LG Capital Funding, LLC v. PositiveID Corporation
Filing
21
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER: For the foregoing reasons, LG's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction (Dkt. 2 ) is DENIED. So Ordered by Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis on 6/9/2017. (Almonte, Giselle)
FILED
IN CLERICS OFFICE
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
U,S.DISTRICT COURT E.D.N.Y
EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
-X
* JUN 1 2 2017 ^
LG CAPITAL FUNDING,LLC,
BROOKLYN OFFICE
Plaintiff,
MEMORANDUM & ORDER
17-CV-1297(NGG)
(SMG)
-againstPOSITIVEID CORPORATION,
Defendant.
-X
NICHOLAS G. GARAUFIS,United States District Judge.
On March 7, 2017, Plaintiff LG Capital Funding, LLC("LG")commenced this breach of
contract action against Defendant PositivelD Corporation("PSID"). (Compl.(Dkt. 1).) LG
alleges that PSID breached the parties' convertible note agreement by failing to(1)replenish its
share reserve; and(2)deliver stock to which LG is entitled under the terms ofthe parties'
agreement. (Id
10-14.) LG further avers that PSID has anticipatorily breached the parties'
contract by making clear that it will not abide by its terms. (Id ^ 16,49-50.)
LG has moved for a preliminary injunction and for preliminary declaratory relief
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65 and 28 U.S.C. § 2201, pending final
determination ofthis action (the "Motion"). (Mot. for Prelim. Inj.("Mot.")(Dkt. 2).) For the
reasons set forth below, LG's Motion is DENIED.
L
BACKGROUND
PSID is a "life sciences tools and diagnostics company specializing in biological
detection and molecular diagnostic systems for America's homeland defense and the global
healthcare market."^ In or about 2012,PSID sought capital to grow its business. (Deck of
'
PositivelD Corporation Home Page, https://\wvw.psidcorp.comy (last visited June 8, 2017).
1
William Caragol ia Opp'n to Mot.("Caragol Decl")(Dkt. 13)f 2.)^ Since then, PSID has
borrowed several million dollars from a group oflenders, including LG,and has approximately
$6 million in outstanding debt today. (Id, 1(3.) PSID's stock is publicly traded. (Id. 148.)
A. The Note
On July 7,2016,PSID issued a $66,150,10% convertible redeemable note to LG
(the "Note"). (Compl,f 1; see also Note(Dkt. 2-2).)^ According to LG,this Note is the sixth
investment that LG has made in PSID. (PI. Reply Mem.in Supp. of Mot.("PI. Reply")(Dkt. 15)
at 1.) The relevant terms ofthe Note are summarized below.
1. Conversion Rights
Section 4(a)ofthe Note entitles LG to convert any portion ofthe outstanding balance
owed on the Note into shares ofPSID's common stock ("Conversion Shares") at a price per
share "equal to 65% ofthe lowest trading price reported ...for the fifteen prior trading days,"
inclusive ofthe day upon which the request is received. (Note § 4(a).) IfLG elects to exercise
its conversion right, it must provide written notice to PSID ("Notice of Conversion"), (Id. § 3.)
PSID must deliver the Conversion Shares to LG within three business days ofreceiving the
Notice of Conversion. (Id § 4(a).)
2. Share Reserve
Section 12 ofthe Note requires PSID to "at all times reserve a minimum offour times the
amount of shares required ifthe note would be fully converted." (Id § 12.) LG may
"reasonably request increases from time to time to reserve such amounts." (Id)
^ William Caragol is the ChiefExecutive Officer ofPSID. (Caragol Decl. H 1.)
3 Joseph Lerman is a member ofLG. (Decl. of Joseph Lerman in Supp. of Mot.(Dkt. 2-1)^1.)
3. Events ofDefault & Damages Penalty Provision
Section 8 ofthe Note outlines certain "Events of Default." (Id § 8.) These events
include: PSID's non-payment of principal or interest(Note § 8(a)); PSID's failure to deliver
stock within three days ofreceipt ofa Notice of Conversion(id § 8(k)); and PSID's failure to
replenish the share reserve upon request from LG(id § 8(1)).
