B& F System, Inc. v. LeBlanc et al
Filing
339
ORDER denying 296 Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law; granting in part and denying in part 299 Motion for Statutory Damages; granting in part and denying in part 300 Motion for Permanent Injunction; granting in part and denying in part 303 Motion for Attorney Fees. Plaintiff's written election as to statutory damages is due by July 6, 2012. Final judgment will be entered as soon as the election is made. Ordered by Judge Hugh Lawson on June 29, 2012. (mbh)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF GEORGIA
VALDOSTA DIVISION
THE B & F SYSTEM, INC.,
Plaintiff,
Civil Action No. 7:07-CV-192 (HL)
v.
LLOYD J. LEBLANC JR., MAXAM
WHOLESALE OF ATLANTA, INC., DIRECT
SOURCE IMPORTS, INC., ARTHUR
JEFFREY LEBLANC, LLOYD LEBLANC III,
PRODUCTOS MEXICANOS DON JOSE,
INC., LEBLANC’S LLC, and EDNA G.
LEBLANC,
Defendants.
ORDER
This case is before the Court on the following motions: (1) Defendants’ Motion
for Judgment as a Matter of Law, for Equitable Revision Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §
1117(a), and/or in the alternative, for New Trial, or Partial New Trial, or Remittitur
(Doc. 296); (2) Plaintiff’s Motion for Statutory Damages (Doc. 299); (3) Plaintiff’s
Motion for Permanent Injunctive Relief (Doc. 300); and (4) Plaintiff’s Motion for
Attorney’s Fees (Doc. 303).
Upon consideration, the Court rules as follows:
(1)
Defendants’ Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, for Equitable
Revision Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a), and/or in the alternative, for New Trial, or
Partial New Trial, or Remittitur (Doc. 296) is denied.
(2)
Plaintiff’s Motion for Statutory Damages (Doc. 299) is granted, in part,
and denied, in part.
(3)
Plaintiff’s Motion for Permanent Injunctive Relief (Doc. 300) is granted,
in part, and denied, in part.
(4)
Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees (Doc. 303) is granted, in part, and
denied, in part.
I.
BACKGROUND
This case was tried in three phases to a jury beginning on January 17, 2012.
On January 23, 2012, the jury returned its Phase I verdict. On February 3, 2012, the
jury returned its Phase II verdict and Phase III verdict. In Phase II, the jury found that:
(1) Lloyd LeBlanc was liable for breach of the Maxam Independent Distributor
Agreement (“MIDA”); (2) Lloyd LeBlanc was liable for breach of the Service Mark
License Agreement (“SMLA”); (3) Productos Mexicanos Don Jose, Inc. (“PMDJ”) and
Direct Source Imports, Inc. (“DSI”) tortiously interfered with the contractual
relationship between Lloyd LeBlanc and Plaintiff established by the MIDA; (4) Edna
LeBlanc, Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBLanc, PMDJ, and DSI tortiously interfered with the
contractual relationship between Lloyd LeBlanc and Plaintiff established by the
SMLA; (5) Lloyd LeBlanc, Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, Edna LeBlanc, Maxam
Wholesale of Atlanta, Inc. (“MWA”), DSI, and PMDJ infringed on Plaintiff’s “MAXAM”
registered trademark; (6) Lloyd LeBlanc, Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, Edna LeBlanc,
MWA, DSI, and PMDJ infringed on Plaintiff’s lid knob trademark; (7) Lloyd LeBlanc,
Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, Edna LeBlanc, MWA, DSI, and PMDJ infringed on
Plaintiff’s “MAXAM WHOLESALE” trademark; (8) Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, DSI,
2
and PMDJ were liable for false designation of origin/unfair competition; (9) Jeff
LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, DSI, and PMDJ violated the Georgia Uniform Deceptive
Trade Practices Act; (10) Jeff LeBlanc violated the Anticybersquatting Consumer
Protection Act (“ACPA”); (11) Lloyd LeBlanc, Edna LeBlanc, Jeff LeBlanc, and Jody
LeBlanc engaged in a civil conspiracy; (12) DSI and PMDJ engaged in a common
business enterprise; and (13) Jody LeBlanc and Jeff LeBlanc are personally liable
for any trademark infringement, false designation of origin/unfair competition, and
torts committed by PMDJ and DSI.
The jury found that the Lanham Act violations were malicious, fraudulent,
deliberate, or willful. The jury also found that with regard to the Georgia Uniform
Deceptive Trade Practices Act claim, the liable Defendants willfully engaged in the
trade practice knowing it to be deceptive. The jury also determined that Jeff
LeBlanc’s ACPA violations were malicious, fraudulent, deliberate, or willful.
The jury returned verdicts for Plaintiff on each of Lloyd LeBlanc’s
counterclaims. The jury also returned defense verdicts in favor of LeBlanc’s, LLC on
all claims brought against it by Plaintiff.
As for damages, the jury awarded $72,114 on the breach of the MIDA claim,
$35,665 on the breach of the SMLA claim, $7,500 on the MIDA tortious interference
claim against DSI, $35,665 on the SMLA tortious interference claim against Jeff
LeBlanc, $35,665 on the SMLA tortious interference claim against Jody LeBlanc,
$35,665 on the SMLA tortious interference claim against PMDJ, $57,066 on the
3
SMLA tortious interference claim against DSI, $600,000 in actual damages on the
Lanham Act claims, $357,040 in profits on the Lanham Act claims, $96,000 in actual
damages on the ACPA claim, and $96,000 in profits on the ACPA claim.
In their Phase III verdict, the jury declined to award any punitive damages to
Plaintiff.
Defendants have now renewed their prior motions for judgment as a matter of
law under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50. Defendants have also moved for
equitable revisions of the jury’s Lanham Act verdicts pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §
1117(a). In the alternative, Defendants request a new trial under Federal Rule of
Civil Procedure 59, or a remittitur.1
II.
DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR JUDGMENT AS A MATTER OF LAW, FOR
EQUITABLE REVISION PURSUANT TO 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a), AND/OR IN
THE ALTERNATIVE, FOR NEW TRIAL, OR PARTIAL NEW TRIAL, OR
REMITTITUR2
A.
