O'NEILL, District Judge.
Plaintiff Credit Bureau Connection, Inc. ("CBC") moves for a temporary restraining order against defendants William Pardini ("Mr. Pardini"), a CBC shareholder, director, and officer, and B.T.B., Inc., d.b.a. Data Consultants ("Data Consultants"), a company wholly-owned and operated by Mr. Pardini (collectively "defendants"). CBC contends that defendants have blocked CBC from accessing its
CBC seeks mandatory and prohibitory injunctive relief against defendants based on allegations that defendants are misappropriating and infringing on its proprietary software, eF & I Complete. CBC's action and motion are based on the following allegations:
Plaintiff CBC is a California corporation originally formed by Michael Green ("Mr. Green") in 2004. CBC provides car dealerships with access to credit reports for individual car purchasers. CBC is able to order credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus through a license held by Mr. Green ("bureau license"). Since 1988, Mr. Green has also been in the business of providing car dealerships with finance and insurance software through his sole proprietorship known as Automotive Marketing Profit Systems ("AMPS"). Defendant Data Consultants is wholly owned and operated by defendant Mr. Pardini. Data Consultants is also in the business of providing finance and insurance software to automobile dealerships.
Shortly after the formation of CBC, Mr. Green and Mr. Pardini agreed to pool their assets, and CBC became a joint venture between the two. According to their agreement, CBC would have access to Data Consultants' business infrastructure, including its employees and office space, while Data Consultants would have access to CBC's bureau license and contacts in the automobile industry. Mr. Pardini became a 50% shareholder, officer, and director of CBC.
CBC began to work with Darin Larsen ("Mr. Larsen"), a computer consultant working for Data Consultants. CBC paid Mr. Larsen directly for the time he spent working on CBC business, and Data Consultants paid Mr. Larsen separately for his Data Consultants work. In March 2006, Mr. Larsen, on behalf of CBC, began to develop a web-based software system that would integrate both the credit reporting as well as financial and insurance systems services. The project was authorized by Mr. Green and Mr. Pardini as officers and directors of CBC. In consideration of his efforts, Mr. Larsen became a twenty percent (20%) shareholder of CBC, with Mr. Pardini and Mr. Green each contributing ten percent (10%) of their respective interests in the company. Mr. Larsen was paid hourly for his work by CBC.
By July 2007, the integrated software known as eF & I Complete was ready to be sold. The development of the software was paid for entirely by CBC. Mr. Larsen provided the initial concept and overall design. The source code and other technical aspects of the system were created by Data Consultants employees working under the direction and supervision of Mr. Larsen. CBC paid for the Data Consultants employees for the expense of the
In January 2008, CBC and Data Consultants came to the following agreement: the companies would split Mr. Larsen's salary equally; Data Consultants would pay CBC a 50% commission from all revenues generated from its use of the bureau license; CBC would pay Data Consultants 20% of all the revenues received from CBC customers as compensation for the use Data Consultants' administrative and technical support of eF & I Complete; and Data Consultants would pay CBC a total of $86,000 as reimbursement for a portion of CBC's costs with the development of eF & I Complete. The parties operated under this agreement for two years. As of the date this action was initiated, Data Consultants has paid $30,000 of the total $86,000 it promised to pay to CBC under the agreement.
From mid-2007 through early 2010, CBC contracted with individual automotive dealerships, automotive dealership groups, and national resellers who marketed the software. In addition, CBC and Data Consultants entered into multiple integrated agreements through which CBC and Data Consultants became jointly obligated to provide and support the software.
Beginning in early 2010, Mr. Pardini began to express his dissatisfaction with the compensation that he and Data Consultants received in connection with the support of eF & I Complete. The parties were unable to resolve the issue, and Mr. Pardini, Mr. Green, and Mr. Larsen agreed that the operations of CBC and Data Consultants should be separated completely. In April 2010, CBC acquired its own office space and personnel. At the same time, the CBC principals continued to discuss the details of the separation, including which company would have title to eF & I Complete and what compensation would be paid to the other for a perpetual license.
Although separation discussions were ongoing, all parties agreed that both companies would continue to have access to eF & I Complete. Unbeknownst to CBC, however, Mr. Pardini and Data Consultants converted the eF & I Complete software by blocking CBC's access to the features of the software that are necessary to demonstrate the software and to install information regarding new customers. In addition, Data Consultants employees have modified the software's administrative rights, making it impossible for CBC's representatives to support existing customers in connection with their operation of the system. Moreover, Mr. Pardini has made statements to CBC's existing and prospective customers that only he and Data Consultants could provide and support the eF & I Complete software. CBC requested defendants to restore its access to all feature of eF & I Complete. Defendants have refused these multiple requests.
Based on these allegations, CBC contends that its ability to service its customers, integration partners and resellers have been jeopardized and that its entire business. CBC asserts that defendants' actions are interfering with CBC's ability to honor existing contracts and are causing the loss of current and prospective customers, goodwill, and prospective market share. CBC contends that its shareholder, director and officer, Mr. Pardini, breached his fiduciary duty of loyalty to CBC, and has intentionally interfered with valuable CBC contracts in a calculated effort to deprive the remaining CBC shareholders of their livelihood. CBC asserts the following eleven causes of action against defendants:
In this motion, CBC seeks an order to enjoin defendants from engaging in, committing or performing the following acts:
In addition to this prohibitions, CBC seeks a mandatory injunction to require defendants to:
The Court ordered defendants to respond to plaintiffs' motion no later than three court days after receiving the motion and complaint. Defendants filed an opposition to the instant motion on July 8, 2010. Defendants submit evidence, including the declaration of Mr. Pardini ("Pardini Decl.") and exhibits attached thereto, to support the following:
In 1980, Mr. Pardini formed a software company that specialized in providing financial and insurance software catered to the automobile industry. The company eventually became Data Consultants. Data Consultants has a successful software product called Grapevine, which was developed over more than two decades, and is used by car dealerships to handle the finance and insurance issues related to the selling and leasing of cars.
Mr. Pardini and Mr. Green joined forces in 2005. Each owned 50% of CBC, while maintaining their separate companies. Mr. Pardini owned Data Consultants and
Mr. Larsen worked for Data Consultants from 1982 through 1997. Originally hired as a programmer, Mr. Larsen eventually became General Manager of Data Consultants. Mr. Larsen was rehired in 2000. Data Consultants has paid Mr. Larsen monthly from 2000-2009.
In 2006, Mr. Larsen and Data Consultants programmers who worked on the project demonstrated a prototype version of a web-based version of the Grapevine software. That prototype eventually was developed into eF & I Complete. CBC did not pay for the development work that was done on the prototype in 2006.
At a subsequent meeting, Mr. Pardini, Mr. Larsen, and Mr. Green agreed that Mr. Larsen would become a CBC shareholder. The original agreement was that CBC would pay for the development of the software by Data Consultant's employees and CBC would own the web-based software. CBC soon discovered, however, that it did not have the revenue streams to support an expensive development project over the long term. Before the end of 2007, CBC had stopped paying for the development of eF & I Complete.
