KANE, District Judge.
Plaintiffs, DISH Network Corporation and DISH Network LLC (formerly known as EchoStar Communications Corporation and EchoStar Satellite LLC; collectively "DISH") have filed suit against Arch Speciality Insurance Company ("Arch"), Arrowood Indemnity Company ("Arrowood"), Travelers Indemnity Company ("Travelers"), XL Insurance America ("XL"), and National Union Fire Insurance Company ("National Union") (collectively "Defendant Insurers") seeking a declaratory judgment that Defendant Insurers are obligated to defend DISH in a patent infringement action pending against them in the Central District of California ("Katz lawsuit").
The parties agreed to simplify the case by proceeding in multiple phases, first addressing whether the Katz lawsuit triggered the Defendant Insurers' duty to defend DISH. See Scheduling Order, Doc. 51 at 22. Defendant Insurers have filed summary judgment motions arguing that they are under no duty to defend DISH in the Katz lawsuit. I have considered the parties' arguments in support of and in opposition to these motions. Defendant Insurers have no duty to defend DISH against the patent infringement claims contained in the Katz lawsuit and are, as a result, entitled to summary judgment. In the absence of a duty to defend, Defendant Insurers have no duty to indemnify DISH and cannot have breached any contractual duties. Defendant Insurers' Motions for Summary Judgment, Docs. 62, 65, 66, 68, and 72 are GRANTED.
Plaintiffs and Defendants are citizens of different states for purposes of establishing
On June 14, 2007, Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. ("Katz") sued EchoStar Satellite Communications, LLC for patent infringement. The Katz plaintiff filed a "Complaint for Patent Infringement and Demand for Jury Trial" and identified one count of "Patent Infringement" as the sole cause of action. In its amended complaint filed August 28, 2008, Katz alleges EchoStar "directly and contributorily infringed, and induced others to infringe, one or more claims of each of the patents [in suit] by making, using, offering to sell, and/or selling within the United States automated telephone systems, including without limitation the DISH Network customer service telephone system, that allow their customers to perform pay-per-view ordering and customer service functions over the telephone."
According to the Katz amended complaint, Katz acquired from Ronald A. Katz the rights to his entire "interactive call processing" patent portfolio in 1994, and twenty-three of these patents are identified as infringing patents-in-suit. Katz describes the patents-in-suit as having multiple fields of use, including but not limited to financial services call processing, automated securities transactions, automated credit card authorization services, automated wireless telecommunication services and support, automated health care services, and product and service support. DISH asserts claims in some of the patents in suit are relevant to the Defendant Insurers' duty to defend DISH. For example, Claim 219 of patent-in-suit # 5828734 states that the patent claims "[a] telephone interface system ... wherein said selective operating format involves advertising a product for sale."
Upon being served with the Katz complaint, DISH tendered the matter to Defendant Insurers. From August 1, 2001, through August 1, 2004, Defendant Insurers issued commercial general liability coverage forms ("CGL's") to EchoStar Communications Corporation, DISH's predecessor, that provided coverage against "advertising injury" claims, subject to certain exceptions and exclusions. The Arrowood
Summary judgment is appropriate only if there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact, and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(c)(2); Adamson v. Multi. Cmty. Diversified Servs., Inc., 514 F.3d 1136, 1145 (10th Cir.2008). A fact is material if it could affect the outcome of the suit under governing law; a dispute of fact is genuine if a rational jury could find for the nonmoving party on the evidence presented. Id.
As the moving parties, Defendant Insurers bear the burden of demonstrating that no genuine issue of material fact exists. Id. at 1145. Because they do not bear the ultimate burden of persuasion at trial, however, they may satisfy this burden by demonstrating a lack of evidence for an essential element of DISH's claim. Id. I do not weigh the evidence in deciding whether Defendant Insurers have carried their burden. Instead I draw all reasonable inferences from it in the light most favorable to DISH. Id. Neither unsupported conclusory allegations nor mere scintilla of evidence, however, are sufficient to create a genuine dispute of material fact on summary judgment. See MacKenzie v. City & County of Denver, 414 F.3d 1266, 1273 (10th Cir.2005). If Defendant Insurers carry their burden under Rule 56(c), DISH must demonstrate more than "some metaphysical doubt" as to the material facts to survive summary judgment. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986).
