LIGHT FOR LIFE INC et al v. OUR FIRM FOUNDATION FOR KOREANS INC et al
Filing
73
ORDER granting in part and denying in part #62 Motion for Summary Judgment; denying #64 Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. Ordered by U.S. District Judge C ASHLEY ROYAL on 2/12/15 (lap)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
ATHENS DIVISION
LIGHT FOR LIFE, INC., and
DAVID BYUNG KOOK KANG,
Plaintiffs,
:
:
:
:
:
v.
:
:
OUR FIRM FOUNDATION FOR
:
KOREANS, INC., PAUL IM, CHANG :
:
SUP SHIM, and JUSTIN KIM,
:
Defendants,
:
:
v.
:
:
GINA CHO,
:
:
Counter‐Defendant .
:
:
No. 3:12‐CV‐38 (CAR)
ORDER ON SUMMARY JUDGMENT
This trademark and copyright infringement action is currently before the Court on
Defendants and Counterclaimants Our Firm Foundation For Koreans, Inc. (“OFFK”),
Paul Im, Chang Sup Shim, and Justin Kim’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. 62]
and Motion for Partial Summary Judgment [Doc. 64]. Having considered the Motions,
the parties’ arguments, and the applicable law, the Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc.
62] is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part, and the Motion for Partial Summary
Judgment [Doc. 64] is DENIED.
LEGAL STANDARD
Under Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, summary judgment must
be granted “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact
and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.”1 A genuine issue of material
fact only exists when “there is sufficient evidence favoring the nonmoving party for a
jury to return a verdict for that party.”2 Thus, summary judgment must be granted if
there is insufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to return a verdict for the nonmoving
party or, in other words, if reasonable minds could not differ as to the verdict.3 When
ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the Court must view the facts in the light
most favorable to the party opposing the motion.4
The moving party “always bears the initial responsibility of informing the
district court of the basis for its motion, and identifying those portions of the pleadings,
depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the
affidavits, if any, which it believes demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of
Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); see Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322 (1986).
Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249 (1986).
3 See id. at 249‐52.
4 Welch v. Celotex Corp., 951 F.2d 1235, 1237 (11th Cir. 1992).
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material fact” and that entitle it to a judgment as a matter of law.5 If the moving party
discharges this burden, the burden then shifts to the nonmoving party to go beyond the
pleadings and present specific evidence showing that there is a genuine issue of
material fact.6 This evidence must consist of more than mere conclusory allegations or
legal conclusions.7
BACKGROUND
I.
Facts
This intellectual property dispute arises from a doctrinal split within a Christian
ministry. The Court’s task of determining the undisputed facts has been unnecessarily
complicated by Plaintiffs Light for Life, Inc. and Pastor David Byung Kook Kang’s
failure to cite to evidence supporting their argument that genuine issues of material fact
remain. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 requires that, on summary judgment, “[a]
party asserting that a fact . . . is genuinely disputed must support the assertion by . . .
citing to particular parts of materials in the record.”8 The Court’s Local Rules echo this
requirement by stating
Response shall be made to each of the movant’s numbered material facts.
All material facts contained in the movant’s statement which are not
specifically controverted by specific citation to particular parts of materials
Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 323 (internal quotation marks omitted).
See Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e); see also Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 324‐26.
7 See Avirgan v. Hull, 932 F.2d 1572, 1577 (11th Cir. 1991).
8 Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(1)(A).
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in the record shall be deemed to have been admitted, unless otherwise
inappropriate.9
In response to Defendants’ Motions, Plaintiffs summarily deny facts without
providing any cites to the record. Nevertheless, the Court has exercised its discretion
and carefully reviewed the evidence submitted by Plaintiffs to determine whether their
conclusory denials are supported by the evidence.10 Where the evidence is absent, those
facts have been deemed admitted. The facts viewed in the light most favorable to
Plaintiffs, the nonmovants, are as follows:
The road to the current litigation began in 1989, when Plaintiff Pastor Kang
founded his ministry on the writings of Ellen G. White and the traditions of the Seventh
Day Adventist movement.11 In furtherance of that ministry, on July 24, 1990, Pastor
Kang incorporated Defendant Our Firm Foundation for Koreans, Inc. (“OFFK”) as a
Georgia not‐for‐profit corporation and served both as president and as a member of the
board of directors.12 Pastor Kang’s primary role was conducting the ministry of OFFK,
which included educating and teaching through various media (including radio and
M.D. Ga., L.R. 56 (emphasis added).
See Reese v. Herbert, 527 F.3d 1253, 1270‐71 (11th Cir. 2008) (explaining that the district court has broad
discretion to overlook a party’s noncompliance with Local Rule 56.1 and consider all the evidence of
record on summary judgment).
