JON S. TIGAR, District Judge.
Before the Court is Plaintiffs Novus Optimum Labs, dba Novus Optimum, Inc. and Meliza Reyes' Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Application for a Writ of Attachment against Defendants Gina and Edgardo Tamayo and Novus Opti-Lab.
Plaintiff Novus Optimum Labs, dba Novus Optimum, Inc. is wholly owned by Plaintiff Meliza Reyes. Compl., ECF No. 1 ¶ 5. Reyes, 67, filed this action on March 12, 2013, alleging that one of her employees, Defendant Gina Tamayo, absconded with $160,000 in cash and almost $100,000 in Reyes' personal property after Reyes entrusted her with the keys to the corporate facility on Pier 26 in San Francisco.
Plaintiffs Reyes and Novus Optimum have been selling herbal supplement products since 1997 or 1998. FAC ¶ 10; Reyes Decl., ECF No. 18-2, ¶¶ 4-5. Those products include supplements such as "Brain Sharpener 4-Kids," "Age-Spots Cleanser," "Sleep Ezzy," "4-Cellulite," and "4-Glowing Complexion." FAC ¶¶ 11, 36a; Reyes Decl., ¶ 6. In 2008, Reyes met Defendant Gina Tamayo. FAC ¶ 13; Reyes Decl. ¶ 8. Reyes hired Ms. Tamayo to help with clerical duties, such as answering telephones, inventory control, labeling products, and filing. FAC ¶ 13; Reyes Decl. ¶ 8. Ms. Tamayo's husband, Edgardo, is also a named Defendant in this case.
In October 2010, while Reyes was traveling, Gina Tamayo accused Reyes' brother Celso Reyes, also employed by Novus Optimum, of sexually harassing her. FAC ¶ 16. Gina Tamayo subsequently obtained a restraining order from San Mateo Superior Court against Celso Reyes.
In September 2012, Reyes moved Novus Optimum from Pier 19 to Pier 26. Reyes Decl. ¶ 13. Plaintiff Reyes alleges that, before and after the move, she stored a substantial amount of valuable property at her Pier 26 corporate facility, including: two duck figurines valued at $4,000; a Fabergé egg purchased for $8,000; two "150 Years of Baseball" books signed by several players, including Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio, valued at $30,000; four Lalique vases valued at $25,000; a Rodin sculpture appraised by Sotheby's in 1995 for $25,000; and $160,000 in cash. FAC ¶ 30; Reyes Decl. ¶ 16. Reyes alleges that the Tamayos both knew she kept expensive property in the facility, and that Gina Tamayo had a key to the Pier 26 facility, from which she made a copy for her husband. FAC ¶ 21-29; Reyes Decl. ¶ 14. Reyes alleges that over the course of January and February 2013, the Tamayos stole several of the items, including the cash. FAC ¶¶ 32-35. In addition, Reyes alleges that the Tamayos attempted to poison her, and that Gina Tamayo recorded her telephone calls.
In addition to the alleged theft, Reyes alleges that the Tamayos stole the secret "Formula 5" for an unspecified Novus Optimum product, FAC ¶ 32, and that the Tamayos opened a sham business for the purpose of diverting revenue from Novus Optimum Labs' customers to the Tamayos' new business venture, called "Novus Opti-Lab,"
Plaintiffs assert claims for violation of the Lanham Act and for copyright infringement arising out of the Novus Opti-Lab business, as well as several state and common law claims arising out of the theft and embezzlement, including conversion, theft by larceny, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of implied contract. In addition, Plaintiffs sue under California's Financial Abuse of Elders law, Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30.
Defendants counterclaim for damages for fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and unjust enrichment "due to the false promises and fraudulent misrepresentations Counterdefendants made to Ms. Tamayo in order to induce her not to bring legal action against them for repeated sexual harassment she suffered while employed by Counterdefendants at the hands of Counterdefendant Reyes' brother, Celso Reyes." ECF No. 15 ("Answer"). Defendants allege that, between February 2010 and October 2010, Ms. Tamayo was repeatedly sexually harassed by Celso Reyes.
According to the Tamayos, Plaintiff Meliza Reyes tried to dissuade them from taking legal action against her, as Ms. Tamayo's employer, stemming from the alleged harassment. First, Ms. Tamayo alleges that Plaintiff Reyes promised her "a substantial wage increase as well as health and dental benefits" in or about December 2010.
