Axia NetMedia Corporation v. Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation

Filing 74

District Judge Timothy S. Hillman: MEMORANDUM AND ORDER entered granting #11 Motion for TRO. (Castles, Martin)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
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AXIA NETMEDIA CORPORATION
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CIVIL ACTION
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Plaintiff,
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NO. 4:17-CV-10482-TSH
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KCST, USA, INC.
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Plaintiff Intervenor
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)
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v.
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MASSACHUSETTS TECHNOLOGY
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PARK CORPORATION d/b/a
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MASSACHUSETTS TECHNOLOGY
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COLLABORATIVE
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Defendant.
______________________________________ )

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON DEFENDANT MASSACHUSETTS
TECHNOLOGY PARK CORPORATION’S MOTION FOR TEMPORARY
RESTRAINING ORDER (Docket No. 11)
April 24, 2017

HILLMAN, D.J.
Defendant Massachusetts Technology Park Corporation d/b/a Massachusetts Technology
Collaborative (“MTC”) filed this motion seeking a temporary restraining order requiring Plaintiff
Axia NetMedia Corporation (“Axia NetMedia”) to perform its obligations under the parties’
Guaranty Agreement while the parties resolve a breach of contract dispute. Having heard
argument and received evidence on the Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (Docket No.
11), MTC’s motion for temporary restraining order is granted.

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Background
MTC is an independent public instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Through state and federal grants, MTC built and owns the MassBroadband 123 network (“123
Network”). The 123 Network is comprised of over 1200 miles of fiber optic cable infrastructure,
which connects more than 120 communities in Central and Western Massachusetts. The 123
Network is used by numerous agencies serving critical public safety functions, including police
and emergency services, as well as thousands of other users and customers in Central and Western
Massachusetts.
On February 25, 2011, MTC entered into an Agreement for Network Operator Services
(“Network Operator Agreement”) with Axia NGNetworks USA, Inc. (“Axia US”), a whollyowned subsidiary of Axia NetMedia. The Network Operator Agreement is a 10-year public
services contract, under which MTC agreed to build and install the 123 Network, and Axia US
agreed to market, maintain, service, and operate the network, as well as collect revenues, pay its
expenses, and make fixed payments to MTC. On the same date, MTC also entered into a Guaranty
Agreement with Axia NetMedia, whereby Axia NetMedia guaranteed the performance and
payment obligations of Axia US, up to $4 Million. Section 2.1 of the Guaranty provides, in the
event of a default by Axia US in any of its payment and performance obligations under the
Network Operator Agreement, Axia NetMedia
(a)
shall make all such payments and perform all such obligations of the
Network Operator, as described in and in accordance with the terms of the Network
Operator Agreement, and as such obligations may be changed in accordance with
the terms of the Network Operator Agreement (the “Guaranteed Obligations”); and
(b)
shall fully and punctually pay and discharge, as the same become due and
payable, any and all costs, expenses and liabilities for or in connection with the
Guaranteed Obligations, including, but not limited to, the costs of causing the
substituted performance of the Guaranteed Obligations.

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This guaranty is limited to and capped at the amount of Four Million ($4,000,000)
US Dollars, and should Guarantor advance to MTC funds up to said amount,
Guarantor shall have no further obligation or liability under this Agreement.

Dkt. #23-3. To date, Axia NetMedia has not made any payments to MTC under the Guaranty.
In July 2014, after indications from Axia US that it intended to stop making payments to,
or on behalf of, MTC, until certain disputes between the parties were resolved, MTC commenced
litigation in Massachusetts Superior Court and obtained a TRO and preliminary injunction
requiring Axia US to perform its obligations pursuant to the “Continuing Performance” provision
of the Network Operating Agreement. This provision required the parties to continue performing
all obligations under the Network Operating Agreement while their dispute was being resolved.