Renewed Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50 provides that “[a] party’s motion for
judgment as a matter of law can be granted at the close of evidence or, if timely
1
Looking at Defendants’ motion, it appears the Court did not get anything right during the
entire three week trial. The Court has endeavored to address every error raised by
Defendants.
2
On May 8, 2012, the Court entered a text order denying Defendants’ motion for leave to
file excessive pages for its reply brief. In an obvious effort to flout the Court’s ruling,
Defendants filed a reply brief written in 10-point font without a proper full case caption.
These efforts did not go unnoticed by the Court.
4
renewed, after the jury has returned its verdict, as long as ‘there is no legally
sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find’” for the non-moving party.
Chaney v. City of Orlando, Fla., 483 F.3d 1221, 1227 (11th Cir. 2007) (quoting
Lipphardt v. Durango Steakhouse of Brandon, Inc., 267 F.3d 1183, 1186 (11th Cir.
2001) (citing Fed.R.Civ.P. 50)). A jury verdict “must be left intact if there is evidence
from which the decision maker . . . reasonably could have resolved the matter the
way it did.” Rodriguez v. Farm Stores Grocery, Inc., 518 F.3d 1259, 1264 (11th Cir.
2008). Even if the evidence would have supported a verdict for the losing party, “[t]he
issue is not whether the evidence was sufficient for [the losing party] to have won,
but whether the evidence was sufficient for it to have lost.” Id. at 1264-65. A “court
must evaluate all the evidence, together with any logical inferences, in the light most
favorable to the non-moving party.” Beckwith v. City of Dayton Beach Shores, Fla.,
58 F.3d 1554, 1560 (11th Cir. 1995).
Defendants argue that they are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the
following: (1) the breach of the MIDA claim against Lloyd LeBlanc; (2) the tortious
interference claim against Edna LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, Jeff LeBlanc, PMDJ, and
DSI as to the SMLA; (3) the tortious interference claim against PMDJ and DSI as to
the MIDA; (4) the jury’s finding that the lid knob trademark is a valid trademark; (5)
the jury’s finding that Defendants infringed on the lid knob trademark; (6) the jury’s
finding that “MAXAM WHOLESALE” was a valid trademark; (7) the jury’s finding that
Plaintiff owned the common law trademark “MAXAM WHOLESALE”; (8) the jury’s
5
finding that Defendants infringed on the “MAXAM WHOLESALE” common law
trademark; (9) the false designation of origin/unfair competition claim against Jeff
LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, DSI, and PMDJ; (10) the jury’s actual damages award on
the Lanham Act claims; (11) the jury’s finding that the Defendants’ actions in
connection with the Lanham Act claims were malicious, fraudulent, deliberate, or
willful; (12) the jury’s profit award on the Lanham Act claims; (13) the jury’s actual
damages award on the ACPA claim; and (14) the jury’s profits award on the ACPA
claim.3
Applying the standards set forth for a Rule 50 motion, the Court finds that the
evidence was sufficient to support the jury’s determinations. Defendants are not
entitled to judgment as a matter of law under Rule 50(b).
B.
Motion for New Trial
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 59(a) governs motions for new trial. Pursuant
to Rule 59, a court may grant a new trial “for any reason for which a new trial has
heretofore been granted in an action at law in federal court.” Fed.R.Civ.P.
59(a)(1)(A). A party may seek new trial on the grounds “that the verdict is against the
weight of the evidence, that the damages are excessive, or that, for other reasons,
the trial was not fair to the party moving; and may raise questions of law arising out
3
Defendants specifically mention Rule 50 and a request for judgment as a matter of law in
connection with these issues.
6
of alleged substantial errors in admission or rejection of evidence or instructions to
the jury.” Montgomery Ward & Co. v. Duncan, 311 U.S. 243, 251, 61 S.Ct. 189
(1940). Resolution of a motion for new trial is committed to the discretion of the trial
court. Montgomery v. Noga, 168 F.3d 1282, 1295 (11th Cir. 1999).
Defendants seek a new trial based on weight of the evidence, alleged errors in
the jury instructions and verdict form, and alleged errors in evidentiary decisions.
1.
Weight of the evidence
“A judge should grant a motion for new trial when ‘the verdict is against the
clear weight of the evidence or will result in a miscarriage of justice, even though
there may be substantial evidence which would prevent the direction of a verdict.’”
Lipphardt, 267 F.3d at 1186 (quoting Hewitt v. B.F. Goodrich Co., 732 F.2d 1554,
1556 (11th Cir. 1984)). “Because it is critical that a judge does not merely substitute
his judgment for that of the jury, ‘new trials should not be granted on evidentiary
grounds unless, at a minimum, the verdict is against the great - not merely the
greater - weight of the evidence.’” Lipphardt, 267 F.3d at 1186.
Defendants contend that the following portions of the jury’s verdict were
against the great weight of the evidence: (1) that Lloyd LeBlanc breached the MIDA
resulting in damages to Plaintiff; (2) that Lloyd LeBlanc breached the SMLA resulting
in damage to Plaintiff; (3) that Plaintiff did not breach the MIDA; (4) that Plaintiff did
not breach the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (5) that any Defendant
tortiously interfered with any contractual relationship between Lloyd LeBlanc and
7
Plaintiff resulting in damage to Plaintiff; (6) that the lid knob trademark is a valid
trademark; (7) that Defendants infringed on the lid knob trademark; (8) that
Defendants infringed on the “MAXAM WHOLESALE” common law trademark; (9)
that Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, DSI, and PMDJ committed false designation of
origin/unfair competition; (10) that Defendants’ actions in connection with the
Lanham Act claims were malicious, fraudulent, deliberate, or willful; (11) the actual
damages verdict on the Lanham Act claims; (12) that Plaintiff was entitled to profits
on the Lanham Act claims; and (13) that Defendants violated the Georgia Uniform
Deceptive Trade Practices Act.4
Upon review, the Court finds that the evidence was sufficient to support the
verdict. The verdict was not against the clear weight of the evidence, and it will not
result in a miscarriage of justice.
