EDWARD M. CHEN, District Judge.
Defendants Stephan Jenkins; Bradley Hargreaves; Third Eye Blind, Inc.; 3EB Touring, Inc.; and Stephan Jenkins Productions, Inc. bring the current motion for summary judgment or, alternatively, partial summary judgment of Plaintiff Anthony Fredianelli's First Amended Complaint ("FAC").
For the reasons stated herein, the Court
The only evidence submitted by Plaintiff in opposition to Defendants' motion for
Plaintiff's supplemental declaration includes a single exhibit of alleged deposition corrections dated December 2009 for a March 2009 deposition he gave in the matter of Jenkins v. Godtland, Case No. CGC-08-476453 (Cal.Super.Ct. San Francisco County) (hereinafter, the "Godtland case"). See Docket No. 216. The Court need not consider Plaintiff's supplemental declaration and attached exhibit because (1) it was filed in an untimely manner pursuant to Local Rule 7-3(d); (2) it violates the sham affidavit rule; and (3) the deposition corrections were untimely pursuant to California law.
First, Local Rule 7-3(d) provides that, once a reply is filed, "no additional memoranda, papers, or letters may be filed without prior Court approval," except for objections to new evidence filed with the reply and notices of relevant judicial opinions published after the date of the opposition papers. Here, Plaintiff's new evidence does not fall within either exception and Plaintiff did not seek the Court's approval to file his supplemental declaration.
Second, the sham affidavit rule provides that "a party cannot create an issue of fact by an affidavit contradicting his prior deposition testimony." Kennedy v. Allied Mut. Ins. Co., 952 F.2d 262, 266 (9th Cir. 1991). Similarly, deposition corrections may not "include changes offered solely to create a material factual dispute in a tactical attempt to evade an unfavorable summary judgment." Hambleton Bros. Lumber Co. v. Balkin Enters., Inc., 397 F.3d 1217, 1225 (9th Cir.2005). There are two limitations on a district court's discretion to invoke the sham affidavit rule: (1) "the district court must make a factual determination that the contradiction was actually a `sham'"; and (2) "the inconsistency between a party's deposition testimony and subsequent affidavit must be clear and unambiguous to justify striking the affidavit." Van Asdale v. Internat'l Game Tech., 577 F.3d 989, 998-99 (9th Cir.2009) (quotation marks and citation omitted).
Here, the affidavit claiming changes were made to the deposition transcript is a sham. Plaintiff has not submitted any evidence to corroborate that these deposition corrections were, in fact, made in December 2009 and not instead made in response to Defendants' summary judgment motion in this case. Furthermore, the inconsistency between the original deposition testimony and the new affidavit is clear. While much of Defendants' case rests on the argument that Plaintiff had no effective business or creative control in the Band, as testified to during Plaintiff's deposition in the Godtland case, Plaintiff's deposition corrections directly contradict this testimony.
Lastly, under California law, Plaintiff only had thirty days following his March 11, 2009 deposition within which to make corrections; yet, he allegedly waited until December 2009 to do so. See Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 2025.520(b); Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 43. Changes to the transcript would be barred under California law.
Plaintiff suggests that, nevertheless, he should not be bound by the transcript because he "made several attempts to get [his] original deposition transcript so [he] could make changes," including calling his attorney's office the day after the deposition and leaving "a message that [he] would like to see the transcript as soon as possible." Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 41. In California, "[t]he attorney is authorized by virtue of his employment to bind the client in procedural matters arising during the course of the action but he may not impair the client's substantial rights or the cause of action itself." Linsk v. Linsk, 70 Cal.2d 272, 276, 74 Cal.Rptr. 544, 449 P.2d 760 (1969). Cases discussing when an attorney has impaired a client's substantial rights or the cause of action itself do not deal with tactical or logistical decisions made during discovery, but rather instances where an attorney, by virtue of his conduct, has waived entire causes of action. See, e.g., Daley v. Butte County, 227 Cal.App.2d 380, 391-92, 38 Cal.Rptr. 693 (1964) (client not bound by attorney neglect resulting in dismissal for lack of prosecution). On the other hand, "[t]rial counsel is authorized to exercise his independent judgment with respect to strategic litigation decisions." Cadle Co. v. World Wide Hospitality Furniture, Inc., 144 Cal.App.4th 504, 510, 50 Cal.Rptr.3d 480 (2006). Thus, even if the attorney's failure to send Plaintiff a copy of his deposition transcript was due to negligence or mistake, Plaintiff is still bound by his attorney's conduct. See Alferitz v. Cahen, 145 Cal. 397, 400, 78 P. 878 (1904) ("Where such questions of negligence and mistake arise, there must always come a time when, notwithstanding the hardship to the client, he must be bound by the errors and omissions of his attorney."). In short, Mr. Fredianelli is bound to his deposition testimony.
Thus, the Court sustains Defendants' objections to Plaintiff's alleged deposition corrections and Plaintiff's original deposition transcript stands unaltered.
Similar to their objections to Fredianelli's deposition corrections, Defendants' sham affidavit objections 12, 13(b), 16(b), 18(b), 21, 23(a), 30(c), 35(b), 36(b), and 37(a) each refer to sections of Fredianelli's declaration wherein he states that he had a say in the business and creative decisions of the Band and that Jenkins did not have unilateral authority to make decisions on behalf of the Band, including decisions on whether or not to oust other musicians from the Band. See Defs.' Objs., Docket No. 214-1. However, in his deposition Plaintiff testified that, up until March 2009, he never gained a say in the business and creative decision-making of the Band and that "Stephan leads." See Fredianelli Dep. 78:20-22, 80:5-8. He further testified that "Stephan, basically, told [him] that [he] would have no role in the final decisions, in the decision making of the band" and that "[Jenkins] made an analogy as if he would be the United States and we would be smaller countries and he would — if he wanted to ask for advice, he would ask," but "[a]t the end of the day, he would reserve the right to make the decision and that that would not change." Id. at 227:5-6. Lastly, he testified that Jenkins had the authority to fire
Of Defendants' various hearsay objections, objections 8(a) and 11(b) are material to this Order. Objection 8(a) refers to paragraph 9 of Fredianelli's declaration, wherein he states that Godtland "said the band was ready," went over "that all members, including Stephan Jenkins, were employees of the corporations as well as owners," and "told [Fredianelli] he had consulted with the band by conference call and that the points of our conversation were approved by the band." See Defs.' Objs., Docket No. 214-1, at 8. These statements are hearsay; Plaintiff has not cited an exception to hearsay. There is no showing, for instance, that Godtland made these statements as an agent of Jenkins on a matter within the scope of that relationship under Fed.R.Evid. 801(d)(2)(D). Plaintiff may not use them as evidence for the truth of the matters asserted: that the band was ready, that all members were employees as well as owners of the corporations, or that Godtland consulted with the Band by conference call and the Band members approved the points of his conversation with Plaintiff. The objection on this ground is sustained.
