HAIGHT, Senior District Judge:
The four plaintiff corporations ("Plaintiffs") hold copyrights for a variety of educational textbooks. They move for summary judgment against Defendants Vinod Kumar ("Kumar") and Dart Air, Inc.
Defendants Kumar and Dart (hereinafter "Defendants") oppose Plaintiffs' summary judgment motion. They argue that the sale of Plaintiffs' copyrighted works is lawful under the "first sale" doctrine, codified at 17 U.S.C. § 109(a). Moreover, Kumar asserts that he cannot be liable for copyright infringement because he had no knowledge that the sale of the foreign editions was unlawful.
Defendant Kumar moves to dismiss the complaint against him for lack of personal jurisdiction. Defendants jointly cross move to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim and/or summary judgment.
Addressing each motion in turn, this Court finds that the pleadings, depositions, affidavits, and admissions on file show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that Plaintiffs are entitled to judgment on their copyright infringement claim as a matter of law. As a result, Plaintiffs are entitled to the requested minimum statutory damages and a permanent injunction against defendants Kumar and Dart from the future manufacture, distribution and/or sale of Plaintiffs' foreign editions. Defendants' cross motions are denied as set forth below.
The record establishes the following facts. Plaintiffs, publishers of numerous copyrighted educational textbooks, create various versions of their books customized for sale in specific geographic markets. Amended Complaint ¶¶ 17-18. These versions include those authorized for sale in the United States ("United States Editions") and those intended for sale outside of the United States ("Foreign Editions"). Id. United States Editions are of the highest quality, generally printed with hard-cover bindings with glossy protective coatings, and may include such extra features as sewn ribbon bookmarks. Id. ¶ 17. They are often accompanied by academic supplements such as CD-ROMs, computer passwords to academic websites, and study guides. Id.
Foreign Editions are identical in content to United States Editions but inferior in
Defendant Kumar is a natural person, a citizen of India, residing in New Delhi, India. Affidavit of Vinod Kumar ¶ 3. He is in the courier business and thus able to export merchandise from India to the United States at a reduced cost. Dunnegan Dec., Ex. F., 32: 2-4, 79: 18-25.
Defendant Dart is a corporation organized pursuant to the laws of the State of New York with its principal place of business in New York City. Defendants' First Memorandum of Law (filed 1/8/2009), p. 3, Statement of Facts ¶ 5; Amended Complaint, p. 3, ¶ 11. Kumar initially hired, and later acquired, Dart to distribute Plaintiffs' Foreign Editions in the United States.
Defendants purchased Foreign Editions of Plaintiffs' books in India and resold them in the United States through Internet websites,
Plaintiffs are the owners of the United States copyrights with respect to all 379 of the works of authorship at issue in their summary judgment motion.
This Court has "federal question" subject matter jurisdiction over Plaintiffs' copyright and trade infringement actions pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331
This Court also has jurisdiction over Plaintiffs' claim for "common law unfair competition under state law" pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1338(b). Section 1338(b) grants district courts "original jurisdiction of any civil action asserting a claim of unfair competition when joined with a substantial and related claim under the copyright, patent, plant variety protection or trademark laws." Plaintiffs' unfair competition claim is joined with their substantial and related claims of copyright and trademark infringement.
Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391. Section 1391(b) provides that a civil action "not founded solely on diversity of citizenship" may only be brought in three specified judicial districts:
28 U.S.C. § 1391(b). Subsection (b)(1) does not apply, since all Defendants do not reside in the same state. However, subsection (b) (2) is satisfied, since the copyrighted works at issue were distributed in this district and that distribution comprises "a substantial part of the events" giving rise to the Plaintiffs' three claims.
Plaintiffs have brought the present motion for summary judgment on their copyright
When ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the court "must resolve all ambiguities and draw all reasonable inferences in the non-movant's favor." Pearson Educ., Inc. v. Liao, No. 07-Civ-2423 (SHS), 2008 WL 2073491, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. May 13, 2008) (citing Giannullo v. City of New York, 322 F.3d 139, 140 (2d Cir. 2003)). Summary judgment is proper only when, after drawing all reasonable inferences in favor of the non-movant, no reasonable trier of fact could find in that party's favor. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587-88, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986). See also Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505 (summary judgment is unwarranted if "the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party"); Amnesty America, v. Town of West Hartford, 361 F.3d 113, 122 (2d Cir.2004) (court's function "is not to weigh the evidence but is instead required to view the evidence in the light most favorable to the party opposing summary judgment, to draw all reasonable inferences in favor of that party, and to eschew credibility assessments") (citations omitted); Ford, 316 F.3d at 354 (2d Cir. 2003) (summary judgment is "improper if there is any evidence in the record that could reasonably support the jury's verdict for the non-moving party").
