LG Capital Funding, LLC v. VAPE Holdings, Inc.

Filing 18

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: On May 5, 2016, the Court ordered VHI to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not be issued. (D.E. # 6 .) On May 27, 2016, the Court held an evidentiary hearing on the motion for a preliminary injunction. For the reasons that follow, LG's motion is denied. Ordered by Judge Carol Bagley Amon on 6/1/2016. (Fernandez, Erica)

FlLE!>FICE

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

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LG CAPITAL FUNDING, LLC,
Plaintiff,
-against-

*

IN c~QURT E.o.N.Y.

u.1. D1;1°R''"

JUN - 2 20\6

*

BROOKLYN OFFICE
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
MEMORANDUM & ORDER
16-CV-2217 (CBA) (LB)

VAPE HOLDINGS, INC.,
Defendant.

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AMON, United States District Judge:

On May 3, 2016, plaintiff LG Capital Funding, LLC ("LG") filed a complaint against
defendant Vape Holdings, Inc. ("VHI") alleging breach of contract, anticipatory breach of
contract, and conversion arising out ofVHI's failure to comply with the terms of the $75,000, 8%
Convertible Redeemable Note (the "Note") VHI issued to LG. (D.E. # I ("Comp!.").) On the
same day, LG filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to require VHI to (I) provide fully
e:x:ecuted "Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions" to a designated transfer agent instructing it to
reserve shares of VHI common stock as required by the Note; (2) deliver previously requested
shares of VHI common stock to LG, along with the necessary corporate resolutions to enable LG
to sell the stock publicly without restrictions; (3) honor all conversion requests submitted during
the pendency of this action; and (4) take all necessary steps to increase the authorized shares of
VHI common stock so as to comply with the terms of the Note. (D.E. # 2.) On May 5, 2016, the
Court ordered VHI to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not be issued. (D.E. # 6.)
On May 27, 2016, the Court held an evidentiary hearing on the motion for a preliminary injunction.
For the reasons that follow, LG's motion is denied.

FACTUAL FINDINGS
The following factual findings are based on the declarations and exhibits submitted to the
Court prior to the preliminary-injunction hearing, which the Court found credible.

a. The Parties
LG is a New York limited liability company with its principal place of business in
Brooklyn, New York. (D.E. # 2-5 ("Lerman Deel.") 'If 6.) VHI is a Nevada corporation with its
principal place of business in Agoura Hills, California. (Id. 'I[ 7.) VHI is "a holding company with
its primary focus in the manufacturing and distribution of healthy and sustainable vaporization
products." (D.E. # 2-7 ("Dec. 2015 Quarterly Report") at 6.) This Court has jurisdiction over this
dispute pursuant to 28 U.S.C § 1332 in that the action is between citizens of different states and
the matter in controversy exceeds $75,000.

b. The Note
On or about August 5, 2015, VHI issued the Note to LG. (Lerman Deel. '1[ 9; D.E. # 1-1
("Note").) The Note entitles LG to convert the outstanding balance owed on the Note into shares
ofVHI's common stock at a price per share "equal to 58% of the lowest trading price reported ..
. for the thirteen prior trading days" including the day upon which the request is received. (Lerman
Deel. 'l['lf 10-12; Note§ 4(a).) In order to satisfy any conversion requests, the Note requires that
VHI maintain a reserve containing "a minimum of four times the amount of shares required if the
Note would be fully converted." (Lerman Deel. '1[ 13; Note § 12.) LG represents that "[t]he
conversion feature was essential in inducing LG to enter into the Note" because investing in VHI
"came with significant risk due to its unstable financial condition" and the conversion feature
allowed LG to "earn a return commensurate with the risk." (Lerman Deel. '1[ 14.) "LG's ability to

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obtain stock at a discount to the market price then resell it in the open market" allowed "LG to
obtain a return on its investment from third parties ... at a significantly higher rate of return." (MJ
c. The Alleged Breach
On or about February 26, 2015, LG submitted a "Notice of Conversion" for a portion of
the balance owed on the Note. (Id. ii 15.) Specifically, LG sought to convert $1,695 of principal
and $73.56 of accrued interest into 1,604,863 shares of VHI's common stock, representing a
conversion price of$.001102 per share. (.!QJ VHI failed to honor this Notice of Conversion. (Id.