Objection 11(b) refers to paragraph 12, in which Plaintiff states that Godtland "told [the Band], if we could just get Stephan Jenkins to focus and finish one new song of lyrics, Rhino Records, wanted to release a greatest hits package in 2005, instead of in 2006 when contractual rights belonging to Rhino would vest and allow them to do so without additional permission from 3eb" and that the Band "lost a million dollar advance from that failure that Rhino would have paid 3eb in 2005 for the right to release a greatest hits record with additional new songs." Defs.' Objs. 11. As above, both statements are hearsay. The objection on this ground is sustained.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(c) provides that summary judgment shall be rendered "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). An issue of fact is genuine only if there is sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find for the nonmoving party. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248-49, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). "The mere existence of a scintilla of evidence... will be insufficient; there must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the [nonmoving party]." Id. at 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505. At the summary judgment stage, evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in the nonmovant's favor. See id. at 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
Where the movant has the ultimate burden of proof at trial, it may prevail on a motion for summary judgment only if it affirmatively demonstrates that there is no genuine dispute as to every essential element of its claim. See C.A.R. Transp. Brokerage Co. v. Darden Rests., Inc., 213 F.3d 474, 480 (9th Cir.2000). Once it has met the initial burden of showing the absence of any genuine dispute, the burden shifts to the opposing party to present "`significant probative evidence tending to support its claim or defense.'" Id. (quoting Intel Corp. v. Hartford Accident & Indem. Co., 952 F.2d 1551, 1558 (9th Cir.
The following facts are viewed in Fredianelli's favor. Nearly all are based on Fredianelli's declaration except where it is barred by Defendants' evidentiary objections. Where the declaration is silent as to an issue and does not rebut Defendants' proffered evidence, such facts are considered undisputed.
Plaintiff Anthony Fredianelli met Eric Godtland and Defendant Stephan Jenkins in early 1993, helping Jenkins form the band Third Eye Blind ("the Band"). Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 2. Godtland served as the Band's manager and funded the Band's startup costs. Id. From 1993 to 1994, Fredianelli traveled back and forth from Nevada, where he lived, to San Francisco, California, where the Band was based, to rehearse, record, write songs, and play gigs. Id. However, Jenkins eventually told Fredianelli that the Band was going to go forward with Kevin Cadogan as its guitar player. Id.
It is undisputed that, in or about 1996 to 1997, after Fredianelli was no longer in the Band, Jenkins formed three corporate entities: Third Eye Blind, Inc., which was to handle various financial aspects of the band including receipt of music royalties; Stephan Jenkins Productions, Inc., which was to handle the various expenses associated with recording and producing the recording of songs; and 3EB Touring, Inc., which was to handle the financial aspects of the Band's touring and merchandise activities. Jenkins Decl., Docket No, 218-1, ¶ 7. It is undisputed that Jenkins was the sole shareholder of these corporations, as well as the president and chairman of their boards. Id.
In late 1999, Jenkins asked Fredianelli if he would consider touring with the Band as a utility musician. Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 4; Jenkins Decl. ¶ 8. Fredianelli became a "hired musician" of the Band in approximately January 2000, and considered himself an employee. Jenkins Decl. Ex. A (Fredianelli Dep.), at 43:20-44:12. Once Fredianelli began rehearsing with the Band, the Band voted to fire Cadogan. Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 5. Brad Hargreaves, drummer for the Band, recounted to the rest of the Band, including Fredianelli, how he let Cadogan know that he was being fired, citing the "3eb band agreement." Id. Fredianelli was immediately promoted to lead guitarist of the band. Id. Cadogan subsequently sued the Band. See id. ¶ 6. As lead guitarist, Plaintiff earned $1750 per week with a $1000 weekly retainer for weeks when there was no work. Id.
At the time Fredianelli was hired by the Band, Arion Salazar, the Band's bass player, Jenkins, and Godtland told him that he would have to "pay [his] dues" during a two-year "probationary period," after which he would officially be a Band member like they were and participate as a full fledged member and co-owner of the Band. Id. ¶ 6; see Fredianelli Dep. 52:11-22. Salazar explained that "the band made big decisions together, like firing Kevin Cadogan for example, and that each member had an equal vote." Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 6.
In or around late 2002 or early 2003, Salazar told Fredianelli that "the band[']s
Subsequently, Godtland set up a meeting with Plaintiff "in or around early March of 2003, where he walked [Plaintiff] through his management agreement, and the interim agreement, going over his management agreement line by line, but also going over general dynamics of the band[']s two pass through corporations, that all members, including Stephan Jenkins, were employees of the corporations as well as owners and that [Plaintiff] in essence was agreeing to sharing the expenses of funding the business, which would include making records, to which [Plaintiff] would receive an equal share of proceeds." Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 9. "Eric Go[d]tland, 3eb's manager and representative to the outside world, told [Plaintiff] he had consulted with the band by conference call and that the points of [Godtland and Plaintiff's] conversation were approved by the band." Id. Regarding the Band's agreement, Godtland testified in the Godtland case that
Godtland Dep. 857:5-16.
Although Plaintiff alleges in his complaint that "[d]uring the Meeting, Plaintiff accepted the Band's offer to become a full partner according to the terms of the Agreement, as that offer was conveyed to him by the Band's manager and agent, Eric Godtland," FAC ¶ 34,
Defendants have submitted a document produced by Plaintiff in this matter titled "Third Eye Blind Inter Party Agreements" (the "Agreement"), which is presumably the "interim agreement" referenced by Plaintiff. See Greenberg Decl. Ex. B. The Agreement consists of two
The Employment Agreements section of the Agreement provides that each Band member is entitled to an "[a]mount equal to their respective Economic Interest in the net profits of the Corporation(s)," among other forms of compensation. Id. at 7-8. The Agreement contains different provisions for compensation following terminations based on whether the termination was "for cause" or without cause. See id. at 8-11.