2.
Jury instructions and verdict form
A motion for new trial based on erroneous jury instructions is properly granted
only where there is “substantial and ineradicable doubt as to whether the jury was
properly guided in its deliberations.” Johnson v. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc.,
437 F.3d 1112, 1115 (11th Cir. 2006) (citation omitted). The question is “whether the
jury charges, considered as a whole, sufficiently instructed the jury so that the jurors
4
Defendants specifically mention the “weight of evidence” in connection with these jury
findings. Many are repetitive of those addressed as part of the Rule 50 motion.
8
understood the issues and were not misled.” Johnston v. Companion Prop. & Cas.
Ins. Co., 318 F. App’x 861, 864 (11th Cir. 2009). “If the jury instructions accurately
reflect the law, the trial judge is given wide discretion as to the style and wording
employed in the instructions.” Johnson, 437 F.3d at 1115.
The failure to give a requested jury instruction is error “only if the instruction is
correct, is not adequately covered by the charges given, and deals with a point so
important that failure to give the instruction seriously impaired the defendant’s ability
to present an effective defense.” Adams v. Sewell, 946 F.2d 757, 767 (11th Cir.
1991) (quoting United States v. Hill, 935 F.2d 196, 200 (11th Cir. 1991)).
The Court also has wide discretion in framing the wording and styling of the
verdict form. See Farley v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 197 F.3d 1322, 1330 (11th Cir.
1999). Jury instructions and verdict forms are considered together rather than
separately in assessing a motion for a new trial. Id. at 1329.
Defendants argue that the Court erred by not giving all or portions of its
requests to charge 12, 13, 14B, 26, 36, 36A, 37, 41, 42, 42A, 42B, 45, 51, 53,
supplemental charges 1 and 2, and a stipulation regarding paragraphs 2 and 15 of
the MIDA. Defendants also contend the Court gave numerous incorrect charges,
including the tortious interference with contractual relations charges and certain
Lanham Act charges.
The Court first notes that requests to charge 36A, 42A, and 42B were not
given because they were not timely submitted. As for the other arguments relating to
9
the requests to charge, upon review of the record, the Court finds no meritorious
basis for it to grant a new trial based on the jury instructions.
The Court similarly finds no basis for a new trial in Defendants’ argument
regarding the verdict form. Defendants make a conclusory argument that failure to
use their proposed special interrogatories materially affected their substantial rights
to a fair trial. Such a conclusory argument does not establish grounds for a new trial.
3.
Evidentiary rulings
An evidentiary ruling warrants a new trial only if the complaining party’s
substantial rights were affected. Peat, Inc. v. Vanguard Research, Inc., 378 F.3d
1154, 1162 (11th Cir. 2004). Defendants have the burden of proving that an error
“probably had a substantial influence on the jury’s verdict.” United States v.
Stephens, 365 F.3d 967, 977 (11th Cir. 2004) (quotation marks and citation omitted).
Defendants argue that the Court erred by admitting Plaintiff’s Exhibits 45, 52,
55-58, 60, 82, 200, 218-221, 271, 291-292, 323, and 339 during Phase I of the trial.
These exhibits are purchasing documents.
Defendants argue that the Court erred by admitting Plaintiff’s Exhibits 61, 6369, 83, 85-86, 90-94, 184-185, 187-189, 209, 213-214, 217, 233, 277, 287, 290, 301,
317-319, 321, 342-343, and 456 during Phase II of the trial. These exhibits are also
purchasing documents. Defendants further contend the Court should not have
allowed testimony from Plaintiff about these documents.
10
Defendants contend that the Court erred in allowing testimony from Plaintiff
regarding Paragraph 4 of the MIDA.
Defendants also contend the Court erred in admitting Plaintiff’s Exhibits 17,
19, 97-98, 101, 105, 108-109, 110-113, 117, and 204 during Phase II of the trial.
These are physical exhibits including baseball caps, cutlery sets, cookware, leather
vests, and leather purses. These exhibits were presented to the jury so they could
compare the products sold by Plaintiff and Defendants.
Defendants contend the Court erred by allowing testimony from Plaintiff
regarding the MIDA.
Defendants contend the Court erred by allowing testimony from Plaintiff
concerning alleged compromise settlements of other infringement claims against
Lake Industries and Jillian Distributors.
Defendants finally argue the Court erred by allowing testimony from John
Meyer about alleged customer confusion and the opinions of customers regarding
the distinctiveness of the lid knob.
As noted above, to be entitled to a new trial on the basis of the admission or
exclusion of evidence, the moving party must show that the alleged error affected its
substantial rights. To the extent there was any error, Defendants have not shown that
the error resulted in substantial prejudice or substantial injustice. The Court declines
to award a new trial on this ground.
4.
Other issues
11
Defendants argue that the Court erred by allowing the jury to consider
Paragraph E of the MIDA. Defendants assert that Paragraph E is void. The Court
ruled on that issue prior to trial, finding that the jury could consider Paragraph E.
The Court disagrees with Defendants that judgment as a matter of law on that issue
is required.
Defendants also argue that the Court erred in changing its pretrial ruling to
extend Paragraph E to electronic customer lists. However, the Court is not prohibited
from revoking or changing pretrial rulings based on the evidence and argument
presented at trial. The Court outlined the reasons it believed it appropriate to change
this particular ruling and finds no reason to grant a new trial on that basis.
C.
Equitable Revision/Remittitur
Defendants contend that all of the damages awarded by the jury are
excessive. They have requested that the Court exercise its equitable powers under
15 U.S.C. § 1117(a) and reduce the jury’s verdicts on the Lanham Act claims. They
alternatively request a remittitur of all of the jury’s monetary awards.