11 David Byung Kook Kang Aff. ¶ 3 [Doc. 71‐1].
12 Justin Kim Decl. ¶¶ 3, 11 [Doc. 63‐1]; Kang Aff. ¶ 4, Ex.1 [Doc. 71‐1]; Chang Sup Shim Decl. ¶ 3 [Doc.
63‐4].
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television), writing books, giving sermons, and raising money.13 To this day, OFFK
continues to operate as a not‐for‐profit ministry that focuses on the dissemination of its
message through websites, magazines, TV broadcasting, and weekly sermons to the
Adventist community in the United States, South Korea, Japan, and China.14
In the early 1990s, Pastor Kang and OFFK expanded their ministry to non‐
Adventists and adopted the “Light for Life” mark to promote this new facet of their
ministry. 15 The parties agree that the mark was inspired by Ellen G. White’s book Light
for Life, but they disagree as to who adopted the mark. Pastor Kang contends he
adopted the mark to represent his entire ministry, which he contends is broader than
OFFK and includes other affiliated organizations and churches, and incorporated
Plaintiff Light for Life, Inc. (hereinafter “LFL, Inc.”) in 1993 to further serve this broader
ministry. 16 Pastor Kang avers that he and LFL, Inc. then orally granted the other
organizations, including OFFK, a license to use the “Light for Life” mark.17
OFFK, however, disputes Pastor Kang’s depiction of the circumstances
surrounding the adoption of the “Light for Life” mark. OFFK represents that, in early
1993, it began searching for a new name for its outreach ministry because “Our Firm
Kang Dep. 12:18‐20, 20:8‐23, 21:2‐11, 25:7‐24 [Doc. 63‐6].
Kim Decl. ¶ 5 [Doc. 63‐1].
15 Id. at ¶ 6; Andrew Kang Decl. ¶ 7 [Doc. 63‐2].
16 Kang Aff. ¶¶ 7, 13, Ex. 3 [Doc. 71‐1].
17 Id. at ¶ 14.
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Foundation,” the organization’s name and title of its magazine, was not appealable to
non‐Adventists.18 Accordingly, OFFK’s board of directors held a formal meeting and
adopted the name “Light for Life.”19
It is undisputed that OFFK began to use the “Light for Life” mark in its
distributed materials, including its monthly outreach magazine and its television
ministry in the early 1990s.20 OFFK first displayed the “Light for Life” mark on the
cover of its magazine in September of 1994.21 Pastor Kang was approached about
changing OFFK’s name to “Light for Life” but indicated that he wanted to continue to
use both names.22 In 2001, Plaintiffs authorized OFFK to register “Light for Life” as a
trade name with the Clerk of Court in Hart County, Georgia.23
In addition to adopting the “Light for Life” mark, the parties created websites to
promote ministry outreach, which included www.lightforlife.org, www.sostv.net,
www.finalg.org, www.askbible.net, www.askssabbath.org, and www.holytube.org
(collectively, the “Websites”).24 These Websites were used to further the ministry and
Pastor Kang’s teachings. 25 The Websites are registered by Min Ju Kim, a third party
A. Kang Decl. ¶¶ 4‐5 [Doc. 63‐2].
Id. at ¶ 7.
20 Kim Decl. ¶ 7 [Doc. 63‐1].
21 A. Kang Decl. ¶ 10 [Doc. 63‐2].
22 Alice Glenn Decl. ¶ 5 [Doc. 63‐3].
23 Kang Aff. ¶ 15, Ex. 4 [Doc. 71‐1].
24 Id. at ¶ 31.
25 Id.
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who is neither an agent nor an employee of OFFK.26 Instead, it appears as if Min Ju Kim
is a follower of Pastor Kang.27 The parties dispute who paid the registration fees for
these Websites.28
Pastor Kang also wrote and delivered speeches, lectures, sermons, books,
articles, and other works of authorship to promote ministry outreach.29 Pastor Kang
registered several of these works with the United States Copyright Office, including the
Book of Daniel, Revelation, Sanctuary, The Blotting Out of Sin, The Economical Stages of the
Sunday Law, The Last King is Rising, and Why Do You Serve God? (collectively, the
“Copyrighted Works”).30 OFFK as well as other organizations affiliated with the
ministry used and disseminated the Copyrighted Works pursuant to a license orally
granted by Pastor Kang.31
Over time, significant disagreement and strife regarding the theological direction
of the ministry arose between Pastor Kang and OFFK board members, Defendants Paul
Im and Chang Sup Shim.32 Defendants Im and Shim wanted to continue to align
OFFK’s ministry with the Seventh Day Adventist Church.33 Pastor Kang, on the other
Kim Decl. ¶ 24 [63‐1].
Id.