In line with the Agreement, upon his becoming a full-fledged member of the Band, Plaintiff ceased receiving the weekly retainer he had received since joining the Band in 2000 and began to receive 25% of touring revenue. Fredianelli Dep. 54:25-55:11, 72:16-73:5. However, contrary to the Agreement and as admitted at his deposition in the Godtland case, Plaintiff did not begin to have a role in the decision-making process of the Band and did not have a say in business decisions, where to tour, legal matters, creative decisions, or what expenses to incur. Id. at 78:2-80:15. Rather, Jenkins "would make those decisions because he was the leader." Id. at 80:5-8. In characterizing the decision-making structure of the Band, Plaintiff testified that it was not a "democracy." Id. at 80:11-15. Rather, Jenkins told Plaintiff that Plaintiff "would have no role in the final decisions, in the decision making of the band." Id. at 227:5-10. "[Jenkins] made an analogy as if he would be the United States and [the rest of the Band] would be smaller countries and he would — if he wanted to ask for advice, he would ask." Id. at 227:11-14. "At the end of the day, he would reserve the right to make the decision and that that would not change." Id. at 227:14-16. Plaintiff conceded that, although "[f]iring someone in a band is a big decision," Jenkins had the authority to fire him. Id. at 244:2-8. Moreover, Plaintiff does not dispute that shares in the corporations conducting business for the Band were never distributed to Plaintiff or any member of the Band other than Jenkins. See Jenkins Decl. ¶ 7.
A February 23, 2008 email from Plaintiff to the Band's business manager corroborates his testimony about the Band's decision-making structure. See Rawson Decl. Ex. A. In the email, Plaintiff indicates that Jenkins, not the collective Band, was negotiating each Band member's share of the touring income, writing that "SJ and I sat down and had a talk" regarding a new agreement as to touring income, that "Stephan [Jenkins] has this same plan in mind for Brad [Hargreaves] — but as of right now they don't have an agreement," that Plaintiff was "going to be asking Eric
Furthermore, it is undisputed that contrary to the Agreement, Fredianelli did not initially share in the merchandising royalties. Rather, Jenkins took the net proceeds from merchandise sales, and only came to share such revenue four years later, in 2007, at which point Jenkins received 50% of net merchandise proceeds, Hargreaves received 35%, and Plaintiff received 15%, terms which were not consistent with the Agreement. Jenkins Decl. ¶ 14.
Shortly after Plaintiff's March 2003 meeting with Godtland, Godtland arranged a band meeting in Miami where he explained to each Band member that, since the Band no longer had a record company, all expenses would be paid from the Band's touring revenue, including non-touring expenses such as the Band's recording expenses. Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 10. The Band agreed to the decision to pay non-touring expenses out of the net touring revenue. See id. ¶ 37.
From 2004 to 2007, Jenkins all but abandoned the Band. Id. ¶ 13. Plaintiff stepped into the void and took over the leadership role for the Band, engaging in a variety of marketing activities on behalf of the Band, such as building the Band's first Myspace and Facebook pages as well as reaching out to the Band's fanbase through the "Village Churchyard" website. Id. ¶ 15.
In 2005, Jenkins changed Salazar's share of the net touring revenue to less than 25%, with the remaining funds shared equally by Plaintiff, Jenkins, and Hargreaves. Jenkins Decl. ¶ 13. It is undisputed that, in June 2006, Salazar left the Band, and the remaining three musicians continued to share the net touring revenue equally, such that each member took home one-third of the net touring revenue. See Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 19; Jenkins Decl. ¶ 13; Rawson Decl. ¶ 11.
In or around early 2008, Jenkins replaced Godtland as manager for the Band. Fredianelli Decl. ¶¶ 20-22. In his first act as manager, Jenkins approached Fredianelli in January 2008 about reducing his share of the touring revenue back to 25%. Id. ¶ 22; Jenkins Decl. ¶ 13; Fredianelli Dep. 123:12-125:14. Fredianelli told Jenkins that he "would tentatively agree to making this one change to the deal [they] had in place, but told him strictly that it would be the only point [Fredianelli] would be willing to negotiate upon." Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 22. Plaintiff told Jenkins he would make that one concession "contingent on [his] income not going down" from the $292,000 he earned touring in 2007. Id.
Following Godtland's ouster as manager for the Band, Jenkins wished to sue him. Id. ¶ 23. Jenkins threatened that if Plaintiff and Hargreaves "did not agree to sue Godtland, Jenkins would pursue other projects, leaving the band without a lead singer and mak[ing] it impossible for 3eb to deliver the new album Jenkins had been promising [Plaintiff], Hargreaves and Third Eye Blind fans for years." Id. Jenkins indicated on several occasions "that he already was rich and did not need Third Eye Blind anymore, but that [Plaintiff] and Brad Hargreaves did, so [Plaintiff] had better go along, as he had convinced Brad [Hargreaves] to do, or [Plaintiff and Hargreaves] would lose everything." Id. Ultimately, the Band decided to proceed with the litigation against Godtland. Id.
During the course of the Godtland litigation, Plaintiff gave a deposition in March 2009, in which he testified that he had never seen a management contract with Godtland and that he had effectively no control over the Band. Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 40; Fredianelli Dep. 77:22-80:15. Approximately nine months later, in December 2009, he contacted Godtland to apologize about his testimony and expressed a desire to make changes to his deposition. Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 42. About a week after Plaintiff's conversation with Godtland, Plaintiff perceived that Jenkins was angry with him for the recantation of his deposition testimony. Id. ¶ 44. Plaintiff played his last show with the Band on December 31, 2009, after which he was effectively frozen out of the Band. Id. He was never formally terminated for cause or any other reason. Id.