The party seeking summary judgment bears the burden of showing that there are no genuine issues of material fact. "A fact is `material' when it might affect the outcome of the suit under governing law." McCarthy v. Dun & Bradstreet Corp., 482 F.3d 184, 202 (2d Cir.2007) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). In the case at bar, the Copyright Act supplies the governing law. "An issue of fact is `genuine' if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Id. (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). If the moving party makes that showing, then "[u]nless the nonmoving party offers some hard evidence that its version of the events is not wholly fanciful, summary judgment is granted to the moving party." Id. (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). The nonmoving party must show that a trial is necessary because a genuine issue exists as to a material fact. There must be more than a "scintilla of evidence" in the non-movant's favor. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505. "Conclusory allegations," "bald assertions," and "metaphysical doubt" will not suffice. See, e.g., BellSouth Telecomms., Inc. v. W.R. Grace & Co., 77 F.3d 603, 615 (2d Cir.1996) (it is insufficient for a party opposing summary judgment "merely to assert a conclusion without supplying supporting arguments
When both parties move for summary judgment, the district court is obligated to evaluate each party's motion on its merits, taking care in each instance to draw all reasonable inferences against the party whose motion is under consideration. Heublein, Inc. v. U.S., 996 F.2d 1455, 1461 (2d Cir.1993); Schwabenbauer v. Board of Education of Olean, 667 F.2d 305, 313-14 (2d Cir.1981) Neither side is barred from asserting that there are issues of fact sufficient to preclude the entry summary judgment against it. Schwabenbauer, 667 F.2d at 313. Moreover, when faced with cross motions for summary judgment, the district court is not required to grant judgment as a matter of law for one side or the other. Heublein, 996 F.2d at 1461; Schwabenbauer, 667 F.2d at 313.
In their summary judgment motion, Plaintiffs claim that Defendants violated the copyrights for 379 of Plaintiffs' Foreign Editions by unlawfully distributing those works in violation of 17 U.S.C. §§ 106, 501 and 602(a).
A copyright holder's exclusive right to sell copies is limited by the "first sale doctrine," codified at 17 U.S.C. § 109(a). That doctrine allows the purchaser of a physical copy of a copyrighted work to sell that copy to another without infringing the copyright owner's exclusive distribution rights. Section 109(a) provides:
17 U.S.C. § 109(a). For the doctrine's inception, see also Bobbs-Merrill Co. v. Straus, 210 U.S. 339, 350, 28 S.Ct. 722, 52 L.Ed. 1086 (1908) ("[t]he purchaser of a book, once sold by authority of the owner of the copyright, may sell it again, although he could not publish a new edition of it").
Once the copyright owner sells or transfers a particular copy, he divests himself of the exclusive right in that copy; such that the right to sell passes to the buyer or transferee. See, e.g., Walt Disney Prods, v. Basmajian, 600 F.Supp. 439, 442 (S.D.N.Y.1984). As the United States Supreme Court explained in Quality King Distributors, Inc. v. L'anza Research Intern., Inc., 523 U.S. 135, 152, 118 S.Ct. 1125, 140 L.Ed.2d 254 (1998), "once the copyright owner places a copyrighted item into the stream of commerce by selling it, he has exhausted his exclusive statutory right to control its distribution."
However, the first sale doctrine does not provide a defense to infringement with respect to goods manufactured abroad. That is the effect of section 602 of the Copyright Act.
The court considered the history and purpose of § 109(a), noting "nothing suggests that the [first-sale] doctrine should not apply when a copy is manufactured abroad" and "the common law policy against restraints on trade and alienation is not limited by the place where a chattel is manufactured." Id. at 412-13. Ultimately, Judge Holwell focused on dicta in Quality King Distributors, Inc. v. L'anza Research International, Inc., 523 U.S. 135, 148, 118 S.Ct. 1125, 140 L.Ed.2d 254 (1998), that he found persuasive and led him to conclude the first sale doctrine does not apply to foreign-manufactured copyrighted works. In his Pearson case, Judge Holwell pointed out that in Quality King the Supreme Court spoke "directly to whether the first-sale doctrine applies to copies manufactured abroad." 656 F.Supp.2d at 415. The Supreme Court stated in Quality King:
523 U.S. at 148, 118 S.Ct. 1125 (emphasis added and footnote omitted). The Supreme Court had thus "considered the fact pattern presented by this case: one in which books manufactured by a foreign publisher for sale abroad are imported into, and distributed within, this country without the consent of the U.S. copyright holder. The [Supreme] Court expressed the view that in these circumstances, the U.S. copyright holder is entitled to maintain an infringement action against the importer under § 602(a)." Pearson, 656 F.Supp.2d at 415-16. The quoted passage from Quality King is arguably dicta; but "if dicta this be, it is of the most persuasive kind." Id. at 416 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Accordingly Judge Holwell denied defendants' motion to dismiss, allowing plaintiffs' copyright infringement action to proceed.
