TED STEWART, District Judge.
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff James Arnett's ("Arnett") first Motion for Leave to Amend;
In or around February 2011, Arnett and Howard began discussing a potential project to create a movie and audio book based on a live presentation that Howard had performed numerous times in Utah, titled Overcoming Life's Trauma. Initially, Howard offered to give Arnett the Director and Producer roles and to make Arnett a major equity partner in the project. At that time, Arnett's schedule did not allow him to begin the project.
In or around May 2011, Howard contacted Arnett again about the project. This time, Howard's offer also included payment of all of Arnett's expenses including rent for his work studio in Tucson, meals, a telephone, lodging, a vehicle, per diem for gas, cigarettes, and roundtrip airfare from Tucson to Salt Lake City. Arnett accepted Howard's offer but the parties did not create a written agreement. On June 5, 2011, Arnett flew to Salt Lake City on a ticket booked by Howard.
Once Arnett arrived at Howard's home, they began discussing the project. Howard explained he believed he was commissioned by God to create the project and showed Arnett a temple recommend from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ("LDS Church").
Arnett completed the audio book and television commercial within a few weeks. Shortly thereafter, Arnett and Howard began filming the full-length movie. The relationship between Arnett and Howard soured over the course of the next two months.
Arnett repeatedly asked Howard to assign an equity partner interest in the project, but Howard refused. To incentivize Arnett to continue working, Howard gave Arnett a motorcycle as a bonus. Howard told Arnett that the motorcycle was a 1995 Suzuki Intruder that was in good condition, and that it was worth more than $3,000.
By late September 2011, Arnett had completed the video portion of the film. Howard's Utah facilities lacked the audio equipment necessary to complete the audio portion, so Arnett traveled back to Arizona on the motorcycle to complete the project. While driving home, the motorcycle broke down due to electrical problems.
In December 2011, Howard contacted Arnett to arrange a trip to Arizona to finalize the project. But at that time Arnett was facing eviction and was unable to work on the project. Howard completed a small portion of the film on his own and uploaded it to the Internet. Arnett demanded that Howard cease using the film until Arnett had been compensated. Howard subsequently registered the materials for copyright protection, without listing Arnett as a copyright holder.
Arnett originally filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. After Arnett amended his complaint and the parties fully briefed a motion to dismiss, the court transferred the case to this Court.
On July 30, 2013, Plaintiff first moved for leave to amend his First Amended Complaint to add three claims and to provide additional allegations and evidence. On September 11, 2013, Plaintiff filed a second Motion for Leave to Amend wherein he withdrew the initial Motion for Leave to Amend. Therefore, the Court will not consider the initial Motion. The second Motion for Leave to Amend will be discussed below.
On a 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss, the Court must "accept as true all well-pleaded factual allegations . . . and view these allegations in the light most favorable to the plaintiff."
Defendants argue that Plaintiff fails to state a claim for each of his four claims and that Plaintiff fails to allege facts demonstrating the involvement of Lifeline, NAH, or the Trust. Plaintiff contends that each claim is sufficiently pleaded and that Lifeline, NAH, and the Trust are alter egos of Howard, which he used as instrumentalities of his alleged misconduct.
The parties dispute whether Arnett performed services or provided goods, and therefore whether the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC") governs the parties' transaction. Defendants also argue that Plaintiff fails to allege the existence of a contract because the parties had not decided upon a definitive price.
Chapter 2 of the UCC governs transactions in goods, not services.
"A condition precedent to the enforcement of any contract is that there be a meeting of the minds of the parties, which must be spelled out, either expressly or impliedly, with sufficient definiteness to be enforced."
As alleged by Arnett, Howard's initial offer in or around early February 2011 contained an indefinite price term. At that time, Howard allegedly offered to make Arnett a major equity partner and to credit Arnett as Director and Producer of the projects.