ii 16.) As a result, LG sent VHI a letter dated March 23, 2016, informing VHI that its "failure to
issue shares of Common Stock upon conversion of the Note and [its] failure to reserve a sufficient
number of shares of Common Stock" constituted an "Event of Default" under the Note. (Id. ii 17.)
The Note provides that "Events of Default" include failing to deliver shares pursuant to a Notice
of Conversion, (Note § 8(k)), failing to replenish the required reserves, (id. § 8(1)), and breaching
VHI's representation that the Note holder can "at any time" convert the remaining principal into
shares of VHI' s common stock and that VHI will maintain a reserve to allow for such conversion,
@§ 8(b)).
d. VHl's Financial Condition
LG claims that VHI "is unquestionably in poor financial condition" in light of VHI's
"limited revenue" and "limited cash flow." (Lerman Deel. if 3.) In support of this claim, LG
presents VHI' s December 31, 2015, Quarterly Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") (the "December 2015 Quarterly Report"). VHI's December 2015 Quarterly Report
"reflect[s] a net loss of $1,126,720," "cash of $47,605," "a capital deficit of $331,421," and "an
accumulated deficit of $27,737,762" for the three months ending December 31, 2015. (Id. if 3
(citing Dec. 2015 Quarterly Report at 7).) LG notes that despite VHI's "unwillingness to comply"
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with its outstanding convertible notes, such as the Note at issue in this case, VHI nearly doubled
its total convertible debt obligations during the last quarter of 2015. (Id. 'I[ 24 (citing Dec. 2015
Quarterly Report at 27).) In the December 2015 Quarterly Report, VHI acknowledges that "[d]ue
to declining market price of [VHI] 's common stock, the noteholders have reserve claims in excess
of the common stock authorized," and that VHI "has determined at this time not to increase the
authorized share count and is instead in discussions with its convertible noteholders about
consolidation, restructuring and/or buy-out." (Id. (citing Dec. 2015 Quarterly Report at 23).)
In response, VHI notes that the December 2015 Quarterly Report also indicates that "VHI
had $688,929 in current assets, revenue of$246,828 for the quarter and gross profit of$41,419."
(D.E. # 13 ("Braune Deel.") 'I[ 10; see Dec. 2015 Quarterly Report at 2-3.) VHI explains that
"[ d]ue to certain non-cash, line item expenses, including certain adjustments to interest expenses,
VHI ended the quarter with a net loss" and that this "is not uncommon for an emerging growth
company." (Braune Deel. '1[ 10.) VHI also presents its September 30, 2014, and September 30,
2015, Annual Reports to the SEC, which show that VHI "generated annual revenues of $841,724
for 2014 and $1,277,657 for 2015." (Id. 'I[ 11; see D.E. # 13-4 (September 2015 Annual Report);
D.E. # 13-5 (September 2014 Annual Report).)
In further support of its financial status, VHI states that in February 2016, another investor,
GHS Investments, LLC ("GHS") offered to purchase up to $1,000,000 of the convertible notes.
(Braune Deel. '1[ 6; see D.E. # 13-1 (Securities Purchase Proposal between VHI and GHS).) On
April 19, 2016, "GHS and VHI entered into an Investment Agreement, under which GHS agreed
to purchase up to $5 million in VHI's shares over a three year period," and as a result "wholly
apart from its revenue, VHI has ample financial resources to draw on over the next three years."
(Braune Deel. '1[ 8; see D.E. # 13-2 (Investment Agreement between VHI and GHS).)
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STANDARD OF REVIEW
"A plaintiff seeking a preliminary injunction must establish that he is likely to succeed on
the merits, that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, that the
balance of equities tips in his favor, and that an injunction is in the public interest." Winter v.
Nat'! Res. Def. Council, 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008); Am. Civil Liberties Union v. Clapper, 785 F.3d
787, 825 (2d Cir. 2015). Preliminary injunctive relief is an extraordinary remedy that requires the
plaintiff to carry the burden of persuasion by a clear showing for each factor.

Mazurek v.

