ROBERT C. CHAMBERS, District Judge.
Pending are the following motions: (1) Defendants and Counterclaimants Baychar Holdings, LLC, Baychar, Inc., Baychar, and Baychar Technologies, Inc.'s. (collectively referred to as the Baychar Defendants') Motion for Summary Judgment [doc. no. 123]; (2) Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendant Rubberlite, Inc.'s Rule, 56(b) and 56(d)(1) Motion for Partial Summary Judgment/Adjudication [doc. no. 112]; and (3) Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendant James Mayo's Rule 56(b) and 56(d)(1) Motion for Summary Judgment/Adjudication [doc. no. 111]. On July 26, 2010, the Court held a hearing on the motions. For the following reasons, the Court
As relevant to the summary judgment motions, Mr. Mayo is the CEO and President of Rubberlite. Rubberlite is a developer and manufacturer of cellular rubber and plastic products and custom-engineered polyurethane foams. Ms. Baychar invented certain patented intellectual property related to a hi-tech industrial product known as "phase change materials" (PCMs). Baychar Holdings, LLC, of which Ms. Baychar is the principal, holds and controls these patents. Generally speaking, if PCMs can be created in a commercially viable manner, they can be applied to various foams and nonwoven materials for widespread applications in a variety of commercial products. If successfully produced, it may provide lucrative business opportunities for developers and manufacturers. However, the development and commercial production of PCMs involves very technical chemical formulations and manufacturing, which requires a high level of skill and expertise.
Believing a profitable relationship could be forged between the two companies in the PCM market, Rubberlite and Baychar Holdings, Inc.
Despite the issues which arose between the parties after the first License Agreement was signed, Mr. Mayo and Ms. Baychar discussed a second License Agreement which would exist through a joint venture structure. In June and early July of 2007, Mr. Mayo and Baychar signed a letter of intent concerning the joint venture. Mr. Mayo created a separate company, called Jammer Investments, LLC, to pay joint venture expenses. Thereafter, on August 3, 2007, Ms. Baychar, as President of Baychar Holdings, and Mr. Mayo, acting as Managing Partner of Mayo-Baychar
The problems which arose soon after the first License Agreement was signed, however, were not resolved, and the business relationships ultimately fell apart. On January 17, 2008, Rubberlite sent a notice of "Termination of Licensing Arrangement with Rubberlite." In the notice, Rubberlite asserts it was immediately terminating the licensing arrangement for good cause. On January 23, 2008, counsel for the Baychar Defendants responded by rejecting the notice as being insufficient under the terms of the License Agreement. Counsel for the Baychar Defendants also stated that, if Rubberlite failed to comply with any essential element of its obligation under the License Agreement, the Baychar Defendants would consider Rubberlite in breach and pursue remedies under the Agreement.
On February 7, 2008, counsel for the Baychar Defendants sent a second letter to counsel for Rubberlite. This letter was a "Notice of Termination of Licensing Agreement," based upon Rubberlite's alleged failure to perform its obligations under the contract. The letter gave Rubberlite one week to cure the alleged defects. Absent such cure, the letter informed Rubberlite that the contract would be terminated and the Baychar Defendants would pursue relief.
At this point, the relationship between the parties was quite acrimonious and, on September 18, 2008, Plaintiffs filed this action against Ms. Baychar, Baychar Holdings, LLC, Baychar, Inc., and Does 1 through 100. On November 14, 2008, Plaintiffs amended their Complaint to add a third company as a defendant, Baychar Technologies, Inc. The Baychar Defendants answered the First Amended Complaint and filed a counterclaim against Plaintiffs Rubberlite and Mr. Mayo on January 30, 2009. On November 6, 2009, Plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint adding another company as a defendant, Solid Water Holdings, LLC (Solid Water). This Court dismissed Solid Water by Memorandum Opinion and Order entered on May 25, 2010.
In the Third Amended Complaint, Plaintiffs allege five causes of action. These include: (1) fraudulent misrepresentation and omission; (2) negligent misrepresentation and omission; (3) unjust enrichment in that Rubberlite paid the Baychar Defendants more than $300,000 for a worthless license; (4) breach of contract and covenant of good faith and fair dealing; and (5) a declaratory judgment. In their counterclaim, the Baychar Defendants allege: (1) a breach of contract by Rubberlite's failure to perform under the License Agreement of January 26, 2007; (2) a breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (3) a breach of fiduciary duty against Mr. Mayo with respect to the August 3, 2007 License Agreement; (4) a breach of express and/or implied contract against Mr. Mayo with respect to the August 3, 2007 License Agreement; (5) a breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing against Mr. Mayo with respect to the joint venture; and (6) they seek a declaratory judgment. It is clear from the pleadings that both parties believe they are the victim of the other party's wrongdoing, and after extensive discovery, both sides argue they are entitled to at least partial summary judgment in their favor.