Section 214 Authorization
Operation of a telecommunications network requires authorization from the Federal
Communications Commission (“FCC”) pursuant to Section 214 of the Communications Act of
1934. Once a network operator has obtained Section 214 authorization, it may not terminate or
transfer the authorization without FCC approval.
In early 2016, Axia NetMedia announced that it was being acquired by Partners Group AG,
a Swiss investment firm. To facilitate this acquisition, Axia NetMedia sought to transfer the
Section 214 authorization from its subsidiary, Axia US, into the Axia NGNetworks Trust (“the
Trust”). Axia NetMedia is the sole beneficiary of the Trust. On June 22, 2016, Axia NetMedia,
Axia US and the Trust filed a joint application with the FCC for approval of an agreement whereby
the Trust would acquire all issued and outstanding stock of Axia US, and its trustee, FSM Capital
Management, would assume control of the day-to-day operation of Axia US. After a period of
public notice, the FCC granted transfer of the Section 214 Authorization from Axia US to the Trust
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on July 29, 2016. MTC alleges that the Network Operating Agreement required MTC’s written
consent prior to any such transfer, which was never sought. Because MTC’s consent was not
sought, MTC did not learn of the application to transfer Section 214 authorization until after it had
been approved by the FCC, and therefore did not file a petition with the FCC to deny the
transaction, or otherwise oppose the application for transfer, during the public notice period. MTC
filed a petition with the FCC in November 2016 to transfer the Section 214 from the Trust back to
Axia USA, however, that petition was denied.
As part of the transfer of its Section 214 authorization to the Trust, Axia US entered into a
Transitional Services Agreement with Axia SuperNet Ltd. and Axia Connect Ltd., wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Axia NetMedia, which was approved by the FCC. Under the Transitional Services
Agreement, Axia SuperNet Ltd. and Axia Connect Ltd. provide the Trust with technical,
administrative, and operational support services required to operate the network.
In February 2017, Axia US changed its name to KCST USA, Inc. (“KCST”), and on March
22, 2017, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. On the same date, March 22, 2017, Axia
NetMedia filed the instant lawsuit seeking declaratory judgment that the Guaranty is unenforceable
as a result of MTC’s breach of the Network Operating Agreement with KCST, and MTC’s breach
of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in the Network Operating Agreement with
KCST and in the Guaranty Agreement with Axia NetMedia. Axia NetMedia further seeks
declaratory judgment that the Guaranty is void because Axia NetMedia’s performance of
obligations under the Guaranty would violate federal law and FCC regulations, as it would require
Axia NetMedia to “operate” the 123 Network without the requisite Section 214 Authorization.

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On March 23, 2017, triggered by KCST’s bankruptcy petition, MTC provided written
notice of an Event of Default to Axia NetMedia and made a demand under the Guaranty, but Axia
NetMedia has not responded to that demand.
Section 4.6 of the Guaranty Agreement executed by Axia NetMedia and MTC provides:
If the parties fail to resolve any dispute between them through
mediation, or are unable to convene mediation within 60 days of first
attempting to do so, then, at MTC’s sole discretion, MTC may file a demand
for arbitration by the American Arbitration Association in its office serving
Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules for Commerical Arbitration in
effect on the date of the Agreement providing the most expedited procedures
available, and any such arbitration may be consolidated with an arbitration
proceeding between MTC and the Network Operator. Except to the extent MTC
elects arbitration as the method of dispute resolution for a given dispute, all
disputes shall be resolved by litigation in a court serving Middlesex County,
Massachusetts, except that, if suit is filed in state court and is not removed to federal
court, the parties shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain acceptance of such law
suit in the Business Law Session of the Massachusetts Superior Courts. All other
provisions relating to dispute resolution or arbitration contained in the
Network Operator Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.

Compl. Ex. B, at § 4.6 (emphasis added). The relevant section of the Network Operator Agreement
is Section 11.2, entitled “Continued Performance,” which provides
The Parties agree to continue performing their respective obligations under the
Agreement (including the Wholesale Customer contracts and SLAs) while the
dispute is being resolved unless and until such obligations are terminated or expire
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, or unless otherwise directed
by MTC.

Dkt. #23-2, at § 11.2. On March 29, 2017, MTC filed a motion to compel Axia NetMedia to
arbitrate the claims raised in its Complaint in accordance with the dispute resolution terms of the
Guaranty Agreement.