Because I exercise jurisdiction pursuant to the diversity statute, the substantive law of Colorado controls. Erie R.R. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78-79, 58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188 (1938); Blackhawk-Central City Sanitation Dist. v. Am. Guar. & Liab. Ins. Co., 214 F.3d 1183, 1188 (10th Cir.2000) (citing Blanke v. Alexander, 152 F.3d 1224, 1228 (10th Cir. 1998)). Therefore, Colorado choice-of-law rules apply.
In contract actions, Colorado applies the "most significant relationship" test articulated in Chapter 8 of the Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws (1971). See ITT Specialty Risk Servs. v. Avis Rent A Car Sys., 985 P.2d 43, 47 (1998) (citing Wood Bros. Homes, Inc. v. Walker Adjustment Bureau, 198 Colo. 444, 601 P.2d 1369 (1979)). Because there is no choice of law provision in the contested insurance policies, I apply the law of the state with the most significant relationship to the transaction at issue and the parties. Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 188 (1971). In making this determination, I consider: (a) the place of contracting, (b) the place the contract was negotiated, (c) the place of performance, (d) the location of the subject matter of the contract, and (e) the domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation, and place of business of the parties. Id.
In the instant case, each of the contested policies was negotiated and delivered in Colorado. See National Union Policy, Doc. 62-3 at 2; Arrowood Policy, Doc. 65-3 at 4; Traveler's Policy, Doc. 66-1 at 1; XL Policy, Doc. 68-1 at 1; and Arch Policy, Doc. 72-1 at 2. Although the underlying action has been filed in California, the bulk of performance was in Colorado; DISH paid their premiums and maintain their principal place of business in Colorado. Furthermore, the parties are residents of or incorporated in multiple states; there is
As discussed above, Defendant Insurers must demonstrate a lack of evidence for an essential element of DISH's claim to prevail on summary judgment. DISH, for its part, "need only show that the underlying claim may fall within policy coverage" to establish a duty to defend under Colorado law. Compass Ins. Co. v. City of Littleton, 984 P.2d 606, 614 (Colo.1999) (quoting Standun, Inc. v. Fireman's Fund Ins. Co., 62 Cal.App.4th 882, 73 Cal.Rptr.2d 116, 120 (1998)). If the alleged facts even "potentially" or "arguably" trigger coverage under the policy and there is no applicable exclusion, the insurer is bound to provide a defense. Cyprus Amax Minerals Co. v. Lexington Ins. Co., 74 P.3d 294, 299 (Colo.2003). Accordingly, to prevail at summary judgment Defendant Insurers must prove either that there exist no allegations in the underlying complaint which would impose a liability covered by the policy or that the underlying claim falls within an exclusion articulated in the contested policy. See Compass, 984 P.2d at 613-14. Therefore, to determine whether there is a duty to defend, I examine and interpret the language of the contested insurance policies and decide whether the complaint alleges any conduct that could possibly, however doubtfully, trigger coverage.
Under Colorado law, insurance polices are contracts and must be interpreted according to the general principles of contract analysis.
Terms are ambiguous when they are reasonably susceptible to more than one meaning; the parties' disagreement about a term's meaning is insufficient to establish ambiguity. See TerraMatrix, Inc. v. U.S. Fire Ins. Co., 939 P.2d 483, 486 (Colo.Ct.App.1997). Because of the unique nature of insurance contracts and the relationship between the insurer and insured, I construe ambiguous provisions against the insurer and in favor of providing coverage
In support of its argument, DISH offers documentation from the Insurance Services Office ("ISO")
DISH argues the allegations in the Katz complaint give rise to coverage under the "advertising injury" portion of the CGL's issued by Defendant insurers. Under four of the five CGL policies at issue, DISH is entitled to coverage for an "advertising injury" only if the "advertising injury" is caused by an "occurrence."