28 See Kang Aff. ¶ 32 [Doc. 71‐1]; Shim Decl. ¶ 13 [Doc. 63‐4].
29 Kang Aff. ¶ 7 [Doc. 71‐1].
30 Id. at ¶ 8, Ex. 2.
31 Id. at ¶ 7.
32 Id. at ¶ 33.
33 See Kim Decl. ¶ 22 [Doc. 63‐1].
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hand, sought to distance the ministry from the Adventist Church.34 In an attempt to
reduce tension, Pastor Kang resigned from the OFFK board in July 2011, and in
February 2012, resigned from his employment with OFFK.35
After Pastor Kang resigned, the parties began to dispute the ownership of several
of the ministry assets. On February 24, 2012, Plaintiffs sent a letter to OFFK revoking
OFFK’s license to use the “Light for Life” mark and directing OFFK “to cease and desist
carrying out any actions on behalf of [LFL, Inc.] or claiming an affiliation with or
authority to act on behalf of [LFL, Inc.].”36 Despite this letter, Plaintiffs contend that
OFFK seized control of the ministry Websites, deprived Plaintiffs of access to them, and
continued to use the Copyrighted Works and “Light for Life” mark on the Websites to
solicit donations from potential donors.37 Access and control of the Websites was later
returned to Min Ju Kim.38 Plaintiffs also contend that OFFK changed LFL, Inc.’s address
to a post office box in Franklin Springs, Georgia and took three vehicles belonging to
LFL, Inc.39
Id. at ¶ 19.
Kang Aff. ¶ 33 [Doc. 71‐1]; Kim Decl. ¶ 23 [Doc. 63‐1].
36 Kang Aff., ¶ 35, Ex. 7 [Doc. 71‐1].
37 Id. at ¶¶ 36‐38.
38 Id. at ¶ 40.
39 Id. at ¶¶ 43, 49‐50.
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I. Procedural History
On March 30, 2012, Plaintiffs LFL, Inc. and Pastor Kang filed this trademark and
copyright infringement suit against Defendants OFFK, Paul Im, Chang Sup Shim, and
Justin Kim. After filing suit, Plaintiffs obtained federal trademark registrations for
“Light for Life” (Reg. No. 4,233,113) and “Light for Life Ministry” (Reg. No. 4,233,109)
from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”).40 According to Reg.
No. 4,233,113, Plaintiffs first used the “Light for Life” mark in commerce on December
31, 1999.41 According to Reg. No. 4,233,109, Plaintiffs first used the “Light for Life
Ministry” mark in commerce on May 14, 1993.42
Following the Court’s order on Defendants’ motion to dismiss and Plaintiffs
voluntary dismissal of one claim, Plaintiffs’ remaining claims include: false designation
of origin under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) of the Lanham Act (Count II); copyright infringement
in violation of the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 101, et seq. (Count IV); trademark
infringement, counterfeiting, and dilution under both federal common law and Georgia
state law (Count V); unfair competition under Georgia common law (Count VI);
deceptive trade practices under O.C.G.A. § 10‐1‐370, et seq. (Count VII); conversion
(Count VIII); civil liability for computer trespass pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 16‐9‐93 (Count
Id. at ¶¶ 25, 28, Exs. 5 & 6.
Id. at Ex. 5.
42 Id. at Ex. 6.
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IX); and civil liability for false identification by use of computer pursuant to O.C.G.A. §
16‐9‐93.1 (Count X).
Defendants answered, denied liability, and asserted sixteen counterclaims of their
own against LFL, Inc., Pastor Kang, and Counterclaimant Gina Cho. These counterclaims
include similar claims for, inter alia, unfair competition, trademark infringement,
deceptive trade practices, dilution, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duties.
Defendants seek declaratory and injunctive relief as well as punitive damages.
On December 19, 2014, following a prolonged stay in this case due to the waning
health of Pastor Kang, Defendants collectively moved for summary judgment on all of
Plaintiffs’ claims. On that same day, Defendants moved for partial summary judgment
on Counts I‐III of their counterclaims, in which they seek (1) a declaratory judgment that
they did not infringe the “Light for Life” and “Light for Life Ministry” marks and (2)
cancellation of Plaintiffs’ federal trademark registrations for these marks. In addition,
Defendants have moved for summary judgment on Counts XII‐XIII of their
counterclaims for conversion of the Websites, donor information, and ministry funds.
In response, Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their claims against Defendants Paul
Im, Chang Sup Shim, and Justin Kim without prejudice. However, Plaintiffs argue that
genuine issues of material fact remain as to whether Plaintiffs or OFFK own the
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trademarks, the Copyrighted Works, domain names, and other personal property at
stake in this case, and, therefore, summary judgment would be inappropriate on any of
these claims.
DISCUSSION
The various claims and counterclaims in this case revolve around one primary
issue: ownership of ministry assets. The parties dispute ownership of intellectual
property, including the rights to use the “Light for Life” mark and the Copyrighted
Works. In addition, the parties dispute the ownership of other ministry assets, including,
but not limited to, the Websites, donor lists, and vehicles. The Court will address the
intellectual property and personal property claims in turn below.