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Discussion
In deciding a motion for a temporary restraining order, “a district court weighs four factors:
(1) the plaintiff's likelihood of success on the merits; (2) the potential for irreparable harm in the
absence of an injunction; (3) whether issuing an injunction will burden the defendants less than
denying an injunction would burden the plaintiffs; and (4) the effect, if any, on the public interest.”
Jean v. Massachusetts State Police, 492 F.3d 24, 26–27 (1st Cir. 2007); Quincy Cablesystems, Inc.
v. Sully's Bar, Inc., 640 F. Supp. 1159, 1160 (D. Mass. 1986).

A. Bankruptcy Stay
As an initial matter, Axia NetMedia and KCST assert that the injunctive relief MTC
seeks would violate Section 362(a)(3) of the Bankruptcy Code, which protects the debtor from
“any act to obtain possession of property of the estate or to exercise control over property of the
estate.” Axia NetMedia and KCST assert that, because contractual relationships are considered
property of the debtor’s estate, granting MTC’s requested injunctive relief would interfere with
KCST’s equitable interests and rights to operate the 123 Network under the Network Operating
Agreement while it is under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, in violation of Section 362.
However, enforcement of a third-party guarantee is not precluded by an automatic bankruptcy
stay. See, e.g., In re Colbran, LLC, 475 B.R. 289, 299 (Bankr. D. Mass. 2012) (“[The creditor]
may freely pursue those guarantors as the automatic stay does not apply to them.”). “[C]ommon
sense dictates that [a] guarantor remain fully liable even when the principle debtor seeks relief
under the Bankruptcy Code. After all, what good is a guaranteed [contract] if the guarantor
escapes liability when the debtor does?” In re Mayan Networks Corp., 306 B.R. 295, 300
(B.A.P. 9th Cir. 2004) (quoting Bel-Ken Assocs. Ltd. P'ship v. Clark, 83 B.R. 357, 359 (D. Md.

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1988)). Accordingly, KCST’s bankruptcy stay does not shield Axia NetMedia from performing
its obligations under the Guaranty.

B. Likelihood of Success on the Merits
Axia NetMedia asserts that MTC cannot show it is likely to succeed on the merits of its
claims because i) the “Continued Performance” provision of the Network Operator Agreement
was not incorporated by reference into the Guaranty, and ii) Axia NetMedia is excused from
performing under the Guaranty because MTC materially breached the Network Operating
Agreement and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in both the Network
Operating Agreement and the Guaranty.
“Under Massachusetts law, the interpretation of a contract ‘is ... a matter of law for the
court.’” Young v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 717 F.3d 224, 231 (1st Cir. 2013) (quoting Artuso v.
Vertex Pharm., Inc., 637 F.3d 1, 5–6 (1st Cir. 2011)). “The court interprets a contract that is free
from ambiguity according to its plain meaning.” S. Union Co. v. Dep't of Pub. Utilities, 458
Mass. 812, 820, 941 N.E.2d 633, 640 (2011). “Contract language is ambiguous ‘only if it is
susceptible of more than one meaning and reasonably intelligent persons would differ as to
which meaning is the proper one.’” Id. (quoting Citation Ins. Co. v. Gomez, 426 Mass. 379, 381,
688 N.E.2d 951 (1998)). “However, an ambiguity is not created simply because a controversy
exists between parties, each favoring an interpretation contrary to the other.” Lumbermens Mut.
Cas. Co. v. Offices Unlimited, Inc., 419 Mass. 462, 466, 645 N.E.2d 1165, 1168 (1995).
Axia NetMedia asserts that all “critical obligations” agreed to by the parties were set
forth in Article II of the Guaranty, entitled “Covenants and Agreements.” It claims that Section
4.6 was never intended to provide any additional covenant or agreement, and that incorporating

