LIGER6, LLC v. ANTONIO et al
Filing
93
OPINION. Signed by Judge Jose L. Linares on 8/10/16. (DD, )
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT Of NEW JERSEY
LIGER6, LLC,
CIVIL ACTION NO. 13-4694 (JLL)
:
Plaintiff,
OPINION
V.
SARTO ANTONIO, et al.,
Defendants.
LINARES, District Judge
This is an action wherein the parties seek, among other things, a determination
concerning the “ownership and registration of the SARTO trademark in the United States”
insofar as the trademark would be applied to bicycles, bicycle frames, and bicycle parts. (Dkt. 1
at 1;seedkt. 42 at 14.)’
The plaintiff— Liger6, LLC (“Liger6”)
—
asserts claims in the complaint for:
• a judgment declaring it is entitled to register the “SARTO” mark in the United States
for bicycles, bicycle frames, and bicycle parts (Count I);
• false designation of origin, false advertising, and false description under federal law
(“false designation claim”) (Count II);
• common law unfair competition (Count III);
• unfair competition under New Jersey state law (Count IV);
• breach of contract (Count V);
• tortious interference with contract (Count VI);
• breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing (Count VII); and
This Court will cite to documents filed on the Electronic Case Filing System (“ECf”) by the
docket entry numbers with a “dkt.” designation and the page numbers imposed by ECF.
• conversion (Count VIII).
The remaining defendants in the action are Sarto S.r.l., which is a limited liability
company under Italian law; and Sarto Antonio, which is a sole proprietorship (collectively
hereinafier, “Sarto Entities”). (See dkt. 42 at 12; dkt. 84-15 at 54—56.) The Sarto Entities assert
certain counterclaims (“counterclaims in issue”) for, inter aha:
• a judgment declaring they are entitled to register the SARTO mark in the United States
for bicycles, bicycle frames, and bicycle parts (Counterclaim Count I);
• false designation of origin under federal law (Counterclaim Count II);
• unfair competition under federal law (also in Counterclaim Count II);
• common law infringement (Counterclaim Count III);
• common law unfair competition (Counterclaim Count IV);
• common law trade name infringement (Counterclaim Count VI);
• cybersquatting (Counterclaim Count VII); and
• common law right of publicity (Counterclaim Count XI).2
The Sarto Entities now move pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56 for
summary judgment in their favor as to all of Liger6’s claims and the counterclaims in issue. ($.çç
dkt. 81; dkt. 85; dkt. 92.) Liger6 opposes the motion. (See dkt. 84; dkt. 89.)
This Court will resolve the motion upon review of the papers and without oral argument.
See LCiv.R. 78.1(b). This Court presumes the familiarity of the parties with the factual context
and procedural history of this action. F or the following reasons, this Court will grant the motion
insofar as it concerns all of the aforementioned claims and the counterclaims in issue, with the
exception of the breach of contract claim, the claim for breach of the implied covenant of good
faith and fair dealing, and the conversion claim.
2
The other counterclaims will not be addressed in this Opinion.
2
BACKGROUND
The Sarto Entities are controlled by Antonio Sarto and his son, Enrico Sarto. Both are
Italian citizens and reside in Italy. (See dkt. 42 at 2, 12; dkt. 42-2 at 12; dkt. 84-15 at 7.)
Antonio Sarto has been in the business of manufacturing bicycles and bicycle frames in Italy for
more than 30 years. (See dkt. 42 at 13; dkt. 42-2 at 4—5.) Enrico Sarto has been running the
business with him for the last few years. (ç dkt. 81-1 at 7; dkt. 81-4 at 1—2; dkt. 84-15 at 8.)
Liger6 is primarily controlled by Marco Bonelli, an “investment analyst executive” who
professes to be in the business of marketing bicycle products in the United States. (See dkt. 1 at
2; dkt. 42-2 at 6; dkt. 81-1 at 10; dkt. 81-8 at 5, 10.) Soren Krebs, who was fonnerly a defendant
in this action, is a salesperson initially recruited by Liger6 to sell products in the United States
made by the Sarto Entities. (See dkt. 1 at 5.)