In early 2009, Jenkins sent Plaintiff an email with a proposal for publishing splits. Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 25. Fredianelli pointed out to Jenkins and Tim Mandelbaum, the Band's attorney, that he did not agree with the split suggestions, as the splits were too low and Jenkins neglected to include four songs for which Plaintiff was clearly an author. Id. The Band released a digital EP titled "Red Star" in November 2008 and a full-length album titled "Ursa Major" in August 2009, for which Plaintiff authored or co-authored many of the new songs. Id. ¶ 26. Yet, Jenkins and Mandelbaum failed to credit Plaintiff for those works. Id. ¶ 26. Plaintiff never assigned any of his share of Third Eye Blind song rights or his share of the masters to Jenkins or any third party, yet Jenkins registered them in the Band's corporations. Id. ¶ 29. Plaintiff eventually hired an attorney, Howard King, to work on his splits. Id. ¶ 33. King resolved the splits dispute in June 2010. Id.
Despite the resolution of the dispute over publishing splits, Plaintiff asserts that he is owed revenue from several other sources, including: a deal with Megaforce MRI involving $1 million in advances of which Plaintiff would receive one-third; $1 million in sales from the Megaforce deal from which Plaintiff should have received his royalties; Plaintiff's song "Can You Take Me" being used in the video game "Guitar Hero V"; "synch revenue"; ringtones; and royalties from the sale of a live record to which Plaintiff contributed. Id. ¶¶ 33-34, 46.
This cause of action involves two separate legal theories: (1) that there existed an express contract between the parties conferring on Plaintiff co-ownership of the Band; and (2) that the parties' course of conduct evidenced an intent for Plaintiff to be a partner even absent an express partnership agreement. In addition, Plaintiff argued, but did not plead in his complaint, that Defendants breached a profit-sharing agreement with him, regardless of his status as a co-owner of the Band.
First, Defendants dispute Plaintiff's allegation that he entered an express contract, the Agreement, to become a co-owner of the Band. While both parties use the term "partner" and "partnership" throughout their briefs, this terminology appears to be inapposite with respect to the Agreement; the Agreement, as produced by Defendants, contemplates that Plaintiff will be a shareholder in "any corporation(s) or other business entities conducting business for
To prevail on his breach of contract claim, Plaintiff must prove (1) the existence of a contract, (2) Plaintiff's performance or excuse for non-performance, (3) Defendants' breach of the contract, and (4) damage to Plaintiff resulting from such breach. See Acoustics, Inc. v. Trepte Constr. Co., 14 Cal.App.3d 887, 913, 92 Cal.Rptr. 723 (1971). Here, Defendants only contest the first element, arguing that Plaintiff cannot show the existence of a contract establishing him as a co-owner of the Band. See Defs.' Mot., Docket No. 171, at 13-17. In order to show the existence of a contract, Plaintiff must produce evidence showing (1) "[p]arties capable of contracting"; (2) "[t]heir consent"; (3) "[a] lawful object"; and (4) "sufficient cause or consideration." Cal. Civ. Code § 1550.
Here, the lawfulness of the object of the Agreement and consideration are not at issue. Rather, the dispute centers on whether Jenkins and the other Band members mutually consented to be bound by the Agreement or, if not, if Godtland had the authority to bind them to the terms of the Agreement.
Plaintiff's declaration and the attached excerpts of Godtland's deposition in the Godtland case identify only four instances where the Agreement came up among the other Band members: (1) when Hargreaves cited the "3eb band agreement" after the Band terminated Cadogan; (2) when Salazar, Jenkins, and Godtland told Plaintiff when he was hired by the Band in 2000 that, after a two-year probationary period, Plaintiff would officially be a full fledged Band member and co-owner of the Band; (3) when Salazar told Plaintiff that the Band's agreement "was affirmed through the closing of the Cadogan litigation" and that "he had a lawyer who was working out `vesting the shares' of 3eb to the shareholders, i.e. the band members," and Godtland confirmed this fact; and (4) when the Band "agreed that they would take the shareholder agreements, sign them and distribute the shares." See Fredianelli Decl. ¶¶ 6, 8; Godtland Dep. at 857:5-16. In addition, the written Agreement submitted by Defendants is itself potential evidence of the existence of a contract. See Greenberg Decl. Ex. B.
The first and third instances are not offers; they evidence no consent by the Band members to enter into a current agreement with Plaintiff. To the extent the third instance refers to an agreement being "affirmed," the statement is ambiguous: it does not indicate what the agreement is, what is meant by its affirmation, who affirmed it, or whether Plaintiff's inclusion in the agreement was part of the affirmation. Moreover, these conversations with Salazar occurred before Fredianelli was made a member of the Band, suggesting that any agreement that he be a co-owner of the Band could not have been in effect at that time.
The second instance, on the other hand, is, at best, an agreement to enter into a contract two years in the future. In California, the statute of frauds requires that "[a]n agreement that by its terms is not to be performed within a year from the making thereof" be reduced to writing. Cal. Civ. Code § 1624. Here, the promise to make Plaintiff a co-owner after a two year probationary period would thus be subject to the statute of frauds, as there is no way in which it could be performed in less than a year. Plaintiff has not produced any writing indicating this promise, and thus it could not serve to create a contract. Cf. 1 Witkin, Summary 10th (2005) Contracts, § 366 (a conditional contract must be one potentially performed within one year).
The uncertainty here is underscored by the fact that, even if Godtland was referring to the draft written Agreement described above, it is unclear which version of the Agreement Godtland was referring to when he indicated that the Band intended to sign the shareholder agreements and distribute the shares. As is evident from the face of the Agreement (and as testified to by Jenkins), it was subject to a number of revisions to key elements over time, such as the merchandising splits, sponsorship splits, and decision-making structure. Jenkins Decl. ¶ 11; Greenberg Decl. Ex. B. Thus, Godtland's representation that the Band intended to sign the shareholder agreements simply indicates that they intended to sign an agreement in the future, which agreement in fact was never signed. The terms of the agreement, as testified to by Godtland, even if that testimony was admissible, are insufficiently definite to create a binding contract.
Even if the Court were to consider the terms of the written Agreement submitted by Defendants sufficiently definite to form the basis of a contractual obligation, Plaintiff's own evidence suggests that the parties did not intend for the Agreement to be effective until signed. As represented by Plaintiff, Godtland testified that the Band "agreed that they would take the shareholder agreements, sign them and distribute the shares" and that "they were going to distribute these shares and they were going to sign off on these documents, and Stephan [Jenkins] would distribute the shares to each of them." Godtland Dep. 857:5-16 (emphasis added). If anything, this testimony indicates the Band's intent that the Agreement not be in effect until signed, as Godtland repeatedly testified to the Band's intent to sign the Agreement.