Ms. Tamayo alleges that in October 2010 she asked Reyes for help setting up a small business selling complexion-lightening products. Answer p. 29. According to the Tamayos, Reyes agreed to help, and suggested that the products be sold under a name similar to Novus Optimum's so Ms. Tamayo could sell alongside Novus Optimum at trade shows and conferences.
This court has subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiffs' claims pursuant to federal question jurisdiction, as their claims arise under the Lanham Act and the Copyright Act, under 28 U.S.C. § 1331, and supplemental jurisdiction, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367.
Plaintiffs seek a preliminary injunction against Defendants enjoining them: (1) from using the Novus Opti-Lab domain name, credit card terminal, and fictitious business name, and from using either Novus Opti-Lab's or Novus Optimum's product marks; (2) from distributing, selling, or offering for sale products bearing Novus Optimum or Novus Opti-Lab marks; (3) "[d]oing any other act which is likely to confuse, mislead or deceive Plaintiffs' customers or members of the public with whom Defendants are associated, sponsored by or approved by Plaintiffs"; (4) using, disclosing, copying, or transmitting any of Plaintiffs' trade secrets; (8) destroying, discarding, altering, or otherwise making unavailable to Plaintiffs any documentary, computer, or other evidence relevant to this action; (9) using, disclosing, copying, or transmitting the personal information of Plaintiffs' customers, and (10) coming within 100 yards of the Pier 26 facility. PI Mot., ECF No. 17, p. 5. For the reasons discussed below, the Court will grant the Motion.
"A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy never awarded as of right."
Any party seeking a preliminary injunction must establish "(1) that it is likely to succeed on the merits, (2) that it is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary relief, (3) that the balance of equities tips in its favor, and (4) that an injunction is in the public interest."
To grant preliminary injunctive relief, a court must find that "a certain threshold showing is made on each factor."
Preliminary injunctions may be granted based on written affidavits and inadmissible evidence.
Finally, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(d) authorizes federal courts to issue preliminary injunctions "only if the movant gives security in an amount that the court considers proper to pay the costs and damages sustained by any party found to have been wrongfully enjoined or restrained."
As discussed more fully below, Plaintiffs have made a clear showing that they are likely to succeed on the merits of their Lanham Act, unfair competition, and copyright infringement claims, under their first five causes of action. Because those claims are sufficient to support the preliminary injunction Plaintiffs seek, the Court will not address the merits of Plaintiffs' remaining sixteen causes of action.
To establish a claim for trademark infringement, Plaintiffs must prove that (1) they own valid trademarks, (2) Defendants used those marks without consent, (3) and Defendants' use of the marks is likely to cause confusion in the marketplace. 15 U.S.C. § 1114(a)(1). Plaintiffs' related claims for false designation of origin under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), and for unfair competition, may be proven via the same elements.
Plaintiffs have established the ownership of a valid trademark. Although the names and packaging of Plaintiffs' products, and Plaintiffs' trade name, "Novus Optimum," are not registered trademarks, they are protected pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), which extends the protection of the Lanham Act to all valid marks acquired through use.
Defendants also admit that they used the mark: they started the Novus Opti-Lab business, sold Plaintiffs' products, accepted payment from Plaintiffs' customers, used Plaintiffs' marks, and maintained the Novus Opti-Lab website, which was, in substance, identical to the Novus Optimum website. Plaintiffs' evidence also establishes that Novus Opti-Lab billed Novus Optimum customers for Novus Optimum products. Plaintiffs have shown that Defendants have used the marks, and that such use is likely to cause confusion in the marketplace, since Defendants have sold Plaintiffs' products as originally packaged by Novus Optimum, thereby misrepresenting the origin of the products.
Defendants address only the requirement that the marks be used without consent, arguing that Meliza Reyes consented to the use of the Novus Optimum marks, customer list, and inventory as part of her efforts to dissuade Gina Tamayo from taking legal action against Novus Optimum based on Carlos Reyes' harassing conduct. That claim is supported only by declarations from the Tamayos. There is no written evidence to corroborate Reyes' consent, and no evidence that would corroborate the parties' alleged business relationship. Of particular significance, there is no evidence that Defendants ever remitted any proceeds back to Novus Optimum, as they were obligated to do pursuant to this alleged agreement.