Mr. Pardini attaches CBC's financial statements to support his position that CBC did not pay for the cost of development of eF & I Complete. CBC's 2006 balance sheet shows investment in the software totally around $5000 of "outside labor," a category later used to pay Data Consultants employees. Pardini Decl., Ex. A. 2007 CBC financial statements show a credit of $86,000 for outside labor costs. Mr. Pardini contends that the credit represents that Data Consultants agreed to pay back the $86,000 as "reimbursement for some of the expenses that has been incurred by CBC in developing eF & I Complete." No other expenses on the CBC balance sheets relate to software development.
Mr. Pardini submits a "CBC Strategy Meeting Overview (1/16/2008)" that outlines "the key elements of understanding in bringing together the collective forces" of Data Consultants, CBC, and AMPS. Pardini Decl., Ex. B. According to the document, the parties agreed that, effective January 1, 2008, Data Consultants would pay back CBC for its costs related to eF & I Complete paid in 2007, and Data Consultants would own the software. Data Consultants is the organization "primarily responsible for," among other things, "R & D and product development," "Owns eF & I related products developed and supporting systems and software," and "Will provide a software license to CBC and Amps with provisions outlines below." Id. A separate point provides that Data Consultants would pay CBC a 50% commission from revenues generated by a separate software called eCredit, and "CBC will pay [Data Consultants] 20% commission of monthly billings to generally compensate for the cost of product development, support, forms, and related overhead." Id.
Data Consultants primarily funded the research and development of eF & I Complete. The $86,000 Data Consultants agreed to pay back represents costs paid by CBC from January through September 2007. Not only has Data Consultants paid back part of that money, but it also paid all other costs, including costs related to quality
Mr. Pardini alleges that the parties have long agreed that Data Consultants owns eF & I Complete. To support his position, Mr. Pardini points to the January 16, 2008 CBC meeting notes. Mr. Pardini also submits a February 23, 2010 separation proposal, which he claims was submitted to him by CBC, that includes the following provision: "CBC will not have any rights to the non-credit related functionality of the existing eF & I Complete software." Pardini Decl., Ex. C. Email exchanges transmitted by CBC in its declaration support the assertion that the parties contemplated that Data Consultants would own eF & I Complete. See, Declaration of Kristi W. Dean ("Dean Decl."), Ex. 8-10.
CBC filed a reply on July 11, 2010, which this Court considered.
The same standards generally apply to temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. Northeast Ohio Coalition for Homeless & Serv. Employees Int'l Union, Local 1199 v. Blackwell, 467 F.3d 999, 1009 (6th Cir.2006). A "preliminary injunction is an extraordinary and drastic remedy." Munaf v. Geren, 553 U.S. 674, 128 S.Ct. 2207, 2219, 171 L.Ed.2d 1 (2008). As such, the Court may only grant such relief "upon a clear showing that the plaintiff is entitled to such relief." Winter v. Nat'l Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 129 S.Ct. 365, 375, 172 L.Ed.2d 249 (2008).
As set forth in Marlyn Nutraceuticals, Inc. v. Mucos Pharma GmbH & Co., 571 F.3d 873, 878-79 (9th Cir.2009), a "preliminary injunction can take two forms:"
CBC seeks both a prohibitory and mandatory injunction. These requests will be considered accordingly.
Pursuant to Winter, Plaintiffs must make a "clear showing" that they are "likely to succeed on the merits." 129 S.Ct. at 375-76; Stormans Inc. v. Selecky, 571 F.3d 960, 978 (9th Cir.2009). In this motion, CBC argues that it is likely to succeed against defendants on its claims for copyright infringement, breach of fiduciary duty, interference with economic advantage, and unfair competition. Because all of CBC's claims rest on the premise that it owns and has a right to the unlimited use of eF & I Complete, the Court begins its analysis with CBC's claims of ownership of the software.
CBC asserts a copyright infringement claim against defendants for interfering with CBC's use of eF & I Complete. Computer software, including the source and object codes, can be subject to copyright protection. Johnson Controls, Inc. v. Phoenix Control Sys., Inc., 886 F.2d 1173, 1175 (9th Cir.1989). To succeed on the merits of a copyright infringement claim, CBC must plead and prove: (1) ownership of copyright in eF & I Complete, and (2) "copying" by Data Consultants of CBC's protectable expression. S.O.S. Inc. v. Payday Inc., 886 F.2d 1081, 1085 (9th Cir.1981) (citing Baxter v. MCA, Inc., 812 F.2d 421, 423 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 954, 108 S.Ct. 346, 98 L.Ed.2d 372 (1987)).
Before the Court considers the substantive arguments the Court addresses jurisdiction. Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 411(a), "[n]o civil action for infringement of the copyright in any United States work shall be instituted until pre-registration or registration of the copyright claim has been made in accordance with this title." Courts interpret the meaning of the 17 U.S.C. § 411(a) registration requirement differently. Some interpret the provision to allow suit when an application is submitted to the Copyright Office, whereas other courts require the issuance of a certificate of registration to satisfy this jurisdictional prerequisite. The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently settled the split in our circuit by adopting the "application approach." In Cosmetic Ideas, Inc. v. IAC/InteractiveCorp., 606 F.3d 612, 621 (2010), the court held that "receipt by the Copyright Office of a complete application satisfies the registration requirement of § 411(a)."
CBC avers, in an unsupported statement, that it has submitted a copyright registration application, deposit, and fee with the U.S. Copyright Office to satisfy the jurisdictional element that is a condition precedent for filing an infringement suit pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 411(a). Defendants do not dispute that CBC filed a copyright application with the Copyright Office. In addition, defendants agree that jurisdiction is proper because they intend to request declaratory judgment that it owns the copyright to the eF & I Complete software pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 201. Because CBC alleges it has submitted a complete copyright application,
The parties dispute ownership of the eF & I Complete copyright. CBC asserts three theories for ownership of the copyright. First, CBC argues that it owns a valid copyright in eF & I Complete pursuant to the work for hire doctrine. Second, CBC contends that eF & I Complete is a joint work of CBC and Data Consultants to allow CBC an independent right to use and license eF & I Complete without restraint. Third, CBC argues that CBC has an implied license to use eF & I Complete, and Data Consultants has interfered impermissibly with its right to access and use the software. Defendants contend that Data Consultants has exclusive ownership of eF & I Complete based on the facts and long-standing agreement between the parties. The Court considers the parties' arguments below.
Although copyright ownership generally "vests initially in the author or authors of the work," 17 U.S.C. § 201(a), ownership of a copyright vests in the employer of an author if it was a "work made for hire." 17 U.S.C. § 201(b). The Copyright Act defines "work made for hire" as "a work prepared by an employee within the scope of his or her employment." 17 U.S.C. § 101. "In the case of a work for hire, the employer or other person for whom the work was prepared is considered the author. . . and, unless the parties have expressly agreed otherwise in a written instrument signed by them, owns all of the rights comprised in the copyright." 17 U.S.C. § 201(b). CBC argues that the copyright for eF & I Complete vested in CBC because it was a "work made for hire."
