject matter jurisdiction sua sponte."), cert. denied, 549 U.S. 1282 (2007); Univ. of S. Alabama
v. Am. Tobacco Co., 168 F.3d 405, 410 (11th Cir. 1999) ("[I]t is well settled that a federal court is
obligated to inquire into subject matter jurisdiction sua sponte whenever it may be lacking").
In general, a federal district court may exercise subject matter jurisdiction over an action
only if there is either: (1) "federal question" jurisdiction, applicable to "all civil actions arising
under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States," 28 U.S.C. § 1331; or (2) there exists
"diversity of citizenship," complete diversity of citizenship between the plaintiff and all defendants
and the amount in controversy exceeds "the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and
costs," 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). See also Strawbridge v. Curtiss, 7 U.S. 267, 267-68 (1806); Da Silva
3

v. Kinsho Int'l Corp., 229 F.3d 358, 363 (2d Cir. 2000) (delineating two categories of subject matter
jurisdiction).
Unlike personal jurisdiction, "failure of subject matter jurisdiction is not waivable."
Lyndonville Sav. Bank & Trust Co. v. Lussier, 211 F.3d 697, 700 (2d Cir. 2000). If subject matter
jurisdiction is lacking, the action must be dismissed. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(h)(3). 211 F.3d at 70001. See also, e.g., Cortlandt St. Recovery Corp. v. Hellas Telecomms., S.À.R.L., 790 F.3d 411, 41617 (2d Cir. 2015) ("A district court properly dismisses an action . . . for lack of subject matter
jurisdiction if the court lacks the statutory or constitutional power to adjudicate it . . . .") (quoting
Makarova v. United States, 201 F.3d 110, 113 (2d Cir. 2000)); Manway Constr. Co. v. Housing
Auth. of Hartford, 711 F.2d 501, 503 (2d Cir. 1983) ("It is common ground that in our federal system
of limited jurisdiction any party or the court sua sponte, at any stage of the proceedings, may raise
the question of whether the court has subject matter jurisdiction; and, if it does not, dismissal is
mandatory.").
In order for diversity of citizenship to exist, the plaintiff's citizenship must be diverse from
that of all defendants. See, e.g., St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co. v. Universal Builders Supply, 409
F.3d 73, 80 (2d Cir. 2005) ("Diversity is not complete if any plaintiff is a citizen of the same state
as any defendant.") (citing Owen Equip. & Erection Co. v. Kroger, 437 U.S. 365, 373-74 (1978)).
Moreover, such diversity must exist at the time the action is commenced." Universal Licensing
Corp. v. Lungo, 293 F.3d 579, 581 (2d Cir. 2002). See also Wolde–Meskel v. Vocational Instruction
Project Comm. Servs., Inc., 166 F.3d 59, 62 (2d Cir.1999) ("Satisfaction of the § 1332(a) diversity
requirements (amount in controversy and citizenship) is determined as of the date that suit is filed
– the 'time-of-filing' rule.")
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In the case at bar, there appears to be no basis for the Court to exercise "federal question"
jurisdiction – i.e., no claim arising under the Constitution or federal law. See 28 U.S.C. § 1331.
Plaintiff has brought two state law breach of contract claims, one against B&M and one against
Emeram as B&M's alter ego, and a request for declaratory judgment against both defendants
regarding breach of contract. Doc. 1, at 13-14. Consequently, Plaintiff's sole asserted jurisdictional
basis is "diversity of citizenship." Id., ¶ 5. North Sails has explicitly stated that "[t]he Court has
subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. [§]1332(a)(2) because Plaintiff seeks damages in excess
of $75,000 exclusive of interest and costs, Plaintiff is a Delaware corporation with its principal place
of business in Connecticut, and Defendants are Austrian and German Companies and residents."
Doc. 1, at 4, ¶ II.13.
In order for diversity of citizenship to exist, North Sails's citizenship must be diverse from
that of both defendants. See, e.g., St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 409 F.3d at 80. Moreover, the
"time-of-filing" rule dictates that "diversity must exist at the time the action is commenced," in this
case January 26, 2018. Universal Licensing Corp., 293 F.3d at 58.
Finally, to invoke "diversity of citizenship" jurisdiction, there must be a minimum amount
in controversy exceeding "$75,000, exclusive of interest and costs," 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a). The
burden is on the plaintiff to allege in good faith that it sustained the mandatory minimum in
damages. See, e.g., Scherer v. Equitable Life Assurance Soc'y of U.S., 347 F.3d 394, 397 (2d Cir.
2003) ("A party invoking the jurisdiction of the federal court has the burden of proving that it
appears to a 'reasonable probability' that the claim is in excess of the statutory jurisdictional
amount.") (quoting Tongkook Am., Inc. v. Shipton Sportswear Co., 14 F.3d 781, 784 (2d Cir.1994)).
The amount in controversy must "appear on the face of the complaint or be established by proof."
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Miller v. European Am. Bank, 921 F. Supp. 1162, 1167 (S.D.N.Y. 1996).
B.