Liger6 asserts that it was contacted in 2010 by the Sarto Entities; the Sarto Entities were
seeking to have their bicycle frames promoted in the United States. (See dkt. 1 at 3; dkt. $4-i at
2—3.) Liger6 also asserts that during the initial discussions, Liger6 proposed to the Sarto Entities
“the novel idea” of producing bicycle frames bearing the SARTO mark, which Liger6 would
then in turn either: (1) offer on the United States market for other manufacturers to use in
manufacturing bicycles, or (2) incorporate into bicycles to be assembled by Liger6.
(Scc dkt. $4-
1 at 3.) In stark contrast, the Sarto Entities argue that they were: (1) already selling bicycle
frames with and without the SARTO mark on the United States market as early as 2006, and
raise as an example that they had a relationship with an entity known as Javelin, LLC to sell their
products long before they had any contact with Liger6; and (2) initially contacted by Liger6,
which offered to help them expand their presence in the United States. ($çç dkt. 42 at 13; dkt.
$1-i at9; dkt. 81-3 at 1—3; dkt. 84-15 at 11.)
3
Liger6 argues that as the relationship with the Sarto Entities progressed, it: (1) created a
needle-and-scissors logo to accompany the $ARTO mark
for “tailor”
—
because “sarto” is an Italian word
that the Sarto Entities verbally agreed to use in December 2010; (2) directed the
$arto Entities to produce frames bearing the SARTO mark and the logo; and (3) immediately
began marketing and selling bicycles and bicycle frames in the United States bearing the SARTO
mark. (See dkt. 1 at 3; dkt. 84-1 at 3.) In contrast, the Sarto Entities assert that those connected
to Liger6 were mere salespeople and distributors for their products, although they admit that they
took Liger6’s advice concerning use of the logo on occasion. (See dkt. 42 at 13; dkt. 84-15 at
26—27, 33—34.)
In January 2011, the Sarto Entities started producing bicycle frames with the SARTO
mark for shipment to Liger6. From that time through December 2012, Liger6 paid $250,000 to
the Sarto Entities for bicycle frames. Liger6 then spent more than $500,000 marketing products
in the United States manufactured by the Sarto Entities, and also incurred expenses for attorney
fees and liability insurance. In addition, Liger6 sold products from the Sarto Entities at a
discount to promote brand awareness. (See dkt. 1 at 3—4.) Liger6 also asserted that it proposed
at some point in 2011 that it and the Sarto Entities should jointly register the SARTO mark with
the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”), thereby making Liger6 the exclusive
American partner of the Sarto Entities. (See dkt. 84-1 at 4.)
Liger6’s counsel then proceeded to send several proposed versions of written agreements
to memorialize the overall business arrangement to counsel for the Sarto Entities in Italy. Liger6
asserts that the Sarto Entities advised that they would eventually enter into one of the proposed
agreements. Even though Liger6 sent several proposed agreements to the Sarto Entities, and
made changes at the direction of their counsel, the Sarto Entities never signed any of those
proposed agreements. (See dkt. 1 at 5—7; dkt. 81-8 at 6; dkt. 84-1 at 4—9; dkt. 84-2 at 2—4.)
4
Liger6 also set up a website with the domain name of “sartocycles.com” to promote
products in the United States that were manufactured by the Sarto Entities. (See dkt. 42 at 20.)
The website features photographs of Antonio Sarto and Enrico Sarto, as well as their workshop.
(Id.; dkt. 81-1 at 9—12; dkt. 81-4 at 3—5.) The website also states that it is offering products
manufactured by the Sarto Entities, and contains background information concerning the Sarto
Entities. (See dkt. $1-i at 9—12.) Liger6 used a web designer and a photographer recommended
by the Sarto Entities in setting up the website. (See dkt. 42-2 at 10; dkt. 84-1 at 6.)
What follows is a timeline of events concerning the attempts to register the SARTO mark
with the USPTO.
August 2011: Liger6 applies to the U$PTO to register the SARTO mark, listing itself
and the Sarto Entities as co-owners, even though the Sarto Entities had not signed any of the
proposed agreements drafted by Liger6. (See dkt. 1 at 5; dkt. 42 at 4; dkt. 81-1 at 12; dkt. 81-6 at
30—31.) In that application, Liger6 admitted that the SARTO mark was first used by the Sarto
Entities “at least as early as
...