To obtain summary judgment, the moving party must show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment
Although the Court will view all underlying facts and inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, the nonmoving party nonetheless must offer some "concrete evidence from which a reasonable juror could return a verdict in his [or her] favor[.]" Anderson, 477 U.S. at 256, 106 S.Ct. 2505. Summary judgment is appropriate when the nonmoving party has the burden of proof on an essential element of his or her case and does not make, after adequate time for discovery, a showing sufficient to establish that element. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). The nonmoving party must satisfy this burden of proof by offering more than a mere "scintilla of evidence" in support of his or her position. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
The Baychar Defendants argue they are entitled to summary judgment on all of Plaintiffs' claims. As Plaintiffs rely upon numerous factual assertions in support of their claims, it is necessary for the Court to consider these assertions with respect to each claim to determine whether summary judgment is warranted. Plaintiffs' first claim of fraudulent misrepresentation and omission primarily focuses on actions taken before the contract was entered. Specifically, Plaintiffs allege the Baychar Defendants misrepresented a number of material facts which fraudulently induced them into entering into both Licensing Agreements. These alleged misrepresentations include:
Third Amended Complaint, at ¶ 15(a)-(I). Plaintiffs also allege that the Baychar Defendants omitted many material facts related to these same subject matters. Relying upon these misrepresentations and omissions, Plaintiffs assert they entered into the contracts and paid the Baychar Defendants more than $300,000, and they received no value in return.
In determining whether these allegations are subject to summary judgment, the Court agrees with Plaintiffs that the factual basis for the vast majority of these issues is heavily disputed, and the issues are best left for a jury to resolve. However, there are two contentions by Plaintiffs that, even if true, the Court finds cannot support their claim.
First, Plaintiffs point out that the January 26, 2007 License Agreement was with Baychar Holdings, Inc., and the contract states that Baychar Holdings, Inc. is a Maine corporation. Plaintiffs assert this representation is inaccurate because Baychar Holdings, Inc. does not exist under Maine law. The Baychar Defendants respond by claiming the use of "Inc." rather than "LLC" was a mere scrivener's error, and it is acknowledged that the actual contracting party is Baychar Holding, LLC. In addition, the Court finds it does not appear that either party acted any differently because the wrong corporate abbreviation was used and, indeed, invoices from Baychar Holdings, LLC were sent and paid by Rubberlite. Moreover, Mr. Mayo admitted in his deposition it did not matter to him what name was on the License Agreement because he was basically dealing with Ms. Baychar who he believed was managing all the Baychar entities. Deposition of James Allen Mayo, at 168 (Nov. 13, 2009). Given this information, the Court cannot find any actionable fraud based on the fact the contract states Baychar Holdings, Inc. rather than Baychar Holdings, LLC.
Second, the Court finds Plaintiffs' assertion the Baychar Defendants misrepresented the status of litigation over Claim 8 of the U.S. Patent No. 6,048,810 is not actionable. Although Plaintiffs alleged Claim 8 was critical to the License Agreement,
Plaintiffs' second cause of action is for negligent misrepresentations and omissions and is based upon the same facts as their fraud claim. Although fraud is an exception to the parol evidence rule, the Baychar Defendants argue negligence is not, and it is subject to the integration clause in the contract which prevents the Court from considering extrinsic evidence. Plaintiffs argue, however, that the parties dispute whether the January 2007 version of the License Agreement is the operative, final version of the contract. Thus, Plaintiffs assert the controlling integration clause cannot be established.
The Baychar Defendants respond by stating that the terms of the integration clause are not in dispute. The only dispute is over whether the signed License Agreement is for a term of four or five years. All the other terms of the License Agreement were identical to Rubberlite's own last proposal which Mr. Mayo had signed. Thus, the Baychar Defendants argue the integration clause mandates summary judgment on this cause of action.