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the “Continued Performance” provision by reference into the Guaranty creates ambiguities. In
support of its assertion, Axia NetMedia points to the placement of the language incorporating by
reference the dispute resolution provisions of the Network Operator Agreement under Section
4.6 of the Guaranty, entitled “Governing Law, Jurisdiction, Venue and Forum.” is evidence that
Axia NetMedia never agreed to perform any further obligations under the “Dispute Resolution”
provisions of the Network Operator Agreement. However, this contention is belied by the fact
that the bulk of the language in Section 4.6 addresses the resolution of disputes between Axia
NetMedia and MTC. The two sentences that precede the incorporation by reference provision
outline what will happen “[i]f the parties fail to resolve any dispute between them through
mediation,” and how disputes between the parties will be resolved in the event MTC does not
elect arbitration. While the section heading does not include the phrase “dispute resolution,” the
substance of the paragraph clearly details how the parties intended to resolve disputes.
Further, while Axia NetMedia suggests MTC is picking and choosing which dispute
resolution provisions are incorporated by reference into the Guaranty, and points out that the
Guaranty provides for particular dispute resolution procedures that contradict those in the
Network Operator Agreement, the specific language of Section 4.6 of the Guaranty carved out
these specific variations to the dispute resolution process, and clearly stated that the
incorporation by reference was for “[a]ll other provisions relating to dispute resolution….” I
find no ambiguity in the language of Section 4.6, and give plain meaning to its terms – all other
dispute resolution provisions of the Network Operating Agreement, including Section 11.2,
“Continued Performance,” are incorporated into the Guaranty.
Axia NetMedia further contends that, because MTC only delivered 70% of the network it
promised, MTC was in material breach of the Network Operating Agreement, thus excusing

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Axia NetMedia from any obligations it may have had as guarantor. However, because MTC
chose to exercise its contractual right to resolve this dispute by arbitration, the dispute resolution
provisions of the Network Operator Agreement, including Section 11.2, “Continued
Performance,” incorporated by reference into the Guaranty Agreement as discussed above,
preclude the argument that Axia NetMedia is excused from performance under the Guaranty at
this time.
Consequently, I find that MTC has shown a likelihood of success on the merits of its
claim that Axia NetMedia is obligated to comply with the “Continued Performance” provision
that was incorporated by reference into the Guaranty Agreement, and is therefore obligated to
continue performing those obligations until they terminate or expire, during the pendency of any
dispute between the parties concerning the Guaranty, for the duration of this temporary
restraining order.

C. Risk of Irreparable Harm
“Only a viable threat of serious harm which cannot be undone authorizes exercise of a
court's equitable power to enjoin before the merits are fully determined.” Massachusetts Coal. of
Citizens with Disabilities v. Civil Def. Agency & Office of Emergency Preparedness of Com. of
Massachusetts, 649 F.2d 71, 74 (1st Cir. 1981) (citing Parks v. Dunlop, 517 F.2d 785 (5th Cir.
1975)). “A preliminary injunction will not be issued simply to prevent a mere possibility of injury.
A presently existing, actual threat must be shown.” Id.
Axia NetMedia claims that MTC faces no irreparable harm because KCST is operating the
network in the normal course of business without interruption of service via a post-petition loan
from Axia NetMedia. In addition, Axia NetMedia asserts that MTC has an adequate remedy at

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law because its concerns can be resolved by money damages – in particular, that MTC can collect
on its $4 Million guarantee in the event an arbitrator determines that Axia NetMedia is not excused
from its contractual obligations under the Guaranty as a result of MTC’s alleged breach.
MTC argues that a serious risk of irreparable harm exists because KCST, due to its
bankruptcy, is not fully performing its obligations under the Network Operator Agreement,
creating a serious risk of operation shutdown. Specifically, vendors supplying critical goods and
services to the 123 Network, and the owners of property rights upon which the continued operation
of the Network depends, are not being paid past-due amounts that KCST is required to timely pay
under the Network Operator Agreement.
MTC has shown a presently existing, clear threat of injury, as it has received notices of
default from at least two key vendors. Critically, MTC received notice from Verizon stating that
“failure to pay your bill constitutes a default which gives Verizon the right to terminate this
agreement and require any of your facilities be removed from our poles and conduit at your cost.”
Removal of the 123 Network’s fiber optic cable from utility poles would cause an immediate
shutdown of the 123 Network. Such a shutdown would cut off internet to significant areas of
Central and Western Massachusetts, severely damage the reputation of the 123 Network in the
marketplace, and threaten the viability and existence of the 123 Network. Money damages would
therefore be an inadequate remedy for MTC, and injunctive relief requiring Axia NetMedia to
perform its obligations under the Guaranty is appropriate.
Moreover, Axia NetMedia has publicly disavowed its obligation to perform under the
Guaranty, thus depriving MTC of its bargained-for right for “Continued Performance” of the
Guaranty during this period of dispute resolution. This loss of MTC’s bargained-for negotiating
position would also not be remedied by final judgment in its favor. Accordingly, I find that MTC

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has demonstrated a serious risk of irreparable harm in the absence of a temporary restraining order
requiring Axia NetMedia to continue to perform its obligations under the Guaranty.