To determine whether eF & I Complete was created as a work for hire by an employee—as opposed to an independent contractor—the Court applies "the general common law of agency [to] consider the hiring party's right to control the manner and means by which the product is accomplished." Community for Creative Non-Violence v. Reid, 490 U.S. 730, 751, 109 S.Ct. 2166, 104 L.Ed.2d 811 (1989). The Reid court set forth several factors relevant to this inquiry, including:
Id. at 751-52, 109 S.Ct. 2166 (footnotes omitted). "No one of these factors is determinative." Id. at 752, 109 S.Ct. 2166. Instead, because "the common-law test contains no shorthand formula or magic phrase that can be applied to fine the answer, all of the incidents of the relationship must be assessed and weighed with no one factor being decisive." (NLRB v. United Ins. Co. of Am., 390 U.S. 254, 258, 88 S.Ct. 988, 19 L.Ed.2d 1083 (1968)); see also, JustMed, Inc. v. Byce, 600 F.3d 1118, 1126 (9th Cir.2010) (citing Aymes v. Bonelli, 980 F.2d 857, 861 (2d Cir.1992)) ("It does not necessarily follow that because no one factor is dispositive all factors are equally important, or indeed that all factors will be relevance in every case. The factors should not merely be tallied but should be weighed according to their significance in the case.").
Data Consultants argues that the Reid factors favor determination that Data Consultants owns the copyright to eF & I Complete. Data Consultants contends that Mr. Larsen's involvement with the research and development of eF & I Complete was on behalf of Data Consultants, based on the following: (1) Mr. Larsen worked for Data Consultants from 1992-1997 as a full-time employee; (2) Mr. Larsen was rehired in 2000, and worked for Data Consultants from 2000 until April 2010; (3) Mr. Larsen was paid on a monthly basis for the entire time he worked at Data Consultants; and (4) Mr. Larsen worked on the premises at Data Consultants, using office furniture, phones, and computers provided by Data Consultants. In addition, Data Consultants asserts that the valuable property-the source code-was written by Frank Larsen, Jason Hickingbottom, and Chris Frontes ("programmers"), all of whom were full-time employees of Data Consultants. Data Consultants argues that the programmers were Data Consultants employees because they: (1) were hired by Data Consultants; (2) were paid a salary by Data Consultants; (3) used Data Consultants computers to do their development work; (4) worked in offices that were leased by Data Consultants; and (5) received employment benefits from Data Consultants.
Having considered the evidence presented, the Court finds that CBC fails to carry its burden to establish a likelihood of success on the merits of its copyright claim of ownership under the work for hire doctrine. Defendants successfully dispute that Mr. Larsen oversaw the development of the software on behalf of CBC with evidence that Mr. Larsen was employed by Data Consultants. This fact is equally disputed by competing declarations. Thus, the evidence does not weigh in favor of success for either CBC or defendants. Significantly, the programmers of the software and source code were paid by Data
According to the Copyright Act, a "joint work" is "a work prepared by two or more authors with the intention that their contributions be merged into inseparable or interdependent parts of a unitary whole." 17 U.S.C. § 101. A joint author is entitled to modify, reproduce, or distribute copies of a work. Id. (citing 17 U.S.C. §§ 201(a), 106(1)-(3)). CBC claims that it is a joint author of eF & I Complete because CBC was responsible for developing the concept, layout, look, feel and design of eF & I Complete, designed the interface layout for the software, identifying fields, buttons, and functions to be included in the software, and determining the front end of eF & I Complete. CBC asserts that it controlled Data Consultant's work on the underlying source code to support the front end. CBC contends that Mr. Larsen contributed work solely on behalf of CBC, and not copied from any other source, and that Mr. Larsen's contributions qualify him as a joint author of eF & I Complete.
Defendants contend that Mr. Larsen is not a joint author. Defendants concede that Mr. Larsen contributed to the software by determining the functionality and layout of the program and developing the layout of the screens, but point out that Mr. Larsen wrote none of the source code-a fact that appears to be unopposed. Defendants suggest that to determine whether Mr. Larsen's contributions qualify as independently copyrightable, the Court must perform an identification/abstraction analysis, such as was performed in Merchant Transaction Sys., Inc. v. Nelcela, Inc., 2009 WL 723001 (D.Ariz.2009).
The Court need not reach the identification/abstraction analysis at this stage. The Court must determine whether CBC has established a likelihood of success on its claim that CBC, through Mr. Larsen, was a joint author of eF & I Complete. "Authorship is a question of fact." S.O.S., Inc. v. Payday, Inc., 886 F.2d 1081, 1086 (9th Cir.1989). Based on the evidence presented, and the parties arguments, this Court finds that CBC failed to sustain its burden.
Case law supports a finding that based on the evidence presented, Mr. Larsen was not a joint author. CBC claims that the programmers "merely executed" Mr. Larsen's ideas. Under the Copyright Act, however, ideas are not protected. Rather, the execution of the ideas are protected, and the author of the execution of the ideas becomes vested in the intellectual property. In Whelan Assocs. v. Jaslow Dental Lab., 609 F.Supp. 1307, 1318-19 (E.D.Pa.1985), aff'd, 797 F.2d 1222 (3d Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1031, 107 S.Ct. 877, 93 L.Ed.2d 831 (1987), the court rejected joint authorship under similar facts:
S.O.S., 886 F.2d at 1086-87 (discussing and adopting Whelan reasoning). CBC relies on S.O.S., however, the S.O.S. court also rejected a joint authorship claim under similar circumstances:
S.O.S., 886 F.2d at 1087. Based on the evidence presented and the relevant law, this Court finds that CBC fails to demonstrate a likelihood of success on its joint authorship theory.
CBC argues that "at an absolute minimum, CBC has a perpetual, non-revocable, non-exclusive license to retain a copy of eF & I Complete, use eF & I Complete in at least the same scope as it has been using it since 2007, and modify eF & I Complete as it deems necessary in order to enjoy the benefits of its license." A nonexclusive license need not be in writing, and may be granted orally or by implication. Food Consulting Group, Inc. v. Azzalino, 270 F.3d 821, 825-26 (9th Cir. 2001); see also, Asset Marketing Systems, Inc. v. Gagnon, 542 F.3d 748, 754 (9th Cir.2008). Defendants concede that CBC has a license to use eF & I Complete, but argue that the license is limited. In addition, Mr. Pardini avers that he is honoring the limited license.
An implied license is granted when "(1) a person (the licensee) requests the creation of a work, (2) the creator (the licensor) makes that particular work and delivers it to the licensee who requested it, and (3) the licensor intends that the licensee-requestor copy and distribute his work." Asset Mktg. Sys., 542 F.3d at 754-55 (quoting I.A.E., Inc. v. Shaver, 74 F.3d 768, 776 (7th Cir.1996)). In considering "implied licenses for computer programs," the last prong of this test "is not limited to copying and distribution; instead [the court] look[s] at the protected right as issue—here, whether [licensor] intended that [licensee] use, retain, and modify the programs." Asset Mktg. Sys., 542 F.3d at 755.