1985”. (See dkt. 81-6 at 47.)
February 2012: The Sarto Entities apply to register the SARTO mark in Italy. (See dkt.
1 at 5; dkt. 42 at 4.)
March 2012: The Sarto Entities apply to the USPTO to register the SARTO mark,
seemingly unaware of the pending application filed by Liger6. (See dkt. 1 at 5; dkt. 81-6 at 117.)
July 2012: The USPTO grants the Liger6 application, and permits Liger6 to register the
SARTO mark as it relates to bicycle components such as bicycle frames. (See dkt. 1 at 5; dkt.
81-6 at 25.)
Liger6 also adopted the domain names “sartobikes.com” and “sartobicylces.com”, both of
which directed to sartocycles.com. (See dkt. 81-8 at 26; dkt. 85 at 5; dkt. 92 at 17.)
5
November 2012: The Sarto Entities demand that Liger6 withdraw the Liger6
registration, claiming that they were unaware that Liger6 had even applied. (Sçç dkt. 81-1 at 13.)
December 7, 2012: Liger6 voluntarily surrenders the registration. (See dkt. 1 at 5; dkt.
81-6 at 22; dkt. 81-6 at 22.)
December 19, 2012: Liger6 files a new application with the USPTO to register as the
sole owner of the SARTO mark. In response, the USPTO cites the pending application by the
Sarto Entities as a potential basis for reftisal, and suspends the new Liger6 application pending
the final disposition of the application by the $arto Entities. (c dkt. 1 at 6.)
March 4, 2013: Bonelli and Enrico Sarto travel together to a trade show in Colorado and
meet with a Utah company that is interested in buying frames produced by the Sarto Entities.
(See dkt. 1 at 7; dkt. 84-1 at 10.)
March 15, 2013: The Sarto Entities unilaterally cease their arrangement with Liger6, and
contact customers previously dealing with Liger6
company
—
—
including the aforementioned Utah
to directly solicit orders for products bearing the SARTO mark. (ç dkt. 1 at 7—8.)
April 25, 2013: Liger6 files opposition before the United States Trademark Trial and
Appeal Board (“TTAB”) to the application by the Sarto Entities to register the SARTO mark
alone. (See dkt. 1 at 7; dkt. 81-6 at 133—37; dkt. 81-7 at 9—14.)
August 2013: Liger6 brings this civil action. The TTAB, upon being notified by Liger6
about the civil action, suspends and stays its proceedings pending the outcome here. (See dkt.
81-1 at 16; dkt. 81-8 at 2.)
March 2014: The Sarto Entities bring an action in an Italian court to enjoin Liger6 from
using the SARTO mark in Italy and the rest of Europe. The Italian court eventually finds that the
Sarto Entities had used the SARTO mark for several years, and that the Sarto Entities had
endeavored to register the mark in Italy and various other countries. As a result, the Italian court
6
enjoined Liger6 from using the SARTO mark in Italy and the rest of Europe. (See dkt. 42 at 13—
14; dkt. 42-2.)
The business relationship between the Sarto Entities and Liger6 is now completely
severed. After 2013, Liger6 stopped offering products for sale that were manufactured by the
Sarto Entities. However, Liger6 continues to put itself out as selling products manufactured by
the Sarto Entities under the SARTO mark on the sartocycles.com website. ($ç dkt. 81-8 at 15.)
To counteract the effect of the sartocycles.com website, the Sarto Entities have set up websites
under “sartoantonio.com” and “sartocycles.net”. (ç dkt. 81-4 at 3.)
ARGUMENTS AND ANALYSIS
I.
Procedural issue not raised by the parties
The TTAB stayed its proceedings pursuant to its own regulations. ç 37 C.F.R.
2.117(a). This civil action was brought in 2013, but it was not assigned to this Court until March
2015. (See dkt. 51.) A dispute also arose in 2015 between Liger6 and its two separate attorneys,
and the status of Liger6’s legal representation was rendered unsettled until December 2015. (See
dkt. 53 (April 2015 motion to withdraw by first attorney representing Liger6); dkt. 64 (August
2015 order denying first attorney’s motion based on first attorney’s stated intention to continue to
represent Liger6); dkt. 72 (December 2015 motion to withdraw by second attorney representing
Liger6); dkt. 76 (December 2015 order granting second attorney’s motion to withdraw).)