Armstrong. 520 U.S. 968, 972 (1997).
Courts in this Circuit hold plaintiffs to a "heightened standard" where: "(i) an injunction is
'mandatory,' or (ii) the injunction 'will provide the movant with substantially all the relief sought
and that relief cannot be undone even ifthe defendant prevails at a trial on the merits.'" New York
ex rel. Schneiderman v. Actavis PLC, 787 F.3d 638, 650 (2d Cir. 2015) (quoting Tom Doherty
Assocs .. Inc. v. Saban Entrn't, Inc., 60 F.3d 27, 33-34 (2d Cir. 1995)). When either condition is
met, the plaintiff "must show a 'clear' or 'substantial' likelihood of success on the merits, and
make a 'strong showing' of irreparable harm." Id. (quoting Beal v. Stem, 184 F.3d 117, 123 (2d
Cir. 1999); Doe v. N.Y. Univ., 666 F.2d 761, 773 (2d Cir. 1981)).
LEGAL CONCLUSIONS
As an initial matter, the Court concludes that the preliminary injunction LG requests, which
would require VHI to deliver shares of common stock, honor future conversion notices, and
execute the necessary agreements and corporate resolutions to effectuate such transfers, is a
mandatory injunction. See Tom Doherty Assocs .. Inc., 60 F.3d at 34 (defining a mandatory
injunction as one that "alter[s] ... the status quo by commanding some positive act"). LG must
therefore must meet the heightened standard for mandatory injunctions discussed above.
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I.

Irreparable Harm

"A showing of irreparable harm is the single most important prerequisite for the issuance
of a preliminary injunction." Faiveley Transp. Malmo AB v. Wabtec Com., 559 F.3d 110, 118
(2d Cir. 2009) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). A plaintiff must, therefore, "show
that injury is likely before the other requirements for an injunction will be considered." Kamerling
v. Massanari, 295 F.3d 206, 214 (2d Cir. 2002). To satisfy this requirement, "plaintiffs must
demonstrate that absent a preliminary injunction they will suffer an injury that is neither remote
nor speculative, but actual and imminent, and one that cannot be remedied if a court waits until
the end of trial to resolve the harm." Faiveley Transp. Malmo AB, 559 F.3d at 118 (internal
quotation marks and citation omitted). In assessing a plaintiffs claim of irreparable harm, courts
must pay "particular attention to whether the remedies available at law, such as monetary damages,
are inadequate to compensate for that injury." Salinger v. Colting, 607 F.3d 68, 80 (2d Cir. 2010)
(internal quotation marks and citation omitted).

If the movant fails to make a showing of

irreparable harm, the motion for a preliminary injunction should be denied. See Rodriguez v.
DeBuono, 175 F.3d 227, 234 (2d Cir. 1999).
LG argues that monetary damages will be inadequate for two reasons: (I) because it will
be difficult to determine the monetary damages to which it is entitled; and (2) because VHI is
insolvent or likely to become insolvent in the near future.
a.

Difficulty Determining Damages

LG first argues that monetary damages are insufficient because "any damages ultimately
awarded" in this case "will prove exceedingly difficult to establish with precision." (D.E. # 2-1
("Mem. in Support") at 3.) The uncertainty, LG argues, arises from the fact that "[t]he dates upon
which LG would have sold the stock it did not receive, and the amounts LG would have realized
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from any such sales, will be difficult to establish with any degree of certainty." (Id. at 10.) As a
result, LG argues, the only way to remedy VHI's breach is to deliver the shares to LG and allow
"the market itself to decide when and at what price it is willing and able to part with the shares."
(D.E. # 17 ("Reply Mem.") at 4.)
Difficulty calculating damages can be a factor favoring injunctive relief. See Ticor Title
Ins. Co. v. Cohen, 173 F.3d 63, 68-69 (2d Cir. 1999). However, no such difficulty is present in
this case. As VHI notes, there is "no need to engage in speculation concerning what LG might
have done if it had received the conversion shares ... because the law mandates a calculation of
damages on a single, specific date." (D.E. # 12 ("Mem. in Opp.") at 11.) It is a "fundamental
principle that damages for breach of contract should put the plaintiff in the same economic position
he would have been in had the defendant fulfilled the contract." Lucente v. Int'l Bus. Machs.
Com., 310 F.3d 243, 262 (2d Cir. 2002) (stating that "New York's damages rule is precisely the
same when the breach of contract is nondelivery of shares of stock"). "[W]here the breach involves
the deprivation of an item, such as a stock, with a determinable market value, the market value at
the time of the breach is the measure of damages." Sharma v. Skaarup Ship Mgmt. Com., 916
F.2d 820, 825 (2d Cir. 1990) (citing Simon v. Electrospace Com., 28 N.Y.2d 136, 145 (1971)).
Courts have therefore rejected the contention that in order to calculate damages it would necessary
to speculate when and if a plaintiff would sell its stock. See, e.g., Laurus Master Fund, Ltd. v.
Valcom, Inc., No. 02-CV-1480 (WK), 2002 WL 432686, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 19, 2002) ("Ifwe
were to find irreparable harm based on this argument alone then every case involving a contract to
convert stock would amount to per se irreparable harm."). "Measuring contract damages by the
value of the item at the time of the breach is eminently sensible and actually takes expected lost
future profits into account," insofar as "[t]he value of assets for which there is a market is the
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discounted value of the stream of future income that the assets are expected to produce, . . .
includ[ing] expected future profits and/or capital appreciation." Sharma, 915 F.2d at 826. The
Court therefore rejects LG's claim that calculating damages will be sufficiently difficult to
necessitate injunctive relief.