Citizenship of the Parties
1. North Sails
Examining the Complaint, North Sails's factual allegations regarding its own citizenship for

diversity purposes are insufficient. In paragraph nine, Plaintiff states that "North Sails is a limited
liability company registered in Delaware with its principal place of business in Milford, Connecticut
and is owned by North Technology Group LLC, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place
of business in Milford, Connecticut." Doc. 1, at 3, ¶ I.A.9.
First of all, it is unclear from Plaintiff's allegations whether North Sails wishes the Court to
consider its parent company as its alter ego for citizenship purposes.3 "[A] subsidiary corporation
has its own principal place of business for purposes of diversity of citizenship jurisdiction, unless
it is merely an 'alter ego' or agent of the parent corporation." OneWest Bank, N.A. v. Melina, 827
F.3d 214, 222 (2d Cir. 2016) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).4 Unless North Sails

3

"In determining whether two entities constitute alter egos, 'a number of factors are
recognized as key: whether the two enterprises have substantially identical management, business
purpose, operation, equipment, customers, supervision, and ownership.'" Newspaper Guild of New
York, Local No. 3 of Newspaper Guild, AFL-CIO v. N.L.R.B., 261 F.3d 291, 299 (2d Cir. 2001)
(quoting Goodman Piping Prod., Inc. v. N.L.R.B., 741 F.2d 10, 11 (2d Cir. 1984)). See also NetJets
Aviation, Inc. v. LHC Commc'ns, LLC, 537 F.3d 168, 176-77 (2d Cir. 2008) ("[A]n alter ego analysis
must start with an examination of factors which reveal how the corporation operates . . . .") (citation
omitted).
4

See Zadora-Gerlof v. Axa Nordstern Art Ins. Corp., No. 01 CV 11828 (RO), 2002 WL
31324138, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 17, 2002) ("While American law generally presumes that
corporations are entities separate from their subsidiaries, . . ., federal courts sitting in diversity will
ignore such corporate distinctions where the parent exercises sufficient control over the subsidiary.")
(citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

6

Group, LLC is the alter ego of its parent, North Technology Group LLC, Inc., only North Sails's
citizenship will be considered for diversity jurisdiction status. On the other hand, if North Sails and
its parent company are alter egos, the citizenship of both the parent and subsidiary must be
determined for diversity purposes. "Two corporations that are deemed to be alter egos of each other
acquire the citizenship of each other." Grunblatt v. UnumProvident Corp., 270 F. Supp. 2d 347, 352
(E.D.N.Y. 2003) (citing Zadora-Gerlof v. Axa Nordstern Art Ins. Corp., No. 01 CV 11828 (RO),
2002 WL 31324138, at *1 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 17, 2002)). "[A] jurisdictional alter ego analysis does not
extend diversity jurisdiction by allowing a non-diverse corporation to assume the citizenship of its
out-of-state alter ego; it merely adds an additional domicile for jurisdictional purposes." Grunblatt,
270 F. Supp. 2d at 352 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). North Sails must thus inform
the Court whether it is an alter ego of its parent company.5
Second, North Sails has informed the Court that it is a "limited liability company." Doc. 1,
at 3, ¶ I.A.9. "The citizenship for diversity purposes of a limited liability company . . . is the
citizenship of each of its members." Wise v. Wachovia Securities, LLC, 450 F.3d 265, 267 (7th Cir.
2006)(emphasis added), cert. denied, 549 U.S. 1047 (2006). That means that the "citizenship of a
limited liability company is not the state in which it is organized or has its principal place of
business, but rather, each of the states in which it has members." Lewis v. Allied Bronze LLC, No.
07 Civ. 1621(BMC), 2007 WL 1299251, at *1-2 (E.D.N.Y. May 2, 2007) (citing Handelsman v.
Bedford Vill. Assoc. Ltd. P'ship, 213 F.3d 48, [51-52] (2d Cir.2000) and remanding removed action
5