It might have been prudent in 2013 to stay this civil action, and to defer to the TTAB’s
expertise in resolving disputes concerning trademark registration. See Goya Foods, Inc. v.
Tropicana Prods., Inc., $46 F.2d 848, 853 (2d Cir. 1988) (noting primary jurisdiction doctrine
insofar as it concerns the TTAB may be applicable when a civil action concerns a dispute over a
trademark registration); Zany Toys, LLC v. Pearl Enters., LLC, No. 13-5262, 2015 WL 404644,
at *1_8 (D.N.J. Jan. 28, 2015) (deferring to the expertise of the TTAB concerning a dispute over
7
trademark registration, even though TTAB suspended its proceedings when the civil action was
commenced); Driving Force, Inc. v. Manpower, Inc., 49$ f.Supp. 21, 23—26 (E.D. Pa. 1980)
(staying civil action in deference to TTAB’s expertise in a dispute over trademark registration,
even though TTAB stayed its proceedings in view of the civil action).
This Court is not inclined to defer to the TTAB at this juncture. A federal district court is
authorized to address a trademark registration dispute. See 15 U.S.C.
§ 1119 (stating court may
determine the right to register a mark). In addition, sending the parties back to the TTAB at this
juncture would only cause further delay and expense, and would not serve the interests of justice.
II.
Standard for summary judgment
The well-settled standard for resolving a motion for summary judgment will not be
restated here. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a) (providing for award of summary judgment if there is no
genuine dispute of material fact and movant is entitled to judgment as matter of law); Anderson
v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247—48 (1986) (setting forth standard); United States ex
rel. Kosenke v. Carlisle HMA, Inc., 554 F.3d 88, 94 (3d Cir. 2009) (setting forth standard).
III.
Parts of the motion to be granted
A.
Declaratory judgment claim and counterclaim
The Sarto Entities argue the following in support of summary judgment in their favor on
the declaratory judgment claim and the declaratory judgment counterclaim, which both concern
the flght to exclusively register the SARTO mark with the USPTO. First, the Sarto Entities
argue that they were the first ones to use the SARTO mark overseas and in the United States in
connection with an established business, i.e., the manufacture of bicycle frames, which this Court
agrees is a strong argument in favor of their claim to exclusive rights in the mark. $ç Ford
Motor Co. v. Summit Motor Prods., Inc., 930 F.2d 277, 292 (3d Cir. 1991). The Sarto Entities
sold bicycle frames in the United States before they and Liger6 entered into a business
8
relationship. Second, they argue that Liger6 has not manufactured bicycles or bicycle parts on
its own, that it merely sold products made by the Sarto Entities, and that it identified the Sarto
Entities as the source of anything it offered for sale. Third, they argue that they have been
awarded the registration of the SARTO mark in Italy and the rest of Europe, thereby
strengthening their claim to exclusive possession of that mark here.
15 U.S.C.
§ 1126(e)
(stating a mark registered in the country of origin of a foreign applicant may be registered in the
United States). fourth, and most important of all, the SARTO mark bears the name of those in
control of the Sarto Entities. This Court finds these arguments to overwhelmingly support a
prima fade showing by the Sarto Entities of entitlement to summary judgment on this issue.
Liger6 points out in response that it continually sent proposed agreements to the Sarto
Entities containing provisions calling for the joint ownership of the SARTO mark in the United
States, and that the Sarto Entities did not object until Liger6 was initially successful in
registering the SARTO mark. Liger6 also characterizes the use by the Sarto Entities of the
SARTO mark as “sporadic and infrequent”, yet it concedes that the Sarto Entities have sold
bicycle frames in the Unites States since at least 2006, which was several years before they went
into business with Liger6. (Dkt. 84 at 5.)
