Babbage Holdings, LLC v. Namco Bandai Games America, Inc. et al

Filing 59

MEMORANDUM ORDER Signed by Judge Rodney Gilstrap on 9/29/2014. (ch, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
MARSHALL DIVISION
BABBAGE HOLDINGS, LLC,
Plaintiff,
v.
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES AMERICA,
INC., et al.,
Defendants.

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Case No. 2:13-CV-755-JRG

MEMORANDUM ORDER
Before the Court is Defendants NAMCO BANDAI Games America, Inc. and Namco
Bandai Holdings (USA) (collectively “Namco”)’s Motion to Transfer Venue to the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California (Dkt. No. 29, filed February 21, 2014.)
Namco moves the Court to transfer this case to the Northern District of California under
35 U.S.C. § 1404(a).
This is one of many cases filed by Plaintiff Babbage Holdings, LLC alleging
infringement of U.S. Patent No. 5,561,811 (hereinafter “’811 patent”) in this Court. The ’811
patent relates to a multi-user multi-device system enables more than one user to control a single
screen. Each user controls stored applications using one or more input devices, and the system
produces a consistent view of all the applications on a single screen.
APPLICABLE LAW
Section 1404(a) provides that “[f]or the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the
interest of justice, a district court may transfer any civil action to any other district or division
where it might have been brought.” 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a) (2006). The first inquiry when analyzing
a case’s eligibility for § 1404(a) transfer is “whether the judicial district to which transfer is

sought would have been a district in which the claim could have been filed.” In re Volkswagen
AG, 371 F.3d 201, 203 (5th Cir. 2004) (“In re Volkswagen I”).
Once that threshold is met, courts analyze both public and private factors relating to the
convenience of parties and witnesses as well as the interests of particular venues in hearing the
case. See Humble Oil & Ref. Co. v. Bell Marine Serv., Inc., 321 F.2d 53, 56 (5th Cir. 1963); In re
Nintendo Co., Ltd., 589 F.3d 1194, 1198 (Fed. Cir. 2009); In re TS Tech USA Corp., 551 F.3d
1315, 1319 (Fed. Cir. 2009). The private factors are: 1) the relative ease of access to sources of
proof; 2) the availability of compulsory process to secure the attendance of witnesses; 3) the cost
of attendance for willing witnesses; and 4) all other practical problems that make trial of a case
easy, expeditious, and inexpensive. In re Volkswagen I, 371 F.3d at 203; In re Nintendo, 589
F.3d at 1198; In re TS Tech, 551 F.3d at 1319. The public factors are: 1) the administrative
difficulties flowing from court congestion; 2) the local interest in having localized interests
decided at home; 3) the familiarity of the forum with the law that will govern the case; and 4) the
avoidance of unnecessary problems of conflict of laws or in the application of foreign law. In re
Volkswagen I, 371 F.3d at 203; In re Nintendo, 589 F.3d at 1198; In re TS Tech, 551 F.3d at
1319.
The plaintiff’s choice of venue is not a factor in this analysis. In re Volkswagen of Am.,
Inc., 545 F.3d 304, 314-15 (5th Cir. 2008) (“In re Volkswagen II”). Rather, the plaintiff’s choice
of venue contributes to the defendant’s burden of proving that the transferee venue is “clearly
more convenient” than the transferor venue. In re Volkswagen II, 545 F.3d at 315; In re
Nintendo, 589 F.3d at 1200; In re TS Tech, 551 F.3d at 1319. Furthermore, though the private
and public factors apply to most transfer cases, “they are not necessarily exhaustive or
exclusive,” and no single factor is dispositive. In re Volkswagen II, 545 F.3d at 314-15.

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Timely motions to transfer venue should be “should [be given] a top priority in the
handling of [a case],” and “are to be decided based on ‘the situation which existed when suit was
instituted.’” In re Horseshoe Entm’t, 337 F.3d 429, 433 (5th Cir. 2003); In re EMC Corp., Dkt.
No. 2013-M142, 2013 WL 324154 (Fed. Cir. Jan. 29, 2013) (quoting Hoffman v. Blaski, 363
U.S. 335, 443 (1960)).
“The idea behind s 1404(a) is that where a ‘civil action’ to vindicate a wrong—however
brought in a court—presents issues and requires witnesses that make one District Court more
convenient than another, the trial judge can, after findings, transfer the whole action to the more
convenient court.” Van Dusen, 376 U.S. at 622 (quoting Cont'l Grain Co. v. The FBL-585, 364
U.S. 19, 26 (1960)) “Section 1404(a) is intended to place discretion in the district court to
adjudicate motions for transfer according to an ‘individualized, case-by-case consideration of
convenience and fairness.’” Stewart Org., Inc. v. Ricoh Corp., 487 U.S. 22, 29 (1988) (quoting
Van Dusen v. Barrack, 376 U.S. 612, 622 (1964)). Section 1404(a) requires this discretionary
“individualized, case-by-case consideration of convenience and fairness.” In re Genentech, Inc.,
566 F.3d 1338, 1346 (Fed. Cir. 2009) (quoting Van Dusen, 376 U.S. at 622).
DISCUSSION
As an initial point, Namco did not file an individualized motion to transfer in this case.
Instead, Namco filed a collective motion to transfer along with six other unrelated defendants.
Each of these defendants, including Namco, filed an identical motion to transfer in its individual
case. The collective motion addresses the facts of the unrelated defendants as a group and argues
the transfer factors as a group. In this case, Plaintiff Babbage’s response was individualized to
its case with Namco. Namco’s Reply was also a collective reply—identical to the one filed in
six other cases—that did not specifically address Babbage’s individualized response.