Mr. Pardini claims that he is honoring the license, but admits that he has restricted CBC's access to the software and ability to service existing and new clients. Mr. Pardini contends that "the only accounts that Data Consultants has suspended are accounts that Data Consultants was not being paid for and that were not a CBC client as of the date that CBC left the building." Pardini Decl. at ¶ 27. Mr. Pardini admits that CBC has restricted CBC's ability to service its clients, as he avers that Data Consultants maintains and supports CBC's existing customers for eF & I software. Id. Mr. Pardini further admits that defendants have blocked CBC's ability to set up new clients, as "CBC can set up, install, change, customers, e-credit customers for any known third party." Id. at ¶ 28. Defendants maintain that Data Consultants will provide programming and installation services for new CBC customers provided that an appropriate licensing agreement is signed. Id. at ¶ 29. According to Mr. Pardini, Data Consultants is fully willing to service CBC's customers pursuant to the terms of the existing agreement, and to service new customers if a licensing agreement is entered into. Id. at ¶ 30.
The facts do not support defendants' position that CBC's license is limited to existing customers, or that it restricts CBC's ability to service existing customers. Defendants present no evidence that the parties agreed that CBC would have a limited license, or that the license would be limited to customers that existed at the time of the separation in February 2010. The facts presented by both parties establish a likelihood that CBC will prevail on its claims that CBC engaged Data Consultants to create eF & I Complete, that Data Consultants delivered eF & I Complete to CBC, that CBC enjoyed unlimited use of, and access to, the software until the dispute arose, and that after the dispute, Mr. Pardini restricted CBC's access to the software. Because the parties admit that CBC paid money towards the creation of the software, moreover, the license may be irrevocable. See Asset Mktg. Sys., 542 F.3d at 757 (a "nonexclusive license supported by consideration is a contract" and is irrevocable). Accordingly, CBC successfully establishes a likelihood of success on its copyright infringement claim. See, Id.
To prevail on its breach of fiduciary duty claim, CBC must establish: "(1) the existence of a relationship giving rise to a duty of loyalty; (2) one or more breaches of that duty; and (3) damage proximately caused by that breach." Huong Que, Inc. v. Luu, 150 Cal.App.4th 400, 410, 58 Cal.Rptr.3d 527 (2007). Directors of a corporation owe a fiduciary duty thereto. Dean v. Shingle, 198 Cal. 652, 246 P. 1049 (1926). A director occupies a position of trust; he is not permitted to assume a position adverse to the corporation. Id. According to the complaint,
CBC alleges that Mr. Pardini has breached his duty of loyalty to CBC by converting eF & I Complete for the benefit of Data Consultants and his own personal enrichment. Mr. Pardini contends that the facts establish that eF & I Complete is the property of Data Consultants, not CBC. In addition, Mr. Pardini points out that a February 23, 2010 separation agreement proposal provides that CBC has no rights to the "non-credit related functionalities of the existing eF & I software" and that Data Consultants—not CBC—is the company that will support the eF & I Complete software. In addition, the January 2008 CBC documents indicate that CBC agreed that it would accept reimbursement for costs for the development of the software and Data Consultants would own the software. Mr. Pardini therefore submits that his position on behalf of Data Consultants is not a breach of loyalty to CBC.
Whether Mr. Pardini breached his duty of loyalty to CBC is a question of fact. As set forth above, however, the issue of which firm owns the rights to the software is disputed. Neither party demonstrates a clear claim of ownership of the software. According, the Court cannot find that CBC is likely to succeed on its breach of loyalty claim against Mr. Pardini.
"The elements which a plaintiff must plead to state the cause of action for intentional interference with contractual relations are (1) a valid contract between plaintiff and a third party; (2) defendant's knowledge of this contract; (3) defendant's intentional acts designed to induct a breach or disruption of the contractual relationship; (3) actual breach or disruption of the contractual relationship; and (5) resulting damage." Pacific Gas & Electric Co. v. Bear Stearns & Co., 50 Cal.3d 1118, 1126, 270 Cal.Rptr. 1, 791 P.2d 587 (1990). Similarly, the "tort of intentional or negligent inference with prospective economic advantage imposes liability for improper methods of disrupting or diverting the business relationship of another which fall outside the boundaries of fair competition." Settimo Assocs. v. Environ Systems, Inc., 14 Cal.App.4th 842, 845, 17 Cal.Rptr.2d 757 (1993). To recover on the intentional interference claim, CBC must plead and prove that defendants "knowingly interfered with the plaintiff's expectancy." Della Penna v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., 11 Cal.4th 376, 393, 45 Cal.Rptr.2d 436, 902 P.2d 740 (1995). For both interference with economic advantage claims, CBC "has the burden of pleading and proving that the defendant's interference was wrongful by some measure beyond the fact of the interference itself." Id. at 392-93, 45 Cal.Rptr.2d 436, 902 P.2d 740.
The evidence presented establishes a likelihood that defendants are interfering with economic relations, or inducing CBC to breach contracts with clients. Based on the evidence presented by Mr. Pardini, CBC is likely to establish a valid contract between CBC and third parties and defendants' knowledge of the contracts. Mr. Pardini admits in his declaration to having knowledge of CBC's economic relationship with Saturn of Antelope, Izmo, and a dealership in Clovis. In addition, Mr. Pardini admits that he has suspended accounts that CBC has opened after CBC left the CBC/Data Consultants' shared office space.
CBC's economic interference claims must establish that the interference was
California Business and Professions Code section 17200 prohibits unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent business acts or practices. The scope of California's unfair competition law is "sweeping, embracing anything that can properly be called a business practice and at the same time is forbidden by law." Rubin v. Green, 4 Cal.4th 1187, 1200, 17 Cal.Rptr.2d 828, 847 P.2d 1044 (1993) (quoted in Cel-Tech Comm. v. L.A. Cellular Tel. Co., 20 Cal.4th 163, 180, 83 Cal.Rptr.2d 548, 973 P.2d 527 (1999)). CBC argues that it is entitled to injunctive relief pursuant to California Business and Professions Code section 17203 because Mr. "Pardini is in clear violation of his fiduciary obligations to CBC." As set forth above, however, CBC has failed to establish that it is likely to succeed on its breach of loyalty claim. Accordingly, and for the same reasons, CBC has failed to support its request for injunctive relief pursuant to California Business and Professions Code section 17203.
CBC has failed to establish a likelihood of success on its claims of ownership of eF & I Complete, but does establish that it is likely to succeed on its claim that defendants are violating its unlimited, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to use the software. Moreover, CBC establishes its likely to establish its claims that defendants are interfering with existing and prospective economic relations. Accordingly, this factor tips in favor of granting equitable relief.
Next, the Court considers whether Plaintiffs will suffer irreparable injury absent an injunction. "Preliminary injunctive relief is available only if plaintiffs `demonstrate that irreparable injury is likely in the absence of an injunction.'" Johnson v. Couturier, 572 F.3d 1067, 1081 (9th Cir.2009) (quoting Winter, 129 S.Ct. at 375) (noting that the Supreme Court in Winter rejected the Ninth Circuit's "possibility of irreparable harm" test). "Typically, monetary harm does not constitute irreparable harm." Cal. Pharmacists Ass'n v. Maxwell-Jolly, 563 F.3d 847, 851 (9th Cir.2009). "Economic damages are not traditionally considered irreparable because the injury can later be remedied by a damage award." Id. at 852 (emphasis in original). However, "intangible injuries, such as damage to ... goodwill qualify as irreparable harm." Rent-A-Center, Inc. v. Canyon Television & Appliance Rental, Inc., 944 F.2d 597, 603 (9th Cir.1991).