This Court finds that Liger6 has failed to rebut the prima facie showing by the Sarto
Entities of entitlement to summary judgment on the declaratory judgment claim and
counterclaim. The Sarto Entities had been using the SARTO mark in the United States and
abroad, and never signed off on any of Liger6’s proposed agreements concerning joint ownership
of the SARTO mark. The efforts of Liger6 in promoting the products of the Sarto Entities in the
United States may support an award of relief as to other claims in the complaint, discussed infra,
but not on the issue of the registration of the mark. Therefore, this Court will grant the part of
the motion concerning the declaratory judgment claim and counterclaim.
9
B.
False designation claim and false designation of origin counterclaim
A party asserting a claim for false designation of origin, false advertising, and false
description must show the likelihood of damage by (a) the use by another party of a word, term,
name, symbol, device, or false designation of origin in interstate commerce, (b) in connection
with goods or services, (c) which is likely to cause confusion, mistake, or deception as to the
origin, sponsorship, or approval of the goods or services at issue. See Trade Media Holdings
Ltd. v. Huang & Assocs., 123 f.Supp.2d 233, 242 (D.N.J. 2000); see 15 U.S.C.
§ 1 125(a)(l)(A).
In addition, a party must show that the commercial message or statement at issue is either: (1)
literally false; or (2) literally true or ambiguous, but would tend to deceive consumers. See
Wamer-Lambert
co. v. Breathasure, Inc., 204 F.3d 87, 91—92 (3d Cir. 2000); PhanTlacia Corp. v.
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, L.P., 292 f.Supp.2d 594, 598—99 (D.N.J. 2003); see 15
U.S.C.
§ 1125(a)(1)(B).
The Sarto Entities have made a prima fade showing of entitlement to summary judgment
on the false designation of origin counterclaim by demonstrating that they no longer provide any
products to Liger6; that Liger6 still insists on putting itself out as selling products manufactured
by the Sarto Entities via the sartocycles.com website; and that Liger6’s conduct is deceptive in
that it has no products manufactured by the Sarto Entities to offer for sale. In response, Liger6
merely argues that its conduct in currently putting itself out as selling products manufactured by
the Sarto Entities “was done with the consent and cooperation of [the Sarto Entities]”, and admits
that it “has no inventory of SARTO-branded goods to sell to customers”. (Dkt. $4 at 9
(emphasis added).)
This Court finds that Liger6 has failed to rebut the prima facie showing by the Sarto
Entities of entitlement to summary judgment on the false designation of origin counterclaim.
Again, the efforts of Liger6 in previously promoting the products of the Sarto Entities in the
10
United States may support an award of relief on other grounds, discussed infra, but not on this
issue. This Court will therefore grant the part of the motion concerning the false designation of
origin counterclaim. Relying on the same reasoning, this Court will also grant the part of the
motion concerning the false designation claim.
C.
Claims for unfair competition under common law and New Jersey
state law; counterclaims for unfair competition under federal law
and common law
This Court will address the claims and counterclaims concerning unfair competition
under federal law, New Jersey state law, and the common law simultaneously. The standards for
liability under these types of causes of action are nearly identical, and a finding of liability under
federal law leads to a finding of liability as to the others. See CSC Holdings, LLC v. Optimum
Networks, Inc., 731 F.Supp.2d 400, 410—11 (D.N.J. 2010); see also 15 U.S.C.
§ 1125(a);
N.J.S.A. 56:4-1.
A claim for unfair competition is established by showing that: (1) the mark at issue is
valid and legally protectable; (2) the mark at issue is indeed owned by the party seeking to use it;
and (3) the use of the mark by another party to identify goods or
services
is likely to create
confusion concerning the origin of the goods or services. See CSC Holdings, LLC, 731
F.Supp.2d at 405—06; see also 15 U.S.C.
§ 1125(a).
This Court has already determined that the Sarto Entities are entitled to register with the
USPTO as the sole owners of the SARTO mark, thereby satisfying the first two elements.
supra. The $arto Entities have also demonstrated their entitlement to summary judgment on the
third element due to confusion caused by Liger6’s use of the mark. The conduct of Liger6 will
lead potential customers to incorrectly assume that it is still the source for products manufactured
by the Sarto Entities. Liger6 argues in response, without more, that it had previously conducted
itself with the consent of the Sarto Entities. (See dkt. 84 at 9.)