Of course, parties may enter into an agreement without a written agreement. For example, in Columbia Pictures Corp. v. De Toth, 87 Cal.App.2d 620, 624, 197 P.2d 580 (1948), the court upheld an oral agreement when a film director and his agent held a meeting with a studio executive to negotiate a "term contract" governing the director's employment by the studio for a period of time, at which meeting the agent indicated his client would sign the term contract upon termination of a preexisting agreement. The studio executive then repeated the terms of the term contract to the director and asked the director if he agreed, to which the director responded in the affirmative. Id. at 624-25, 197 P.2d 580. The three then shook hands and one of them said, "This is a deal." Id. at 625, 197 P.2d 580. The director then said that he agreed to sign the term contract once his preexisting agreement terminated. Id. In upholding the oral agreement, the court noted that "when the respective parties orally agree upon all of the terms and conditions of an agreement with the mutual intention that it shall thereupon become binding, the mere fact that a formal written agreement to the same effect is to be prepared and signed does not alter the binding validity of the oral agreement." Id. at 629, 197 P.2d 580.
Here, unlike in Columbia Pictures, Godtland's testimony does not speak to whether or not the Band agreed to the specific terms of the Agreement. The facts and circumstances surrounding the Agreement suggest that the parties did not orally agree to be bound by its terms. See Banner Ent., Inc. v. Super. Ct. (Alchemy Filmworks, Inc.), 62 Cal.App.4th 348, 358, 72 Cal.Rptr.2d 598 (1998) (mutual intention of oral agreement determined from the surrounding facts and circumstances). First, the Band never signed the Agreement and never distributed shares. See Jenkins Decl. ¶ 7; Greenberg Decl. Ex. B. This was contrary not only to the written draft Agreement but Salazar's putative statement to Plaintiff that a lawyer was working out the "vesting of shares" to the band shareholders. Second, from the outset, the Band for the most part did not follow the terms of the written draft Agreement: it did not follow the merchandising splits provided for in the Agreement (see Jenkins Decl. ¶ 14; Greenberg Decl. Ex. B), it did not provide Fredianelli any control over the Band as provided in the Agreement (see Fredianelli Dep. 78:2-80:15, 227:5-16, 244:2-8), and it only provided Fredianelli with a share of net touring revenues as opposed to net profits as provided for in the Agreement (see Greenberg Decl. Ex. B at 7; Fredianelli Dep. 54:25-55:11, 72:16-73:5). In fact, the only term of the Agreement that the Band appears to have comported with was the handwritten touring revenue split.
In sum, there is no evidence the written Agreement was consented to by all parties. Nor was it executed in a manner suggesting its existence as a binding contract. Plaintiff has not met his burden of producing evidence from which a reasonable jury could conclude that the Band consented to be bound by the terms of the Agreement.
If Plaintiff's reliance on Godtland's representations regarding the Agreement were sufficient to create a contract, such reliance is problematic for another reason: Godtland did not have the authority to bind the Band to the Agreement's terms. An agent may bind a principal to a contract if he has either actual or ostensible
Actual authority "is such as a principal intentionally confers upon the agent, or intentionally, or by want of ordinary care, allows the agent to believe himself to possess." Cal. Civ. Code § 2316. In other words, actual authority may be either express, whereby a principal gives it to an agent orally or by writing, or implied, whereby the conduct of the principal indicates an intent to confer actual authority or causes the agent to believe he possesses such authority. See 3 Witkin, Summary of Cal. Law (10th) Agency § 134. "[A] general manager ... may not, in the absence of express authority, contract to distribute to employees a portion of the profits of a business...." Howard v. Winton Co., 199 Cal. 374, 379, 249 P. 511 (1926). Similarly, a general manager does not have implied authority to sell the business. See London v. Zachary, 92 Cal.App.2d 654, 657, 207 P.2d 1067 (1949).
Here, Plaintiff has submitted no admissible evidence showing that Godtland had express authority to bind Jenkins or the Band to the Agreement with Plaintiff. While Plaintiff testifies in his declaration that Godtland told him "he had consulted with the band by conference call and that the points of [their] conversation were approved by the band," this statement is inadmissible hearsay evidence for the point that the Band did in fact approve of Godtland entering the agreement on its behalf. Id. ¶ 9. Significantly, Plaintiff did not submit direct non-hearsay evidence from Godtland that he had actual authority. Moreover, Godtland could not have had implied authority to either enter into a profit-sharing agreement with Fredianelli or grant him an ownership stake in the Band, as general managers may not contract to distribute the profits of a business or sell a business absent express authority. See Howard, 199 Cal. at 379, 249 P. 511; London, 92 Cal.App.2d at 657, 207 P.2d 1067. Thus, Fredianelli has not set forth a claim based on Godtland's actual authority to make him a co-owner of the Band.
Ostensible authority "is such as a principal, intentionally or by want of ordinary care, causes or allows a third person to believe the agent to possess." Cal. Civ. Code § 2317. In order for an agent to bind a principal to a contract based on the agent's ostensible authority, (1) "[t]he person dealing with the agent must do so with belief in the agent's authority and this belief must be a reasonable one"; (2) "such belief must be generated by some act or neglect of the principal sought to be charged"; and (3) "the third person in relying on the agent's apparent authority must not be guilty of negligence." Ass'd Creditors' Agency v. Davis, 13 Cal.3d 374, 399, 118 Cal.Rptr. 772, 530 P.2d 1084 (1975).
As to the first factor, Plaintiff testifies in his declaration that Godtland told him "he had consulted with the band by conference call and that the points of [their] conversation were approved by the band." Id. ¶ 9. Although this point of Fredianelli's declaration is inadmissible to prove that the Band actually did approve of Godtland entering into the Agreement with Fredianelli on behalf of Jenkins or the Band, it is admissible for the limited purpose of establishing Plaintiff's belief that Godtland had that authority and suggests that Plaintiff's belief may have been reasonable.