The standard for reviewing jury awards is whether the award “shocks the
conscience of the court.” See Simon v. Shearson Lehman Bros., Inc., 895 F.2d 1304,
1310 (11th Cir. 1990); Sykes v. McDowell, 786 F.2d 1098, 1105 (11th Cir. 1986). A
court which believes the jury’s verdict is excessive may order a new trial unless the
plaintiff agrees to remit a portion of the jury’s award. Johansen v. Combustion Eng’g,
Inc., 170 F.3d 1320, 1328 (11th Cir. 1999). However, “[t]he district judge should not
12
substitute his own credibility choices and inferences for the reasonable credibility
choices and inferences made by the jury.” Redd v. City of Phenix City, Ala., 934 F.2d
1211, 1215 (11th Cir. 1991) (citing Rosenfield v. Wellington Leisure Prods., Inc., 827
F.2d 1493, 1498 (11th Cir. 1987)). “When there is some support for a jury’s verdict, it
is irrelevant what we or the district judge would have concluded.” Id.
Having heard the evidence at trial, and taking into consideration the deference
due the jury’s determination, the Court finds that the jury’s award is not beyond the
realm of reasonableness. The Court declines to reduce or remit the jury’s damage
award.
III.
PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR STATUTORY DAMAGES
As noted above, the jury found that Jeff LeBlanc violated the ACPA through
his use of the domain names maxamwholesale.com and/or maxamwholesale.net
during the time period of May 31, 2007 to June 4, 2011. The jury awarded Plaintiff
$96,000 in actual damages and $96,000 in profits. The jury also found that Jeff
LeBlanc’s actions were malicious, fraudulent, deliberate, or willful.
Under the ACPA, “the plaintiff may elect, at any time before final judgment is
rendered by the trial court, to recover, instead of actual damages and profits, an
award of statutory damages in the amount of not less than $1,000 and not more than
$100,000 per domain name, as the court considers just.” 15 U.S.C. § 1117(d).
Plaintiff now requests that the Court award statutory damages in the amount of
13
$100,000 for maxamwholesale.com and $100,000 for maxamwholesale.net against
Lloyd LeBlanc, Edna LeBlanc, Jeff LeBlanc, and Jody LeBlanc each individually.
The Court will first address Plaintiff’s request that the statutory damages be
awarded against Lloyd LeBlanc, Edna LeBlanc, Jeff LeBlanc, and Jody LeBlanc
individually. The Court agrees with Defendants that only Jeff LeBlanc can be held
liable for the cyberpiracy damages. Plaintiff never alleged a contributory
cybersquatting claim, and did not allege a conspiracy to commit cybersquatting
claim, if such a thing even exists. The ACPA limits liability to persons who
improperly register or use a domain name, and liability for “using” a domain name
arises “only if [a] person is the domain name registrant or that registrant’s authorized
licensee.” 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d)(1)(D). Jeff LeBlanc registered the domain names,
and under the statute he is the only person that can be held liable. Even though the
jury returned a verdict in favor of Plaintiff on the civil conspiracy charge, the plain
language of the statute limits liability to the registrant of the domain name. Thus, any
damages for the ACPA violation will be limited to Jeff LeBlanc.
Moving on to the statutory damages request, Plaintiff urges the Court to award
the maximum statutory amount. In general, when a plaintiff seeks statutory damages,
“the court has wide discretion in determining the amount of statutory damages to be
awarded, constrained only by the specified maxima and minima.” Columbia Pictures
Television, Inc. v. Krypton Broad. of Birmingham, Inc., 259 F.3d 1186, 1194 (9th Cir.
2001) (copyright action). The statutory damages are designed to discourage
14
wrongful conduct, as well as to afford restitution and reparation for injury. E. & J.
Gallo Winery v. Spider Webs Ltd., 286 F.3d 270, 278 (5th Cir. 2002).
In finding Jeff LeBlanc liable under the ACPA, the jury determined he acted
with a bad faith intent to profit. The jury also found that Jeff LeBlanc’s actions were
malicious, fraudulent, deliberate, or willful. It is also important in ruling on this issue
to remember that Jeff LeBlanc’s companies were direct competitors of Plaintiff.
Based on the facts established at trial, the Court finds statutory damages in
the amount of $90,000 for each domain name to be appropriate, for a total sum of
$180,000.
Plaintiff shall have until July 6, 2012 to make its election between the amounts
awarded by the jury ($96,000 in actual damages and $96,000 in profits) and the
$180,000 in statutory damages as determined by the Court.
IV.
PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR PERMANENT INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
Permanent injunctive relief is generally available under the Lanham Act. 15
U.S.C. § 1116. While injunctions are frequently granted against infringing parties, a
plaintiff is not automatically entitled to an injunction. See Angel Flight of Ga., Inc. v.
Angel Flight Am., Inc., 522 F.3d 1200, 1208 (11th Cir. 2008). In order to obtain
injunctive relief, a plaintiff must demonstrate that:
(1) it has suffered an irreparable injury;
(2) remedies available at law, such as monetary damages,
are inadequate to compensate for that injury;
15
(3) considering the balance of hardships between the
plaintiff and defendant, a remedy in equity is warranted;
and
(4) the public interest would not be disserved by a
permanent injunction.
Id.
Thus, the standard for permanent injunctive relief is essentially the same as
for preliminary injunctive relief, except that the movant must show actual success on
the merits instead of a likelihood of success on the merits. Siegel v. Lepore, 234
F.3d 1163, 1213 (11th Cir. 2000). Plaintiff has already been awarded a preliminary
injunction, and has shown actual success on the merits of its trademark infringement
claims.
Plaintiff has presented a proposed permanent injunction to the Court, which
has been reviewed and considered. The Court believes certain elements of the
proposed injunction are overbroad and declines to implement them. The Court has
crafted its own injunction, and orders that the following permanent injunctive relief is
entered against Lloyd LeBlanc, Edna LeBlanc, Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, PMDJ,
DSI, and MWA (referred to collectively as “Defendants” for purposes of this portion
of the Order), and their respective officers, agents, employees, successors and
assigns, and any other person or entity in active concert or participation with them:
16
(1)
Defendants shall immediately destroy any and all print and electronic
copies of Plaintiff’s master customer list still within their possession, including but not
limited to Plaintiff’s Exhibits 136, 137, and 197.