In or around late May 2011, however, Arnett alleges that Howard extended an offer with more definite terms. At that time, Arnett allegedly offered to make Arnett a major equity partner, to credit Arnett as Director and Producer of the projects, and to pay all of Arnett's expenses, such as studio rent, lodging, meals, a vehicle, airfare, cigarettes, and more. Arnett accepted this offer. Although the percentage share of Arnett's major equity partnership remains unclear, the agreement to pay Arnett's expenses provides the Court with a basis for determining the existence of a breach and for crafting a remedy.
Based on the foregoing, the Court finds that Plaintiff successfully pleaded the existence of a contract and will deny Defendant's Motion as to the breach of contract claim.
To state a claim for fraud, Plaintiff must allege, with particularity,
"In alleging fraud or mistake, a party must state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud or mistake."
Arnett alleges that Howard failed to inform Arnett of Howard's involvement in another civil action. Arnett also contends that Howard misrepresented his honest character by claiming to be a temple-worthy member of the LDS Church by showing Arnett a fraudulently obtained temple recommend. Defendants, on the other hand, argue that Arnett failed to plead each element of fraud, much less satisfy the heightened pleading standard for fraud claims imposed by Rule 9(b).
Plaintiff asserts that Howard was alleged to be a tortfeasor in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, which caused devaluation of Plaintiff's ownership interest in the parties' film project. Defendants argue that this omission is irrelevant to the transaction at issue in this case and that Plaintiff failed to allege any other statements that could state a claim for fraud.
The Utah Supreme Court has recognized that fraud may be based on an "omission of a material fact when there is a duty to disclose."
Arnett has not alleged facts to support a finding that Howard had a duty to disclose allegations against him in unrelated federal court proceedings in Georgia. In fact, Arnett's allegations indicate that the parties had arm's length discussions about their transaction. Moreover, Plaintiff's First Amended Complaint includes an excerpt of one of the orders issued by the federal court in Georgia, which indicates that the proceedings were ongoing well beyond the parties' negotiations in the instant case. Additionally, even if Arnett had successfully pleaded a fraud claim, the economic loss rule likely bars this claim.
Based on the foregoing, the Court is unable to find that Plaintiff has met his burden to plead facts demonstrating the existence of a duty to disclose the allegations against him in a Georgia court while negotiating a separate transaction with Defendant.
Arnett argues that Howard fraudulently misrepresented his eligibility to attend the LDS Church's temple in order to assure Arnett that Howard was trustworthy and had entered into the parties' transaction honestly.
Arnett has not met his burden to state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud. Arnett asserts—without factual support—that Howard fraudulently obtained a temple recommend. Rule 9(b)'s particularity requirement demands more than Arnett's conclusory assertion. Without additional facts demonstrating that Howard fraudulently obtained the temple recommend, the Court is unable to conclude that the statement was false, or that Howard made this statement with knowledge of its falsity. Based on the foregoing, the Court will grant Defendants' Motion as to this claim.
Arnett alleges that Howard gave Arnett a motorcycle as a bonus incentive to continue working on the project until Howard could pay Arnett according to the parties' oral agreement. Arnett asserts a second fraud claim arising from this bonus because Arnett alleges that Howard misrepresented the motorcycle's "value, condition, and year of manufacture."
As explained above, to state a claim for fraud, plaintiffs must allege, with particularity, facts demonstrating the materiality of the statement, and that the defendant knew the statement was false. Arnett does not allege such facts regarding Howard's representations about the motorcycle's value, condition, or year of manufacture. Arnett does not allege that Howard knew the motorcycle's brake pads were in poor condition. Consequently, Arnett also does not allege facts that demonstrate Howard knew the motorcycle was effectively valueless. Finally, Arnett does not allege facts that demonstrate the materiality of the fact that the motorcycle was manufactured in 1994, rather than 1995. Therefore, the Court will dismiss Plaintiff's claim for fraud arising from the motorcycle bonus.
Plaintiff asserts an endangerment claim based on an Arizona criminal statute. This claim arises from Plaintiff's allegation that the motorcycle Defendant provided in Utah suffered from certain defects. This requires the Court to determine what law applies.
Utah and Arizona both follow the most significant relationship test described in the Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws.
