Venturi Jet Sets v. Custom Molded Products
Filing
120
MEMORANDUM DECISION and ORDER dismissing without prejudice Defendant's first counterclaim for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction, dismissing without prejudice Defendant's second and third counterclaims for failure to prosecute. Signed by Judge Jill N. Parrish on 9/29/2017. (blh)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH
VENTURI JET SETS, INC.,
Plaintiff and
Counterclaim
Defendant,
MEMORANDUM DECISION AND
ORDER
v.
CUSTOM MOLDED PRODUCTS, INC.,
Case No. 2:13-CV-01031-JNP-EJF
Defendant and
Counterclaim Plaintiff.
District Judge Jill N. Parrish
On July 27, 2016, the Court dismissed Plaintiff’s claim for patent infringement because
Plaintiff was not the owner of the patent at issue when it filed its lawsuit and therefore lacked
standing to bring a claim of infringement (ECF No. 104). After a long period of minimal docket
activity, the Court grew concerned that the case had stalled and that Plaintiff had failed to obtain
counsel as previously ordered by the Court. On March 2, 2017, the Court ordered Plaintiff to
show why its case should not be dismissed for failure to obtain counsel as previously ordered
(ECF No. 115). In the same order, the Court required Defendant to inform the Court of its intent
to pursue its existing counterclaims against Plaintiff. On March 16, 2017, Defendant responded,
indicating that it did in fact intend to pursue its counterclaims against Plaintiff (ECF No. 116).
Despite Defendant’s representations to the Court, it failed to move for any relief or
otherwise pursue the counterclaims, and so the Court issued an order to show cause why the
counterclaims should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute (ECF No. 118). That order also
asked for briefing on the jurisdictional basis of Defendant’s three counterclaims and why
Plaintiff is the proper target of each counterclaim.
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On July 7, 2017, Defendant responded (ECF No. 119). However, that response addresses
only part of the Court’s order. Defendant indicates that it no longer intends to pursue its first
counterclaim and consents to its dismissal without prejudice. ECF No. 119 at 1. And Defendant
maintains that the Court has jurisdiction over its remaining counterclaims. But instead of
explaining its failure to prosecute the counterclaims as ordered, Defendant instead moves the
Court to enter default judgment against Plaintiff.
Defendant failed to comply with the Court’s order and has offered no explanation for its
failure to prosecute its counterclaims. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a) provides that the
Court may dismiss with prejudice for failure to prosecute or comply with a court order. Such a
dismissal does not require a motion by the counterclaim defendant. Link v. Wabash R. Co., 370
U.S. 626, 630–31 (1962). Therefore,
1. Defendant’s first counterclaim is DISMISSED WITHOUT PREJUDICE for lack
of subject-matter jurisdiction.
2. Defendant’s second and third counterclaims are DISMISSED WITHOUT
PREJUDICE for failure to prosecute.
3. The parties shall bear their own fees and costs.
The clerk is directed to close the case.
Signed September 29, 2017
BY THE COURT
______________________________
Jill N. Parrish
United States District Court Judge
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