(2)
Defendants are permanently enjoined from making use of the contents
of Plaintiff’s master customer list for any and all purposes.
(3)
Defendants are permanently enjoined from transferring or conveying
Plaintiff’s master customer list to any person or entity.
(4)
Defendants are permanently enjoined from all use of any name,
designation, or mark containing the phrases “MAXAM” or “MAXAM WHOLESALE,”
or any marks similar thereto or likely to cause confusion therewith, in the
manufacturing, production, marketing, promotion, display, sale, offering for sale,
distribution, or advertising of any products or services.
(5)
Defendants are permanently enjoined from making any statements or
representations, or using the “MAXAM” or “MAXAM WHOLESALE” marks in any
way, that suggests an affiliation, connection, sponsorship, or association with
Plaintiff.
(6)
Defendants are ordered to destroy all advertising and promotional
materials or other printed material containing the marks “MAXAM” or “MAXAM
WHOLESALE.”
(7)
Defendants are permanently enjoined from all advertising, promotion,
and sale of any product containing any steam control lid knob substantially similar to
17
Plaintiff’s lid knob depicted in its Supplemental Register lid knob trademark (the
“infringing lid knob”), including but not limited to removing all photographs of such
items
from
www.buydsi.com,
www.heirloomcookware.com,
and
www.kitchenpridecookware.com.
(8)
Defendants are permanently enjoined from marketing, promoting,
advertising, selling, offering for sale, distributing, or otherwise disposing of any
product containing the infringing lid knob.
(9)
Defendants are permanently enjoined from destroying, altering,
disposing of, concealing, or tampering with all business records, emails, invoices,
purchase orders, confirmation orders, packing lists, and other information associated
with the purchase, receipt, sale, production, promotion, or other disposition of
products containing the infringing lid knob.
(10)
Defendants are permanently enjoined from otherwise violating Plaintiff’s
trademark rights.
(11) Defendants are permanently enjoined from effecting assignments or
transfers, forming new entities or associations, or utilizing any other device for the
purpose of circumventing or otherwise avoiding the prohibitions set forth above.
(12)
Defendants are permanently enjoined from aiding, abetting, contributing
to, or otherwise assisting from engaging in activities enjoined above.
18
IV.
PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR ATTORNEY’S FEES
15 U.S.C. § 1117(a) permits a court to award attorney’s fees “in exceptional
cases.” The Eleventh Circuit has defined an “exceptional case” for purposes of a
Lanham Act fee claim as one where the infringing party acts in a malicious,
fraudulent, deliberate, or willful manner. Burger King Corp. v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.,
15 F.3d 166, 168 (11th Cir. 1994); Optimum Techs., Inc. v. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc.,
217 F. App’x 899, 903 (11th Cir. 2007). “Although a case may rise to the level of
exceptionality, the decision to grant attorney fees remains within the discretion of the
trial court.” Burger King, 15 F.3d at 168 (citation omitted). The jury determined that
the liable Defendants’ actions were malicious, fraudulent, deliberate, or willful, and
the Court finds that the circumstances of this case justify a discretionary award of
attorney’s fees under § 1117(a).
To calculate reasonable attorney’s fees, the court must multiply the “number of
hours reasonably expended on the litigation” and the “reasonable hourly rate” for the
attorney’s services. Hensley v. Eckerhart, 461 U.S. 424, 433, 103 S.Ct. 1933 (1983).
The product of these two numbers is the base figure, or “lodestar.” Pennsylvania v.
Delaware Valley Citizens’ Council, 478 U.S. 546, 563, 106 S.Ct. 3088 (1986). The
court may then account for other considerations that may require an enhancement or
reduction of the fee. See Norman v. Hous. Auth. of Montgomery, 836 F.2d 1292,
1302 (11th Cir. 1988).
19
Factors courts should consider in calculating an award include: (1) the time
and labor required; (2) the novelty and difficulty of the legal questions; (3) the skill
requisite to perform the legal service properly; (4) the preclusion of other
employment by the attorney due to the acceptance of the case; (5) the customary
fee; (6) whether the fee is fixed or contingent; (7) time limitations imposed by the
client or circumstances; (8) the amount involved and the results obtained; (9) the
expertise, reputation and ability of the attorneys; (10) the “undesirability” of the case;
(11) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client; and (12)
awards in similar cases. Johnson v. Ga. Hwy. Express, Inc., 488 F.2d 714, 717-19
(5th Cir. 1974), abrogated in part on other grounds, Blanchard v. Bergeron, 489 U.S.
87 (1989); see also Cable/Home Comm. Corp. v. Network Prod., Inc., 902 F.2d 829,
853 (11th Cir. 1990).
The party seeking the fees “bears the burden of establishing entitlement and
documenting the appropriate hours and hourly rates.” ACLU of Ga. v. Barnes, 168
F.3d 423, 427 (11th Cir. 1999). Here, Plaintiff seeks $513,132.41 in attorney’s fees.
A.
Reasonable Hourly Rates
Reasonable hourly rates are to be measured by the “prevailing market rates in
the relevant community.” Blum v. Stenson, 465 U.S. 886, 895, 104 S.Ct. 1541
(1984). Prevailing market rates are those rates that are in line with those prevailing
in the community for similar services by lawyers of reasonably comparable skill,
experience, and reputation. Id. at 895. The party seeking fees bears the burden of
20
producing “satisfactory evidence that the requested rate is in line with prevailing
market rates.” Loranger v. Stierheim, 10 F.3d 776, 781 (11th Cir. 1994) (quotation
omitted). By “satisfactory evidence,” the Court means “more than the affidavit of the
attorney performing the work.” Id. (quoting Norman, 836 F.2d at 1299)).