While lower federal courts "have divided over what it means for a copy to be `lawfully made'" under § 109(a) of the Copyright Act, Pearson, 656 F.Supp.2d at 412 (citations omitted), I agree with Judge Holwell that when the Supreme Court directly addresses that question in unanimous language, albeit dicta, deference must be paid by district courts. The earlier Pearson decision in this court correctly assessed the import and effect of the Supreme Court's language in Quality King and reached a conclusion on identical facts with which I agree. Consequently, I conclude in this case that the first sale doctrine does not apply to copies of a copyrighted work manufactured abroad. It follows that the first sale doctrine provides no defense against a claim for infringement arising out of the distribution of such works in the United States, in violation of §§ 106(3), 501, and 602(a) of the Copyright Act.
In the present case, the record demonstrates that Plaintiffs hold all 379 copyrights for the works that are the subject of Plaintiffs' summary judgment motion. Amended Complaint ¶¶ 19, 26-30 and Schedules A and D; Plaintiffs' Rule 56.1 Statement ¶¶ 1-4; Essig. Dec. ¶ 3 and Ex. A; Murphy. Dec. ¶ 3 and Ex. B; Sampson Dec. ¶ 3 and Ex. C; Beacher Dec. ¶ 3 and Ex. D.
Kumar contends that he should not be held liable for the sales of Plaintiffs' Foreign Editions for two reasons. First, he asserts that he "never knew that selling these books is illegal." Kumar Letter (dated 8/7/2008), p. 1, para. 2. He further claims he relied on a leaflet and a New York Times article, both of which were supplied by AbeBooks and led him to believe that the sales were legal. Id. & two attachments (Leaflet of AbeBooks.com and Article in New York Times, entitled, "Students Find $100 Textbooks Cost $50, Purchased Overseas," dated October 21, 2003). Although willfulness of a defendant may bear on the issue of statutory damages under Section 504(c), ignorance of the law is not a defense to liability.
Second, Defendants seek to apply the "first sale" doctrine as a complete defense to liability for Plaintiffs copyrights infringement claims. That defense is unavailable to these Defendants for the reasons stated in Part IV.A.2., supra.
Summary judgment will be granted as to Plaintiffs on their copyright infringement claims.
Kumar and Dart are jointly and severally liable for all sales of the Foreign Editions because they are principals in direct infringement. Both participated in the sale and/or distribution of the infringing Foreign Editions. Moreover, Kumar owns Dart and directed it to distribute the infringing copies that were sold. Dunnegan Dec., Ex. F, 32: 1 to 33: 6; Kumar Letter (dated 8/7/2008), p. 2, para. 1. See Luft v. Crown Publishers, Inc., 772 F.Supp. 1378, 1379 (S.D.N.Y.1991) ("All participants of a copyright infringement are jointly and severally liable. All persons and corporations who participate in, exercise control over, or benefit from the infringement are jointly and severally liable as copyright infringers.") (quotations and citations omitted); Wales Indus. Inc.
17 U.S.C. § 504(c) grants a copyright owner the right to "elect, at any time before final judgment is rendered, to recover, instead of actual damages and profits, an award of statutory damages for all infringements involved in the action, with respect to any one work . . . In a sum of not less than $750 or more than $30,000 as the court considers just."
Where multiple works are infringed, the court must award damages for "each of the' separate, individual works which were the subject of a defendant's infringing activities.'" Pearson Educ., Inc. v. Liao, No. 07-Civ-2423 (SHS), 2008 WL 2073491, at *4 (S.D.N.Y. May 13, 2008) (quoting Arclightz and Films Pvt. Ltd. v. Video Palace Inc., 303 F.Supp.2d 356, 361 (S.D.N.Y.2003)).
Plaintiffs at bar request minimum statutory damages in the amount of $750 for each of the 379 works infringed, pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 504(c). They are entitled to that measure. Accordingly the Court will enter judgment in Plaintiffs' favor and against Defendants, jointly and severally, in the amount of $284,250 ($750 x 379). This total is allocated among the several Plaintiffs as follows: $108,000 to Pearson for infringement of its 144 copyrights; $53,250 to Wiley for infringement of its 71 copyrights; $40,500 to Cengage for infringement of its 54 copyrights; and $82,500 to McGraw-Hill for infringement of its 110 copyrights.
17 U.S.C. § 502(a)
Defendant Kumar moves to dismiss Plaintiffs' complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In support of his motion, Kumar claims that this Court cannot exercise personal jurisdiction over him under New York state's long-arm statute, N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 302(a), because he lacks the requisite minimum contacts with either the state of New York or this District. He further claims that this Court's exercise of jurisdiction over him would violate the Fourteenth Amendment's Constitutional guarantee of due process. For the reasons set forth below, the motion is denied.