Plaintiffs insist that even if the Court affirms the existence of the integration clause, parol evidence does not bar their claim for negligent misrepresentation and omission. Plaintiffs assert that the only difference between negligent and fraudulent misrepresentation is the required scienter, and this fact should not change the application of an integration clause or the parol evidence rule. Although there is no West Virginia case directly on point, the West Virginia Supreme Court consistently has held "`[a] written contract
In addition, the Fourth Circuit has recognized that other jurisdictions allow such evidence despite integration clauses and parol evidence rules. See In re Marine Energy Sys. Corp., 299 Fed.Appx. 222, 229 n. 1 (4th Cir.2008) (finding that under South Carolina law "`[n]either the parol evidence rule nor a merger clause in a contract prevents one from proceeding on tort theories of negligent misrepresentation and fraud'" (citations omitted)); Capital Centre, LLC v. Wilkinson, No. Civ. A. RDB 04-182, 2006 WL 827375, at n. 8 (D.Md. Mar. 27, 2006) (unpublished) (stating that under Maryland law "a general integration clause will not bar a claim of negligent misrepresentation where that clause does not specifically disclaim liability for certain assurances. The [Maryland] court based its decision on a `policy of encouraging honesty and candor in contract negotiations' and noted `[t]he implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing would virtually be eliminated if a contracting party could escape liability for negligent conduct simply by inserting a general integration [clause] into the agreement'" (italics deleted and citation omitted)); Boginis v. Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc., 57 F.3d 1065 (4th Cir.1995) (unpublished) (recognizing that under Florida law an exception to the parole or extrinsic evidence rule exists for "actions alleging negligent misrepresentation or, otherwise, fraud in the inducement. In such cases, the parole evidence rule does not preclude admission of extrinsic evidence" (citations omitted)). The Court finds these cases persuasive. Thus, to the extent the Court will allow evidence on Plaintiffs' fraudulent misrepresentation claim, the Court finds genuine issues of material facts exist and finds summary judgment inappropriate on Plaintiff's negligent misrepresentation and omission claim.
Plaintiffs' third cause of action is for unjust enrichment. Plaintiffs allege they paid in excess of $300,000 for a worthless license. They further assert it would be unjust and inequitable to allow the Baychar Defendants to retain these funds for the same basic reasons stated in their other causes of action.
Plaintiffs acknowledged that they cannot recover under both contract and unjust enrichment theories, but they state their unjust enrichment claim is merely an alternate theory of recovery. The Court agrees with Plaintiffs that under Rule 8 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure they may plead alternative theories.
Bossie v. Boone County Bd. of Educ., 211 W.Va. 694, 698, 568 S.E.2d 1, 5 (2002) (quoting 17A Am.Jur.2d Contracts § 600 (1991)); see also North v. West Virginia Bd. of Regents, 175 W.Va. 179, 332 S.E.2d 141 (1985) ("Fraud in the procurement of a deed or contract always renders it voidable." (citation omitted)). Thus, if Plaintiffs are successful in rescinding the contract, Plaintiffs may be entitled to unjust enrichment as equitable relief. Accordingly, the Court denies summary judgment in favor of the Baychar Defendants on this claim.
Plaintiffs' fourth cause of action is for breach of contract and covenant of good faith and fair dealing. With respect to this claim, Plaintiffs allege a similar factual basis as they alleged with respect to their claims for fraudulent and negligent misrepresentations. Specifically, Plaintiffs claim the Baychar Defendants:
Third Amended Complaint, at ¶ 37(a)-(h). The Baychar Defendants argue that they are entitled to summary judgment on this claim because Rubberlite did not follow the termination clause in the contract by giving three months written notice and an opportunity to cure the alleged breach. In addition, the Baychar Defendants assert the claim is barred by the doctrine of waiver as Rubberlite expressed a willingness and intent to move forward with the contract even after problems arose. In fact, Rubberlite went so far to even pay some of the invoices they now assert were fraudulent.
Plaintiffs respond by stating all these claims involve factual issues which are inappropriate to resolve on a motion for summary judgment. Upon review, the Court agrees with Plaintiffs except as to subparagraph (d) to the extent it includes Claim 8. As previously stated, it appears that Plaintiffs knew Claim 8 was invalidated prior to entering into the contract. Therefore, the Court will not allow Plaintiffs to argue the fact the Baychar Defendants did not have ownership rights to this claim violated the contract.
In addition, the Baychar Defendants seek partial summary judgment in their favor on Baychar Holdings, LLC's claim for breach of contract against Rubberlite. The Baychar Defendants assert Rubberlite breached the contract by failing to pay the annual fee and royalties it owed in a total amount of $1,100,000. However, whether Rubberlite or the Baychar Defendants breached the contract is clearly in dispute and genuine issues of material facts exists which must be resolved by a jury. Therefore, the Court denies the Baychar Defendants' motion for partial summary judgment in its favor on this issue.