Plaintiff has filed affidavits from Drew DeMott, Charles E. Peeler, Colonel
John P. Sinnott, James Thagard, and Wade Coleman, each of which outlines what
the attorney believes to be reasonable hourly rates for the attorneys and paralegals
who worked on the case. Based on the information provided in the affidavits, along
with the Court’s own familiarity with prevailing rates in the Valdosta market, the Court
finds the following hourly rates to be reasonable: Drew DeMott - $225; James
Thagard - $250; David Garland - $250; Jason Willcox - $225; Kim Minix - $200;
Matthew Eutzler - $175; James Edge - $175; Matthew Monroe - $175; Lee Brown $130; Bart Davis - $125; Kimberly Shirley - $75; Ashlee Morris - $55; Jennifer
Walters - $75; and Lindsey Bobby - $75.
B.
Reasonable Number of Hours
The second step in calculating the lodestar amount involves determining
whether counsel spent a reasonable number of hours on the case. Excessive,
redundant, or otherwise unnecessary hours should not be included in the calculation.
See Barnes, 168 F.3d at 427.
21
Plaintiff seeks reimbursement for a total of 2,140.6 hours spent litigating the
case. This consists of 2,053.4 hours of attorney time and 87.2 hours of paralegal
time. The Court will address the paralegal time first.
Plaintiff seeks reimbursement for the following hours billed by paralegals
working on the case: Kimberly Shirley - 7.2 hours; Lindsey Bobby - 7 hours; Jennifer
Walters - 0.6 hours; and Ashlee Morris - 72.4 hours.
Work by paralegals is recoverable as part of an attorney’s fees award only to
the extent that the paralegal performs work traditionally done by an attorney. Jean v.
Nelson, 863 F.2d 759, 778 (11th Cir. 1988). The Court has closely reviewed the
billing records submitted by Plaintiff and finds that some of the work billed by the
paralegals was clerical in nature, including but not limited to, filing documents on
CM/ECF, creating binders, telephone calls with the Clerk of Court and the
undersigned’s chambers, telephone calls with court reporters, and drafting form
pleadings. Accordingly, the Court has reduced the claimed paralegal time as
appropriate. Plaintiff will be reimbursed for the following hours billed by the
paralegals: Kimberly Shirley - 3.4 hours; Lindsey Bobby - 0 hours; Jennifer Walters 0.6 hours; and Ashlee Morris - 48.7 hours.5
5
As discussed further infra, Morris’ hours relating to Plaintiff’s supplement to its fees
motion were also cut.
22
As for attorney time, Plaintiff seeks reimbursement for the following hours
billed by attorneys working on the case: Drew DeMott - 1,662.8 hours; James
Thagard - 13.4 hours; David Garland - 1.5 hours; Jason Willcox - 0.4 hours; Kim
Minix - 0.8 hours; Matthew Eutzler - 14.8 hours; James Edge - 2.9 hours; Matthew
Monroe - 119.1 hours; Lee Brown - 227.2 hours; and Bart Davis - 10.5 hours. For
several reasons, the Court finds that reductions to these claimed hours are
warranted.
First, some of the claimed hours consist of clerical work. “When reviewing an
application for attorney’s fees, the court may appropriately consider whether the
work performed was legal work in the strict sense or was merely clerical work that
happened to be performed by a lawyer.” Miller v. Kenworth of Dothan, Inc., 117
F.Supp.2d 1247, 1261 (M.D. Ala. 2000) (internal citations and quotations omitted).
The Court may deduct time entries for clerical work performed by an attorney as
excessive. Id. Such work claimed by the attorneys in this case includes but is not
limited to filing documents on CM/ECF, reviewing filing receipts generated by
CM/ECF, and organizing files. The Court has reduced the hours billed accordingly.
Second, on April 30, 2012, the Court entered an order requiring Plaintiff to
supplement its original attorney’s fees motion. This was because Plaintiff did not
provide proper support for its original motion. The Court does not believe Defendants
should be required to pay attorney’s fees related to Plaintiff’s supplement to its fees
motion. The Court has reduced the hours billed by counsel accordingly.
23
Third, some of the billed entries relate to the separate declaratory judgment
action filed by State Farm. It is inappropriate for those hours to be charged to
Defendants.
After deducting time for clerical tasks, the supplemental attorney’s fees motion
work, and the declaratory judgment action, the following hours are left for each
attorney: Drew DeMott - 1,637.5 hours; James Thagard - 12.9 hours; David Garland
- 1.5 hours; Jason Willcox - 0 hours; Kim Minix - 0.4 hours; Matthew Eutzler - 14.8
hours; James Edge - 2.0 hours6; Lee Brown - 218.8 hours; Matthew Monroe - 118.6
hours; and Bart Davis - 10.5 hours.
However, the Court finds that additional reductions to the hours claimed are
required. Some of the attorney time entries are redacted without explanation. The
Court cannot tell if the tasks are compensable or related to the present case. If
Plaintiff believed it necessary to maintain the confidentiality of this information, it
could have moved to file unredacted versions of the billing statements under seal,
but it did not. While some of the entries containing redactions have been reduced by
Plaintiff’s counsel as being “unrelated”, for the majority of the entries the Court
cannot tell if it is the redacted part of the entry that is “unrelated” or something else in
the entry. Thus, the Court has decided to reduce the hours for all entries containing
6
While Plaintiff claims 2.9 hours for James Edge, the Court can find only 2 billed hours in
the records that have not been eliminated or reduced by counsel.
24
redactions by 20 percent. This reduction results in the following revised hours for the
attorneys: Drew DeMott - 1,604.38 hours; James Thagard - 12.9 hours; David
Garland - 1.5 hours; Jason Willcox - 0 hours; Kim Minix - 0.4 hours; Matthew Eutzler
- 14.8 hours; James Edge - 2.0 hours; Lee Brown - 216.54 hours; Matthew Monroe 118.6 hours; and Bart Davis - 10.44 hours.
The Court must also address the issue of block billing, which is when counsel
lists all of the day’s tasks in a single entry, without separately identifying the time
spent on each task. The Eleventh Circuit has acknowledged the problems created by
block billing, as that sort of timekeeping “makes it difficult, if not impossible, to
calculate with any precision the number of hours an attorney devoted to a particular
task in [the] litigation.” Barnes, 168 F.3d at 429. The court described block billing as
a “problem” for which the opponent should not be “penalized.” Id.