If an Event of Default is not cured within five days, the Note becomes immediately due
and payable. (Id at 5.) Upon default, interest shall accrue at a default interest rate of24% per
annum. (Id.) IfPSID fails to deliver stock within three days of LG submitting a Notice of
Conversion,PSID must pay LG $250 per day that the Conversion Shares are not issued,
beginning on the 4th day after LG submits a Notice of Conversion to PSID. (Id.) The penalty
increases to $500 per day beginning on the 10th day. (Id)
The Note also includes what PSID refers to as the "Damages Penalty Provision'"^: ifPSID
fails to deliver the Conversion Shares to LG by the 3rd business day following delivery ofa
Notice of Conversion and LG suffers a "Failure to Deliver Loss," then PSID must make LG
whole by paying the "Failure to Deliver Loss." (Id at 6.) The "Failure to Deliver Loss" is the
"high trade price at any time on or after the day of exercise" multiplied by the "number of
conversion shares." (Id)
B. LG's Share Reserve and Conversion Requests
On or about January 9, 2017,LG requested an increase in the number of shares in PSID's
share reserve. (Compl.^ 7.) In accordance with the terms ofthe Note, LG submitted this request
to PSID's transfer agent, VStock Transfer LLC("VStock"). (Id.) On that same day, VStock
^(See Def. Mem.in Opp'n to Mot.("Def. Opp'n")(Dkt. 14)at 5.)
3
replied as follows: "[a]t this time we are unable to process the request below as the company
does not have any shares available in treasury." (Id.^ 8.)
On or about January 24, 2017,LG submitted a Notice of Conversion to PSID, electing to
convert $16,150.00 ofthe principal amount and $889.36 ofaccrued interest ofthe Note into
65,536,000 Conversion Shares. (Id
10; Not. of Conversion(Dkt. 2-5).) The conversion
remains outstanding. (Compl.111•)
LG considers these events "Events of Default" under Section 8 ofthe Note.
(Id.
15-23.) On or about February 2,2017,LG sent PSID a letter, demanding that PSID
deliver "65,536,000 shares of Common Stock to LG and maintain the requisite number of shares
in the reserve to allow for future conversions xmder the Notes in accordance with PSlD's
obligation under Section 12 ofthe Notes." (See Decl. of Joseph Lerman in Supp. of Mot.
("Lerman Deck")(Dkt. 2-1)^ 27; Default Letter(Dkt. 2-6)at 2.) PSID has not delivered the
Conversion Shares to LG and admits that it is in default on its obligations. (See Tr. of Hr'g on
Mot.("Hr'gTr.")(Docket Number forthcoming) 14:21-15:1.)
II.
DISCUSSION
LG seeks a mandatory preliminary injunction and preliminary declarative reliefto
remedy the alleged Events of Default. The requested injunction is a "mandatory injunction"
because it serves to alter the status quo by requiring PSID to take certain affirmative actions. See
Tom Dohertv Assocs.. Inc. v. Saban Entm't Inc.. 60 F.3d 27,34(2d Cir. 1995)(holding that a
mandatory injunction is one which "alter[s] the status quo by commanding some positive act").
Specifically, LG seeks an order, pending final determination ofthis action:
i. requiring PSID to deliver immediately to [LG] 65,536,000
shares ofits Common Stock, along with the necessary corporate
resolutions to enable LG to sell such Common Stock publicly
without restriction; and.