Accordingly, DISH must prove three elements to establish a duty to defend for "advertising injury": (1) it was engaged in "advertising" during the policy period when the alleged "advertising injury" occurred; (2) [Katz's] allegations created a potential for liability under one of the covered offenses (i.e., misappropriation of advertising ideas); and (3) a causal connection existed between the alleged injury and the advertising.
Of course, when a policy defines an "advertising injury" with reference to the enterprise that is "advertising," the definition of the former will ultimately and necessarily be informed by the definition of the latter. Yet, the insurance policy definitions commonly lack a definition for the broader category of "advertising" itself, this omission betraying a tautological hole.
When interpreting an undefined term, I apply general contract principles and accord the term in question its plain and ordinary meaning. See Kane v. Royal Ins. Co. of Am., 768 P.2d 678, 680 (Colo. 1989). To this end, dictionaries may be consulted. Hecla Mining Co., 811 P.2d at
Importantly, however, dictionary entries are relied upon only as starting points and are not held to encompass fully the definition of "advertising" for purposes of "advertising injury" liability coverage. Instead, dictionary entries provide a base definition from which courts elaborate with some care the distinction between advertising and solicitation. Although the popular conception of advertising often includes solicitation and vice versa, most jurisdictions expressly hold that the two are separate endeavors. Specifically, an activity designed to facilitate sales that is directed towards the public at large is "advertising" and within the world of possible coverage; an activity designed to facilitate sales that is peddled to a single individual is "solicitation" and categorically precluded from coverage. Thus, the "advertising injury" inquiry evaluates the two terms by reference to whom the marketing is being promoted.
Courts define "advertising injury" according to the standard principles of contract interpretation. See generally Tynan's Nissan v. Am Hardware Mut. Ins. Co., 917 P.2d 321 (Colo.Ct.App.1995) (applying general principles of contract interpretation in giving meaning to the term "advertising injury"). As such, the definition for "advertising injury" given within the pertinent insurance policy controls, unless there is ambiguity in the policy language. See USAA Cas. Ins. Co. v. Anglum, 119 P.3d 1058, 1059 (Colo.2005).
As noted above, four of the five insurance policies issued by Defendant Insurers define an "advertising injury" as:
DISH asserts that offense (c), "misappropriation of advertising ideas or style of doing business," gives rise to Defendant Insurers' duty to defend in this case. Thus, an inquiry into the occurrence of an "advertising injury" necessitates understanding that phrase. DISH argues this phrase is ambiguous; the ambiguity must be construed against Defendant Insurers; and Defendant Insurers are under a duty to defend. I disagree. "Misappropriation of advertising ideas or style of doing business is not ambiguous because it is defined by case law and common usage." Fluoroware, Inc. v. Chubb Group of Ins. Cos., 545 N.W.2d 678, 682-83 (Minn.Ct.App.1996). Accordingly, I turn to the case law and common usage to determine whether Insurer Defendants are obligated to defend DISH in the Katz lawsuit.
Colorado law has not comprehensively addressed what constitutes either an "advertising idea" or a "style of doing business." Case law is entirely silent on the
Most courts hold that "misappropriation of advertising ideas" means the "wrongful taking of the manner by which another advertises its goods or services" or the "wrongful taking of an idea about the solicitation of business."
Although some courts have found that patent infringement cannot constitute an advertising injury, I think this is an unnecessarily broad and incorrect statement.
In stark contrast, in Discover Financial the court found no coverage where the alleged infringement involved many of the same patents at issue in the Katz complaint. 527 F.Supp.2d 806. Although Discover Financial is distinguishable from the complaint and arguments relating to this action, the court's reasoning is nonetheless relevant.
As in Discover Financial, the patents-in-suit at issue in the Katz complaint concern technologies relating to interactive call processing. The Katz complaint characterizes DISH's alleged infringing use of these technologies as part of "automated telephone systems ... that allow their customers to perform pay-per-view ordering and customer service functions over the telephone." Katz Amended Complaint, Doc. 62-2 at 9. The Katz complaint focuses on DISH's use of these patented technologies as a means of conveying content to and tailoring its interactions with its customers. It does not allege that the patented technologies are themselves incorporated as an element of DISH's communications and interactions with its customers. The complained of conduct does not, therefore, constitute "misappropriation of an advertising idea" within the meaning of the contested insurance policies.