I. Trademark‐Related Claims
In Counts II, V, VI, and VII of the Complaint, Plaintiffs raise claims for false
designation of origin under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) of the Lanham Act, trademark
infringement, counterfeiting, and dilution under both federal common law and Georgia
law, unfair competition under Georgia common law, and deceptive trade practices under
O.C.G.A. § 10‐1‐370, et seq., arising from OFFK’s use of the “Light for Life” mark. In
Counts I‐III of its Counterclaim, OFFK seeks a declaratory judgment that it has not
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committed trademark infringement as well as cancellation of Plaintiffs’ trademark
registrations for “Light for Life Ministry” and “Light for Life.” OFFK now moves for
summary judgment on all of these claims and counterclaims.
The analysis of these federal and state trademark‐related claims is materially the
same.43 To prevail on these claims, a party must prove that (1) it owns a valid and
protectable mark, and (2) the opposing party’s use of an identical or similar mark is likely
to cause confusion.44 OFFK argues it is entitled to summary judgment because Plaintiffs
cannot establish either element for the “Light for Life” mark. The Court, however, finds
that genuine issues of material fact exist as to both elements, and, therefore, summary
judgment on these claims is denied.
See Univ. of Georgia Athletic Assʹn v. Laite, 756 F.2d 1535, 1539 n.11 (11th Cir. 1985) (observing that the
standards governing Georgia state law claims for trademark infringement, deceptive trade practices, and
unfair competition are “similar, if not identical, to those under the Lanham Act.”); Jellibeans, Inc. v. Skating
Clubs of Georgia, Inc., 716 F.2d 833, 839 (11th Cir. 1983) (treating as correct district court’s holding that
Georgia deceptive trade practices and common law unfair competition claims involved the same
dispositive issue as the Lanham Act claim brought pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1125); Step Co. v. Consumer
Direct, Inc., 936 F. Supp. 960, 967 (N.D. Ga. 1994) (“[T]he consideration of the common law unfair
competition claim and Plaintiffʹs allegation that Defendant violated the Georgia Uniform Deceptive Trade
Practices Act is co‐extensive with the Lanham Act analysis.”); see also Planetary Motion, Inc. v. Techsplosion,
Inc., 261 F.3d 1188, 1193 n.4 (11th Cir. 2001) (“Courts may use an analysis of federal infringement claims
as a “measuring stick” in evaluating the merits of state law claims of unfair competition.”).
44 Gift of Learning Found., Inc. v. TGC, Inc., 329 F.3d 792, 797 (11th Cir. 2003) (citing 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)).
43
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A. Ownership of the “Light for Life” Mark
First, OFFK argues the undisputed evidence shows it is the rightful owner of the
“Light for Life” mark because it was the first to use the mark. In support, OFFK
contends it adopted the “Light for Life” mark in early 1993 and first used the mark in
September of 1994 by displaying the mark on the cover of its magazine. Plaintiffs
counter that the fact OFFK was the first to use the mark in commerce is not dispositive
because OFFK’s use of “Light for Life” was made pursuant to an oral license granted by
Plaintiffs. Thus, OFFK’s first use of the mark did not vest OFFK with any ownership
rights in the mark.
Under common law, mere adoption of a mark, in and of itself, is not sufficient to
create a protectable trademark. 45 Instead, trademark ownership rights are
“appropriated only through actual prior use in commerce.”46 However, a licensor
under certain circumstances can acquire a protectable trademark interest through a
licensee’s use of the mark, even if the licensor himself did not use the mark first.47
When a licensee uses a mark, “[the] licensee’s use inures to the benefit of the licensor‐
See Blue Bell, Inc. v. Farah Mfg. Co., 508 F.2d 1260, 1267 (5th Cir. 1975) (“Mere adoption of a mark without
bona fide use, in an attempt to reserve it for the future, will not create trademark rights.”).
46 Tally‐Ho, Inc. v. Coast Cmty. Coll. Dist., 889 F.2d 1018, 1022 (11th Cir. 1989).
47 See Turner v. HMH Publ’g Co., 380 F.2d 224, 229 (5th Cir. 1967); see also 3 McCarthy on Trademarks and
Unfair Competition § 18:46 (4th ed. 2004) (“Ownership rights in a trademark or service mark can be
acquired and maintained through the use of the mark by a controlled licensee even when the first and
only use of the mark was made, and is being made, by the licensee.”).