ii. requiring PSID to instruct its Transfer Agent, or any future
Transfer Agents, should PSID change Transfer Agents, to
reserve the requisite amount of shares of PSID common stock,
and replenish the reserve as needed, to allow for the full
conversion of the remaining principal balance and accrued
interest of the PositivelD Corporation 10% Convertible
Redeemable Note held by LG;and,
iii. directing PSID, during the pendency of this action, to honor, in
accordance with the agreement between the parties, all
conversion requests hereafter duly submitted by LG to convert
all or any portion of the PositivelD Corporation 10%
Convertible Redeemable Note held by LG into shares of PSID
Common Stock, and to deliver all necessary corporate
resolutions to enable LG to sell such shares publicly without
restriction; and,
iv. Directing PSID to take all necessary steps to increase the
authorized shares of PSID so as to comply fiilly with the terms
ofthe Note, if so required; and,
V. Directing PSID to remain current in its filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission('SEC'); and,
vi. Finding that the posting of a bond is not required under Rule 65
ofthe Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
(PL Mem.in Supp. of Mot.("PL Mem.")(Dkt. 2-8)at 1-2.)
PSID opposes LG's Motion, arguing that(1)this court lacks subject matter jurisdiction
over the action; and(2)LG cannot establish the elements required to obtain a mandatory
injunction. (Def. Mem.in Opp'n to Mot.("Def. Opp'n")(Dkt. 14) at 1-2.)
As set forth below,the court finds that it has jurisdiction over the action but denies the
Motion on the grounds that LG has not made a "strong showing ofirreparable harm," as is
required to justify issuance of a mandatory injunction. N.Y. ex rel. Schneiderman v. Actavis
PLC,787 F.3d 638,650(2d Cir. 2015).
A. The Court Has Subject Matter Jurisdiction
LG alleges in its Complaint that the court has diversity jurisdiction over this action
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(2), as "the action is between citizens of different states and the
matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of $75,000.00, exclusive ofinterest and costs."
(Compl.^ 3.) In its prayer for relief, LG seeks at least $250,000 in damages for PSID's failure to
deliver the Conversion Shares. (Id. at 12.)
While PSID does not dispute that the parties are diverse,^ it argues that the amount in
controversy does not exceed $75,000. (Def. Opp'n at 1-2, 6.) PSID argues that the Note is void
and unenforceable, as it is "criminally usurious," and LG's damages are therefore limited to
$17,039.36—^the $16,150 of principal and $889.36 ofinterest that LG sought to convert into
Conversion Shares on January 24,2017. (See id. at 1-2, 6; Hr'g Tr. 8:18-9:14.)
1. Legal Standard
"A party invoking the jurisdiction ofthe federal court has the burden of proving that it
appears to a 'reasonable probability' that the claim is in excess ofthe statutory jurisdictional
amount."^ Tongkook Am.,Inc. v. Shipton Sportswear Co.. 14 F.3d 781,784(2d Cir. 1994)
(internal citation omitted)). This burden is "hardly onerous, however," as there is "'a rebuttable
presumption that the face ofthe complaint is a good faith representation ofthe actual amount in
controversy.'" Scherer v. Equitable Life Assurance Soc'v of U.S.. 347 F.3d 394,397(2d Cir.
^ LG is a limited liability company whose members are citizens ofNew York. (Compl. If 1.) PSID is a Delaware
corporation with its principal place ofbusiness in Florida. (Id ^ 2.)
®^Savoie v. Merchs. Bank. 84 F.3d 52,57(2d Cir. 1996)("Where a challenge to jurisdiction is interposed on an
application for a preliminary injunction '[t]he plaintiff is required to adequately establish that there is at least a
reasonable probability of ultimate success upon the question ofjurisdiction when the action is tried on the merits.'"
(internal citation omitted)(discussing federal question jurisdiction)); Vis Vires Grp.. Inc. v. Endonovo Therapeutics.
Inc.. 149 F. Supp. 3d 376,388(E.D.N.Y. 2016)(holding that, in the absence offederal question jurisdiction,
plaintiff must show "at least a reasonable probability" that diversity jurisdiction exists(citing Savoie. 84 F.3d
at 57)).