A majority of courts have concluded that "style of doing business" means a company's "comprehensive manner of operating its business." See, e.g., Novell, 141 F.3d at 987 (collecting authorities). Some courts find the term synonymous with the misappropriation of the contested product's trade dress—its overall image and appearance, including features such as size, shape, color or color combinations, texture, graphics, and even particular sales techniques. See Discover, 527 F.Supp.2d at 825 (citing Hyman v. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 304 F.3d 1179, 1189 (11th Cir.2002)); Sally Beauty Co. v. Beautyco, Inc., 304 F.3d 964, 977 (10th Cir.2002) (citing Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana,
It is unnecessary to construe definitively the phrase "style of doing business" because none of the above-described definitions provide relief to DISH. DISH's use of the patented technology as a means of communicating and interacting with its customers fails to constitute a misappropriation of a "style of doing business" because DISH did not misappropriate the manner in which Katz conducts its business, but rather the technologies themselves. The Katz patents teach a method of communication generally, not an idea, plan, or strategy developed by Katz for the specific purpose of conducting its own business. In other words, because the patented technology is not itself a marketing approach of Katz's, DISH did not misappropriate Katz's "style of doing business" through its patent-infringement.
Because DISH's alleged infringement of the patents-in-suit does not constitute "misappropriation of advertising ideas or style of doing business," there is no "advertising injury" within the meaning of the contested CGL policies.
As noted ante, even if there were an "advertising injury," there would be coverage only where the "advertising injury" is caused by an "occurrence," "an offense committed in the course of advertising your goods, products and services that results in `advertising injury.'" There is a significant disagreement on what standard is used for determining whether an "occurrence" has actually caused the complained of "advertising injury." See Frog, Switch & Mfg. Co., 193 F.3d at 750 n. 8. Some courts apply a heightened standard, finding no causation if advertising is merely one among many activities giving rise to the complained of injury. See Fluoroware, Inc., 545 N.W.2d at 681-82. Other courts find causation even where there are multiple activities giving rise to the complained of injury if, standing alone, the "advertising" would give rise to the complained of injury. See Cahill v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 80 F.3d 336, 339 n. 3 (9th Cir.1996) (finding causation where "the injury emanates within the advertisement itself and requires no further conduct"). I need not resolve this disparity, however, because there is no "covered injury."
As one court has noted, "the definition of `advertising injury' in standard business insurance policies has troubled and in some cases confounded courts for years," but this does not necessarily give rise to coverage, or even a possibility of coverage. Frog, Switch & Mfg. Co., 193 F.3d at 744. In certain cases, a claim of patent infringement may properly give rise to coverage, or even the specter of coverage, such that an insurer will have a duty to defend. Where an underlying complaint fails to allege that an insured party has incorporated a patented advertising technique into its own advertisements, however, coverage does not lie. The Katz complaint does not allege that DISH has incorporated its patented ideas into its advertising activities. Accordingly, Defendant Insurers' Motions for Summary Judgement, Docs. 62, 65, 66, 68, and 72, are GRANTED. Because there is no duty to defend, there can be no duty to indemnify, breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, or bad faith. See Constitution Assocs., 930 P.2d at 563; Lextron, Inc. v. Travelers Cas. & Surety Co. of Am., 267 F.Supp.2d 1041, 1048 (D.Colo.2003). Accordingly, judgment shall be entered in favor of Defendant Insurers, each party to bear its own costs.
In contrast, when courts use "solicitation" in the context of defining an "advertising idea," they are not contemplating the audience towards which the "solicitation" is targeted, but are instead interested only in the sale-facilitating nature of "solicitation." Thus, "solicitation" here means simply "marketing method" or "marketing system," without concern for the audience towards which the "marketing method" or "marketing system" is pitched. See Hyundai, 600 F.3d at 1098 (finding complaint's use of the words "marketing method" and "marketing system" synonymous with "advertising idea").