Utah has the most significant relationship to the transaction at issue in this case. Most importantly, it appears that performance of the contract took place entirely in Utah, the location of the subject matter of the contract was in Utah, and the allegedly defective motorcycle was given to Plaintiff in Utah. The remaining factors do not weigh in favor of one forum over the other. The parties formed and negotiated the contract over the phone while Plaintiff was in Arizona and Defendant was in Utah. Similarly, the Defendant and his business reside in Utah and Plaintiff and his business reside in Arizona. The Court finds that Utah has the most significant relationship to the transaction at issue in this case and therefore Utah law governs the dispute.
Plaintiff argues that Utah law provides a basis for his endangerment claim. Utah does have a similar criminal statute prohibiting reckless endangerment.
Plaintiff asserts all claims against Lifeline, NAH, and the Trust, in addition to Howard. Defendants argue that Plaintiff failed to plead facts demonstrating the involvement of Lifeline, NAH, or the Trust in the conduct giving rise to this suit and therefore these entities should be dismissed. Plaintiff contends that Howard was acting as the agent of Lifeline, NAH, and the Trust and that these entities were Howard's alter egos.
The Court need not reach the issue of whether these entities were alter egos of Howard. At the motion to dismiss stage, the Court views well-pleaded facts in the light most favorable to Plaintiff. Plaintiff alleges that Lifeline paid Plaintiff an occasional petty cash stipend according to the parties' agreement. Plaintiff also appears to allege that Lifeline's website continues to advertise Howard's books and seminar events, using Plaintiff's work. Also, Howard allegedly informed Plaintiff that NAH was funding the project. Based on these allegations, NAH and Lifeline appear to have been involved in some aspects of the conduct giving rise to this suit. Therefore, the Court is unable to conclude at this stage of the suit that Lifeline and NAH should be dismissed because of their lack of involvement in the parties' transaction.
According to Plaintiff's allegations, however, the Trust was only involved in the portion of the transaction in which Plaintiff received a motorcycle as a bonus. As explained above, this claim will be dismissed. Because Plaintiff has not otherwise alleged the Trust's involvement, the Court will dismiss the Trust from the case.
Plaintiff moves for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Defendants to prevent them from selling, distributing, or exhibiting the film, audio book, or television commercial until this suit has been resolved.
Issuance of temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions are governed by the same standard.
"A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy; it is the exception rather than the rule."
"[B]ecause a showing of probable irreparable harm is the single most important prerequisite for the issuance of a preliminary injunction, the moving party must first demonstrate that such injury is likely before the other requirements for the issuance of an injunction will be considered."
Plaintiff seeks only monetary damages and does not allege a harm that cannot be compensated after trial by monetary damages. The Court finds that Plaintiff has not satisfied his burden to demonstrate that irreparable harm will occur if a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction is not issued. Therefore, the Court will deny Plaintiff's requests for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction.
The Court also notes that both parties request attorneys' fees in the briefing relating to this Motion. The Court will deny both requests.
Plaintiff seeks leave to file an amended complaint, in order to add claims for unjust enrichment and copyright infringement. Defendants argue that leave should not be granted because Plaintiff's request was procedurally improper, an amendment would prejudice Defendants, and Plaintiff's proposed amendments would be futile.
Where, as in this case, a motion under Rule 12(b) has been served, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 15(a)(2) dictates that "a party may amend its pleading only with the opposing party's written consent or the court's leave."
Defendants argue that Plaintiff should not be granted leave to amend because Plaintiff's second request for leave to amend was not filed in the format dictated by local rule DUCivR 7-1(a)(1). Defendants assert that Plaintiff simply filed a proposed amended complaint, rather than filing a motion stating the grounds for relief and a proposed amended complaint attached as an exhibit, in accordance with the local rule.
"[P]ro se status does not relieve [a party] of the obligation to comply with procedural rules,"
Defendants argue that the substantial attorney's fees associated with defending against an amended complaint would be prejudicial and therefore Plaintiff's request for leave to amend should be denied.