b.

Imminent Insolvency

LG next argues that monetary damages will be inadequate because it is unlikely to be able
to ultimately recover from VHI. LG argues that VHI "is insolvent, or likely to be so in the near
future" and that as a result LG is "highly unlikely to recover on any damages awarded at the
conclusion of [this] litigation." (Mem. in Support at 2.) LG specifically claims that VHI's "high
net loss and limited revenue, as well as the company's own substantial doubts about the ability of
[VHI] to continue as a going concern without further investment raise doubts as to [VHI]'s ability
to pay back the principal and interest on the Note." (!QJ LG rests its claim ofimminent insolvency
on VHI' s most recent SEC filing, emphasizing VHI' s high capital deficit, rapid increase in
convertible debt payable, continued efforts to accrue more convertible debt obligations, and
admissions that "the ongoing need to obtain financing to fund operations ... raises substantial
doubt about the ability of [VHI] to continue as a going concern." (Id. at 9-10.)
The Second Circuit has recognized an exception to the general rule that a monetary injury
does not constitute irreparable harm in "situations involving obligations owed by insolvents."
Brenntag Int'! Chems., Inc. v. Bank oflndia, 175 F.3d 245, 249-50 (2d Cir. 1999). Before a court
will grant relief under this exception, however, the plaintiff "must show that the risk of insolvency
is likely and imminent." See CRP/Extell Parcel I, L.P. v. Cuomo, 394 F. App'x 779, 782 (2d Cir.
2010) (citing Grand River Enter. Six Nations, Ltd. v. Pryor, 481F.3d60, 66 (2d Cir. 2007); Winter,
555 U.S. at 22).
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Although VHI' s most recent quarterly filing is concerning, LG does little more than recite
statistics from this filing. LG makes no efforts to explain why these statistics make insolvency
"imminent." In addition, LG fails to respond in any meaningful way to VHI' s showing that it has
generated revenue for the past two years and recently received additional investment from GHS
that will allow it to resolve issues with its outstanding convertible notes. Judge Sullivan in the
Southern District of New York recently denied a motion for a preliminary injunction against VHI
based on substantially similar evidence, concluding that the plaintiff in that case failed to
sufficiently rebut VHI's representations that the company had "continued interest from investors"
and would continue to "progress towards achieving profitability." Union Capital LLC v. Vape
Holdings Inc., No. 16-CV-1343 (RJS), D.E. # 18 at 7-8 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 9, 2016). Although Judge
Sullivan's opinion is not binding on this Court, it is persuasive and supports the Court's conclusion
that LG has failed to show that VHI is imminently insolvent. LG has "at most, shown that there
is a possibility that the company may be insolvent by the time this case is fully litigated; that mere
possibility is speculative and cannot satisfy [LG]'s burden to show that it is likely to suffer
irreparable harm." Meringolo v. Power2ship Inc., No. 03-CV-4476 (PKL), 2003 WL 21750009,
at *5 (S.D.N.Y. July 28, 2003) (citing JSG Trading Com. v. Tray-Wrap. Inc., 917 F.2d 75, 79 (2d
Cir. 1990); Reuters Ltd. v. United Press Int'!, Inc., 903 F.2d 904, 907 (2d Cir. 1990)). The Court
concludes that LG has therefore failed to make the strong showing of irreparable harm required to
issue a mandatory injunction.

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CONCLUSION

For these reasons, LG's motion for a preliminary injunction is DENIED.
SO ORDERED.
Dated: June
I
, 2016
Brooklyn, New York

s/Carol Bagley Amon
't~ol Bagl~yfAmk) I
United States District Judge

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