The Baychar Defendants further argue they are entitled to a declaratory judgment on the following allegations:
Defendants' Memorandum in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment, at 35-36. As stated above, however, the Court finds there are genuine issues of material fact regarding these matters and, therefore, the Court will not grant summary judgment on these issues.
Finally, the Baychar Defendants make a one-line statement that they are entitled to summary judgment on Plaintiffs' claim for punitive damages. Plaintiffs argue, however, that the Baychar Defendants acted intentionally, maliciously, willfully, and wantonly in disregard of Plaintiffs' rights and, therefore, they are entitled to punitive damages. The Court finds that there exists a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Plaintiffs can successfully establish these allegations. If established, punitive damages may be awarded. Therefore, the Court denies summary judgment on this claim.
In their counterclaim, the Baychar Defendants assert three causes of action against Rubberlite. In direct contrast to the claims brought by Rubberlite, the Baychar Defendants assert Rubberlite was the one that breached the contract (Count I) and the covenant of good faith and fair dealing (Count II). In addition, like Rubberlite, the Baychar Defendants also request declaratory relief (Count VI). Rubberlite moves for partial summary judgment or adjudication under Rule 56(d)(1) on these claims.
The Baychar Defendants respond to this argument by pointing out that, before it sent its letter, Mr. Mayo signed and sent a notice that Rubberlite was terminating the contract as of January 17, 2008. Counsel for the Baychar Defendants rejected the termination notice by letter dated January 23, 2008, claiming it did not comply with paragraph 7.2 of the License Agreement.
In considering the issues raised by the parties, the Court finds whether or not Rubberlite breached the contract or breached a duty of good faith and fair dealing are genuine issues of material fact. First, it is very clear that the Baychar Defendants' counterclaims extend beyond whether Rubberlite's notice of termination was valid. The Baychar Defendants assert that Rubberlite committed material breaches of the contract by failing to pay licensing fees, royalties, and invoices, by failing to market licensed products, and by disclosing confidential information to third parties. Whether these breaches occurred and, if so, whether they constitute material breaches of the License Agreement are issues within the province of the jury. Second, although the contract describes how royalties should be paid on licensed products and the purchase of unused raw material for a period of six months after the contract is terminated, the Court finds there is nothing in the License Agreement that states the Baychar Defendants cannot pursue damages for other profits it may have realized if it proves Rubberlite committed a material breach of the contract.
The Baychar Defendants' counterclaim also asserts four causes of action against Mr. Mayo personally. Their claims are: (1) breach of fiduciary duty (Count III); (2) breach of express and/or implied contact (Count IV); (3) breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing (Count V); and (4) declaratory relief (Count VI). Each of these claims arise from the same set of factual circumstances.
After beginning a business relationship through their companies, Mr. Mayo and Ms. Baychar discussed creating a joint venture to develop, market, and sell licensed products based on the Baychar patents. According to Ms. Baychar, in the months preceding the Letter of Intent,
The Baychar Defendants' counterclaim asserts that Ms. Baychar was induced to sign the Letter of Intent by Mr. Mayo's alleged promise to personally fund and capitalize the joint venture. Ms. Baychar then signed and entered into the Licensing Agreement on behalf of Baychar Holdings a short time later for the same reason. These allegations are central to each of the counts alleging personal liability against Mr. Mayo. In his motion, Mr. Mayo points to the terms of the Letter of Intent and statements by Ms. Baychar subsequent to executing both the Letter of Intent and the License Agreement as negating her claims.
Upon review, the Court first finds that the unambiguous terms of the Letter of Intent preclude Ms. Baychar's claim that Mr. Mayo undertook a binding obligation to fund the joint venture. The Letter of Intent specifically disavows any legal enforcement of negotiations and any binding duty to carry out the formation of a joint venture. Clearly, no joint venture was created by the Letter of Intent. Rather, it represents a preliminary stage in the process of formalizing a joint venture. Next, Ms. Baychar's version of the promises purportedly made by Mr. Mayo place them within the terms of the Letter of Intent. Any such promises could not be considered legally binding or create any obligation or liability on the part of Mr. Mayo.
Within a month of the Letter of Intent being signed by Ms. Baychar, the License Agreement was executed, but it contains no provisions imposing on Mr. Mayo the duty to fund the joint venture. At that
Accordingly, the Court
Third Amended Complaint, at ¶ 32(a)-(g).
Fed.R.Civ.P. 8(d).
Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(d)(1).
License Agreement, at ¶ 7.2 (Jan. 26, 2007).
License Agreement, at ¶ 7.4, in part.