PRATTER, District Judge.
In this case of alleged copyright infringement, the Defendants, moving for summary judgment, have asked the Court to determine that as a matter of law, Defendant Spectrum Health Services, Inc. ("Spectrum"), had an implied license to use, for its construction the New Haddington Health Center, the architectural work and technical drawings (the "Drawings") that Plaintiff AHAdams & Company, P.C. ("AHAdams"), created for Spectrum before the two parties parted ways. Claiming copyright infringement (Count I), AHAdams, in addition to suing Spectrum, the owner of the New Haddington Health Center project, has also named Paul E. Jones and Paul E. Jones Associates, Inc. (with Spectrum, collectively, the "Spectrum Health Defendants"), and T.N. Ward Company, Charles Matsinger, and Charles Matsinger Associates, Inc. (collectively, the "Matsinger Defendants"). AHAdams also asserts supplemental state law claims for breach of contract (Count II) and unjust enrichment (Count III) against Spectrum.
In 2005 or 2006, Spectrum hired Arthur H. Adams and his architectural firm, AHAdams, to assist in the selection of a location for the construction of the New Haddington Health Center (the "HHC"). After Spectrum selected the location for the HHC, AHAdams performed various services for the development of the HHC. On June 1, 2009, AHAdams prepared and submitted a memorandum (the "Proposal"), that outlined the remaining phases of design and construction and the services that AHAdams proposed to perform with regard to each phase. The Proposal did not require the use of AHAdams's services through completion of the HHC project, nor did it impose any restrictions on Spectrum's use of any drawings or other work product prepared for Spectrum by AHAdams.
In addition to the Proposal, AHAdams, per Mr. Adams, also drafted, unilaterally signed, and submitted to Spectrum an iteration of the standard project agreement recommended by the American Institute of Architects ("AHAdams AIA Agreement").
Spectrum's Mot. Summ. J. ("MSJ," Docket No. 41), Ex. F. Thus, based upon the facts of the parties' conduct vis-à-vis each other and on the AHAdams AIA Agreement, Spectrum argues that it retained the license to use the Instruments of Service after the termination of the Agreement.
From June 2009 through the end of March 2010, AHAdams performed architectural and design services for the HHC project and submitted invoices, which were paid in full — a total of approximately $558,000. After March 2010, Spectrum refused to pay AHAdams's subsequent invoices out of concern with AHAdams's billing, and by April 2010, Spectrum had hired an outside consultant, Paul Jones, who recommended that Spectrum consider moving to a design-build delivery method for the project.
Also in July 2010, Mr. Jones requested that AHAdams provide six copies of the Drawings on CDs. Mr. Adams complied. On the July 29th transmittal cover sheet for the transmittal, Mr. Adams wrote:
Spectrum's Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E. The six CDs were addressed as follows: four to the contractors T.N. Ward, Domas, Intech and EP Guidi; one to Mr. Jones; and one to Spectrum. Although neither Spectrum nor AHAdams alleges that there was any further discussion about the transmission of the Drawings, AHAdams notes that each drawing contained the notice
Pl.'s Resp. ¶ 68.
Following his delivery of the drawings, Mr. Adams kept in contact with Mr. Jones and Spectrum. In an August 11, 2010 email to Mr. Jones, Mr. Adams acknowledged his understanding that Spectrum had decided to use a design-build delivery model. Spectrum's MSJ, Ex. H. Mr.
Spectrum's MSJ, Ex. P. The next day, on August 18, 2010, Mr. Jones notified Mr. Adams in writing that he (Mr. Jones) was "sending out a Request for Information and a Request for Proposal to the four prequalified contractors today." Id.
On August 20, 2010, Spectrum officially terminated its relationship with AHAdams. On August 23, 2010, AHAdams responded with two conflicting letters: The first letter acknowledged the termination and stated that AHAdams is willing to work with Spectrum and Paul Jones "to provide information to allow the permitting process to continue" and further stated that AHAdams will "continue to allow Spectrum Health Services access to the documentation prepared as part of the design process and work with [Spectrum Health] or a designated representative ... to find a mutually beneficial conclusion to our contractual relationship." Spectrum's MSJ, Ex. Q. The second letter notified Spectrum that AHAdams's drawings could not be used for competitive bidding purposes without AHAdams's permission and that AHAdam's "ha[d] not given permission that the drawings may be used for bidding." Compl., Ex. P. Thereafter, AHAdams formalized a fee dispute with litigation in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas and then expanded the dispute by filing the instant lawsuit in this Court by adding a federal claim for copyright infringement.