CBC erroneously argues that this Court can infer irreparable harm if they establish a likelihood of success on their claims. CBC relies on pre-Winter case law throughout its legal memoranda, and appears
In this copyright litigation, CBC may establish irreparable harm by pleading and proving harm to business reputation and market share. Apple Inc. v. Psystar Corp., 673 F.Supp.2d 943, 948 (N.D.Cal.2009); MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd., 518 F.Supp.2d 1197, 1215 (C.D.Cal.2007). CBC contends that defendants' interference with existing customer contracts, and denial of its ability to set up new clients, is causing irreparable harm. Mr. Pardini admits to blocking CBC's ability to form contracts with new customers, and admits that he has diverted CBC's existing customers to Data Consultants for servicing. Based on these facts, CBC has established that it may suffer irreparable harm absent an injunction for loss of good will and market share for the eF & I Complete software. Accordingly, this factor tips in favor of injunctive relief.
Although neither party addressed these factors in their legal memoranda, the Court must consider the balance of equities and public interest to determine whether to grant injunctive relief to CBC. The purpose of a a preliminary injunction is to preserve the status quo if the balance of equities so heavily favors the moving party that justice requires the court to intervene to secure the positions until the merits of the action are ultimately determined. University of Texas v. Camenisch, 451 U.S. 390, 395, 101 S.Ct. 1830, 68 L.Ed.2d 175 (1981). "Status quo" means the last uncontested status that preceded the pending controversy. See, GoTo.com, Inc. v. Walt Disney Co., 202 F.3d 1199, 1210 (9th Cir.2000). In this case, the status quo allowed both parties equal access to the software prior to the disagreement and breakdown between the parties. In addition, Mr. Pardini presents no evidence that he or Data Consultants would be harmed if this status quo were preserved until this litigation is resolved. Accordingly, the balance of equities tips in favor of injunctive relief.
The Court finds the public interest factor to be neutral. "In exercising their sound discretion, courts of equity should pay particular regard for the public consequences in employing the extraordinary remedy of injunction." Winter, 129 S.Ct. at 376-77 (quoting Weinberger v. Romero-Barcelo, 456 U.S. 305, 312, 102 S.Ct. 1798, 72 L.Ed.2d 91 (1982)). "The public interest analysis for the issuance of a preliminary injunction requires [the Court] to consider whether there exists come critical public interest that would be injured by the grant of preliminary relief." Indep. Living, 572 F.3d at 659. Neither party suggests, and the Court does not find, that the public's interest to be affected by whether the Court grants or denies CBC injunctive relief.
As set forth above, this Court finds that CBC establishes a likelihood of success on some of its claims. In addition, while this Court will not presume irreparable harm, the facts support CBC's assertion that it is likely to suffer irreparable harm. Finally, the balance of equities supports equitable relief. Having considered the appropriate factors, this Court finds that CBC is entitled to a temporary restraining order.
Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 65(c), a plaintiff must post a bond with the Court as a security prerequisite to the granting of injunctive relief. A bond must be posted "in such sum as the court deems proper." Id. CBC argues that the balance of equities favors a a bond not to exceed $10,000. Defendants do not dispute this amount in their opposition. Accordingly, CBC must file a $10,000 bond with this Court for the following order to become effective.
For the foregoing reasons, this Court:
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Several matters are pending before this Court: (1) defendants' William Pardini ("Mr. Pardini") and B.T.B., Inc., d/b/a/ Data Consultants ("Data Consultants") (collectively "defendants") motion for reconsideration of this Court's July 12, 2010 temporary restraining order ("TRO"); (2) this Court's order to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not issue; (3) defendants' request for injunctive relief; and (4) defendants' failure to comply with the TRO. This Court has considered the parties' points and authorities and exhibits, and finds these matters suitable for a decision without a hearing pursuant to Local Rule 230(g). For the following reasons, this Court DENIES defendants' reconsideration motion, GRANTS in part and DENIES in part plaintiff Credit Bureau Connection, Inc.'s ("CBC's") preliminary injunction motion, ISSUES a modified preliminary injunction, and ORDERS defendants to show cause why this Court should not issue sanctions for failure to comply with the TRO.
CBC seeks mandatory and prohibitory injunctive relief against defendants based on allegations that defendants are misappropriating and infringing on its proprietary software, eF & I Complete. CBC's action and motion are based on the following allegations, as set forth in the TRO:
Plaintiff CBC is a California corporation originally formed by Michael Green ("Mr. Green") in 2004. CBC provides car dealerships with access to credit reports for individual car purchasers. CBC is able to order credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus through a license held by Mr. Green ("bureau license"). Since 1988, Mr. Green has also been in the business of providing car dealerships with finance and insurance software through his sole proprietorship known as Automotive Marketing Profit Systems ("AMPS"). Defendant Data Consultants is wholly owned and operated by defendant Mr. Pardini. Data Consultants is also in the business of providing finance and insurance software to automobile dealerships.
Shortly after the formation of CBC, Mr. Green and Mr. Pardini agreed to pool their assets, and CBC became a joint venture between the two. According to their agreement, CBC would have access to
CBC began to work with Darin Larsen ("Mr. Larsen"), a computer consultant working for Data Consultants. CBC paid Mr. Larsen directly for the time he spent working on CBC business, and Data Consultants paid Mr. Larsen separately for his Data Consultants work. In March 2006, Mr. Larsen, on behalf of CBC, began to develop a web-based software system that would integrate both the credit reporting as well as financial and insurance systems services. The project was authorized by Mr. Green and Mr. Pardini as officers and directors of CBC. In consideration of his efforts, Mr. Larsen became a twenty percent (20%) shareholder of CBC, with Mr. Pardini and Mr. Green each contributing ten percent (10%) of their respective interests in the company. Mr. Larsen was paid hourly for his work by CBC.
By July 2007, the integrated software known as eF & I Complete was ready to be sold. The development of the software was paid for entirely by CBC. Mr. Larsen provided the initial concept and overall design. The source code and other technical aspects of the system were created by Data Consultants employees working under the direction and supervision of Mr. Larsen. CBC paid for the Data Consultants employees for the expense of the development of the project. Both CBC and Data Consultants marketed eF & I Complete under its individual name and for its own account.
In January 2008, CBC and Data Consultants came to the following agreement: the companies would split Mr. Larsen's salary equally; Data Consultants would pay CBC a 50% commission from all revenues generated from its use of the bureau license; CBC would pay Data Consultants 20% of all the revenues received from CBC customers as compensation for the use Data Consultants' administrative and technical support of eF & I Complete; and Data Consultants would pay CBC a total of $86,000 as reimbursement for a portion of CBC's costs with the development of eF & I Complete. The parties operated under this agreement for two years. As of the date this action was initiated, Data Consultants had paid $30,000 of the total $86,000 it promised to pay to CBC under the agreement.