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owner of the mark and the licensee acquires no ownership rights in the mark itself.”48
This common law rule has been codified in Section 5 of the Lanham Act.49 “In order for
[a] licensor to acquire and maintain ownership based on the licensee’s use of the mark,
the licensor must exercise some control over the licensee’s use of the mark.”50
Here, a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether Plaintiffs controlled
OFFK’s first use of the mark pursuant to an oral license and whether OFFK’s use
pursuant to that license vested Plaintiffs with a protectable trademark interest in the
“Light for Life” mark. Indeed, there is evidence in the record suggesting Pastor Kang
exerted control over OFFK’s use of the “Light for Life” mark. Specifically, one witness
testified that she approached Pastor Kang about possibly changing OFFK’s name to
Light for Life, but Pastor Kang indicated he wanted to continue to use both names. If
Pastor Kang controlled OFFK’s use of the mark pursuant to a license, OFFK would not
have a protectable trademark interest arising from its use of the “Light for Life” mark.
Instead, ownership rights would vest with Pastor Kang as the licensor. OFFK, however,
disputes that its use of the mark was made pursuant to a license. Therefore, whether
3 McCarthy on Trademarks & Unfair Competition § 18:45.50 (4th ed. 2004).
Id.
50 Dual Groupe, LLC v. Gans‐Mex LLC, 932 F. Supp. 2d 569, 574 (S.D.N.Y. 2013); see also 15 U.S.C. § 1055
(“If first use of a mark by a person is controlled by the registrant or applicant for registration of the mark
with respect to the nature and quality of the goods or services, such first use shall inure to the benefit of
the registrant or applicant[.]”).
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such a license existed, and, by extension, which party owns the mark, are issues better
left for the jury.
B. Likelihood of Confusion
OFFK also argues it is entitled to summary judgment because Plaintiffs cannot
establish the second element of their trademark‐related claims: that OFFK’s use of the
“Light for Life” mark will likely cause confusion. To determine whether a likelihood of
confusion exists, the court must consider seven factors: the “(1) type of mark; (2)
similarity of mark; (3) similarity of the products the marks represent; (4) similarity of the
partiesʹ retail outlets and customers; (5) similarity of advertising media; (6) defendantʹs
intent; and (7) actual confusion.”51 Whether a likelihood of confusion exists is a question
of fact.52
OFFK contends there is no evidence that OFFK sold or distributed the Plaintiffs’
products and services bearing the “Light for Life” mark after February 24, 2012, when
Plaintiffs allegedly revoked the trademark license. Plaintiffs, however, have presented
letters sent from OFFK to third parties bearing the “Light for Life” mark and purporting
to be from the Light for Life Ministry after February 2012. In addition, Plaintiffs have
51
52
Caliber Auto. Liquidators, Inc. v. Premier Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, LLC, 605 F.3d 931, 935 (11th Cir. 2010).
Jellibeans, Inc., 716 F.2d at 839.
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presented a letter displayed on the Websites during the time when OFFK controlled
access to these Websites. This letter purports to be from the Light for Life board of
directors and requests continuing financial support from the ministry’s followers.
Clearly, if OFFK used the mark in the same channels (websites, letters), targeted at the
same audience (Adventist and non‐Adventist Christians), in the same industry (Christian
ministry), a jury could find a likelihood of confusion.
Because genuine issues of material fact exist as to who owns the “Light for Life”
mark and whether the opposing party’s use of the mark will likely cause confusion,
summary judgment on Plaintiffs and OFFK’s trademark‐related claims and
counterclaims must be denied.
II. Copyright Infringement Claim
In Count IV of their Complaint, Plaintiffs allege that OFFK committed copyright
infringement by unlawfully displaying and distributing the Copyrighted Works after
Plaintiffs revoked their license to do so. “To establish a claim of copyright infringement,
a plaintiff must prove first, that he owns a valid copyright in a work and second, that the
defendant copied original elements of that work.”53
53
Leigh v. Warner Bros., 212 F.3d 1210, 1214 (11th Cir. 2000).
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OFFK argues it is entitled to summary judgment because Plaintiffs cannot
establish that they own the Copyrighted Works54 or that OFFK unlawfully copied,
published, or distributed the Copyrighted Works. The Court agrees that Plaintiffs have
failed to establish the second element of their copyright infringement claim.
OFFK argues that Plaintiffs cannot show OFFK committed copyright infringement
because Pastor Kang orally granted OFFK a license to distribute the Copyrighted Works
and never revoked that license prior to filing this suit. Plaintiffs respond by arguing that
the February 2012 letter revoked OFFK’s license, but, despite this revocation, OFFK
continued to disseminate the Copyrighted Works.