AHAdams claims here that in soliciting bids, Spectrum, per Mr. Jones, copied the Drawings in violation of AHAdams's copyright. AHAdams also contends that Spectrum's rendering of the building at its website is derivative of the Drawings, and, as such, violates Plaintiff's copyright. AHAdams alleges that T.N. Ward, the successful bidder, posted Plaintiff's copyrighted drawings on its website in connection with its successful bid. AHAdams also alleges that the Matsinger Defendants likewise copied and prepared derivatives of the Drawings.
Earlier in this litigation, the Spectrum Health Defendants filed a Joint Motion to Dismiss asserting that AHAdams's claim for copyright infringement failed as a matter of law because AHAdams had granted the Defendants an implied nonexclusive license to use the Drawings. The Court denied the Motion to Dismiss because the Court could not consider the documents on which the Defendants sought to rely because they were outside the pleadings. Instead, the Court ordered limited discovery
Now before the Court are several motions for summary judgment filed by all of the Defendants (Docket Nos. 39-41). The Defendants again assert that AHAdams's copyright infringement claims fail as a matter of law because AHAdams granted them an implied nonexclusive license to use the Drawings. The Court agrees and, accordingly, will grant the motions for summary judgment and declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over AHAdams's state law claims.
Upon motion of a party, summary judgment is appropriate if "the movant shows that 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(a). A party moving for summary judgment has the initial burden of supporting its motion by reference to admissible evidence showing the absence of a genuine dispute of a material fact or showing that there is insufficient admissible evidence to support the fact. Id. 56(c). Once this burden has been met, "the non-moving party must rebut the motion with facts in the record and cannot rest solely on assertions made in the pleadings, legal memoranda, or oral argument." Berckeley Inv. Grp., Ltd. v. Colkitt, 455 F.3d 195, 201 (3d Cir.2006).
Summary judgment should be granted only if the moving party persuades the district court that "there exists no genuine issue of material fact that would permit a reasonable jury to find for the nonmoving party." Miller v. Ind. Hosp., 843 F.2d 139, 143 (3d Cir.1988). A fact is "material" if it could affect the outcome of the suit, given the applicable substantive law. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). A dispute about a material fact is "genuine" if the evidence presented "is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Id.
In evaluating a summary judgment motion, a court "must view the facts in the light most favorable to the non-moving party," and make every reasonable inference in that party's favor. Hugh v. Butler Cnty. Family YMCA, 418 F.3d 265, 267 (3d Cir.2005). The court must not weigh the evidence or make credibility determinations. Boyle v. County of Allegheny, 139 F.3d 386, 393 (3d Cir.1998). Nevertheless, the party opposing summary judgment must support each essential element of his or her opposition with concrete evidence in the record. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). "If the evidence is merely colorable, or is not significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249-50, 106 S.Ct. 2505 (citations omitted). Of course, the court may grant summary judgment if the plaintiff's version of the facts, as a matter of law, does not entitle her to relief: "Where the record taken as a whole could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the non-moving party, there is no genuine issue for trial." Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).
Defendants claim that summary judgment is appropriate because AHAdams's conduct granted them an implied nonexclusive license to use the drawings in the construction of the HCC, whether or not AHAdams was to remain involved in the project. AHAdams retorts that its conduct did not grant an implied nonexclusive license, and, accordingly, that Defendants
"To establish a claim of copyright infringement, a plaintiff must establish: (1) ownership of a valid copyright; and (2) unauthorized copying of original elements of the plaintiff's work." Kay Berry, Inc. v. Taylor Gifts, Inc., 421 F.3d 199, 203 (3d Cir.2005) (quoting Dun & Bradstreet Software Servs., Inc. v. Grace Consulting, Inc., 307 F.3d 197, 206 (3d Cir.2002)). The owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to copy, distribute, or display his or her work. MacLean Assocs., Inc. v. Wm. M. Mercer-Meidinger-Hansen, Inc., 952 F.2d 769, 778 (3d Cir.1991) (citing 17 U.S.C. § 106). "While an exclusive license transferring ownership of a copyright must be in writing, a nonexclusive license may be oral or implied because it does not amount to a `transfer' of ownership."