By contrast, Plaintiffs submit a summary of revenue paid to Novus Opti-Lab (which was prepared by Plaintiffs); a series of invoices for product sales to various customers that list as the invoicing entity "Novus Optimum Lab," though the summary of revenue claims those customers had paid Novus Opti-Lab; exemplar credit card statements for one of Plaintiffs' customers, showing Novus Opti-Lab as payee for various purchases; and copies of the Novus Optimum and Novus Opti-Lab websites, showing that they are substantially identical. Reyes Decl., ECF No. 18-2, Exs. A-E. Plaintiffs also submitted the declaration of customer Kathy McElwaney, who states that, for certain purchases, she believed she was paying Novus Optimum when, in reality, she had been paying Novus Opti-Lab, McElwaney Decl. to PI Mot. Finally, Plaintiff Reyes' declaration states that Novus Opti-Lab collected payment from Novus Optimum customers for Novus Optimum products, but never delivered them, prompting Plaintiffs' customers to call and complain. In the aggregate, the evidence establishes that Defendants used Plaintiffs' mark without consent.
Plaintiffs have also shown that Defendants' use is likely to cause confusion in the marketplace. Indeed, it already has, since at least some of Defendants' customers apparently thought they were purchasing products from the Plaintiffs. This is not surprising, since Defendants' domain name is almost identical to Plaintiffs', and Defendants have appropriated much of Plaintiffs' visual presentation without modification.
The Court finds that Defendants' declarations are insufficient to overcome Plaintiffs' "clear showing" that Defendants have infringed Plaintiffs' trademarks and copyrights. Plaintiffs have clearly shown that they are likely to succeed on the merits of their trademark, unfair competition, and false origin of goods claims.
"[C]ybersquatting occurs when a person other than the trademark holder registers the domain name of a well known trademark and then attempts to profit from this by either ransoming the domain name back to the trademark holder or by using the domain name to divert business from the trademark holder to the domain name holder."
To prove a violation of the Anti-Cybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA), a plaintiff must show that (1) the plaintiff owns a valid trademark that was distinctive or famous at the time the domain name was registered, (2) defendants registered, trafficked in, or used a domain name that is identical or confusingly similar to the plaintiff's mark, and (3) defendants had a bad faith intent to profit from the plaintiff's mark. 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d)(1)(A);
Plaintiffs have established these elements. The Court finds that Plaintiffs own a valid trademark, and that the trademark is distinctive. "Marks are often classified in categories of generally increasing distinctiveness . . . they may be (1) generic; (2) descriptive; (3) suggestive; (4) arbitrary; or (5) fanciful. . . . The latter three categories of marks, because their intrinsic nature serves to identify a particular source of a product, are deemed inherently distinctive and are entitled to protection."
Secondly, for the reasons discussed above, Plaintiffs have clearly shown that Defendants published a website at a domain name that is confusingly similar to Plaintiffs' marks. Indeed, through the McElwany declaration and Plaintiff Reyes' declaration, Plaintiffs have established actual confusion based on: the confusingly similar domain name at issue, "novusopti-lab.webs.com," which is almost identical to the name "Novus Optimum" and confusingly similar to Plaintiffs' web domain, "novusoptimum.com"; the nearly identical website that Defendants published to that domain name; and Defendants' successful use of the website to sell Plaintiffs' products.
Defendants' bad faith is established by an examination of the factors set forth at 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d)(1)(B)(i), several of which apply here. The applicable factors include:
Consequently, Plaintiffs have clearly shown a likelihood of success on the merits of their cybersquatting claim.
To succeed on their copyright infringement claim, Plaintiffs "must show ownership of the allegedly infringed material and . . . demonstrate that the alleged infringers violate at least one exclusive right granted to copyright holders under 17 U.S.C. § 106."
Here, Plaintiffs base their copyright claim on Defendants' copying of their website. They allege that they began the registration process for the website prior to filing of this action, that they are the owners of the website, that Defendants saw the website, and that they copied it. Defendants do not contest these facts, and, as stated above, they only argue that they copied the website with Plaintiff Reyes' consent. For the reasons discussed above, the Court finds Defendants' consent claims unpersuasive. Plaintiffs have clearly shown that they are likely to succeed on their copyright infringement claim.
The mere possibility of irreparable injury is insufficient for a preliminary injunction to issue.