11
This Court finds that Liger6 has failed to rebut the prima facie showing by the Sarto
Entities of entitlement to summary judgment on the claims and counterclaims concerning unfair
competition. Therefore, this Court will grant the part of the motion concerning (1) the claims for
unfair competition under the common law and state law, and (2) the counterclaims for unfair
competition under federal law and the common law.
D.
Tortious interference claim
Liger6 asserted in this claim that the Sarto Entities interfered with its separate contract
with Krebs to sell products bearing the SARTO mark in the United States by inducing him to not
perform that contract, and to deal directly with the Sarto Entities in selling their products. (See
dkt. 1 at 11.) The Sarto Entities explicitly seek summary judgment in their favor on this claim.
(See dkt. 81-1 at 23—24; dkt. 92 at 16—17.) Liger6 provides no argument in response to this part
of the motion at all. (See generally dkt. $4.) But the Sarto Entities are not automatically entitled
to summary judgment on this claim simply because Liger6 did not oppose this part of the
motion. See Anchorage Assocs. v. V.1. 3d. of Tax Review, 922 F.2d 16$, 175 (3d Cir. 1990).
Instead, this Court may grant this relief only if the Sarto Entities are entitled to judgment as a
matter of law. Id.; Kadetsky v. Egg Harbor Twp. 3d. of Educ., 164 f.Supp.2d 425, 431 (D.N.J.
2001) (stating that if nonmovant fails to oppose an argument made in support of summary
judgment by written objection, memorandum, affidavits and other evidence, then all material
facts set forth by the movant with appropriate support will be accepted as true).
A tortious interference claim requires: (1) the existence of a contract; (2) intentional or
malicious interference; (3) the loss of that contract due to the interference; and (4) damages. See
Barows v. Chase Manhattan Mortg. Corp., 465 F.Supp.2d 347, 368 (D.N.J. 2006). Here, the
Sarto Entities argue that Liger6 has not provided any evidence that it actually had a contract with
Krebs. See Woods Corporate Assocs. v. Signet Star Holdings. Inc., 910 f.Supp. 1019, 1031
12
(D.N.J. 1995) (stating valid contract must exist to support tortious interference claim). The Sarto
Entities argue that Liger6 has failed to demonstrate that it ever had a contract with Krebs. (çç
dkt. 81-1 at 23.) Liger6 offers nothing in response to this argument, and this Court has not been
able to find any proof of a contract in the record here. Because no genuine issue of fact has been
raised concerning the first element
the existence of a contract
—
this Court will grant the part
of the motion concerning the tortious interference claim.
E.
Counterclaims for common law trademark infringement and
common law trade name infringement
The Sarto Entities properly asserted counterclaims concerning infringement under the
common law in 2013, even though they had not yet been declared to be entitled to register as the
sole owners of the SARTO mark with the USPTO. See B&B Hardware, Inc. v. Hargis Indus.,
Inc., 135 S.Ct. 1293, 1305 (2015) (stating “registration is not a prerequisite to an infringement
action”).
The analysis applied for addressing the viability of claims for trademark infringement and
trade name infringement is the same as the analysis applied to a claim for unfair competition.
See Buying For The Home, LLC v. Humble Abode, LLC, 459 F.Supp.2d 310, 317 (D.N.J. 2006)
(concerning trademark infringement); J & I Snack Foods, Corp. v. Earthgrains Co., 220
f.Supp.2d 35$, 374 (D.N.J. 2002) (concerning trademark infringement); Suncoast Tours, Inc. v.
Lambert Grp., Inc., No. 98-5627, 1999 WL 1034683, at *2 (D.N.J. Nov. 10, 1999) (concerning
trade name infringement). This Court has already detenTlined that the Sarto Entities are entitled
to summary judgment on their counterclaims for unfair competition under federal law. cc
The Sarto Entities argue that “Krebs filed a motion to dismiss. and the court granted the
motion in part because [Liger6] could not prove that Krebs had ever entered into an agreement with
[Liger6J.” (Dkt. 81-1 at 23.) But it appears, upon this Court’s review of the docket, that the claims
asserted against Krebs were dismissed by stipulation before the motion to dismiss filed by Krebs was
addressed. (ç dkt. 7 (motion to dismiss filed by Krebs); dkt. 18 (stipulation of dismissal).) This Court
will disregard this particular argument.