Defendant bases his argument that he is not present in New York for jurisdictional purposes on two prongs. First, Kumar asserts that he neither lives nor owns property in New York. Affidavit of Vinod Kumar ¶¶ 3, 7-8. Rather, he is a resident and citizen of India who travels to the United States "on several occasions." Defendants' First Memorandum (filed 1/8/2009), p. 18, para. 2; see also Affidavit of Vinod Kumar ¶¶ 3-4. Second, and in contrast to his own statements, Kumar contends that he does not work in New York or engage in a systematic course of doing business in New York, and thus has no office or employees here. This assertion is belied in part by Kumar's own statements.
A motion to dismiss must be granted if a court lacks personal jurisdiction over a defendant. Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(2);
Because a motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction is "inherently a matter requiring the resolution of factual issues outside of the pleadings ... all pertinent documentation submitted by the parties maybe considered in deciding the motion." Energy Brands, Inc. v. Spiritual Brands, Inc., 571 F.Supp.2d 458, 463 (S.D.N.Y.2008) (quoting Pilates, Inc. v. Pilates Inst., Inc., 891 F.Supp. 175, 178 n. 2 (S.D.N.Y.1995)). When considering the motion, the court must construe the pleadings liberally for the benefit of the plaintiffs. Hoffritz for Cutlery, Inc. v. Amajac, Ltd., 763 F.2d 55, 57 (2d Cir.1985); Wiley & Sons, 2009 WL 1766003, at *3.
"In a federal question case where the defendant resides outside the forum state, a federal court applies the forum state's personal jurisdiction rules." Philip Morris USA, Inc., 2007 WL 725412, at *3 (quoting PDK Labs v. Friedlander, 103 F.3d 1105, 1108 (2d Cir.1997)). This Court has federal question jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338; and the relevant statute, the Copyright Act of 1976, does not separately provide for nationwide jurisdiction. Therefore, the law of New York, the place where the court sits, determines the jurisdictional reach of a New York federal court sitting in a copyright infringement action .. Fed. R.Civ.P. 4(k)(l)(a);
As stated supra, Plaintiffs bear the burden of showing that jurisdiction over Kumar is proper under New York law. In addition, Plaintiffs must demonstrate that such an exercise of personal jurisdiction satisfies due process. See, e.g., Bank Brussels Lambert v. Gonzalez, 305 F.3d 120, 127 (2d Cir.2002).
In order for this Court to exercise personal jurisdiction over Defendant Kumar, there must be an appropriate process of service on Kumar, providing him with adequate notice of the claim, and an adequate basis for jurisdiction. In the present case, Plaintiffs contend that Kumar has been properly served in that he was personally served within the state of New York. Pursuant to N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 308(1), the relevant New York law regarding service of process, "[p]ersonal service upon a natural person shall be made by any of the following methods ... [including] 1. by delivering the summons within the state to the
Similarly, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(e)(2) "specifically authorizes personal service of a summons and complaint upon an individual physically present within a judicial district of the United States; and such personal service comports with the requirements of due process for the assertion of personal jurisdiction."
In the present case, Plaintiffs have provided undisputed evidence that Kumar was personally served in New York City, New York, on January 17, 2008. See Scileppi Dec. ¶ 4 and Return of Service, specifying that on 1/17/08, William Dunnegan served Kumar personally at the offices of Dunnegan LLC, 350 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10118. Kumar has thus been properly served to allow this Court to exercise personal jurisdiction over him.
After determining that service was properly effected, a court must analyze whether there is an adequate basis for jurisdiction—i.e., whether the exercise of personal jurisdiction over the defendant comports with "traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice." International Shoe Co. v. State of Wash., Office of Unemployment Compensation and Placement, 326 U.S. 310, 316, 66 S.Ct. 154, 90 L.Ed. 95 (1945) (quoting Milliken v. Meyer, 311 U.S. 457, 458, 61 S.Ct. 339, 85 L.Ed. 278 (1940)). To satisfy the fairness standard of due process, the defendant must have "minimum contacts" with the forum state. International Shoe, 326 U.S. at 316, 66 S.Ct. 154.
In the present case, Kumar availed himself of the privileges of (1) conducting sales to residents of New York and (2) distributing Plaintiffs' Foreign Editions in New York.