Assuming without deciding that Plaintiffs granted OFFK a license to distribute the
Copyrighted Works and the February 2012 letter effectively revoked that license,
Plaintiffs have presented no admissible evidence showing that OFFK unlawfully copied
54
Although Plaintiffs have proffered evidence showing that they obtained copyright registrations for the
Copyrighted Works, OFFK argues that it is the rightful owner of these works pursuant to the work‐for‐
hire doctrine. See 17 U.S.C. § 201(b). Under this doctrine, when an employee creates a work within the
scope of his employment, the ownership rights in the work vest in the employer, not the employee. Id.; see
also 17 U.S.C. § 101 (defining “work made for hire” as “a work prepared by an employee within the scope
of his or her employment”). OFFK argues that because Pastor Kang created the Copyrighted Works
within the scope of his employment as OFFK’s president, therefore, the Copyrighted Works belong to
OFFK. Because OFFK is entitled to summary judgment on the second prong of Plaintiffs’ copyright
infringement claim, the Court will not address OFFK’s argument regarding ownership pursuant to the
work‐for‐hire doctrine.
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or distributed the Copyrighted Works after February 2012. Pastor Kang admitted during
his deposition that he has no evidence OFFK copied or published his books, and the
record is devoid of any sales of the Copyrighted Works by OFFK. Instead, Plaintiffs
point to screenshots from the Websites, a flyer, letters displayed on the Websites, and
letters sent to third parties, purportedly displaying and advertising the Copyrighted
Works. This evidence, however, is insufficient to create a triable issue of copyright
infringement.
First, the website screenshots and flyer purporting to advertise the Copyrighted
Works are in Korean. “[F]ederal court proceedings must be conducted in English.”55
Without an English translation, the Court cannot consider this evidence on summary
judgment.56
Second, the letters displayed on the Websites as well as the letters sent to third
parties do not reference the Copyrighted Works. The only letter that refers to the
Copyrighted Works constitutes inadmissible hearsay. In that letter, dated March 11,
2012 and addressed to Pastor Kang, an individual states that she received a list of the
recorded sermons or seminars from the Franklin Springs, Georgia address.57 “The
United States v. Rivera‐Rosario, 300 F.3d 1, 5 (1st Cir. 2002).
See Lopez‐Carrasquillo v. Rubianes, 230 F.3d 409, 413‐14 (1st Cir. 2000) (declining to consider a deposition
excerpt in Spanish on summary judgment when an English translation was not provided).
57 Kang Aff., Ex. 10 [Doc. 71‐1].
55
56
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general rule is that inadmissible hearsay cannot be considered on a motion for summary
judgment.”58 Nevertheless, the Court may consider hearsay on summary judgment if
the statement can be reduced to admissible form at trial.59 Plaintiffs, however, failed to
show how this evidence can be reduced to admissible form. Thus, the Court cannot
consider it.
Without this evidence, Plaintiffs have failed to show that OFFK copied,
distributed, sold, or otherwise used the Copyrighted Works after February 2012. As
such, OFFK is entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ copyright infringement
claim.
III. Conversion Claims
In addition to their intellectual property claims, both Plaintiffs and OFFK assert
conversion claims regarding certain personal property. Specifically, Plaintiffs allege
OFFK converted ministry assets including the Websites, vehicles, audio and video
production equipment, master tapes, donations, and other personal property. Similarly,
OFFK alleges that Plaintiffs converted the Websites, donor lists, donations, equipment,
and other property from OFFK premises. OFFK seeks summary judgment on all of these
58
59
Macuba v. Deboer, 193 F.3d 1316, 1322 (11th Cir. 1999) (internal quotation marks omitted).
Id. at 1323.
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claims, arguing that the undisputed evidence shows it is the rightful owner of all the
ministry assets.
“To establish a claim for conversion, the complaining party must show (1) title to
the property or the right of possession, (2) actual possession in the other party, (3)
demand for return of the property, and (4) refusal by the other party to return the
property.”60 With the respect to the majority of the parties’ conversion claims, the only
element disputed by the parties is the first—namely who owns title to or has the right to
possess the property.
Having reviewed the evidence, the Court finds genuine issues of material fact
exist on all the conversion claims except for Plaintiffs’ conversion claims for the audio
and video production equipment, master tapes, donations, and two unidentified
vehicles.
A. Websites
Both Plaintiffs and OFFK claim a property interest in the Websites and argue that
the opposing party converted the Websites following Pastor Kang’s resignation. The
evidence shows that OFFK seized control over the Websites in early 2012. Access and
control over these Websites was later returned to Plaintiffs. Based on the parties’
respective periods of control, both Plaintiffs and OFFK raise conversion claims for the
60
Washington v. Harrison, 299 Ga. App. 335, 338 (2009) (internal quotation marks omitted).
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other party’s alleged interference with their access to the Websites. In its Motions, OFFK
now argues the undisputed evidence shows it owns the Websites, and therefore, it is
entitled to summary judgment on these claims. The Court, however, finds a genuine
issue of material fact exists as to who owns the Websites.
The Websites are registered by a third party, Min Ju Kim, who OFFK admits is not
an employee or agent of OFFK. Instead, the registrant is a follower of Pastor Kang.