2003)(quoting Wolde-Meskel v. Vocational Instruction Project Cmtv. Servs.. Inc.. 166 F.3d 59,
63(2d Cir. 1999)).
In order to overcome this presumption,the party opposing jurisdiction must show 'to a
legal certainty' that the amount recoverable does not meet the jurisdictional threshold." Id.
(quoting Wolde-Meskel. 166 F.3d at 63). The Second Circuit has acknowledged that it has "set a
high bar for overcoming this presumption:"
[T]he legal impossibility ofrecovery must be so certain as virtually
to negative the plaintiffs good faith in asserting the claim. . . .
[E]ven where [the] allegations leave grave doubt about the
likelihood of a recovery of the requisite amount, dismissal is not
warranted.
Id.(internal citations omitted); see also Tonekook. 14 F.3d at 785("Where the damages sought
are uncertain, the doubt should be resolved in favor ofthe plaintiffs pleadings.")
Importantly, affmnative defenses "may not be used to whittle down the amount in
controversy." Scherer. 347 F.3d at 397(explaining that,"[wjere [affirmative] defenses to affect
the jurisdictional amoimt... doubt and ambiguity would surround the jurisdictional base of most
diversity litigation from complaint to finaljudgment[, and ijssues going to a federal court's
power to decide would be hopelessly confused with the merits themselves"(internal quotation
marks and citation omitted)).
2. Analvsis
The court finds that there is a "reasonable probability" that LG's claim exceeds $75,000.
See Tonekook Am.. 14 F.3d at 784. LG's claim based on PSID's breach for failure to deliver the
Conversion Shares, coupled with the outstanding balance ofthe Note, amounts to at least
$89,000. rSee Hr'g Tr. at 35:10-17(LG arguing that "even if you take the amount ofdamages
on the day ofthe conversion...[and add]that to the principal and interest remaining on the note
of$50,000, you're, again, above the jurisdictional threshold").) As such,the jurisdictional
threshold is met even without including(1)damages stemming from PSID's alleged anticipatory
breach or(2)the liquidated damages provided for in the Note.^
As discussed in more detail infra in Section II.B.2.ii., damages in a breach of contract
action where "the breach involves the deprivation of an item, such as a stock, with a
determinable market value" are measured based on the "the market value [ofthe item] at the time
ofthe breach." Sharma v. Skaarun Shin Msmt. Corp.. 916 F.2d 820, 825(2d Cir. 1990). The
parties appear to agree that the market value ofthe requested 65,536,000 Conversion Shares^ at
the time of breach is $39,321.60.^ (S^ Hr'g Tr. 43:17-7,48:9-14.) While the market value of
the Conversion Shares alone does not satisfy the jurisdictional requirement,the Note includes an
acceleration clause which, when taken into account, brings the amount in controversy above
$75,000. The acceleration clause provides that if, within five days ofan Event of Breach,PSID
has not cured its failure to deliver the Conversion Shares, LG "may consider th[e] Note
immediately due and payable." (Note § 8(n).) Because the conversion request is still
outstanding, the damages figure also includes the balance ofthe Note($50,000). (See Decl. of
Kevin Kehrli in Supp. of Mot.(Dkt. 17)^ 4; Hr'g Tr. at 35:10-17.) Accordingly, even without
considering the Damages Penalty Provision or damages stemming from PSID's alleged
' its Complaint, LG seeks at least $250,000 in damages. (Compl. at 12.) LG arrives at this figure by adding
In
(1)its lost profits based on PSID's failure to deliver the Conversion Shares on January 24,2017, and(2)its lost
profits based on future conversions. (Id. 25-26.) LG argues, in the alternative, that it is entitled to $90,064.47,
which represents the sum of: the principal balance ofthe Note; regular interest accrued; default interest accrued; and
liquidated damages. Qd.^27.) Because the jurisdictional threshold is met even without considering LG's
anticipatory breach claim and its demand for liquidated damages, the court need not address these items.