However, the inquiry does not end there. Once it has found that the defendant has the requisite minimum contacts with the forum state, the Court must determine whether exercising personal jurisdiction is "reasonable under the particular circumstances of the case." Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. Robertson-Ceco Corp., 84 F.3d 560, 568 (2d Cir.1996). This Court must assess whether the defendant has made a compelling case that jurisdiction is unreasonable in light of such factors as: (1) the burden imposed on the defendant; (2) the forum state's interest in adjudicating the dispute; (3) the plaintiff's interest in obtaining convenient, effective relief; (4) the interstate judicial system's interest in obtaining the most efficient resolution of controversies; and (5) the shared interest of the states in furthering fundamental substantive social policies. Id. (citing Asahi Metal Industry Co. v. Superior Court, 480 U.S. 102, 113-14, 107 S.Ct. 1026, 94 L.Ed.2d 92 (1987) and Burger King, 471 U.S. at 477, 105 S.Ct. 2174).
In this case, Kumar has failed to make a compelling case that personal jurisdiction is not reasonable. See Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009 WL 1766003, at *8:
In sum, the undisputed facts of this case make personal jurisdiction over Kumar reasonable and consistent with due process. As in Wiley & Sons, Inc., supra, plaintiff publishers have an interest in adjudicating this case in New York where previous such claims have been litigated. Moreover, Kumar's own actions suggest that it would not be unduly burdensome for him to defend this action in New York. He has admittedly traveled to New York on numerous occasions, distributing the copyrighted works he sold on the Internet.
Defendants Kumar and Dart seek a ruling from this Court dismissing Plaintiffs' complaint on two alternative grounds. Defendants' First Motion to Dismiss (filed 1/8/2009). Specifically, Defendants seek either (1) dismissal of Plaintiffs' Amended Complaint pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted or (2) summary judgment pursuant Rule 56. Defendants' First Motion to Dismiss (filed 1/8/2009) ¶ 1; see Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) & 56. Defendants request to recover their costs, disbursements and attorneys fees pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505, the provision of the Copyright Act that provides "appropriate remedies for infringement." Defendants' First Motion to Dismiss (filed 1/8/2009) ¶ 2. The Court will first address Defendants' alternative motions as to each claim.
In the present case, as to count one of the complaint for copyright infringement, this Court has already considered in depth the undisputed facts in the parties' affidavits and submissions and determined that Plaintiffs are entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Even when resolving all ambiguities and drawing all reasonable inferences in Defendants' favor, no reasonable trier of fact could find in Defendants' favor. See, e.g., Matsushita Elec. Indus.
Moreover, while addressing Plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment on the copyright infringement claim, this Court considered and rejected Defendants' counter-argument for judgment in their favor on the basis that the "first sale doctrine" provides a complete defense to copyright infringement under 17 U.S.C. § 602 for goods manufactured abroad. Nothing more need be said on that subject. Defendants' cross-motion for summary judgment on count one of the complaint will be denied.
Defendants have moved for a dismissal of Plaintiffs' second claim for trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114(a),
Rule 12(b)(6) "tests, in a streamlined fashion, the formal sufficiency of the plaintiff's statement of a claim for relief without resolving a contest regarding its substantive merits." AmBase Corp. v. City Investing Co. Liquidating Trust, 326 F.3d 63, 72 (2d Cir.2003). It "assesses the legal feasibility of the complaint, but does not weigh the evidence that might be offered to support it." Id.
In deciding a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, the court accepts "the allegations contained in the complaint as true" and draws "all reasonable inferences in favor of the nonmoving party, Burnette v. Carothers, 192 F.3d 52, 56 (2d Cir.1999), unless the allegations are `supported by mere conclusory statements,' Ashcroft v. Iqbal, ___ U.S. ___, ___, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 1949, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009)." Hayden v. Paterson, 594 F.3d 150, 157 (2d Cir.2010). See also Arnold v. ABC, Inc., No. 06 Civ. 1747(GBD), 2007 WL 210330, at *2 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 29, 2007); Cleveland v. Caplaw Enterprises, 448 F.3d 518, 521 (2d Cir.2006).
In general, "`[w]hile a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss does not need detailed factual allegations, a plaintiff's obligation to provide the grounds of his entitle[ment] to relief requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do.' [Bell Atlantic Corp. v.] Twombly, 550 U.S. [544,] at 555, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 [(2007)]. Instead, `[f]actual allegations
To prevail on a statutory trademark infringement claim under 15 U.S.C. § 1114(a)(1), a plaintiff must demonstrate an infringement of his trademark, i.e., his right to a word or symbol indicating the origin or source of his product.
Moreover, "[i]t is well settled that the crucial determinant in an action for trademark infringement" is "whether there is any likelihood that an appreciable number of ordinarily prudent purchasers are likely to be misled, or indeed simply confused, as to the source of the goods in question." Pirone, 894 F.2d at 584 (citations omitted). In order to be confused, a consumer need not believe that the defendant actually produced the item bearing the plaintiff's trademark. Id. The required element of confusion is satisfied if the public believes "that the mark's owner sponsored or otherwise approved the use of the trademark." Id. (citing Cowboys Cheerleaders, Inc. v. Pussycat Cinema, Ltd., 604 F.2d 200, 205 (2d Cir.1979)).
