I/P Engine, Inc. v. AOL, Inc. et al

Filing 907

ORDER denying Defendants' 833 Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law on Damages or New Trial. Signed by District Judge Raymond A. Jackson and filed on 4/2/13. (mwin, )

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COTTRT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIILGINIA FILED Norfolk Division APR -2 2013 I/P ENGINE, INC., CL EHK, US DISTRICT COURT NORFOLK, VA Plaintiff, V. CIVIL ACTION NO. 2:llcv512 AOL INC., et aL, Defendants. ORDER Before the Court is Defendants' Renewed Motion for a Judgment as a Matter of Law on Damages (ECF No. 833), pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 50(b). As an alternative to granting the Defendants' Renewed Motion for a Judgment as a Matter of Law on Damages, the Defendants seeka new trial on all issues, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 59(a). Rule 50 permits a district court, if it "finds that the jury would not have a legally sufficient evidentiary basis to find for the party on that issue" to "resolve the issue against the party...[or] grant a motion for judgment as a matter of law[.]" F.R.C. P. 50(a). As to motions under Rule 50, only admissible evidence can be considered when determining whether there is a legally sufficient evidentiary basis to support a jury's verdict. Weisgram v. Marley Co., 528 U.S. 440, 454 (U.S. 2000). Rule 59(a) instructs that "[t]he court may, on motion, grant a new trial on all or some of the issues-and to any party.. .after a jury trial, for any reason for which a new trial has heretofore beengranted in an action at law in federal court[.]" As a general matter, disturbing a jury's verdict by ordering a newtrial under Rule 59(a) is an extreme remedy only warranted in a narrow set of circumstances: On such a motion it is the duty of the judge to set aside the verdict and grant a new trial, if he is of the opinion that [1] the verdict is against the clear weight of the evidence, or [2] is based upon evidence which is false, or [3] will result in a miscarriage of justice, even though there may be substantial evidence which would prevent the direction of a verdict. AtlasFoodSys. &Servs. v. Crane Nat'l Vendors, 99 F.3d 587, 594 (4th Cir. 1996). Further, "[o]n a Rule 59 motion, courts may make credibilityjudgments in determining the clear weight of the evidence." AttardIndus, v. UnitedStates Fire Ins. Co., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 119119 (E.D. Va. Nov. 9, 2010) (citation omitted). Finally, "the court will search the record for evidence that could reasonably lead the jury to reach its verdict, drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of the verdict winner." 12 Moore's Federal Practice - Civil ยง 59.13 (3d ed. 1997). Having reviewed the parties' memoranda, the Court first finds that there is a legally sufficient evidentiary basis for the jury's verdict. Furthermore, the Court finds that the verdict is not against the clear weight of the evidence, nor was the verdict of the jury based on evidence that is false, or will a miscarriage ofjustice result. Defendants have raised issues that have already been resolved by the Court in prior rulings and orders. Accordingly, Defendants' Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law on Damages or New Trial (ECF No. 833) is DENIED. The Clerk is DIRECTED to send a copy of this Order to counsel and parties of record. IT IS SO ORDERED. Norfolk, Virginia _ April J^zuii United States District Judge April 1 2013 _ , Raymond A. Jackson

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