Moreover, the parties dispute who paid the registration fees for the Websites. OFFK
claims it paid the domain name registration fees; whereas Pastor Kang claims the
Websites were created and maintained by Light for Life Ministry’s Korean affiliate and
were funded by donations to Light for Life Ministries.61 Neither party, however,
provides evidence of such payments. As such, a genuine issue of material fact exists as to
who owns the Websites.
B. Plaintiffs’ Conversion Claim for Other Personal Property
Plaintiffs also claim OFFK converted other ministry assets including vehicles,
audio and video production equipment, master tapes, and ministry donations. OFFK
OFFK contends the Court cannot consider Pastor Kang’s Affidavit on this issue because it directly
contradicts his previous deposition testimony. In his affidavit, Pastor Kang avers that the registration
fees were paid by donations to Light for Life Ministries. Kang. Aff. ¶ 32 [Doc. 71‐1]. In his deposition,
however, when asked if OFFK paid the registration fees, he responded “Maybe, yeah, I don’t remember.”
Kang Dep. 56:21‐24 [Doc. 63‐6]. These statements are not entirely inconsistent given Pastor Kang’s
indication that he could not remember who paid the fees at the deposition. Therefore, the Court will
consider the Affidavit along with the other evidence on this issue.
61
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now moves for summary judgment, arguing Plaintiffs have failed to present any
evidence showing Plaintiffs owned the referenced personal property.
Plaintiffs do not argue or present any evidence showing OFFK converted audio
and video production equipment, master tapes, or ministry donations. Because Plaintiffs
fail to address OFFK’s argument regarding this property, the Court finds Plaintiffs have
abandoned their conversion claims as to that property.62
Plaintiffs do, however, present evidence regarding their conversion claim of the
vehicles. Plaintiffs contend OFFK converted three vehicles owned by LFL, Inc. Pastor
Kang avers that he demanded return of the three vehicles after he resigned from OFFK,
but OFFK refused. OFFK later sold one of the vehicles without Plaintiffs’ authorization.
To support their claim of ownership, Plaintiffs offer a copy of the registration suspension
notice for one of the vehicles showing it was registered in LFL, Inc.’s name.63 OFFK does
not dispute that it currently possesses the vehicles and that it sold one of them. Instead,
OFFK contends it owns the vehicles because it paid for them.
See Davis v. Coca‐Cola Bottling Co. Consol., 516 F.3d 955, 972 (11th Cir. 2008) (“[The plaintiff] did not
defend the claim on summary judgment; he thus abandoned it.”); Wilkerson v. Grinnell Corp., 270 F.3d
1314, 1322 (11th Cir. 2001) (finding claim abandoned where plaintiff did not address claim on summary
judgment). Moreover, even if Plaintiffs had not abandoned their conversion claim as to that property,
they have produced no evidence of conversion by OFFK.
63 OFFK objects to the admissibility of the vehicle registration suspension as hearsay. However, because
the registration suspension may be reducible to admissible form at trial as falling under the public
records exception, Fed. R. Evid. 803(8)(A)‐(B) or otherwise authenticated, the Court may consider it on
summary judgment.
62
22
Having considered the evidence, the Court finds a genuine issue of material fact
exists as to who owns the one vehicle for which Plaintiff has proffered a vehicle
registration suspension showing title in LFL, Inc.’s name. Plaintiffs’ evidence, however,
falls short of demonstrating ownership of the other two unidentified vehicles.
Accordingly, OFFK’s is entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ conversion
claims for the audio and video production equipment, master tapes, ministry donations,
and two unidentified vehicles; summary judgment, however, must be denied with
respect to the one vehicle identified in the registration suspension notice.
C. OFFK’s Conversion Claim for Other Personal Property
OFFK also asserts a counterclaim for conversion of donor lists, donations,
equipment, and other property. OFFK contends, after he resigned, Pastor Kang took
donor lists used in OFFK’s ministry that belonged to OFFK. In addition, OFFK contends
that Pastor Kang’s son‐in‐law and his followers removed property including computer
and video equipment from OFFK’s office during the two‐week transition period
following Pastor Kang’s resignation.
As to OFFK’s claim for conversion of donor lists, a genuine issue of material fact
remains as to who owns those lists. Pastor Kang admits to using these lists, but argues
that OFFK did not own them. Instead, Pastor Kang states that all the organizations
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affiliated with the Light for Life Ministry routinely shared the lists. Thus, the ownership
of these lists is an issue for the jury.
As to OFFK’s claim regarding the office equipment, a genuine issue of material
fact exists as to whether Plaintiffs converted the personal property allegedly taken from
OFFK’s office. Plaintiffs do not contest that OFFK owns the office equipment Pastor
Kang’s son‐in‐law and other followers are accused of removing from OFFK’s office.
Rather, Pastor Kang avers he does not possess the disputed property. OFFK, however,
claims Plaintiffs have the property. Thus, there appears to be a genuine issue of material
fact as to the second element of conversion.