In the present case, Defendants assert that Plaintiffs have failed to state a claim
Defendants misapply Matrix to the present case. In Matrix, all of the hair care products at issue were manufactured and distributed within the United States and of the same level of quality. The court thus stated that "under the "first sale" doctrine, long a basic premise of trademark law, a trademark owner cannot control distribution of a trademarked item beyond its first sale. The re-sale of such genuine goods does not create consumer confusion and supports neither a claim of infringement nor unfair competition." 522 F.Supp.2d at 478.
Indeed, "the Lanham Act does not block reimportation and sale of genuine articles under their real trademarks." See R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Cigarettes Cheaper!, 462 F.3d 690, 700 (7th Cir.2006) (citing NEC Elec. v. CAL Circuit Abco, 810 F.2d 1506 (9th Cir.1987)). "But this [first sale] principle does not apply if the domestic and foreign products are materially different, for then sale of the foreign product in the United States under domestic markets has a potential to mislead or confuse consumers about the nature or quality of the product they are buying; they will assume it to be the same as the normal domestic product and be disappointed." R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., 462 F.3d at 700 (citing Lever Brothers Co. v. United States, 877 F.2d 101 (D.C.Cir.1989), 981 F.2d 1330 (D.C.Cir.1993); and Societe Des Produits Nestle, S.A. v. Casa Helvetia, Inc., 982 F.2d 633, 641 (1st Cir.1992)). See also Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. v. Granada Electronics, Inc., 816 F.2d 68, 73 (2d Cir.1987).
Plaintiffs' Foreign Editions were substantially and materially different from their United States Editions. Amended Complaint ¶¶ 17-18. In fact, they were produced exclusively outside of the United States, of lower price and inferior printing quality. Id.; Essig. Dec. ¶ 5; Murphy Dec. ¶ 4; Sampson Dec. ¶ 6; Beacher Dec. ¶ 5; Plaintiffs' Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 5. The first sale doctrine thus does not apply in this case.
Furthermore, Plaintiffs have adequately pled the elements of a trademark infringement claim.
Plaintiffs have thus pled that Defendants have used their trademarks without permission to sell Foreign Editions in a market intended only for United States Editions. Id., ¶¶ 17-18, 24. Use of Plaintiffs' trademarks without permission, especially in an unintended market gives rise to the possibility of confusion among consumers. The consumers in this case, who purchased Plaintiffs' Foreign Editions from Defendants on the Internet, could likely be confused into believing that Plaintiffs had sponsored and/or approved of such sales and/or that the quality of the products purchased was that of Plaintiffs' higher quality editions usually sold in the United States (i.e., United States Editions).
Plaintiffs' claim for trademark infringement thus has "facial plausibility" under Iqbal. Plaintiffs have pled "factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference" that Defendants are liable for using Plaintiffs' trademarks in an effort to mislead the public for financial gain. Plaintiffs have set forth a valid claim for trademark infringement.
With respect to summary judgment, taking care to evaluate Defendants' motion on its merits and to draw all reasonable inferences against Defendants,
Defendants, on the other hand, offer no contradictory evidence. They merely offer bald and conclusory defenses that any so-called "confusion" created was the fault of the Plaintiffs due to their business decision to manufacture Foreign Editions of inferior quality. Such unsupported statements are insufficient for this Court to find in their favor on the element of confusion. Resolving all ambiguities and drawing all reasonable inferences in the non-movant's favor, Defendants are not entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Defendants' motion for summary judgment on Plaintiffs' trademark infringement claim will be denied.
With respect to Plaintiffs' third cause of action, common law "unfair competition" under New York law, Defendants address their alternative motions for failure to state a claim and summary judgement with one brief paragraph and one assertion. Defendants' First Memorandum of Law (filed 1 /8/2009), p. 16-17. Namely, they argue that this claim fails because "[t]here is nothing unfair about reselling non-infringing copies for which the plaintiffs' [sic] were compensated when the books were first sold abroad." Id. They once again cite Quality King Distributors, Inc. v. L'anza Research Int'l, Inc., 523 U.S. 135, 152, 118 S.Ct. 1125, 140 L.Ed.2d 254 (1998), to argue that the "first sale" doctrine forbids Plaintiffs from restraining trade. Id. Defendants thus attempt to rehash their "first sale" argument. Because the "unfair competition" claim in this case is based on "trademark infringement," Defendants' argument regarding Quality King and the "first sale" doctrine once again fails for the reasons set forth supra.