The Copyright Act provides that federal courts "may, subject to the provisions of section 1498 of title 28, grant temporary and final injunctions on such terms as it may deem reasonable to prevent or restrain infringement of a copyright." 17 U.S.C. § 502. Similarly, the Lanham Act authorizes federal courts to issue injunctions to prevent trademark infringement "according to the principles of equity and upon such terms as the court may deem reasonable." 15 U.S.C. § 1116(a). However, the historical presumption in copyright cases that a showing of likely success on the merits categorically satisfies the irreparable harm requirement was rejected by the Supreme Court in
Courts have repeatedly recognized that "intangible injuries, such as damage to ongoing recruitment efforts and goodwill, qualify as irreparable harm."
Defendants argue that Plaintiffs cannot show irreparable harm because Defendants have closed the Novus Opti-Labs website and have ceased selling Novus Optimum products. The Court disagrees. Though Defendants may have discontinued the conduct complained of in this case, nothing would prevent them from infringing Plaintiffs' trademarks and copyright in the future. The Court finds a substantial likelihood of imminent and tangible harm resulting from Defendants' likely infringement of Plaintiffs' trademarks and copyright.
In considering the balance of equities, a court considering a preliminary injunction must assess "the degree of harm that will be suffered by the plaintiff or the defendant if the injunction is improperly granted or denied."
The hardship of improperly granting an injunction in this case is minimal, given Defendants' claim that they no longer sell Novus Optimum products, maintain the Novus Opti-Lab website, or have any desire to continue selling the products. By contrast, the hardship of improperly denying Plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction would be the likely and imminent irreparable harm discussed above, if Defendants re-engage in infringing commerce. The Court finds that the balance of equities therefore tips sharply in favor of Defendants.
Enjoining violation of federal statutes is in the public interest.
Plaintiffs have made a clear showing under each of the four factors enumerated above, and are entitled to a preliminary injunction preventing the continued infringement of their trademarks and copyright. At oral argument, Plaintiffs consented to the imposition of a bond requirement of $10,000. Given the evidence of Defendants' sales to date and their claim that they were obligated to pay over eighty percent of their revenues to Plaintiffs, this amount is adequate to pay the costs and damages Defendants will sustain if the Court later finds that they were wrongfully enjoined or restrained.
The Court's Order preliminarily enjoining Defendants is set forth in detail in the conclusion.
Plaintiffs also seek a writ of attachment on Defendants' bank accounts, real property, and other non-exempt property to recover $160,000 in allegedly stolen cash, $14,683.40 in allegedly diverted payments from Novus Optimum to Novus Opti-Lab, and $98,900 in allegedly stolen personal property, for a total of $273,583.40. App. Attachment, ECF No. 18. For the reasons discussed below, the Court will deny the application.
Rule 64 authorizes federal courts to employ state law prejudgment seizure remedies. Attachment "is a remedy by which a plaintiff with a contractual claim to money (not a claim to a specific item of property) may have various items of a defendant's property seized before judgment and held by a levying officer for execution after judgment."
In California, "an attachment may be issued only in an action on a claim or claims for money, each of which is based upon a contract, express or implied, where the total amount of the claim or claims is a fixed or readily ascertainable amount not less than five hundred dollars ($500) exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney's fees." Cal. Code Civ. P. § 483.010. Any party seeking prejudgment attachment must demonstrate that: (1) the claim upon which the attachment is based is one upon which an attachment may be issued; (2) the plaintiff has established the probable validity of the claim upon which the attachment is based; (3) the attachment is not sought for a purpose other than the recovery on the claim upon which the attachment is based; and (4) the amount to be secured by the attachment is greater than zero. Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 484.090(a). The probable validity requirement is satisfied "where it is more likely than not that the plaintiff will obtain a judgment against the defendant on that claim." Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 481.190. Here, only the first two requirements are at issue.
Plaintiffs mix their causes of action in discussing their application for a writ of attachment. Plaintiffs' trademark and copyright infringement claims concerning the Novus Opti-Lab website and Defendants' sale of Novus Optimum products are unrelated to the alleged theft of $160,000 in cash and almost $100,000 in personal property. Facts relating to the former cannot support prejudgment attachment for recovery of the latter. Thus, the Court must examine Plaintiffs' case for a writ of attachment by examining separately Plaintiffs' evidence concerning the alleged thefts and Defendants' alleged misappropriation of roughly $15,000 in Novus Optimum customer purchases.