The Court notes that if both North Sails and its parent company are corporations, they may
have identical citizenship – Delaware and Connecticut – in that they are both incorporated in
Delaware with their principal places of business in Connecticut. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c). If, however,
North Sails is actually a limited liability company, it may have different and/or additional states of
citizenship. See Part II.B.1., infra.
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for lack of diversity jurisdiction).
If, for example, a limited liability company has members who are individuals, the citizenship
of those particular individuals is attributed to the limited liability company. An individual's
citizenship is determined by his domicile, which is "his true, fixed and permanent home and place
of habitation" – i.e, "the place to which, whenever he is absent, he has the intention of returning."
Martinez v. Bynum, 461 U.S. 321, 331 (1983) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). See
also Palazzo ex rel. Delmage v. Corio, 232 F.3d 38, 42 (2d Cir. 2000) (An individual's citizenship
for diversity purposes is determined by his or her domicile, as opposed to residence, because "[a]t
any given time, a person has but one domicile."); John Birch Soc. v. Nat'l Broad. Co., 377 F.2d 194,
199 (2d Cir. 1967) ("[I]t has long been held that a statement of residence, unlike domicile, tells the
court only where the parties are living and not of which state they are citizens.").
Moreover, with respect to an alien litigant's citizenship for purposes of "diversity of
citizenship," rather than domicile alone, federal courts focus on "official immigration status." Mor
v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., No. 12 Civ. 3845(JGK), 2012 WL 2333730, at * 1 (S.D.N.Y. June
19, 2012) (gathering cases). In particular, an alien who has been accorded lawful permanent
residence from the United States (i.e., has obtained a "green card") is considered a citizen of the state
in which he is domiciled. In contrast, one who is admitted into the United States on a temporary,
non-immigrant visa (e.g., as a temporary visitor for business or pleasure) is an alien for purposes of
citizenship. See, e.g., Mor, 2012 WL 2333730, at *2 (citing Kato, 927 F.Supp. at 715-17).
If a member of the limited liability company is a corporation, pursuant to 28 U.S.C.
§ 1332(c)(1), its citizenship "shall be deemed to be a citizen of every State and foreign state by which
it has been incorporated and of the State or foreign state where it has its principal place of business."
8

A corporation's principal place of business under § 1332 is "the place where a corporation's officers
direct, control, and coordinate the corporation's activities." OneWest Bank, N.A. v. Melina, 827 F.3d
214, 218 (2d Cir. 2016) (quoting Hertz Corp. v. Friend, 559 U.S. 77, 92-93 (2010)). "In practice, this
should normally be the place where the corporation maintains its headquarters – provided that the
headquarters is the actual center of direction, control, and coordination, i.e., the 'nerve center.'"
OneWest Bank, 827 F.3d at 218 (citing Hertz, 559 U.S. at 93) (internal quotation marks omitted).
As a limited liability company, North Sails has failed to provide the identities and citizenship
of each of its members. This information must be disclosed to insure that complete diversity exists
between Plaintiff and Defendants in this action.6
2. B&M
Plaintiff has also failed to provide adequate details regarding the citizenship of the defendants
in this action. Plaintiff alleges that "Defendant B&M is an Austrian limited liability company
chartered under the laws of Austria with its principal place of business in Molln, Austria, and a
wholly-owned United States subsidiary with a registered agent for service of process in Glenwood,
Washington." Doc. 1, at 3, ¶ I.B.11. If B&M is a "limited liability company," as opposed to a
corporation, the Court must be informed of the identities and citizenship of its members. In contrast,
if B&M is a corporation, Plaintiff's allegations regarding B&M's country of incorporation and
principal place of business suggest that, under 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1), it is simply a citizen of
Austria.

6

Given Plaintiff's descriptions of the citizenship of the Defendants in this action, Doc. 1, at
4, ¶ II.13., the Court must determine, for example, whether any member of Plaintiff's limited liability
company is a citizen of Austria or Germany, which would destroy diversity. See infra, at Parts
II.B.2.-3.
9

Furthermore, Plaintiff includes B&M's "wholly-owned United States subsidiary" as a
component of B&M as defendant, yet Plaintiff fails to state the name, type of entity, and/or status
of that subsidiary (e.g., alter ego) for citizenship purposes. Plaintiff merely informs the Court where
the subsidiary may be served with process, the state of Washington. In order to determine whether
B&M's citizenship is diverse from that of Plaintiff, the Court must know the scope of the entity being
sued as B&M – whether Plaintiff is actually including B&M's subsidiary as defendant and whether
that subsidiary is B&M's alter ego. If the answer to those questions is in the affirmative, the Court
must be fully apprised of the citizenship of the subsidiary.
3. Emeram
Finally, North Sails alleges that "[d]efendant Emeram is a German company with its principal
place of business in Munich, Germany." Doc. 1, at 4, ¶ 12. These allegations suffice to establish
that Emeram is a citizen of Germany, if it is actually a corporation, 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1). If,
however, Emeram is actually a limited liability "company," as opposed to a corporation, the Court
must be provided with the names and citizenship of its members. Clarification is thus necessary as
to whether Emeram, as a "German company," is a corporation or limited liability company.
C.