.
.
supra. It thus follows that the $arto Entities are entitled to sumniary judgment on these
counterclaims as well. Therefore, this Court will grant the part of the motion concerning the
counterclaims for trademark infringement and trade name infringement.
F.
Cybersquatting counterclaim
The conduct of Liger6 in continuing to maintain the sartocycles.com website
—
even
though Liger6 no longer sells any products manufactured by the Sarto Entities, and even though
the Sarto Entities have terminated their business relationship with Liger6
faith on the part of Liger6. See 15 U.S.C.
is indicative of bad
§ 1 125(d)(1)(A); CSC Holdings, LLC, 731 F.$upp.2d
at 408—09. Furthermore, this Court has determined that the Sarto Entities are entitled to register
as the sole owners of the SARTO mark with the U$PTO, and that the counterclaims concerning
false designation of origin, unfair competition, and trademark and trade name infringement will
be resolved in favor of the Sarto Entities. The use by Liger6 of the sartocycles.com domain
name will inevitably confuse consumers into believing that Liger6 sells products manufactured
by the Sarto Entities. The conduct exhibited by Liger6 by its insistence on continuing to
maintain the sartocycles.com website is at best befuddling, and at worst an egregious example of
bad faith designed to browbeat the Sarto Entities into an agreement. Therefore, this Court will
grant the part of the motion concerning the cybersquatting counterclaim.
G.
Counterclaim for common law right of publicity
To demonstrate a claim for a violation of the common law right of publicity, a party must
show that: (1) it owns an enforceable right in the identity or persona of the person at issue; (2)
the identity is being used without permission in an identifiable way; and (3) the use is likely to
damage the commercial value of that identity. See Prima v. Darden Rests., Inc., 7$ F.Supp.2d
337, 349 (D.N.J.2000).
14
Here, Liger6 continues to use the names, photographs, and background information of
Antonio Sarto and Enrico Sarto on the sartocycles.com website for commercial purposes, even
though Ligeró is no longer connected to the Sarto Entities and no longer sells products
manufactured by the Sarto Entities. This is a clear violation of the common law right to
publicity. Therefore, this Court will grant the part of the motion concerning the right of publicity
counterclaim.
IV.
Parts of the motion to be denied
A.
Conversion claim
The $arto Entities move for summary judgment in their favor concerning the conversion
claim. (See dkt. 81-1 at 21 (mentioning Count VIII); see also dkt. $4 at 6 (Liger6 referring to
that part of the motion).) But the conversion claim is asserted against Krebs only. (See dkt. 1 at
12.) The parties have already stipulated to the dismissal of all claims asserted against Krebs (çç
dkt. 18), and thus this claim is moot. Therefore, this Court will deny this part of the motion
without prejudice, and dismiss the conversion claim as being moot.
B.
Claims for breach of contract and for breach of implied covenant
of good faith and fair dealing
The claims for breach of contract and for breach of the implied covenant of good faith
and fair dealing are intertwined, and will be addressed together. Liger6 alleges that it had an
enforceable oral contract with the Sarto Entities concerning the manufacture, distribution, and
sale of bicycle products in the United States; that Liger6 performed its obligations; that the Sarto
Entities failed to perform their obligations; and that the Sarto Entities benefited from the efforts
of Liger6 to promote their products. Liger6 has raised issues of fact that require denial of the
part of the motion addressing these claims. As to the claim for breach of contract, Liger6
correctly points out that a contract need not be expressed in writing if the parties agree to
perform in a certain way when they are under no obligation to do so, and then actually undertake
15
that performance. See West v. IDT Corp., No. 01-4372, 2008 WL 762459, at *4_5 (D.N.J. Mar.