Under New York law, the basic issue in a cause of action for unfair competition is "whether the acts complained of are fair or unfair." Capitaland Heating and Cooling, Inc. v. Capitol Refrigeration Co., Inc., 134 A.D.2d 721, 521 N.Y.S.2d 202 (N.Y.A.D. 3 Dept.1987); Cigogne, Inc. v. Luxury Trading Corp., 13 A.D.2d 928, 929, 216 N.Y.S.2d 558 (N.Y.A.D.1961). "Resolution of that issue requires a complex factual analysis of a variety of factors including the character and circumstances of the business and the nature of the alleged unfair practices." Capitaland Heating, 134 A.D.2d at 722, 521 N.Y.S.2d 202 (citations omitted).
"In a common law unfair competition claim under New York law, the plaintiff must show either actual confusion in an action for damages or a likelihood of confusion for equitable relief." ESPN, Inc. v. Quiksilver, Inc., 586 F.Supp.2d 219, 226-27 (S.D.N.Y.2008) (citing Jeffrey Milstein,
Some courts have held that for such confusion to exist, the trademark at issue must have acquired a "secondary meaning." Jones Apparel Group, Inc. v. Piccone et al., No. 94 CIV. 0754(LMM), 1994 WL 260767, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. June 8, 1994) ("Generally, a claim asserting violation of the New York common law of ... unfair competition must allege both that the trademark allegedly being infringed has acquired a `secondary meaning' and that the result of the alleged infringement is a likelihood of confusion between the marks of the alleged infringer and the charging party."); Adirondack Appliance Repair, Inc. v. Adirondack Appliance Parts, Inc., 148 A.D.2d 796, 798, 538 N.Y.S.2d 118 (N.Y.A.D. 3 Dept.1989) (requiring additional element of "secondary meaning" in case based on trademark infringement, versus "unfair competition"). "A trademark or trade name will be found to have acquired a secondary meaning where consumers have come to associate the mark with goods or services from a particular source." Jones Apparel, 1994 WL 260767 at *3.
Other courts have held that a showing of secondary meaning is not necessary to prove unfair competition where the plaintiff demonstrates a "likelihood of confusion" and defendant infringer's actions are "imbued with an odor of bad faith." Id. at *3-4 (citing Laureyssens v. Idea Group, Inc., 964 F.2d 131, 138 (2d Cir.1992)).
Traditionally, there must be "some element of bad faith" in an unfair competition claim. Noble, 949 F.Supp. at 188; 815 Tonawanda Street Corp. v. Fay's Drug Co., 842 F.2d 643, 649 (2d Cir.1988). However, with regard to trademark infringement under unfair competition, a showing of "bad faith or fraudulent intent" is not always a prerequisite. See, e.g., Adirondack Appliance Repair, Inc., 148 A.D.2d at 798, 538 N.Y.S.2d 118 (showing of bad faith or fraudulent intent by party allegedly infringing upon trademark, engaging in unfair competition by using mark or diluting markholder's reputation, was not prerequisite to granting of injunctive relief in favor of markholder); see also Hill's Supermarkets, Inc. v. Stony Brook Dairies, Inc., 7 A.D.2d 756, 181 N.Y.S.2d 48, 50 (N.Y.A.D.1958) ("In our opinion actual proof of deception, misrepresentation, confusion or loss of business is unnecessary. The likelihood thereof is sufficient.").
Moreover, where the defendant is aware of the existence of the plaintiff's mark and proceeds to use it in violation of unfair competition, a finding of "bad faith" has been inferred. See, e.g., Wyndham Co. v. Wyndham Hotel Co., 176 Misc.2d 116, 122, 670 N.Y.S.2d 995 (N.Y.Sup.1997) (stating that "[i]n this circuit, proof of
In the present case, Plaintiffs allege that Defendants have willfully infringed their copyrights and trademarks by purchasing Plaintiffs' Foreign Editions outside of the United States and reselling them via the Internet to consumers in the United States. Amended Complaint ¶¶ 24, 33, 42.
With respect to Defendants' intent, Plaintiffs assert that Defendants have acted "willfully" and in such a way as to give rise to punitive damages. Amended Complaint ¶¶ 42, 45. By definition, "willfully" suggests that something is done with intention. See, e.g., Black's Law Dictionary (8th ed.2004) (defining "serious and willful misconduct" as "[a]n intentional act performed with the knowledge that it is likely to result in serious injury"). Such conscious intention may, in other areas of the law, suggest "bad faith" or not.
In the trademark infringement context of common law "unfair competition," an allegation of the defendant's conscious awareness of his violation may be sufficient in lieu of "bad faith." By alleging that Defendants have acted willfully, Plaintiffs in the present case claim that they acted with consciousness in making the unlawful Internet sales of Plaintiffs' Foreign Editions to purchasers in the United States. Such allegations suffice with respect to intent.