D. Balance of Equities
The balance of hardships tips considerably in favor of MTC. As discussed above, Axia
NetMedia agreed to dispute resolution terms which required it to continue to perform its
obligations under the Guaranty while any dispute between the parties was ongoing. Thus, granting
the temporary restraining order only requires Axia NetMedia to do what it agreed to do in the
Guaranty. On the other hand, MTC stands to suffer substantial, irreparable harm if the injunctive
relief sought is not granted, including shutdown of the 123 Network, permanent damage to the
viability of the 123 Network, and loss of a bargained-for right to negotiate under the status quo.

E. Public Interest
The public interest clearly favors Axia NetMedia being ordered to immediately comply
with its Guaranty obligations. Critical public safety functions, including police and emergency
services, and thousands of other users and customers in Central and Western Massachusetts, utilize
and depend on the 123 Network for 24-hour per day, 7 days per week operation. Axia NetMedia
assured these operations under the Guaranty.

F. FCC and the Communications Act of 1934
Axia NetMedia argues that it is unable to perform its obligations under the Guaranty
because its transfer of Axia US into the Trust has rendered its own operation of the 123 Network
a violation of federal law and FCC regulation, as Axia NetMedia now lacks the requisite Section

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214 Authorization from the FCC to operate the network. However, as Axia Connect, Ltd. and
Axia SuperNet, Ltd., both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Axia NetMedia, are currently operating
the 123 Network pursuant to the FCC-approved Transitional Services Agreement, I have
addressed this issue in my Order by specifically requiring that Axia NetMedia simply continue
providing services through these subsidiaries pursuant to the Transitional Services Agreement as
it is already doing, and has been doing since the transfer of the Section 214 Authorization in July
2016. Axia NetMedia has not shown that its satisfaction of KCST’s payment obligations
pursuant to the Guaranty Agreement would violate federal law or regulation.
Finally, Axia NetMedia argues that MTC’s present motion is barred by res judicata
because the FCC’s denial of MTC’s motion for reconsideration was its final judgment with regards
to KCST’s operation of the 123 Network. However, I disagree with Axia NetMedia’s assertion
that the FCC was addressing “the exact same claim” that MTC presents here. The FCC’s decision
as to who holds the Section 214 Authorization is a distinct claim, separate from the scope and
enforceability of Axia NetMedia’s contractual obligations under the Guaranty.

ORDER
NOW, THEREFORE, based on this Court’s finding that Axia NetMedia is required to
continue to perform its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement during the pendency of any
dispute between the parties,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that,
a.

Axia NetMedia shall continue to provide, through its affiliates Axia SuperNet Ltd.

and Axia Connect Ltd., the same level of service to MTC’s 123 Network that those affiliates are

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currently providing, including all the technical, administrative, and operational support services
they are currently providing for the 123 Network; and

b.

Axia NetMedia shall timely pay, and continue to timely pay, all invoices sent to it

by MTC concerning the 123 Network, including third party invoices and MTC invoices, in the
same manner (and to the same payees) that those types of invoices were being paid prior to the
filing of bankruptcy by KCST, and promptly pay any such invoices that have already been sent to
it by MTC but have not yet been paid as of this date, or are past due.

c.

The Court is not requiring MTC to post a bond at this time. However, MTC shall

file, under seal with this court, under the pains and penalties of perjury, a current financial
statement by close of business on May 1, 2017.

d.

This Temporary Restraining Order will expire at 11:59pm on May 8, 2017, and

may be extended by the Court for good cause shown.

Conclusion
For the reasons set forth above, Defendant’s motion for temporary restraining order
(Docket No. 11) is granted.

SO ORDERED.
/s/ Timothy S. Hillman
TIMOTHY S. HILLMAN
DISTRICT JUDGE

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