19, 2008); Marilyn Manson, Inc. v. N.J. Sports & Exposition Auth., 971 f.Supp. 875, 888
(D.N.J. 1997). A contract may be: (1) express, including oral or written; (2) implied in fact; or
(3) implied in law. $çç Scagnelli v. Schiavone, 538 Fed.Appx. 192, 193 (3d Cir. 2013). A
contract is considered to be express if the agreement is manifested in written or spoken words,
and implied in fact if the agreement is manifested by the conduct of the parties. Id. Liger6 also
correctly points out that the existence of an oral agreement between parties is not foreclosed
while the provisions of a written contract are being negotiated by those parties. See West, 2008
WL 762459, at *4
The Sarto Entities attempt to characterize their relationship with Liger6 as merely that of
customer to salesperson. (See dkt. 84-15; dkt. 84-16.) However, Liger6: (1) actively promoted
and marketed products manufactured by the Sarto Entities at great expense; (2) suggested
designs to the Sarto Entities; (3) attended trade shows and found customers on behalf of the Sarto
Entities; and (4) initially set up a website with the approval of the Sarto Entities to promote
products in the United States that were manufactured by the Sarto Entities, used a designer and a
photographer recommended by the $arto Entities themselves, and shared in the cost with the
Sarto Entities in developing the website. (See dkt. 84 at 7—8; dkt. 84-1 at 4; dkt. 84-16 at 32—34.)
Furthermore, Liger6 alleges that the relationships that the Sarto Entities currently have with
dealers in the United States were cultivated by Liger6. (See dkt. 84-17 at 11.)
Liger6 engaged in this activity with the knowledge and support of the Sarto Entities, and
the Sarto Entities did not nothing to dissuade Liger6 until their business relationship ended in
2013. Liger6 continued to send proposed contracts to the Italian counsel for the Sarto Entities,
and that counsel continually suggested revisions to those proposed contracts, thereby indicating
that the business relationship was ongoing. furthermore, Enrico Sarto admitted that Liger6 came
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up with designs for products to be marketed in the United States. (See dkt. 24-16 at 26—28.)
Also, Enrico Sarto attended a trade show with Bonelli as late as 2013. Thus, issues of fact
remain as to whether the Sarto Entities assented to the conduct of Liger6 in promoting their
products, thereby giving rise to a contract.
furthermore, there are issues of fact raised here based on inconsistent deposition
testimony provided by Antonio Sarto and Enrico Sarto. When Antonio Sarto was asked if he
was aware of the extent of the efforts of Liger6 to promote products made by the Sarto Entities
or to negotiate a written agreement, he responded that Enrico Sarto handled such matters with
Liger6. (See dkt. $1-s at 99; dkt. 84-15 at 41, 47, 53—54, 57—59.) But when Enrico Sarto was
asked about the extent of the efforts of Liger6, he responded that Antonio Sarto handled those
matters. (See dkt. 84-16 at 14, 22—23, 66—67.)
This Court, in permitting the breach of contract claim to proceed at this time, will permit
the implied covenant claim to proceed as well, because the implied covenant of good faith and
fair dealing is inherent to a contract. See Conn. Gen. Life Ins. Co. v. Roseland Ambulatory
Surgery Ctr., No. 12-5941, 2014 WL 2601972, at *4 (D.N.J. June 11, 2014); see also Paul
Germaim & Assocs. v. Specialty food Mgmt. Grp., LLC, No. 11-1399, 2013 WL 128820$, at *9
(D.N.J. Mar. 27, 2013) (denying motion for summary judgment concerning breach of contract
and implied covenant claims, and noting that a party could be both in breach of contract and
acting in bad faith toward another party); see also Asta Funding, Inc. v. Your Wellbeing, EEC,
No. 11-2202, 2014 WL 3844797, at *8 (D.N.J. Aug. 5, 2014) (denying summary judgment on
implied covenant claim based upon denial of summary judgment on breach of contract claim,
because the implied covenant claim “may depend on the existence and scope of the contract”).
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V.
Request for an award of costs and fees
The Sarto Entities seek an award of costs and fees. (See dkt. 81-1 at 6.) This Court will
utilize the discretion to refrain from determining whether the Sarto Entities are entitled to such
an award until all of the remaining claims have been resolved.
CONCLUSION
For the aforementioned reasons, this Court will grant the motion insofar as it concerns all
of the claims asserted in the complaint and the Counterclaims In Issue, with the exception of the
breach of contract claim, the claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing, and the conversion claim. This Court will enter an appropriate order and judgment.
J9%i. LINARES
rnted States District Judge
Dated: August
/1
,
2016
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