Second, by alleging that Defendants have used their trademarks, and consequently harmed Plaintiffs' goodwill, one can plausibly infer that Defendants have allegedly created the requisite confusion in the minds of the Internet consumers with regard to the products sold. See discussion regarding alleged "confusion" in Section IV. C. 2., supra.
With respect to "secondary meaning," assuming without deciding that it is required, Plaintiffs have alleged that their trademarks are "well-known," and that Plaintiffs are established publishers in the area of educational textbooks. Amended Complaint ¶¶ 13-18, 21-23. Such facts are sufficient to establish that their trademarks carry a "secondary meaning" in the area of educational textbooks. In other words, Plaintiffs' trade names have become associated in the public's mind with Plaintiffs and hence have created an expectation of a certain level of quality (i.e., the higher quality of United States Editions).
Lastly, this Court notes that this district has held that "[a]" claim of unfair competition under New York Law is analyzed in the same manner as a trademark infringement claim under the Lanham Act. Arnold v. ABC, Inc., No. 06 Civ. 1747(GBD), 2007 WL 210330 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 29, 2007) (citing Louis Vuitton Malletier v. Dooney & Bourke, Inc., 454 F.3d 108, 119 (2d Cir. 2006) and Information Superhighway, Inc. v. Talk America, Inc., 395 F.Supp.2d 44, 56 (S.D.N.Y.2005) ("The elements necessary to prevail on common law causes of action for trademark infringement and unfair competition mirror Lanham Act claims.")). Where Plaintiffs have incorporated all previous paragraphs of their Complaint (¶¶ 1-43) into their third claim, including their allegations for their second claim of trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, their claim for common law unfair competition should be deemed adequately pled.
Reading Plaintiffs' claims generously, accepting the truth thereof and drawing reasonable inferences from the allegations, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have alleged an "unfair competition" claim with "facial plausibility." In accordance with Iqbal, Plaintiffs have pled "[f]actual allegations... enough to raise a right to relief above the speculative level." Specifically, they had pled "factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference" that Defendants willfully used Plaintiffs' trademarks, misleading and/or confusing the public, and thereby harming Plaintiffs' good will or reputation in the marketplace. The Defendants' motion for failure to state an "unfair competition claim" should be denied.
Lastly, Defendants seek summary judgment with respect to Plaintiffs' unfair competition claim as a matter of law. They erroneously point to the Quality King case once again to no avail. Evaluating Defendants' motion on its merits and drawing all reasonable inferences against them, this Court finds that there exist at least two genuine issues of material fact: the nature of Defendants' intent in purchasing Plaintiffs' Foreign Editions outside of the United States and reselling these editions to purchasers inside the United States via the Internet; and (2) the extent to which Defendants' aforementioned sales either misled or confused those purchasers regarding the origin or quality of those books. Accordingly, Defendants' motion for summary judgment on the common law "unfair competition" claim must be denied.
Summary judgment is GRANTED to Plaintiffs on the claim of copyright infringement. There is no genuine issue of material fact and the Plaintiffs are entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The Court awards statutory damages of $284,250, as set forth supra, and permanently enjoins Defendants from all future infringement of Plaintiffs' 379 copyrighted works at issue in this litigation.
Defendant Kumar's motion for lack of personal jurisdiction is DENIED. Defendants'
It is So Ordered.
Plaintiffs have also set forth two claims that are not included in their summary judgment motion, alleging trademark infringement under 15 U.S.C. § 1114(a) and common law unfair competition under state law. Plaintiffs' Amended Complaint, Claims 2 & 3, p. 9-11. Plaintiffs have not stated an intention to withdraw those claims pending the outcome of their current motion.
(Emphasis added).
17 U.S.C. § 501(a).
17 U.S.C. § 106(3) (emphasis added).
17 U.S.C. § 602(a)(1). Section 602 thus prohibits unauthorized importation of copies that were lawfully made.
Pearson Educ., Inc. v. Liao, No. 07-Civ-2423 (SHS), 2008 WL 2073491, at *3 (S.D.N.Y. May 13, 2008) ("the first sale doctrine does not necessarily protect persons who purchase copies of copyrighted works outside the United States and then import them into the United States for resale").
Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(k)(1)(A).
Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(e)(2) (emphasis added).
15 U.S.C. § 1114(a)(1).
(citations omitted); see also Kipling v. G.P. Putnam's Sons, 120 F. 631, 635 (2d Cir. 1903) ("A trade-mark is a word, symbol or device by which the wares of the owner are known in trade. Its object is, first, to protect the party using it from competition with inferior articles, and, second, to protect the public from imposition.").