On the other hand, Plaintiff has not submitted any admissible evidence that conduct of the principals — i.e., Jenkins or the Band — would lead him to believe that Godtland had the authority to bind them to
Even if Godtland's offering Plaintiff to enter the Agreement was unauthorized, Defendants may still be bound to it if they ratified the Agreement. "A ratification can be made ... where an oral authorization would suffice[] by accepting or retaining the benefit of the act, with notice thereof." Cal. Civ. Code § 2310 (emphasis added). "[R]atification may be proved by circumstantial as well as direct evidence," and "[a]nything which convincingly shows the intention of the principal to adopt or approve the act in question is sufficient." StreetScenes v. ITC Entertainment Group, Inc., 103 Cal.App.4th 233, 242, 126 Cal.Rptr.2d 754 (2002) (quotation marks and citations omitted). On the other hand, ratification "may also be shown by implication," meaning that, "where an agent is authorized to do an act, and he transcends his authority, it is the duty of the principal to repudiate the act as soon as he is fully informed of what has been thus done in his name, else he will be bound by the act as having ratified it by implication." Id. (alterations, quotation marks, and citations omitted).
Here, Plaintiff does not submit any admissible evidence that the Band knew Godtland had presented Plaintiff with the Agreement. Moreover, circumstantial evidence suggests they did not have notice of Plaintiff being offered with and accepting the Agreement, as he was never treated in accordance with the Agreement, aside from his taking a twenty-five percent share of the net touring revenues. As admitted by Plaintiff in his deposition, once he became a member, he did not gain a role in the decision-making process of the Band, did not have a say in the Band's business decisions, and did not have a say in the Band's creative decisions, despite the Agreement's explicit provision that "[m]ajority approval of the voting interests of the Corporation(s) will be required with respect to business and creative decisions of the Corporation(s) or the Group...." See Fredianelli Dep. 78:2-80:15; Greenberg Decl. Ex. B at 2. In addition, he did not take a share of the band's merchandise proceeds until 2007, despite the Agreement's statement that he would immediately take a ten percent share of such revenue. See Jenkins Decl. ¶ 14; Greenberg Decl. Ex. B at 5. Such treatment is inconsistent with any ratification theory and thus this argument in favor of contract formation fails, too.
Thus, no contract may be found based on Godtland's putative role as agent.
The parties devote the lion's share of their briefing on Plaintiff's first cause of action to the question of whether or not Defendants created a partnership with Plaintiff by way of their conduct.
"To participate to some extent in the management of a business is a primary element in partnership organization, and it is virtually essential to a determination that such a relationship existed." Dickenson v. Samples, 104 Cal.App.2d 311, 315, 231 P.2d 530 (1951). However, where partners have designated a particular partner to manage the partnership, "the making of the agreement to relinquish control is itself an exercise of the requisite right to control." Dills v. Delira Corp., 145 Cal.App.2d 124, 132, 302 P.2d 397 (1956) (emphasis in original).
Here, while some of the hallmarks of a partnership were present (e.g., sharing of profits), Plaintiff was effectively shut out of the Band's decision-making process. Rather, Jenkins had the final say as to all creative and business decisions of the Band. See Fredianelli Dep. 78:2-80:15, 227:5-16, 244:2-8; cf. Rawson Decl. Ex. A. There is no evidence that Plaintiff relinquished any control he had in the Band or that Plaintiff ever took part in a decision that Jenkins did not favor.
Aside from aspects of his own declaration and alleged deposition corrections prohibited by the sham affidavit rule,
Several other facts cited by Plaintiff to support the existence of a partnership, such as sharing of net touring revenues, Plaintiff's participation as a party in the Godtland case, and Plaintiff's being referenced as a "member" and "officer" of the Band, are insufficient to give rise to a genuine issue of fact as to which Plaintiff was a partner.
First, as discussed above, it is undisputed that Plaintiff took between a quarter and a third of the Band's net touring revenue from the time he was made a member in 2003 to the time he was ousted in 2009. See Fredianelli Dep. 54:25-55:11, 72:16-73:5, 123:12-125:14; Fredianelli Decl. ¶¶ 19, 22; Jenkins Decl. ¶ 13. Sharing of net touring revenues with Plaintiff is not inconsistent with Defendants' assertion that Plaintiff's share of net touring revenues constituted wages for his employment with the Band, especially where Defendants support the contention by introducing testimony that the Band's accountant made wage payments to Plaintiff, issued W-2 and 1099 tax forms for such payments, and never filed partnership tax returns or made partner draw payments. See Rawson Decl. ¶ 13; Jenkins Decl. ¶ 19; see also Cal. Corp. Code § 16202(c)(3)(B) (profit-sharing as form of wages does not create presumption of partnership). Moreover, Plaintiff did not share in the net merchandise proceeds until 2007, demonstrating that Plaintiff did not even participate in a full profit-sharing agreement, as would be expected of a co-owner of a business. Jenkins Decl. ¶ 14.
Second, the complaint in the Godtland case alleges that Plaintiff was a party to a contract with Godtland by which Godtland took a commission based, in part, on "the band members' songwriting income" for, among other tasks, "us[ing] [his] best efforts to promote the band's careers and efforts in the entertainment industry." Compl., Jenkins v. Godtland, No. C-08-476453 (Cal.Super.Ct., San Francisco
Lastly, Plaintiff was at various times referred to as a "member" and "officer" of the Band. See, e.g., Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 6 ("member"), Ex. G ("officer"). However, such designation does not necessarily make him a legal partner in the Band's operation, especially in light of the evidence showing that Plaintiff had no effective control over the Band. Being a band "member" does not necessarily denote ownership. Cf. Bartels v. Birmingham, 332 U.S. 126, 127-28, 67 S.Ct. 1547, 91 L.Ed. 1947 (1947) (members of "name bands" are employees and leader is employer); Far Out Productions, Inc. v. Oskar, 247 F.3d 986, 998 (9th Cir.2001) (recognizing band members being hired as employees). Regarding Plaintiff being labeled an "officer" of the Band, there is only one document referring to him as such, a one page balance sheet under the header of 3EB Touring, Inc. See Fredianelli Decl. Ex. G. This one document does not establish a genuine dispute as to whether Fredianelli was, in fact, an officer of the Band. However, even construing the evidence in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, his being an "officer" would not make him a "partner" in the Band in light of his undisputed lack of control over management of the band. Cf. GAB Bus. Servs., Inc. v. Lindsey & Newsom Claim Services, Inc., 83 Cal.App.4th 409, 420-21, 99 Cal.Rptr.2d 665 (2000) overturned on other grounds by Reeves v. Hanlon, 33 Cal.4th 1140, 1153-54, 17 Cal.Rptr.3d 289, 95 P.3d 513 (2004) (recognizing that corporations may have nominal officers without control over business). Plaintiff has not offered evidence from which the Court may reasonably infer a partnership existed between him and the Band members.