From mid-2007 through early 2010, CBC contracted with individual automotive dealerships, automotive dealership groups, and national resellers who marketed the software. In addition, CBC and Data Consultants entered into multiple integrated agreements through which CBC and Data Consultants became jointly obligated to provide and support the software.
Beginning in early 2010, Mr. Pardini began to express his dissatisfaction with the compensation that he and Data Consultants received in connection with the support of eF & I Complete. The parties were unable to resolve the issue, and Mr. Pardini, Mr. Green, and Mr. Larsen agreed that the operations of CBC and Data Consultants should be separated completely. In April 2010, CBC acquired its own office space and personnel. At the same time, the CBC principals continued to discuss the details of the separation, including which company would have title to eF & I Complete and what compensation would be paid to the other for a perpetual license.
Although separation discussions were ongoing, all parties agreed that both companies would continue to have access to eF & I Complete. Unbeknownst to CBC, however, Mr. Pardini and Data Consultants
Based on these allegations, CBC contends that its ability to service its customers, integration partners and resellers has been jeopardized and that its entire business is threatened. CBC asserts that defendants' actions are interfering with CBC's ability to honor existing contracts and are causing the loss of current and prospective customers, goodwill, and prospective market share. CBC contends that its shareholder, director and officer, Mr. Pardini, breached his fiduciary duty of loyalty to CBC, and has intentionally interfered with valuable CBC contracts in a calculated effort to deprive the remaining CBC shareholders of their livelihood. CBC asserts the following eleven causes of action against defendants:
In the TRO motion, CBC sought an order to enjoin defendants from, inter alia, restricting CBC's access to, or interfering in CBC's ability to use, eF & I Complete. The Court ordered defendants to respond to plaintiffs' motion no later than three court days after receiving the motion and complaint. Defendants opposed the motion, and submitted evidence in support of the opposition, including the declaration of Mr. Pardini ("Pardini Decl.") and exhibits attached thereto, to support the following:
In 1980, Mr. Pardini formed a software company that specialized in providing financial and insurance software catered to the automobile industry. The company eventually became Data Consultants. Data Consultants has a successful software product called Grapevine, which was developed over more than two decades, and is used by car dealerships to handle the finance and insurance issues related to the selling and leasing of cars.
Mr. Pardini and Mr. Green joined forces in 2005. Each owned 50% of CBC, while maintaining their separate companies. Mr. Pardini owned Data Consultants and Mr. Green owned AMPS. Prior to entering into the CBC joint venture, Data Consultants owned the Grapevine software and had many customers. Although AMPS had fewer customers, Mr. Green was authorized to resell to automotive dealers throughout the United States. Mr. Pardini understood that by creating CBC, the new company could take advantage of the volume discounts from the credit bureaus
Mr. Larsen worked for Data Consultants from 1982 through 1997. Originally hired as a programmer, Mr. Larsen eventually became General Manager of Data Consultants. Mr. Larsen was rehired in 2000. Data Consultants has paid Mr. Larsen monthly from 2000-2009.
In 2006, Mr. Larsen and Data Consultants programmers who worked on the project demonstrated a prototype version of a web-based version of the Grapevine software. That prototype eventually was developed into eF & I Complete. CBC did not pay for the development work that was done on the prototype in 2006.
At a subsequent meeting, Mr. Pardini, Mr. Larsen, and Mr. Green agreed that Mr. Larsen would become a CBC shareholder. The original agreement was that CBC would pay for the development of the software by Data Consultant's employees and CBC would own the web-based software. CBC soon discovered, however, that it did not have the revenue streams to support an expensive development project over the long term. Before the end of 2007, CBC had stopped paying for the development of eF & I Complete.
Mr. Pardini attached CBC's financial statements to support his position that CBC did not pay for the cost of development of eF & I Complete. CBC's 2006 balance sheet shows investment in the software totally around $5000 of "outside labor," a category later used to pay Data Consultants employees. Pardini Decl., Ex. A.2007 CBC financial statements show a credit of $86,000 for outside labor costs. Mr. Pardini contends that the credit represents that Data Consultants agreed to pay back the $86,000 as "reimbursement for some of the expenses that has been incurred by CBC in developing eF & I Complete." No other expenses on the CBC balance sheets relate to software development.
Mr. Pardini submitted a "CBC Strategy Meeting Overview (1/16/2008)" that outlines "the key elements of understanding in bringing together the collective forces" of Data Consultants, CBC, and AMPS. Pardini Decl., Ex. B. According to the document, the parties agreed that, effective January 1, 2008, Data Consultants would pay back CBC for its costs related to eF & I Complete paid in 2007, and Data Consultants would own the software. Data Consultants is the organization "primarily responsible for," among other things, "R & D and product development," "Owns eF & I related products developed and supporting systems and software," and "Will provide a software license to CBC and Amps with provisions outlines below." Id. A separate point provides that Data Consultants would pay CBC a 50% commission from revenues generated by a separate software called eCredit, and "CBC will pay [Data Consultants] 20% commission of monthly billings to generally compensate for the cost of product development, support, forms, and related overhead." Id.
Data Consultants primarily funded the research and development of eF & I Complete. The $86,000 Data Consultants agreed to pay back represents costs paid by CBC from January through September 2007. Not only has Data Consultants paid back part of that money, but it also paid all other costs, including costs related to quality assurance, licenses for the software development tools, and computers used by the developers. Moreover, beginning in January 2008, Data Consultants has retained and paid programmers as full-time employees who have worked on the software, adding new functionality and features.
CBC filed a reply on July 11, 2010, which this Court considered.
After considering the parties' positions on CBC's copyright, interference with economic relations, and unfair competition claims, this Court found that:
Based on, inter alia, these findings, this Court ordered as follows:
For the foregoing reasons, this Court:
CBC posted a $10,000 bond with the clerk of this court on June 13, 2010 to comply with the June 12, 2010 order. The TRO was to remain in effect for 14 days.
Defendants moved for reconsideration of the TRO on July 17, 2010. Defendants' reconsideration was focused almost exclusively on their position that the TRO inappropriately gave CBC access to the eF & I Complete source code. Defendants asserted that CBC never had access to the source code or the requested User IDs and passwords at issue in the TRO, and to require defendants to provide that information would cause defendants irreparable harm.
This Court ordered defendants to provide additional briefing to explain how the terms of the TRO allowed CBC access to the source code, to address specific concerns about the provisions of the TRO, and to propose specific changes to the TRO. In response, defendants request that items 3(b)-(e), (g), and (j) be removed from the TRO and items 3(a) and (f); and 4(b) be modified. In addition, defendants requested this Court to include the following terms:
CBC maintains that the status quo prior to the February 2008 breakdown in relations between the parties was that both parties had equal access to the software, including the source code and customer information, and equal right to compete for business to sell the software. CBC claims that it has enjoyed equal access to eF & I Complete until defendants locked them out in June 2010. CBC explains that it requires
CBC further explains that once the parties began to separate in February 2010, the source code was separated and stored in two places-one code for the credit functionalities, eCredit, to be owned by CBC and one code for the finance and insurance functionalities, eF & I, to be owned by Data Consultants—each having rights to the other under express conditions. The parties have been unable to work out the conditions, and thus, both maintain rights to eF & I Complete until an agreement is reached.