Writs of attachment are not available for tort damages. Plaintiffs argue that their claims nevertheless qualify for prejudgment attachment pursuant to an implied contract theory arising out of the misappropriation, or conversion, of Plaintiff Reyes' personal property.
Plaintiffs' reliance on assumpsit as a theory of relief is unsupported by these facts. The assumpsit cause of action, which Plaintiffs do not even attempt to define, has been summarized by one treatise as follows:
This doctrine does not apply here. Plaintiffs do not allege that Defendants were Plaintiffs' bailees or that Defendants otherwise acquired Plaintiffs' property with Plaintiffs' consent; to the contrary, they allege that Defendants came into Plaintiffs' products and other items without Plaintiffs' consent. Also, Plaintiffs have not waived their tort claims to sue in assumpsit; they are pursuing their tort claims. These facts distinguish the present case from each of the cases cited by the Plaintiffs, including
Plaintiffs' claims are tort claims and will not support a writ of attachment.
The "probably validity" requirement is evaluated under the preponderance of the evidence standard.
Here, Plaintiffs have failed to establish the probable validity of their claims arising out of the alleged theft of personal property and the theft and misappropriation of trade secrets. Plaintiffs have not submitted any evidence establishing that a theft occurred or that it was Defendants who perpetrated it. Indeed, the full extent of Plaintiffs' evidence pointing to Defendants is the fact that Defendants had keys to the corporate facility from which Plaintiffs' cash and property were allegedly taken. And Plaintiffs admit that others had keys as well. Moreover, the amount stolen is not a fixed amount, nor is it readily ascertainable, because Plaintiffs have submitted no evidence establishing either the fact that the property was stolen or the value of the property. On the record before the Court, a writ of attachment on the theft claims cannot issue.
With respect to Plaintiffs' infringement claims, discussed more fully above, Plaintiffs submitted a summary of the revenue allegedly misappropriated by Novus Opti-Lab, including the names of the customers who allegedly paid Novus Opti-Lab thinking they were paying Novus Optimum, and the amounts they paid. Defendants do not contest that Novus Opti-Lab received $14,683.40 in revenue from Novus Optimum customers. And, for the reasons discussed above with respect to Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction, Plaintiffs have established the probable validity of their trademark and copyright claims. Thus, Plaintiffs satisfy the probable validity requirement for an attachment to issue. However, as discussed above, the California Attachment Law does not authorize prejudgment attachment for trademark and copyright claims, and even if it did, Plaintiffs have not waived their tort claims and opted to sue in assumpsit.
Plaintiffs argue that they are also entitled to a writ of attachment pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15657.01, which provides: "Notwithstanding Section 483.010 of the Code of Civil Procedure ("C.C.P."), an attachment may be issued in any action for damages pursuant to Section 15657.5 for financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult, as defined in Section 15610.30. The other provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure not inconsistent with this article shall govern the issuance of an attachment pursuant to this section."
Section 483.010(a) of the C.C.P. provides, "Except as otherwise provided by statute, an attachment may be issued only in an action on a claim or claims for money, each of which is based upon a contract, express or implied, where the total amount of the claim or claims is a fixed or readily ascertainable amount not less than five hundred dollars ($500) exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney's fees." Thus, although no court has yet construed section 15657.01, it would appear to relieve Plaintiffs of proving that their claim is founded on contract. This interpretation is consistent with the legislative history of the statute.
However, the remainder of the attachment law's requirements still apply, and Plaintiffs have not established the probable validity of their theft of personal property claims, nor are those claims for a fixed quantity that is readily ascertainable. The only fixed amount as to which Plaintiffs have established the probably validity of their claims is the $14,683.40 that Defendants received through their use of the Novus Opti-Lab website. Those funds, however, (if they do not belong to Defendants) belong to Novus Optimum Labs, a Nevada Corporation, and not to individual plaintiff Meliza Reyes. ECF No. 1, Compl., ¶ 5. The corporation does not have standing to bring an elder abuse claim, and so section 15657.01 does not apply.
For the foregoing reasons, the Court DENIES Plaintiffs' Application for a Writ of Attachment.
Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction is GRANTED as follows:
Plaintiffs' Application for a Writ of Attachment is DENIED.