Moreover, assuming Pastor Kang’s son‐in‐law and other followers took the
property, an issue remains as to whether they were acting on behalf of or at the direction
of Pastor Kang. Under Georgia law, an agent and the principal on whose behalf the
agent acts can be liable for conversion.64 However, where a person acts without direction
from a third party, no agency relationship exists to impute liability to the third party.65
Here, it is unclear whether Pastor Kang’s son‐in‐law and followers were acting on behalf
of Pastor Kang such that the Court could find Pastor Kang liable for conversion under
See Maryland Cas. Ins. Co. v. Welchel, 257 Ga. 259, 261 (1987) (“Whoever meddles with anotherʹs
property, whether as principal or agent, does so at his peril[.]”).
65 See Page v. Braddy, 255 Ga. App. 124, 126 (2002) (finding that neighbor who sold timber could not be
held liable for conversion of trees cut by grantee beyond fence line because grantee was not acting as
neighbor’s agent when grantee cut more trees than directed to by neighbor).
64
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agency theory. Thus, a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether Plaintiffs
converted OFFK’s property.
IV. Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act Claims
In addition to their intellectual property and personal property claims, Plaintiffs
seek redress under the Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act (“CSPA”) for OFFK’s
alleged interference with the Websites. The Georgia Assembly enacted the CSPA to
address problems with “computer related crimes” and to aid the “prosecution of
persons engaged in computer related crime.”66 To further that purpose, the CSPA
defines various computer related crimes and creates civil liability for these offenses
under certain circumstances.67 Plaintiffs’ Complaint alleges two of these offenses: (1)
computer trespass (Count IX) and (2) false identification by use of a computer (Count
X).
A party commits computer trespass when it
uses a computer or computer network with knowledge that such use is
without authority and with the intention of:
(1)
(2)
Deleting or in any way removing, either temporarily or permanently,
any computer program or data from a computer or computer
network;
Obstructing, interrupting, or in any way interfering with the use of a
computer program or data; or
66
67
O.C.G.A. § 16‐9‐91.
See O.C.G.A. § 16‐9‐93.
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(3)
Altering, damaging, or in any way causing the malfunction of a
computer, computer network, or computer program, regardless of
how long the alteration, damage, or malfunction persists[.]68
OFFK argues it is entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ computer trespass claim
for two reasons. First, Plaintiffs fail to show that OFFK’s access to the Websites was
“without authority” because the undisputed evidence shows that OFFK was the rightful
owner of the Websites. However, for the reasons provided above, a genuine issue of
material fact remains as to who rightfully owns the Websites, and thus, OFFK is not
entitled to summary judgment on this ground.
Second, OFFK argues that Plaintiffs have produced no evidence showing that
OFFK intentionally deleted or removed any computer program or data from the
Websites. The CSPA, however, states that a party may commit computer trespass by
“obstructing, interrupting, or in any way interfering with the use of a computer program
or data.”69 In his affidavit, Pastor Kang avers that OFFK seized access to and control
over the Websites and deprived Plaintiffs of access to those Websites—facts clearly
implicating the statutory elements of computer trespass. Thus, OFFK is not entitled to
summary judgment on this claim.
In Count X, Plaintiffs assert a claim under section 16‐9‐93.1 of the CSPA, which
prohibits a party from knowingly transmitting data through a computer network if that
68
69
O.C.G.A. § 16‐9‐93(b).
O.C.G.A. § 16‐9‐93(b)(2).
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data contains a trade name or registered trademark “to falsely identify the [party]
transmitting such data” or “falsely state or imply that such [party] has permission or is
legally authorized to use” the trade name or registered trademark.70 By usurping
control over the Websites, Plaintiffs contend OFFK transmitted data containing the
“Light for Life” mark, falsely portraying themselves as authorized to use that mark.
OFFK’s sole argument for summary judgment on this claim is that it owns the “Light
for Life” mark. Because a genuine issue of material fact exists as to who owns the
“Light for Life” mark, OFFK is not entitled to summary judgment on Count X.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, OFFK’s Motion for Summary Judgment [Doc. 62] is
GRANTED in part and DENIED in part. Counts II, V‐VII, VIII (regarding conversion of
the vehicle and Websites), and IX‐X of the Complaint may proceed. However, OFFK is
entitled to summary judgment on Counts IV and Count VIII (regarding conversion of the
remaining property identified above) of the Complaint. OFFK’s Motion for Partial
Summary Judgment [Doc. 64] on Counts I‐III and Counts XII‐XIII of its Counterclaims is
DENIED.
70
O.C.G.A. § 16‐9‐93.1(a).
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SO ORDERED, this 12th day of February, 2015.
S/ C. Ashley Royal
C. ASHLEY ROYAL
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
ADP/ssh/jrf
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