® In its opposition brief, PSID refers to LG's demand to convert 65,536 shares ofcommon stock, rather than
65,536,000 shares. (See generallv Def. Opp'n.) This discrepancy appears to be a clerical error rather than a
substantive disagreement with LG's figure of65,536,000. (See Ex. 1 to Suppl. Decl. of William Caragol in Opp'n
to Mot.(Dkt. 18-1)(listing the number of Conversion Shares as 65,536,000); Hr'g Tr.48:3-9(PSID acknowledging
that the parties agree on the total number of Conversion Shares).)
' figure represents the 65,536,000 Conversion Shares multiplied by the closing price($.0006)on January 24,
This
2017—the date on which LG submitted its Notice of Conversion.
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anticipatory breach ofthe Note,LG has demonstrated that there is at least a reasonable
probability that the total amount in controversy is at least $89,321.60 and so exceeds the
threshold requirement for purposes of diversity jurisdiction.
Furthermore,PSID has not established "to a legal certainty that the amount recoverable
does not meet the jurisdictional threshold." See Scherer. 347 F.3d at 397. PSID's argument that
LG's recovery will be limited to $17,000 relies on the erroneous assumption that PSID's
affirmative defense of usury^® can "be used to whittle down the amount in controversy." See id.
The court therefore rejects this argument and finds PSID has not met the "high bar" for
overcoming the presumption that "the face ofthe complaint is a good faith representation ofthe
actual amount in controversy." S^ id. (internal citation omitted).
B. LG's Motion For A Preliminary Injunction Is Denied
Having determined that the court has jurisdiction over this matter, the court tums to the
merits of LG's Motion. For the reasons set forth below,the court finds that LG has not made a
strong showing that it will suffer irreparable harm ifthe court declines to grant the requested
injunction. The court therefore denies the Motion. S^ Rodriguez ex rel. Rodriguez v.
DeBuono. 175 F.3d 227,234(2d Cir. 1999)(per curiam)("In the absence of a showing of
irreparable harm, a motion for a preliminary injunction should be denied.").
See Nat'l Equip. Rental. Ltd. v. Hendrix. 565 F.2d 255,257(2d Cir. 1977)(discussing usury as an affirmative
defense); see also Hillair Capital Invs.. L.P. v. Integrated Freight Corp.. 963 F. Supp.2d 336, 339(S.D.N.Y. 2013)
('"Usury is an affirmative defense
"')(citing Gandv Mach..Inc. v. Poeue.483 N.Y.S.2d 744,744(N.Y. App.
Div. 1984)).
1. Legal Standard
"A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy never awarded as ofright." Winter
V. Nat Res. Def. Council, 555 U.S. 7,24(2008). To obtain a preliminary injunction,the moving
party must demonstrate:
(1) irreparable harm;
(2) either(a)a likelihood of success on the merits or(b)sufficiently
serious questions going to the merits ofthe case to make it a fair
ground for litigation, and a balance of hardships tipping
decidedly in its favor; and
(3) that a preliminary injunction is in the public interest.
Actavis PLC.787 F.3d at 650. The same standard applies to motions for preliminary declaratory
relief. Merrill Lvnch. Pierce. Fenner & Smith Inc. v. Doe.868 F. Supp. 532,536(S.D.N.Y.
1994). Where,as here, a party is moving for a mandatory injunction that alters the status quo by
commanding a positive act,the moving party must meet a higher standard, however:
[T]he movant must show a clear or substantial likelihood of
success on the merits,... and make a strong showing of
irreparable harm....in addition to showing that the preliminary
injunction is in the public interest.
Id.(emphasis added)(internal quotation marks and citation omitted).
2. LG Has Not Made the Required Showing of Irreparable Harm
"A showing ofirreparable harm is the single most important prerequisite for the issuance
ofa preliminary injunction." Faivelev Transp. Malmo AB v. Wabtec Corp., 559 F.3d 110,118
(2d Cir. 2009)(internal quotation marks and citation omitted). To satisfy the irreparable harm
requirement,the movant"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 imtil the end oftrial to resolve the harm." Id.(internal citation
10
omitted). Except in "extraordinary circumstances," injunctions are unavailable where "there is
an adequate remedy at law,such as an award of money damages." Id (internal citation omitted).