CBC explained that it is willing to adhere to a preliminary injunction order, and requests the Court to include the TRO terms in a preliminary injunction. In addition, CBC suggests the Court including the following provisions in its preliminary injunction:
Defendants argue that the status quo is represented by a February 23, 2010 "binding agreement," and that the preliminary injunction should be based on the this memorandum. Defendants claim that February 23, 2010 CBC board minutes memorialize a separation agreement between the parties that Data Consultants owns eF & I Complete. Paradoxically, defendants also characterize this "agreement" as suggested terms of separation proposed by CBC to Mr. Pardini-terms that were never agreed to by either party or implemented. In the alternative, defendants argue that the Court should find the "agreement" to be binding based on the notion of promissory estoppel. Plaintiffs challenge the enforceability of February 23, 2010 memorandum, claiming that February 23, 2010 document was merely a summary of proposed terms of a separation agreement, and that the separation agreement discussions subsequently broke down prior to an agreement on the proposal.
This Court found good cause to suggest mediation between the parties to discuss the terms of the preliminary injunction. The parties agreed. On July 27, 2010, the parties appeared at a mediation before United States Magistrate Judge Dennis L. Beck. The next day, the parties indicated to this Court that an agreement regarding the terms of the preliminary injunction had been reached, and that they were working towards finalizing that agreement. On the basis of good cause, this Court extended the TRO through July 30, 2010, and ordered the parties to file a written agreement with this Court no later than July 30, 2010. This Court admonished the parties that if no written agreement was filed with this Court on or before July 30, 2010, this Court would rule on the pending matters without a hearing, and would order defendants to show cause why this Court should not impose sanctions for defendants' failure to comply with this Court's TRO. No agreement was filed.
On August 1, 2010, filed a request for injunctive relief based on "newly-acquired
Defendants argue that Mr. Larsen is in breach of his agreements with Data Consultants, and should include in the preliminary injunction a provision to enjoin Mr. Larsen from working for CBC for a period of one year. In addition, defendants assert that Mr. Larsen has knowledge of Data Consultants' trade secrets and that he assigned expressly all of his rights in the intellectual property to Data Consultants. Defendants conclude that to protect Data Consultants' intellectual property and contractual rights and the preserve the status quo, the preliminary injunctive order should include a provision to enjoin Mr. Larsen from using Data Consultants' confidential information and trade secrets, from working for CBC, and that CBC be prevented from accessing or using Data Consultants' protectable trade secrets embedded and embodied in the eF & I Complete software.
The Court has discretion to reconsider and vacate a prior order. Barber v. Hawaii 42 F.3d 1185, 1198 (9th Cir.1994); United States v. Nutri-cology, Inc., 982 F.2d 394, 396 (9th Cir.1992). Motions for reconsideration are disfavored, however, and are not the place for parties to make new arguments not raised in their original briefs. Northwest Acceptance Corp. v. Lynnwood Equip., Inc., 841 F.2d 918, 925-6 (9th Cir.1988). Nor is reconsideration to be used to ask the court to rethink what it has already thought. United States v. Rezzonico, 32 F.Supp.2d 1112, 1116 (D.Ariz.1998). "A party seeking reconsideration must show more than a disagreement with the Court's decision, and recapitulation of the cases and arguments considered by the court before rendering its original decision fails to carry the moving party's burden." U.S. v. Westlands Water Dist., 134 F.Supp.2d 1111, 1131 (E.D.Cal.2001).
Motions to reconsider are committed to the discretion of the trial court. Combs v. Nick Garin Trucking, 825 F.2d 437, 441 (D.C.Cir.1987); Rodgers v. Watt, 722 F.2d 456, 460 (9th Cir.1983) (en banc). To succeed, a party must set forth facts or law of a strongly convincing nature to induce the court to reverse its prior decision. See Kern-Tulare Water Dist. v. City of Bakersfield, 634 F.Supp. 656, 665 (E.D.Cal.1986), affirmed in part and reversed in part on other grounds, 828 F.2d 514 (9th Cir.1987).
The same standards generally apply to temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. Northeast Ohio Coalition for Homeless & Serv. Employees Int'l Union, Local 1199 v. Blackwell, 467 F.3d 999, 1009 (6th Cir.2009). A "preliminary injunction is an extraordinary and drastic remedy." Munaf v. Geren, 553 U.S. 674, 128 S.Ct. 2207, 2219, 171 L.Ed.2d 1 (2008). As such, the Court may only grant such relief "upon a clear showing that the plaintiff
As set forth in Marlyn Nutraceuticals, Inc. v. Mucos Pharma GmbH & Co., 571 F.3d 873, 878-79 (9th Cir.2009), a "preliminary injunction can take two forms:"
Both parties seek prohibitory and mandatory injunctive relief. These requests will be considered accordingly.
In the motion for reconsideration, defendants raise new arguments not addressed in opposition to the TRO motion related to the public interest, the amount of the bond, and irreparable harm to defendants. In addition, defendants' legal argument relies primarily on a February 2010 document that defendants argue is an enforceable agreement between the parties. Defendants assert this document is "new evidence," but do not, and cannot, argue that it was "newly discovered."
To explain why the February 2008 document, the legal theories based on the document, and the new arguments were not submitted in opposition to the TRO motion, defendants argue that they were given very short notice of the CBC's TRO motion. Although this Court could have ruled on CBC's TRO without notice or a response from defendants, Fed.R.Civ.P. 65(b)(1), this Court sua sponte ordered CBC to serve the complaint and motion on defendants. In addition, this Court sua sponte granted defendants an opportunity to oppose the TRO motion. This Court allowed defendants to file an opposition three days after CBC served them with the complaint and TRO motion. CBC filed certificates of service indicating that Mr. Pardini was served by mail on July 2, 2010 and Data Consultants was served by mail on July 6, 2010. Defendants opposed the motion on July 8, 2010. Thus, defendants filed the opposition earlier than the Court's deadline. In addition, defendants' opposition contained no indication that the defendants were unable to work within the time limit, and defendants failed to request
Based on the foregoing, this Court finds that defendants failed to show good cause why the new arguments and evidence were not raised in its opposition. Defendants' arguments fail to meet the reconsideration standards set forth above. Defendants reconsideration motion amounts to a disagreement with this Court's order based on evidence and arguments defendants failed to submit to this Court in opposition. Defendants' reconsideration motion fails to meet the well-settled reconsideration standards. See, e.g., Kona Enterprises, Inc. v. Estate of Bishop, 229 F.3d 877, 890 (9th Cir.2000). Accordingly, this Court denies defendants' reconsideration motion.
The Court denies defendants' reconsideration motion on the alternative grounds that the motion is moot. The TRO is no longer in effect, as it expired on July 30, 2010. Because the TRO is no longer enforceable against defendants, defendants' motion to reconsider the TRO is moot.
The TRO was issued on July 12, 2010. The TRO was to take effect after CBC filed a bond with the clerk of this Court, and was set to expire 14 days after the date of filing. The TRO expired on July, 26, 2010, but the Court extended the TRO from July 28, 2010 through July 30, 2010.