Thus, the Court
Interpreted in the light most favorable to Plaintiff, Defendants have made admissions
Defendants have not proffered an explanation for the nearly $320,000 difference yielded by this calculation. See Defs.' Reply 13. In a case involving an alleged profit-sharing agreement, the burden of proof at summary judgment and at trial is on the party in control of financial records, in this case Defendants, to demonstrate the party claiming breach was paid accordingly. See Wolf, 107 Cal.App.4th at 35-36, 130 Cal.Rptr.2d 860.
Thus, the Court finds that a contractual obligation to pay a percentage of the net touring revenue exists, and permits Plaintiff to proceed with his breach of contract claim only to the extent it is based on his right to a share of the net touring revenue.
Plaintiff's second cause of action for reasonable value of services performed, also known as a "quantum meruit" claim, alleges that "[b]etween March 13, 2003 and December 31, 2009, Plaintiff was not paid the reasonable value of the services that he performed for the Band." FAC ¶ 88. "To recover on a claim for the reasonable value of services under a quantum meruit theory, a plaintiff must establish both that he or she was acting pursuant to either an express or implied request for services from the defendant and that the services rendered were intended to and did benefit the defendant." Ochs v. PacifiCare of Cal., 115 Cal.App.4th 782,
Here, the fact that the parties had an agreement as to Plaintiff's compensation is dispositive. There is no dispute that Plaintiff was entitled to either twenty-five percent or thirty-three percent of the net touring revenue at any given point between March 2003 and December 2009. See Jenkins Decl. ¶ 13; Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 22. Moreover, unlike in Chodos, where the damages were uncertain, here Plaintiff was entitled to a share of an ascertainable portion of profits. Thus, the Court need not reach a decision as to whether the monies ultimately paid Plaintiff were reasonable.
The Court
Plaintiff's third cause of action asserts that Jenkins breached a fiduciary duty owed Plaintiff by "causing substantial assets, revenues and profits belonging to the Band to be placed either in his own individual name or into corporations wholly owned by him" and "treating the aforesaid assets belonging to other Band members as his own personal property." FAC ¶¶ 94-96. "A cause of action for constructive trust is not based on the establishment of a trust, but consists of fraud, breach of fiduciary duty or [an]other act which entitles the plaintiff to some relief." Michaelian v. State Comp. Ins. Fund, 50 Cal.App.4th 1093, 1114, 58 Cal.Rptr.2d 133 (1996). Here, based on the language of the complaint, Plaintiff's third cause of action appears to seek the remedy of a constructive trust based on Jenkins's alleged breach of a fiduciary duty. See FAC ¶¶ 94-96.
In order to state a claim for breach of fiduciary duty against Jenkins, Plaintiff must demonstrate the existence of a fiduciary relationship. See 1-800 Contacts, Inc. v. Steinberg, 107 Cal.App.4th 568, 592-93, 132 Cal.Rptr.2d 789 (2003). Here, as discussed above, Plaintiff has not demonstrated that he was made a co-owner of the Band or its related corporations, and thus Jenkins's alleged status as a co-owner of the Band with Plaintiff does not give rise to a fiduciary duty.
However, Plaintiff asserts two alternative sources of Jenkins's fiduciary duty towards Plaintiff: Jenkins's serving as Plaintiff's manager and Plaintiff's right to a twenty-five percent share of net profits. See Pl.'s Opp'n 21-22. Plaintiff cites no admissible evidence supporting that Jenkins actually was Plaintiff's manager in an individual capacity. Rather, Jenkins managed the Band, and, as discussed above, Plaintiff was not a co-owner of the Band,
Thus, the Court
Plaintiff's fourth cause of action "seeks an[] accounting of the disposition of any and all moneys, property and assets that Defendants Jenkins and or Hargreaves wrongfully received or misappropriated from the Band during the period when Plaintiff was an equal co-owner." FAC ¶ 101. "An action for an accounting... is a proceeding in equity for the purpose of obtaining a judicial settlement of the accounts of the parties in which proceeding the court will adjudicate the amount due, administer full relief and render complete justice...." Verdier v. Super. Ct. in and for City & County of San Francisco, 88 Cal.App.2d 527, 530, 199 P.2d 325 (1948). "A cause of action for an accounting requires a showing that a relationship exists between the plaintiff and defendant that requires an accounting, and that some balance is due the plaintiff that can only be ascertained by an accounting." Teselle v. McLoughlin, 173 Cal.App.4th 156, 179, 92 Cal.Rptr.3d 696 (2009). "[A] party to a profit-sharing agreement may have a right to an accounting, even absent a fiduciary relationship, when such a right is inherent in the nature of the contract itself." Wolf, 107 Cal.App.4th at 34, 130 Cal.Rptr.2d 860.
As with his breach of contract cause of action, Plaintiff's complaint suffers the fatal flaw that the entire action for accounting is premised on him being an "equal co-owner" of the Band at some point. See FAC ¶ 101. As discussed above, Plaintiff was never an equal co-owner of the Band, and thus cannot have a right to an accounting, at least as pled. Plaintiff also asserts that Defendants have "unaccounted for royalties," yet produces no admissible evidence of such royalties. See Pl.'s Opp'n 5, 22; Fredianelli Decl. ¶¶ 33-34. The only evidence cited by Plaintiff to support a claim for unaccounted for royalties consists of hearsay and conjecture. See Fredianelli Decl. ¶¶ 33-34. While Plaintiff asserts that a song he wrote was used in a video game but he "never received any advances or royalties from the licensing of the song," he does not introduce any evidence that the licensing of the song generated any royalties in the first place. See Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 46. It is equally conceivable that the use of the song in a video game was purely promotional and designed to encourage record sales or promote the Band's profile. Thus, Plaintiff has not produced sufficient evidence to entitle him to an accounting of royalties.