In this case, the Court has found it difficult to gauge the reasonableness of
many of the time entries submitted by lead counsel for Plaintiff, Drew DeMott. For
instance, on March 2, 2012, counsel billed 9.9 hours as follows:
Work on Memorandum of law in Support of Motion for
Attorney’s Fees; Analyze law regarding treble damages
and prejudgment interest; Correspondence to Bill, John,
Tami and Tom re: same; Correspondence with Don and
Rob re: complying with Interim Injunction; Prepare Notice
of Filing Portions of Trial Transcript; Work on spreadsheet
of Attorney’s Fees and Expenses; Work on Motion for
Attorney’s Fees; Work on Motion for Permanent Injunctive
Relief, Order and memorandum in Support; Work on
Motion for Statutory Damages; Work on Memorandum of
25
Law in Support; Work on Motion for Statutory Damages;
Work on Memorandum of Law in Support
On July 2, 2010, counsel billed 8.7 hours for the following:
Work on discovery production; Work on examinations of
Jody LeBlanc and Lloyd LeBlanc based on new evidence;
Work on damages methodology and calculations; Work on
obtaining catalogs and tabloids; Receive and review email
from Bill Meyer regarding tax returns; Correspond with Bill
and John regarding damages; Telephone conference with
John regarding production issues; Receive and review
confirmation of service of subpoenas on Haywood House,
American Surgical Steel, Steve Muscella, and TNT School
Sup.; Correspond with Don and Rob regarding discovery
issues; Telephone conference with M. Wagner regarding
subpoena responses; Prepare subpoenas to Marion
Chappell, Leather and Lace of Rome, Jose & Maria Coss,
Direct Buy of Atlanta, Fortune Valley Hotel & Casino,
American Marketing, Inc., and David Ramon;
Correspondence to Don and Rob regarding supplementing
responses to DSI, Jeff, and Jody’s discovery;
Correspondence to Don and Rob regarding supplementing
responses to Edna’s discovery; Receive and preliminarily
review Robert G Marshall subpoena response; Telephone
calls to Don regarding production issues; Email to Don
and Rob regarding same
Similar blocked entries are found throughout DeMott’s time entries.7 It is
impossible for the Court to determine how much time was spent on each task, which
makes determining reasonableness difficult. The Court recognizes that it can be an
7
For a small sample of the block billing found throughout the statements, see the entries
for November 29, 2007, December 5, 2007, December 18, 2007, February 19, 2008,
March 13, 2008, August 25, 2008, December 2, 2008, February 27, 2009, April 30, 2009,
May 13, 2009, June 2, 2009, November 3, 2009, April 20, 2010, May 12, 2010, July 1,
2010, October 31, 2011, November 2, 2011, December 27, 2011, February 7, 2012, and
March 1, 2012.
26
arduous task for an attorney to write down what he does every six minutes,
especially if he is working on the same client’s file all day. But it is not impossible.
Certainly an attorney can break out specific time for working on a motion versus
talking on the telephone versus supplementing discovery responses, especially in a
case like this where Plaintiff planned on seeking to recoup its attorney’s fees from
the day the complaint was filed.
A number of courts have approved across-the-board billing deductions to
counteract block billing. See, e.g., Pall Corp. v. 3M Purification Inc., 2012 WL
1979297 (E.D.N.Y. 2012) (30 percent reduction); BJCC, LLC v. LeFevre, 2011 WL
5597305 (M.D. Fla. 2011) (10 percent reduction); Ceres Envtl. Servs., Inc. v. Colonel
McCrary Trucking, LLC, 2011 WL 1883009 (S.D. Ala. 2011), aff’d, 2012 WL
1414994 (11th Cir. 2012) (10 percent reduction); 2002 Irrevocable Trust for Richard
C. Hvizdak v. Shenzhen Dev. Bank, Co., Ltd., 2011 WL 4112776 (M.D. Fla. 2011)
(20 percent reduction). Based on its review of the billing records, the Court believes
a 10 percent reduction of all hours claimed by Plaintiff for DeMott is appropriate.
Thus, the revised hour calculation for DeMott is 1,443.94 hours.
Finally, the Court notes that in determining a reasonable fee, the hours spent
on unsuccessful claims must be excluded. Norman, 836 F.2d at 1302. Plaintiff
acknowledges that it was not successful on its claims for false advertising, trade
dress infringement, conversion, inducing breach, tortious interference with
prospective business relations, partnership, and defamation. Counsel states that he
27
has eliminated hours directly attributable to those claims. Counsel further states that
he has eliminated hours attributable to its defense of Defendants’ counterclaims and
its tortious interference claims. Defendants also correctly point out that Plaintiff was
unsuccessful on its misappropriation of trade secrets claim and use of advertising
ideas claim. Plaintiff was also unsuccessful on its alter ego claim, its claims against
LeBlanc’s LLC, and its false designation claims against Lloyd LeBlanc, Edna
LeBlanc, and MWA.
A review of the billing statements shows that certain entries were reduced or
eliminated by counsel as being “unsuccessful” or “unrelated.”8 However, it is not
clear why certain reductions were made, or how the amounts of the deductions were
determined. Some entries are reduced by half, others by one-third. Further, the
reductions are not consistent. For instance, Plaintiff filed a motion for preliminary
injunction that was only partially successful. Some of the time entries relating to the
preliminary injunction were reduced as being unsuccessful, while other entries
relating to the same matter are left untouched. Compare April 24, 2008 entry to April
28, 2008 entry. Similarly, while counsel states that time relating to Plaintiff’s defense
of Defendants’ counterclaims was excluded that was not consistently done. Time
was spent on April 5, 2010 and April 6, 2010 relating to the counterclaims, but no
8
The hours for which Plaintiff seeks reimbursement are the reduced hours.
