Gonzalez v. Social Concepts, Inc.

Filing 12

MEMORANDUM ORDER. Signed by Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne on 03/24/2015. (nkl, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
MARSHALL DIVISION
EMMANUEL C. GONZALEZ
v.
SOCIAL CONCEPTS, INC.

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Case No. 2:14-CV-630-JRG-RSP
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LEAD CASE
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Case No. 2:14-CV-650-JRG-RSP
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MEMORANDUM ORDER

Before the Court is Social Concept, Inc.’s (“SC”) Motion to Transfer Venue to the
Northern District of California (Dkt. 20, the “Motion”).
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 in 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.
Timely motions to transfer venue “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. 2013M142, 2013 WL 324154 (Fed. Cir. Jan. 29, 2013) (quoting Hoffman v. Blaski, 363 U.S. 335, 443
(1960)).
DISCUSSION
A.

Proper Venue
Neither party disputes that the Northern District of California is a proper venue for this

case.

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B.

Private Interest Factors
1.

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 1388, 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 Wright & Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 3851. “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. Having reviewed the factual record, the Court finds that the
cost of attendance for willing witnesses factor weighs in favor of transfer.
2.

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). Having reviewed the factual record, the Court finds that the relative ease of
access factor weighs in favor of transfer.
3.

Availability of Compulsory Process to Secure the Attendance of Witnesses

SC argues that “the Northern District of California will have subpoena power over the
employees at Social Concepts’ Redwood City headquarters.” (Mot. at 3.) But this argument has
little merit given that the Court has plenary power to order a party to produce witnesses under its
control. Nevertheless, it appears from the record that there are a substantial number of potentially

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relevant third-party witnesses that are within the subpoena power of the Northern District of
California but outside the subpoena power of this Court. Accordingly, this factor favors transfer.
4.

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

Gonzalez argues that this Court’s handling of other related cases creates economy in
declining transfer here. The Court agrees; transfer of each of the consolidated cases here would
create substantial inefficiencies in judicial administration and require multiple courts to conduct
parallel proceedings, which is a waste of judicial and party resources. Accordingly, this factor
weighs against transfer.
C.

Public Interest Factors
1.

Local Interest in Having Localized Interests Decided at Home

SC argues that the Northern District of California has a local interest in this suit at least in
part because “Social Concepts is headquartered in Redwood City, California, and because the
accused website is supported there.” (Mot. at 5) The Court notes that the connection alleged by
SC is not a connection to “the events that gave rise to this suit,” as suggested by In re
Volkswagen II, but rather arises from the fact that some residents of the Northern District of
California may have an interest, financial or otherwise, in SC itself – a theory which raises
troubling fairness implications. 545 F.3d at 318. SC has failed to show that this factor favors
transfer, and the Court finds that this factor is neutral given SC’s acknowledgement that the
interest in the events to give rise to the suit is “equally true throughout the United States.” (Mot.
at 6.)
2.

Familiarity of the Forum With the Law that Will Govern the Case,
Administrative Difficulties Flowing From Court Congestion, and
Avoidance of Unnecessary Problems of Conflict of Laws or in the
Application of Foreign Law

The Court finds that the remaining public interest factors are neutral.

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.

CONCLUSION
Having considered the relevant transfer factors, the Court finds that several of the most
important factors favor transfer. Although Plaintiff’s arguments with regard to judicial efficiency
are well taken, SC’s detailed factual analysis meets its burden of showing that the Northern
District of California is a clearly more convenient venue for this case. Accordingly, the Motion
is GRANTED and it is ORDERED that this case be transferred to the Northern District of
California.
SIGNED this 3rd day of January, 2012.
SIGNED this 24th day of March, 2015.

____________________________________
ROY S. PAYNE
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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