LG argues that it does not have an adequate remedy oflaw for two reasons:(1)PSID is
near insolvency and is "unlikely" to be able to satisfy a money damages award should LG prevail
in this action; and(2)it will be "exceedingly difficult" to calculate monetary damages"with
reasonable certainty." (PI. Mem.at 7-10.)
L
Imminent Insolvency
"[A]finding ofirreparable harm may lie in connection with an action for money damages
where the claim involves an obligation owed by an insolvent or a party on the brink of
insolvency." CRP/Extell Parcel L L.P. v. Cuomo. 394 F. App'x 779, 781 (2d Cir. 2010)
(summary order)(citing Brenntag InPl Chems.. Inc. v. Bank ofIndia. 175 F.3d 245,249-50
(2d Cir. 1999)). In order to utilize this exception to the general rule that a monetary injury does
not constitute irreparable harm,however,"a movant must show that the risk ofinsolvency is
Hkely and imminent." Id (citing Grand River Enter. Six Nations. Ltd. v. Prvor. 481 F.3d 60,66
(2d Cir. 20071): cf. Sampson v. Murrav,415 U.S. 61,90(1974)("The possibility that adequate
compensatory or other corrective relief will be available at a later date, in the ordinary course of
litigation, weighs heavily against a claim of irreparable harm.").
LG recites a variety ofstatistics that it argues prove that PSED is on the verge of
insolvency. As of December 31,2016,PSID "had $1.12 million current assets, not all of which
are salable" and "$11.4 million in current liabilities, which, by definition will become due within
12 months." (PI. Reply at 9.) "While [PSID] boasts over $5.5 million in revenues, after
deducting the cost ofrevenues and the operating expenses,[PSIDJ's 10-K shows an operating
loss of over $7 million. Even grimmer is [PSIDJ's net loss ofover $13 million." (Id (citing
11
PSID Form 10-K (Dkt. 13-1) at ECF p.51).) Indeed, by its own admission,PSID's "ability to
continue as a going concern is dependent upon [PSID's] ability to obtain financing to fund the
continued development of products, and working capital requirements." (See PSID Form 10-K
atECFp.l6.)
PSID responds that although it is an "early stage growth company, with substantial debt,"
it is "not imminently at risk of becoming insolvent." (Def. Opp'n at 11.) "PSID is an exciting
company,under contract with the Department of Homeland Security, with $5.6 million in
revenue in [2016], currently servicing 99% of its outstanding(non-LG)debt." (Caragol Decl.
H 30.) PSID's revenues increased by 89% from 2015 to 2016. (Id H 31.) Using the positive
cash-flow basis solvency test, PSID asserts that it has"more than enough money to cover its
monthly expenses each month, and does so while growing [its] business." (Id ^ 46.)
The court finds that LG has not met its burden ofproving that PSID is in imminent
danger of becoming insolvent. See CRP/Extelh 394 F. App'x at 781. Although aspects of
PSID's finances, including PSID's significant operating losses, may be concerning to its
creditors, other facts evidence PSID's continuing abihty to operate as a going concern. PSID's
revenues continue to grow and PSID continues to attract investors, a point which LG appears to
concede. (See Hr'g Tr. 39:10-40:1(LG conceding that lenders are "interested in [PSID's]
stock").) Moreover, according to PSID's Chief Executive Officer, the company has "no declared
defaults on the $6 million of debt that it is has been servpcing](aside from LG ...)." (Caragol
Decl.% 47.) As PSID has aptly noted, whether PSID is near insolvent is a fact-intensive
question, which cannot properly be decided on the basis ofthe current record. (See Hr'g
Tr. 10:17-11:17.) LG "has, at most,shown that there is a possibility that[PSID] may be
insolvent by the time this case is fully litigated, however,that mere possibility is speculative and
12
cannot satisfy [LG's] burden to show that [it] is likely to suffer irreparable harm if equitable
relief is denied." See Meringolo v. Power2ship. No.03-CIV-4476(PKL),2003 WL 21750009,
at *5(S.D.N.Y. July 28,2003).
ii.