CBC has indicated in its documents that defendants have failed to comply with both the prohibitive and mandatory provisions of the TRO. In their documents, defendants have left these accusations unaddressed. Nevertheless, defendants' arguments and requests indicate that defendants have not complied with the TRO. Although defendants filed a reconsideration motion, defendants failed to file a motion to stay enforcement of the TRO. Accordingly, the TRO was in effect during the dates set forth above.
On the basis of good cause, this Court orders defendants to show cause in writing,
This Court addressed the merits of CBC's claims in its TRO. For the reasons therein discussed, this Court found that CBC failed to establish a likelihood of success on its claims of ownership of eF & I Complete, but did establish that it was likely to succeed on its claim that defendants are violating its unlimited, non-exclusive, and irrevocable license to use the software. Moreover, this Court found that CBC established it's a likelihood of success on its claims that defendants are interfering with existing and prospective economic relations. In addition, this Court found that CBC had established that it may suffer irreparable harm absent an injunction for loss of good will and market share for the eF & I Complete software. Based on these and other considerations, this Court found good cause to issue a TRO, and ordered defendants to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not issue.
After the mediation and the parties' subsequent briefs, it is clear that both parties agree that this Court should issue some sort of preliminary injunction. Defendants no longer move to extinguish the TRO fully. Rather, defendants argue that this Court should modify some of the provisions of the TRO and include additional provisions to the preliminary injunction. Further, defendants request injunctive relief in their favor. This Court addresses the relevant arguments and provisions below.
Primarily, defendants seek to modify provisions of the TRO to prevent CBC unfettered access to the eF & I Complete source code. Defendants argue that
This Court requested additional briefing from defendants on the source code issue, based on the following:
In response, defendants (through a declaration from Mr. Pardini) explain how the TRO may allow CBC access to the source code.
In its opposition, CBC argues that the status quo ante allowed CBC to access the software, including the source code. CBC asserts that it requires access to the source code, because it must modify the source code as needed to service its customers. In its response, CBC submitted a declaration from Mr. Larsen. Mr. Larsen avers that he never had access to Data Consultant's Grapevine source code. In addition, Mr. Larsen submits that he believes CBC owns eF & I Complete, including its source code, because Mr. Larsen designed it, oversaw and controlled the writing of the source code, CBC paid for it, and CBC and Mr. Larsen always had access to the source code. This Court addressed CBC's ownership arguments in its TRO.
To resolve the issue of whether CBC should have access to the source code, the Court considers the evidence to determine the status quo between the parties prior to the dispute. The purpose of a preliminary injunction is to preserve the status quo if the balance of equities so heavily favors the moving party that justice requires the court to intervene to secure the positions until the merits of the action are ultimately determined. University of Texas v. Camenisch, 451 U.S. 390, 395, 101 S.Ct. 1830, 68 L.Ed.2d 175 (1981). "Status quo" means the last uncontested status that preceded the pending controversy. See, GoTo.com, Inc. v. Walt Disney Co., 202 F.3d 1199, 1210 (9th Cir.2000).
Having considered defendants' arguments and further evidence, including the declarations of Mr. Pardini and Mr. Larsen, this Court finds that the status quo is as follows: Prior to the breakdown between the parties, CBC competed with Data Consultants by selling eF & I Complete under its own name. CBC would notify Data Consultants of the new customer because CBC and Data Consultants had an agreement that Data Consultants would provide customer service to CBC's new customer. Data Consultants accepted a 20% servicing fee, and provided customer service to CBC's customers.
There is no evidence that CBC requested Data Consultants' permission to sign a new customer, or that Data Consultants retained the right to reject CBC's new customer request, as defendants suggest.
This Court cannot determine whether CBC had unfettered access to the source code. Mr. Larsen contends that he had access to the source code; however, it is unclear whether Mr. Larsen accessed the source code as a Data Consultants' employee (as defendants' argue) or as a CBC shareholder (as CBC suggests). This is question of fact that this Court cannot determine at this stage.
As the moving party, CBC bears the burden to establish the likelihood of success on its claims. Because this Court cannot determine whether CBC had unfettered access to the source code, CBC fails to meet its burden on this issue. In addition, CBC has failed to establish that it requires access to the source code to maintain the status quo. As set forth above, the parties agree that once CBC gained a new customer, Data Consultants would service CBC's clients. CBC requests access to the source code to allow CBC the ability to service its clients; however, the undisputed evidence suggested that CBC never serviced its own clients and that Data Consultants provided the service. Accordingly, this Court finds that CBC does not require access to the eF & I Complete source code to maintain the status quo, and modifies the provisions of the TRO to prohibit access.
Defendants requested that this Court delete sections 3(b)-(e) of the TRO. These sections prohibit defendants from changing the User IDs or Passwords on a variety of accounts. In its order for additional briefing, this Court found:
In response, defendants contend that since CBC never had access to the User IDs and Passwords, these provisions should not be included in the TRO. This Court agrees.
CBC has failed to carry its burden to provide that CBC had access to, or requires access to, this information. Although
Defendants argue that the preliminary injunction should include provisions to enforcement a February 2010 "agreement" between the parties. That "agreement" appears on CBC stationary, and is entitled "Confidential for Mike Green, Bill Pardini, Darin Larsen February 23, 2010." The document is unsigned. The document contains 25 enumerated provisions that appear to be a proposal for the separation of CBC and Data Consultants.
Defendants argue that this document is an enforceable agreement between the parties according to various legal theories. Defendants characterize the document several ways, depending on its argument. Defendants assert that the document was a proposal written by Mr. Green and Mr. Larsen and submitted to Mr. Pardini. Defendants contend that this document are CBC corporate minutes. Defendants assert that this was a separation agreement between the parties. In the alternative, defendants argue the document represents a firm offer by CBC to defendants, and should be enforced based on the notion of promissory estoppel.
The Court rejects defendants' position that the February 2010 document is an enforceable agreement. The parties dispute the context of the document and this Court cannot determine whether it is an enforceable agreement at this stage of the litigation. Defendants assertions are contradictory and confused. Moreover, the positions taken by Mr. Pardini provide support for CBC's breach of fiduciary claim against him. Accordingly, this Court declines to include provisions of the February 2010 document in its preliminary injunction.
Defendants request certain affirmative provisions in the preliminary injunction, including:
This Court rejects defendants' request for injunctive relief, because defendants request injunctive relief on the basis of claims they have not asserted against CBC. Defendants have no counterclaims against CBC. Thus, this Court cannot consider the relevant factors (i.e., likelihood of success, irreparable harm, public interest, and balance of the equities) as to claims
This Court agrees with defendants' position that the preliminary injunction should be crafted so that CBC will be unable to appropriate the eF & I Complete source code until the issues related to this litigation have been resolved. Although this Court disagrees with defendants' request to require CBC to seek Data Consultants' permission to gain a new customer, this Court does find that the status quo requires CBC to contract with Data Consultants to service any new customers it acquires.
Having considered the parties' arguments, exhibits, and requests, this Court:
IT IS SO ORDERED.