28
reductions were made. Again, this is mainly an issue with the hours billed by DeMott,
who did the overwhelming majority of the work on the case. While the Court certainly
appreciates counsel’s effort to make reductions for unsuccessful and unrelated hours
billed, it finds that a further reduction is warranted. The Court declines to make a line
by line analysis of five years of billing records, and instead will reduce DeMott’s total
hours by another five percent to account for the remaining unsuccessful claims. This
leaves him with a total of 1,371.74 hours.
Multiplying the reasonable hourly rate by the reasonable hours expended
yields the following lodestar amounts:
Timekeeper
Number of Hours
Hourly Rate
Fee
Drew DeMott
1,371.74
$225
$308,641.50
James Thagard
12.9
$250
$3,225
David Garland
1.5
$225
$375
Jason Willcox
0
$225
$0
Kim Minix
0.4
$200
$80
Matthew Eutzler
14.8
$175
$2,590
James Edge
2
$175
$350
29
Matthew Monroe
216.54
$175
$37,894.50
Lee Brown
118.6
$130
$15,418
Bart Davis
10.44
$125
$1,305
Kimberly Shirley
3.4
$75
$255
Ashlee Morris
48.7
$55
$2,678.50
Jennifer Walters
0.6
$75
$45
Lindsey Bobby
0
$75
$0
The lodestar amount of fees due Plaintiff from Defendants is $372,857.50.
C.
Lodestar Adjustment
Plaintiff contends that the attorney’s fees award should be adjusted upward by
15 percent because of counsel’s “superior representation” which obtained
“exceptional results.”
The lodestar amount may be adjusted, but there is a “strong presumption” that
the lodestar is the reasonable sum the attorneys deserve. Perdue v. Kenny A. ex rel.
Winn, --- U.S. ---, 130 S.Ct. 1662, 1673 (2010). “Upward adjustments of the lodestar
figure are still permissible . . . in certain ‘rare’ and ‘exceptional’ cases, supported by
both ‘specific evidence’ on the record and detailed findings by the lower courts.”
30
Delaware Valley, 478 U.S. at 565 (quoting Blum, 465 U.S. at 898-901); see also
Perdue, 130 S.Ct. at 1673.
After careful consideration, the Court finds that an enhancement is not
warranted in this case. The results of the litigation and the quality of counsel’s
representation are already accounted for in the lodestar. Factors already accounted
for in the lodestar cannot be the basis for enhancing the lodestar. Perdue, 130 S.Ct.
at 1673. The “party seeking fees has the burden of identifying a factor that the
lodestar does not adequately take into account and proving with specificity that an
enhanced fee is justified.” Id. at 1669. Plaintiff has not met that burden. The request
for the 15 percent enhancement is denied.
D.
Nontaxable Expenses
Plaintiff also requests that the Court award nontaxable expenses under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(d)(2)(A) in the amount of $6,606.93. This amount
consists of $150.45 for telephone and fax costs, $1,468.83 in mileage costs, $734.83
in mailing costs, and $4,252.82 in computer research fees. The Court finds the
telephone and fax costs, mileage costs, and mailing costs to be reasonable and will
allow them. On the other hand, the Court denies the request for the computer
research fees. Computer research is generally considered part of attorney’s fees
rather costs. Haroco, Inc. v. Am. Nat’l Bank & Trust Co. of Chicago, 38 F.3d 1429,
1440 (7th Cir. 1994). As Plaintiff has to establish its entitlement to attorney’s fees,
Plaintiff similarly has to establish its entitlement to the computer research costs. The
31
entries contained in the billing statements merely read “Computer Research
(LexisNexis)” or “Computer Research (PACER).” That simply is not enough
information for the Court to determine the reasonableness of the charges. The Court
is not “responsible for combing through these various ledger entries and making
educated guesses as to what legal research was performed on various dates, and
whether the amount charged for that research is reasonable.” Dupuy v. McEwen, 648
F.Supp.2d 1007, 1031 (N.D. Ill. 2009). The Court will allow $2,354.11 in non-taxable
costs.
E.
Conclusion as to Attorney’s Fees
Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees (Doc. 303) is granted, in part, and denied,
in part. The Court orders Defendants to pay Plaintiff $372,857.50 in attorney’s fees
and $2,354.11 in non-taxable costs, for a total award of $375,211.61.
V.
COUNTERCLAIM FILED BY JEFF LEBLANC, JODY LEBLANC, AND DSI
Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, and DSI brought a counterclaim against Plaintiff
in which they asked the Court to cancel and remove the lid knob trademark from the
USPTO Supplemental Register. The Court has discretion under 15 U.S.C. § 1119 to
order the cancelation of a trademark. As no party moved for summary judgment on
this counterclaim, the Court reserved ruling until after the trial of the case.
In light of the jury’s findings with respect to the lid knob trademark, the Court
finds it would be inappropriate to cancel the lid knob trademark. The counterclaim
filed by Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, and DSI is dismissed.
32
VI.
CONCLUSION
Defendants’ Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law, for Equitable Revision
Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a), and/or in the alternative, for New Trial, or Partial
New Trial, or Remittitur (Doc. 296) is denied. Plaintiff’s Motion for Statutory
Damages (Doc. 299) is granted, in part, and denied, in part. Plaintiff shall have until
July 6, 2012 to make its statutory damages election in writing. Plaintiff’s Motion for
Permanent Injunctive Relief (Doc. 300) is granted, in part, and denied, in part.
Plaintiff’s Motion for Attorney’s Fees (Doc. 303) is granted, in part, and denied, in
part. Defendants are ordered to pay Plaintiff $372,857.50 in attorney’s fees and
$2,354.11 in non-taxable costs, for a total award of $375,211.61. The counterclaim
filed by Jeff LeBlanc, Jody LeBlanc, and DSI is dismissed. Final judgment will be
entered shortly after Plaintiff makes its election as to statutory damages. Plaintiff’s
Bill of Costs will be submitted to the Clerk of Court for consideration and decision.
SO ORDERED this 29th day of June, 2012.
/s/ Hugh Lawson
HUGH LAWSON, SENIOR JUDGE
mbh
33
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?