Jurisdictional Amount
Finally, even if diversity of citizenship exists between the parties, the amount in controversy

must exceed "the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs." 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a).
Given the scope of the License Agreement and the scale of North Sails's business and reputation
(e.g., "North Sails is the leading sail making company operating in 29 countries"), North Sails's
statement that "Plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $75,000 exclusive of interest and costs" is

10

sufficient to set forth the requisite jurisdictional amount at this time.7 Doc. 1, at 3, ¶ I.A.9., at 4,
¶ II. 13. The Second Circuit "recognizes a rebuttable presumption that the face of the complaint is
a good faith representation of the actual amount in controversy." Wolde-Meskel , 166 F.3d at 63
(citing Tongkook Am., Inc., 14 F.3d at 785-86).
Defendants have not appeared or answered in the action at this time. However, should they
attempt to allege "bad faith" with respect to the jurisdictional amount, "it must appear to a legal
certainty that the claim is really for less than the jurisdictional amount to justify dismissal."
Wolde-Meskel, 166 F.3d at 63 (citation and internal quotation marks and brackets omitted). "Legal
certainty is analyzed by what appears on the face of the complaint; subsequent events – such as a
valid defense offered by the defendant, or actual recovery in an amount less than the minimum
jurisdictional amount – do not show plaintiff's bad faith or oust the jurisdiction." Id. (citation and
internal quotation marks and brackets omitted). See also Scherer, 347 F.3d at 397 ("[T]he amount
in controversy [is measured] as of the date of the complaint" so that "[o]nce jurisdiction has attached,
it cannot be ousted by subsequent events.").
III. CONCLUSION
"A plaintiff asserting subject matter jurisdiction has the burden of proving by a
preponderance of the evidence that it exists." Makarova v. United States, 201 F.3d 110, 113 (2d Cir.
2000). Therefore, in order to determine whether it has subject matter jurisdiction in this action, the
Court hereby ORDERS that plaintiff North Sails Group, LLC establish, by affidavit, its citizenship

7

In addition, with respect to the value of the Surf Sport Products at issue under the License
Agreement, before the alleged impending breach, "B&M has offered a broad, sophisticated range
of products featuring the North Marks, developed over many years and which caters to a wide range
of customer needs." Doc. 1, at 12, ¶ 44.
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for diversity purposes as of the date this action was commenced, on January 26, 2018.
In particular, limited liability company North Sails is ORDERED to submit an affidavit
explicitly setting forth the identities and state(s) of citizenship of each of its members as of January
26, 2018. If said members are individuals, North Sails must provide their states of domicile. 8 If any
members are corporations, North Sails must indicate all states of incorporation and the principal
place of business for each corporation. 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c)(1). If North Sails's members include
any limited liability company, it shall establish the citizenship of each member of that limited
liability company.
In addition, North Sails must clarify whether it is an alter ego of its parent company, North
Technology Group LLC, Inc., and whether that entity is a corporation, so that it has citizenship in
Delaware and Connecticut, or a limited liability company. If the parent is both an alter ego and a
limited liability company, the Court must be informed of the citizenship of the parent's members.
Because Defendants have not yet been served or appeared, the Court requests that North Sails
inform the Court of additional information regarding the citizenship of B&M and Emeram. As to
B&M, Plaintiff shall, if it can obtain the necessary facts, inform the Court whether B&M is a
corporation or limited liability company. If B&M is the latter, Plaintiff must provide the identities
and citizenship of its members. In addition, Plaintiff must clarify whether it includes B&M's

8

With respect to any individual members, North Sails must submit an affidavit explicitly
providing that individual's state of domicile on January 26, 2018. In particular, it must include: (1)
the state in which the individual was domiciled and principally established or his true fixed home
and (2) the names, if any, of other states in which he had a residence. If there are additional states
in which the individual maintained a residence, the affidavit must further provide: (a) the locations
of all such residences kept and (b) the approximate length of time spent at each residence. Also, if
any member is a foreign national domiciled in the United States, the Court must be apprised of such
individual's immigration status.
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"wholly-owned United States subsidiary" as part of B&M as a defendant in this action, and if so, the
name, type of entity, and/or status of that subsidiary (e.g., alter ego) for citizenship purposes.
As to Emeram, Plaintiff must either confirm that Emeram is a German corporation or clarify
that it is a limited liability "company." If Emeram is a limited liability company, the Court must be
informed of the identities and citizenship of Emeram's members before the action may proceed.
Given the urgent nature of Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunction [Doc. 6], Plaintiff
must file its required citizenship affidavit(s) pursuant to this Order on or before February 15, 2018.
Upon receipt and review of Plaintiff's affidavit(s), the Court will determine whether it possesses
subject matter jurisdiction. If so, the action will proceed. Once Defendants have appeared, the
Court will hold a hearing to resolve the preliminary injunction motion. Otherwise, in the absence of
such jurisdiction, the Court will dismiss the action without prejudice to Plaintiff bringing it in a
proper forum.
It is SO ORDERED.
Dated: New Haven, Connecticut
February 6, 2018

/s/Charles S. Haight, Jr.
CHARLES S. HAIGHT, JR.
Senior United States District Judge

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