Difficulty Calculating Damages
LG maintains that it will be extremely difficult to calculate its damages with reasonable
certainty "due to PSID's stock price and trading volume volatility as well as the difficulty of
determining the date upon which LG could have sold the shares ofPSID Common Stock on the
open market." (PI. Mem. at 9.) While difficulty calculating damages is a factor that can favor
granting injunctive relief, see Ticor Title Ins. Co. v. Cohen. 173 F.3d 63,68-69(2d Cir. 1999),
the court finds that LG's damages are easily measurable and compensable with monetary
damages.
Under New York law, damages for breach of contract are "determined by the loss
sustained or gain prevented at the time and place of breach." Simon v. Electrospace Corp.. 269
N.E.2d 21,26(N.Y. 1971). This rule extends to situations where "the breach ofcontract is
nondelivery of shares of stock." Id;
^Lucente v. Int'l Bus. Machines Corp.. 310 F.3d 243,
262(2d Cir. 2002). Specifically,"where [a] breach involves the deprivation of an item, such as a
stock, with a determinable market value,the market value at the time ofthe breach is the
measure of damages." Sharma.916 F.2d at 825 (explaining that "[mjeasuring contract damages
by the value ofthe item at the time ofthe breach is eminently sensible and actually takes
expected lost future profits into account"). As such, courts have "rejected the contention that in
order to calculate damages it would necessary to speculate when and if a plaintiff would sell its"
stock." LG Capital Funding. LLC v. Vane Holdings. Inc.. No. 16-CV-2217(CBA)
(LB),2016
WL 3129185, at *4(E.D.N.Y. June 1,2016)(citing Laurus Master Fund. Ltd. v. Valcom. Inc..
13
No. 02-CV-1480(WK),2002 WL 432686, at *3(S.D.N.Y Mar. 19,2002)(emphasizing that if
the court were to find irreparable harm based on the purported difficulty of determining when
stock would be sold "then every case involving a contract to convert stock would amoimt to per
se irreparable harm")).
It is therefore no surprise that courts routinely refuse to order specific performance in
actions like this in which a defendant breaches its obligation to deliver public stock. See, e.g.,
Lucente, 310 F.3d at 262(denying remedy of specific performance and noting that there is
"simply no reason why, assuming ajury finds [defendant] liable for breach of contract, money
damages would not adequately compensate [plaintiff] for [defendant's]" failure to deliver
publicly traded shares upon exercise ofstock option); Aristocrat Leisure Ltd. v. Deutsche Bank
Trust Co. Ams.,No.04-CV-10014(PKL),2006 WL 1493132, at *8(S.D.N.Y. May 31,2006)
(finding specific performance was not a proper remedy where "[t]he subject matter ofthe
[contract]—^the underlying ... shares—^has an established market value, and,therefore, there
would be no difficulty proving damages with reasonable certainty"); Simon. 269 N.E.2d at 26
(holding specific performance was not proper remedy for defendant's breach of agreement to
deliver stock that was "property not unique and available on a public market").
The court therefore rejects LG's argument that calculating damages will be sufficiently
difficult to justify granting injunctive relief.
*
*
*
Accordingly,the court concludes that LG has failed to make the strong showing of
irreparable harm required for a mandatory injunction, and denies the Motion.
14
III.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, LG's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction(Dkt. 2)is DENIED.
SO ORDERED.
s/ Nicholas G. Garaufis
Dated: Brooklyn, New York
IICHOLAS G. GARAUFIS
United States District Judge
June 7 ,2017
15
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