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In

addressing Namco’s Motion to Transfer, the Court considers only the evidence presented in the
collective motion that is specific to Namco and its case.
A.

Proper Venue
The Northern District of California and the Eastern District of Texas are proper venues.

B.

Private Interest Factors
1.

Relative Ease of Access to Sources of Proof

“In patent infringement cases, the bulk of the relevant evidence usually comes from the
accused infringer. Consequently, the place where the defendant’s documents are kept weighs in
favor of transfer to that location.” In re Genentech, Inc., 566 F.3d 1338, 1345 (Fed. Cir. 2009)
(citation omitted).
Namco includes a February 18, 2014, declaration by Mr. Shuji Nakata, Chief Financial
Officer, NAMCO BANDAI Games America, Inc. (hereinafter “NBGA”). (Dkt. No. 29-3.)
“According to Mr. Nakata, NBGA is a Delaware corporation with its headquarters located in San
Jose, California.”1 (Id. at 2.) “The research, design and development of Dark Souls was
performed principally by third-party FROM Software in Tokyo, Japan.” (Id.) “Any documents
within NBGA's possession regarding the design and development of Dark Souls reside at
NBGA's headquarters in San Jose, California.” (Id.) “NBGA's quality assurance testing for
Dark Souls was performed by NBGA in San Jose, California, by NAMCO BANDAI Games
Europe in France, and by FROM Software in Tokyo, Japan.” (Id.) “Documents within NBGA's
possession relating to quality assurance in NBGA's possession can be found at its headquarters in
San Jose, California.” “[A]ll of NBGA' s known prospective witnesses with information relating

1

San Jose, California is located in the Northern District of California.

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to Dark Souls are located at or near its San Jose or Los Angeles, California office.”2 (Id.) In
particular, NBGA employees knowledgeable and expected witnesses relating to the sales,
finance and marketing include: (1) Zenaida Silvia, NBGA's controller, who works at NBGA's
headquarters in San Jose, California, and (2) Brian Hong, NBGA's marketing director, who
works remotely from Los Angeles.” (Id.) “Documents within NBGA's possession relating to
sales or marketing of Dark Souls reside in San Jose, California.” (Id.) “Any NBGA employees
knowledgeable about the development, sales or marketing of Dark Souls all work in San Jose or
Los Angeles, California.” (Id.)
Babbage is a Texas limited liability company whose principal and representatives are all
located in Dallas, Texas. Babbage represents that its documents are located in Dallas, Texas.
Babbage provides charts detailing numerous potential party and non-party sources of evidence in
the U.S. and whether or not this forum is closer for those parties.
Namco argues that the Babbage’s charts address video games that were not specifically
listed in Babbage’s complaint. Namco’s argument—that Babbage’s complaint is limited to
specifically accused games—is somewhat perplexing as Babbage’s complaint accused both
Namco’s video games that practice the ’811 patent generally and a specific exemplary game.
The Court is concerned that, if Namco is operating under a theory that the case only concerns the
specifically accused game and not Namco’s video games generally, relevant evidence might
have been excluded. For example, the evidence presented by Namco appears to only concern the
“Dark Souls” game. The Court is concerned that relevant evidence may have been excluded.
It is unclear what Namco evidence is located in the Northern District of California. As to
its technical evidence, Namco represents that the research, design, and development of Dark
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Los Angeles, California is located in the Central District of California.

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Souls—the only game Namco presents evidence for—was principally performed by a third-party
in another country. As to sales and marketing, Namco states that its employees knowledgeable
about the sales and marketing of Dark Souls all work in San Jose or Los Angeles, California.
Namco generally states that documents “within [Namco’s] possession relating to [or regarding]”
design, development, quality assurance, sales, and marketing are located in San Jose. Namco
makes no representation.
This factor weighs in favor of transfer.
2.