"The court should freely give leave [to amend] when justice so requires."
The Court notes that granting leave to amend will likely cause Defendants to incur additional expenses defending this suit. The Court also acknowledges that Defendants have already filed two motions to dismiss in this case. But Defendants have not yet filed an answer, discovery has not yet opened, and Plaintiff's proposed amendment seeks to add facts and substantive claims that arise from the subject matter set forth in the original complaint. In light of Plaintiff's pro se status, and the substantive nature of the proposed amendments, the Court finds that amending the Complaint at this time would not unduly prejudice Defendants.
Defendants also argue that amending the Complaint with the proposed Second Amended Complaint would be futile because both claims Plaintiff seeks to add would not survive a motion to dismiss. "A proposed amendment is futile if the complaint, as amended, would be subject to dismissal."
The four causes of action raised in the First Amended Complaint and discussed above remain largely unchanged in the proposed Second Amended Complaint. Plaintiff has also added claims for unjust enrichment and copyright infringement. These two claims are the principal basis for Plaintiff's request for leave to amend.
Plaintiff asserts that Defendants have been unjustly enriched by Plaintiff's work on the movie, audio book, and advertisement. Specifically, Plaintiff argues that Howard filed a copyright claim for the movie, audio book, and advertisement, and used them for commercial purposes without compensating Arnett.
Parties asserting an unjust enrichment claim must demonstrate that "(1) a benefit was conferred, (2) the conferee appreciated or had knowledge of the benefit, and (3) the conferee accepted or retained the benefit under circumstances making it inequitable to retain the benefit without making payment of its value."
Arnett alleges that he entered into a contract with Howard. But, as discussed above, Defendants argue that the terms are too uncertain to create an enforceable agreement. At this stage, the Court is unable to find that a contract exists as a matter of law. Therefore, the Court finds that amending the Complaint to add Arnett's unjust enrichment claim would not be futile.
Plaintiff asserts a copyright infringement claim, alleging that Defendants fraudulently obtained a copyright for Plaintiff's work.
"In order to prevail on its copyright infringement claim, Plaintiff must establish both: (1) that it possesses a valid copyright and (2) that Defendants `copied' protectable elements of the copyrighted work."
Central to Plaintiff's copyright infringement claim is the nature of Plaintiff's employment. Defendants argue that Plaintiff does not possess a valid copyright in the movie, audio book, or commercial because Plaintiff performed work for hire and created the materials within the scope of his employment. Plaintiff contends that because there was no employment agreement between the parties, Plaintiff's employment was not work for hire and Plaintiff retained the copyright for the materials he created.
The Supreme Court has interpreted this statutory language to mean that "a work for hire can arise through one of two mutually exclusive means, one for employees and one for independent contractors, and ordinary canons of statutory interpretation indicate that the classification of a particular hired party should be made with reference to agency law."
Arnett's allegations provide some support for concluding that Arnett was Howard's employee, under agency law principles. Namely, Arnett alleges numerous facts indicating that Howard exercised control over Arnett's work and the materials produced. Nonetheless, the Court is unable to conclude at this stage of the litigation that Arnett's work falls under the work for hire doctrine. Arnett alleges that Howard offered to make him a "major equity partner"
The Court will grant leave for Plaintiff to file a new complaint consistent with this Order. In summary, Plaintiff may reassert the breach of contract claim and assert claims for unjust enrichment and copyright infringement. All other claims are dismissed and should not be repleaded.
Based on the foregoing, it is hereby
ORDERED that Plaintiff's first Motion for Leave to Amend (Docket No. 57) is DENIED. It is further
ORDERED that Defendants' Motion to Dismiss (Docket No. 59) is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART. It is further
ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion for Preliminary Injunctive Relief and Temporary Restraining Order (Docket No. 65) is DENIED. It is further
ORDERED that Plaintiff's second Motion for Leave to Amend (Docket No. 71) is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART.
The Plaintiff is ordered to file an amended complaint consistent with this Order, within thirty (30) days.