Like with his breach of contract action, Plaintiff has proffered at least some evidence that he was not paid his full share of the band's net touring revenues. Without an accounting, there may be no way by which Plaintiff could determine whether he was entitled to additional compensation. See Wolf, 107 Cal.App.4th at 34, 130 Cal.Rptr.2d 860 (accounting appropriate where, without an accounting, there may be no way by which a party entitled to a share in profits could determine the amount of profits). Again, the burden of
As Plaintiff has neither demonstrated that he was as co-owner of the Band nor shown the existence of any unaccounted for royalties, the Court
In his fifth cause of action "regarding ownership of copyrights," Plaintiff asserts that he "is an author and joint owner of certain songs (and copyrights therein)" for which "[o]ne or more of [the] Defendants is listed as the sole author," and thus he "requests that the Court declare him to be an author of these works." FAC ¶¶ 102-07. In response, Defendants have produced evidence showing that the parties already resolved any ownership dispute based on Plaintiff's authorship of the songs at issue. See Callazzo Decl. ¶¶ 3-6, 8, Ex. A; Jenkins Decl. ¶ 18. In response, Plaintiff has produced no evidence of an outstanding, bona fide copyright dispute, but rather asserts that the dispute is about ownership, not royalty amounts, despite the fact that evidence produced by Defendants directly addresses the matter of ownership as having been previously settled. See, e.g., Callazzo Decl. Ex. A (email from Plaintiff's attorney "confirm[ing] that Mr. Fredianelli owns and controls the following...."). Although the materials submitted by Defendants suggest that, as of 2010, there was a dispute as to the song "Carnival Barker," Plaintiff has submitted no evidence or argument that he is entitled to ownership of that song. See Callazzo Decl. ¶ 7, Ex. A. Lastly, Plaintiff's argument that he is entitled to unaccounted for royalties and touring participation monies is inapposite; this cause of action is about declaratory relief for ownership of songs. See Pl.'s Opp'n 22-23.
Thus, the Court
Plaintiff's sixth cause of action asserts that he is an author of the "Third Eye Blind" and "3EB" trademarks registered by Defendant Stephan Jenkins Productions, Inc. See FAC ¶¶ 108-113. "[A] person who remains continuously involved with the group and is in a position to control the quality of its services retains the right to use of the mark, even when that person is a manager rather than a performer." Robi v. Reed, 173 F.3d 736, 740 (9th Cir.1999). Here, Plaintiff has produced no evidence showing continuous involvement in the Band. According to his own declaration, Plaintiff played with the Band under the name Third Eye Blind from 1993 to 1994, left the Band from 1994 to 1999, rejoined the Band from 1999 to 2009, and has not played with the Band since 2009. See Fredianelli Decl. ¶¶ 2-5, 44. On the other hand, Jenkins has played under the name Third Eye Blind continuously since before 1993, while Hargreaves has played under the name Third Eye Blind continuously since 1995. See Jenkins Decl. ¶¶ 2-3; Hargreaves Decl. ¶ 2. Plaintiff admits that Jenkins "was the band leader...." Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 39. Plaintiff has not submitted evidence sufficient to demonstrate either his continuous involvement with the Band or his ability to control the quality of its service.
The Court therefore
Plaintiff urges that, if the Court is inclined to grant Defendants' motion for summary judgment, it grant him permission to amend his complaint to plead an additional cause of action for violation of California Labor Code section 2802 ("section 2802") or permit Plaintiff to conduct additional discovery before ruling on Defendants' motion. See Pl.'s Opp'n 24-25.
In support of a claim for relief under section 2802, Plaintiff states that portions of Plaintiff's participation in the Band's net touring revenue were used to fund other expenses of the Band, including recording and legal expenses. See id. at 24. However, section 2802 provides that "[a]n employer shall indemnify his or her employee for all necessary expenditures or losses incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties...." Cal. Lab.Code § 2802 (emphasis added). Plaintiff has submitted no evidence of expenses he incurred while discharging his duties, much less any argument why such expenditures were necessary. Rather, he appears to be arguing that, since he was paid from net touring revenues, any expenditures out of those revenues would give rise to an indemnification claim under section 2802. However, this argument confuses a share of net revenues, to which Plaintiff was entitled, with a share of gross revenues, to which Plaintiff was not entitled. By definition, Plaintiff's compensation agreement for net revenues incorporated expenses.
Thus, the Court
As for permitting Plaintiff to conduct more discovery, Plaintiff is correct that "[i]f a nonmovant shows by affidavit or declaration that, for specified reasons, it cannot present facts essential to justify its opposition, the court may ... allow time... to take discovery...." See Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(d). However, in support of his argument, Plaintiff's declaration only states that "[o]ne of the reasons [he has] been abandoned by so many attorney[]s in this case has been their refusal to conduct adequate discovery." See Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 48; Pl.'s Opp'n 24-25. He does not include compelling testimony for why he failed to take the depositions of Godtland and Salazar, who he claims would corroborate his testimony. See Fredianelli Decl. ¶ 48.
Thus, Plaintiff's request for additional time to conduct discovery is
However, as discussed above, the parties have produced sufficient evidence to suggest that an appropriate cause of action would lie for breach of contract or an accounting on the grounds that Plaintiff did not receive his full share of net touring revenues. See Bishop v. Kelley, 100 Cal.App.2d 775, 786, 224 P.2d 814 (1950) (action for accounting where calculation of net profits was in dispute); Thacker v. American Foundry, 78 Cal.App.2d 76, 84-85, 177 P.2d 322 (1947) (breach of contract claim where calculation of net profits was in dispute). Defendants would not suffer prejudice from Plaintiff being able to proceed with either claim, as they have been on notice that Plaintiff sought his share of the Band's net touring revenues, given his complaint's repeated references to not receiving his full share of the Band's profits as well as Jenkins's and Hargreaves's alleged misappropriation of the Band's profits. See, e.g., FAC ¶¶ 77, 85B-C, 90-91, 95, 101.
Thus, as discussed above the Court permits Plaintiff to proceed with his causes of action for breach of contract and accounting based on Defendants' failure to pay his full share of the Band's net touring revenue.
In sum, the Court
This order disposes of Docket No. 171.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