Cost of Attendance for Willing Witnesses

“The convenience of the witnesses is probably the single most important factor in a
transfer analysis.” In re Genentech, Inc., 566 F.3d 1338, 1342 (Fed. Cir. 2009). While the Court
must consider the convenience of both the party and non-party witnesses, it is the convenience of
non-party witnesses that is the more important factor and is accorded greater weight in a transfer
of venue analysis. Aquatic Amusement Assoc., Ltd. v. Walt Disney World Co., 734 F.Supp. 54,
57 (N.D.N.Y. 1990); see also 15 Charles Alan Wright & Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice and
Procedure § 3851 (3d ed. 2012). “A district court should assess the relevance and materiality of
the information the witness may provide.” In re Genentech, Inc., 566 at 1343. However, there is
no requirement that the movant identify “key witnesses,” or show “that the potential witness has
more than relevant and material information . . . .” Id. at 1343-44.
Namco’s motion provides a chart indicating that its “Relevant Witness & Document
Location[s]” are in San Jose and Los Angles, California and Tokyo, Japan. Namco’s motion
provides a chart indicating that its “Development & Testing Location[s]” is San Jose, California;
Tokyo, Japan; and Europe. Capcom identifies once specific potential witnesses in San Jose,
California and one in Los Angeles, California. Namco argues that the Northern District of
California is more convenient for specific potential third party witnesses.
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Babbage provides the names of five specific potential witnesses in Dallas, Texas.
Babbage. Babbage provides charts detailing numerous potential party and non-party sources of
evidence in the U.S. and whether or not this forum is closer for those parties.
The weight of the evidence presented by Namco for this factor does not meet its burden.
This factor weighs against transferring to the Northern District of California.
3.

Availability of Compulsory Process to Secure the Attendance of Witnesses

This factor weighs in favor of transfer.
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4.

All Other Practical Problems that Make Trial of a Case Easy, Expeditious,
and Inexpensive

Namco argues that its California witnesses would have to travel a shorter distance to
reach the Northern District of California than they would to reach the Eastern District of Texas.
Namco argues that the non-party inventor would not have to travel if the case were transferred.
(Mot. at 12.)
Babbage provides evidence that its Dallas, Texas witness would have to travel a shorter
distance to reach the Eastern District of Texas than they would to reach the Northern District of
California. Babbage provides evidence that this District would be a less expensive venue for
traveling witnesses. Babbage provides charts detailing potential third parties in the U.S. and
their relative distances between the two forums. Babbage argues that this suit is one of twelve
cases before this court concerning infringement of the ’811 patent, and that judicial economy
weighs in favor of trying those cases in the same court.
The weight of the evidence presented by Namco for this factor does not meet its burden.
This factor weighs against transferring to the Northern District of California.

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C.

Public Interest Factors
1.

Administrative Difficulties Flowing From Court Congestion

The speed with which a case can come to trial and be resolved is a factor in the transfer
analysis. A proposed transferee court’s “less congested docket” and “[ability] to resolve this
dispute more quickly” is a factor to be considered. In re Hoffman-La Roche, 587 F.3d 1333,
1336 (Fed. Cir. 2009). This factor is the “most speculative,” and in situations where “several
relevant factors weigh in favor of transfer and others are neutral, the speed of the transferee
district court should not alone outweigh all of those other factors.” In re Genentech, 566 F.3d at
1347.
Namco argues that an average time to trial of between two to three years is equivalent.
Babbage argues that this District has a six month faster time to trial than the Northern District of
California, and the this Court has already held a scheduling conference and provided the case
with a schedule.3
The weight of the evidence presented by Namco for this factor does not meet its burden.
This factor weighs against transferring to the Northern District of California.
2.

Local Interest in Having Localized Interests Decided at Home

This factor considers the interest of the locality of the chosen venue in having the case
resolved there. Volkswagen I, 371 F.3d at 205-06. This consideration is based on the principle
that “[j]ury duty is a burden that ought not to be imposed upon the people of a community [that]
has no relation to the litigation.”
3

Federal Court Management Statistics for the twelve months ending in September 30,
2013, which appear to be the closest available to this case’s filing date (September 23, 2013),
recite a median time to trial of 20.5 months in this District and 27.4 months in the Northern
District
of
California.
See
http://www.uscourts.gov/Statistics/FederalCourtManagementStatistics/district-courts-september2013.aspx (last visited September 25, 2014.)

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This factor is weighs in favor of transfer.
3-4.

Familiarity of the Forum With the Law that Will Govern the Case and
Avoidance of Unnecessary Problems of Conflict of Laws or in the
Application of Foreign Law

These factors are neutral.
CONCLUSION
A movant seeking to transfer bears the evidentiary burden of establishing that the
movant’s desired forum is clearly more convenient than the forum where the case was filed.

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Having considered the evidence presented by the Parties in view of the applicable law, the Court
finds that the weight of the evidence presented by Namco does not meet its burden of
establishing that the Northern District of California is a clearly more convenient forum than the
Eastern District of Texas. For the reasons set forth above, the Court hereby DENIES Namco’s
Motion to Transfer Venue to the United States District Court for the Northern District of
California (Dkt. No. 29).

SIGNED this 19th day of December, 2011.
So ORDERED and SIGNED this 29th day of September, 2014.

____________________________________
RODNEY GILSTRAP
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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