Courts in this Circuit have utilized a three-factor test adopted by several other courts of appeals to determine whether or not an implied license has been granted. See Nat'l Ass'n For Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. v. Scharle, 184 Fed.Appx. 270, 275 (3d Cir.2006); Beholder Prods., 629 F.Supp.2d at 494. Under the test, a court may find an implied nonexclusive license if "(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 license-requestor copy and distribute his work." Asset Mktg. Sys., Inc. v. Gagnon, 542 F.3d 748, 754-55 (9th Cir.2008) (footnote omitted) (quoting I.A.E., Inc. v. Shaver, 74 F.3d 768, 776 (7th Cir.1996)).
The intent factor is usually the focus of most courts' analysis. The intent benchmark is not a "subjective inquiry into the mind of the putative licensor." John G. Danielson, Inc. v. Winchester-Conant Props., Inc., 322 F.3d 26, 42 (1st Cir.2003) "Rather, it is an objective inquiry into facts that manifest such contractual intent." Id. And, in fact, the question of intent is the only issue here, because the first two factors are undisputed (Spectrum requested that the Drawings be created and AHAdams delivered the work accordingly).
Although the Third Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet discussed implied nonexclusive licenses within the context of architectural drawings, several other courts of appeals have delineated factors a court should consider when analyzing the architect's objectively manifested intent. A nonexclusive list of factors includes
John G. Danielson, Inc., 322 F.3d at 41 (citing Nelson-Salabes, Inc. v. Morningside Dev., LLC, 284 F.3d 505, 516 (4th Cir.2002)). The Court finds these factors useful in analyzing the dynamics of the parties' relationships and intentions here.
As to the first factor, AHAdams had been working on the HHC project for years, and, thus, their involvement cannot be seen as being discrete or short term. Thus, the relationship factor would not itself support the assertion that AHAdams granted Spectrum a nonexclusive license.
The second factor, however, does favor finding an implied nonexclusive license. AHAdams did not utilize written contracts to protect its interest in the Drawings. In fact, as detailed previously, the AHAdams AIA Agreement would have provided just the opposite. While the parties have not pointed to any relevant executed contracts, AHAdams's Proposal and the AHAdams AIA Agreement are strong evidence of AHAdams's intent, at the time of the parties' working relationship, to grant a non-exclusive license. See Nelson-Salabes, 284 F.3d at 516 (unexecuted contracts are still indicative of architect's intent); Johnson v. Jones, 149 F.3d 494, 500 (6th Cir.1998) (same). The Proposal does not purport to limit Spectrum's use of any drawings or other work product prepared by AHAdams, and, thus, the Proposal itself is objective evidence that points in favor of AHAdams's intent to grant a nonexclusive license. Cf. id. ("NSI never expressed to Strutt by its representations or conduct that Strutt could utilize NSI's plans without NSI's future involvement or express consent; in fact, NSI specifically advised Strutt to the contrary on at least two occasions."). The AHAdams AIA Agreement, which AHAdams prepared and signed unilaterally, is powerful objective evidence establishing that AHAdams intended to grant a nonexclusive license. Specifically, Section 7.3 of the AHAdams AIA Agreement "grant[ed] to the Owner [Spectrum] a nonexclusive license to use the Architect's [AHAdams] Instruments of Service solely and exclusively for purposes of constructing, using, maintaining, altering and adding to the Project." Spectrum's MSJ, Ex. F. The Agreement further "permit[ted] the Owner to authorize the Contractor, Subcontractors, Sub-subcontractors, and material or equipment suppliers, as well as the Owner's consultants and separate contractors, to reproduce applicable portions of the Instruments of Service solely and exclusively for use in performing services or construction for the Project." Id.
When evaluating the third factor regarding the creator's intent, courts "look to whether the supposed infringer obtained the plans directly from the supposed licensor, which would suggest permission to use them." John G. Danielson, 322 F.3d at 42. In this case, on July 29, 2010, Mr. Adams sent six CDs directly to Mr. Jones, Spectrum's agent. As noted earlier, the six CDs were all addressed to the various Defendants, knowing that they would be used for pricing the construction of the HHC. Spectrum's Mot. Summ. J., Ex. E. Additionally, at the time of the delivery of the CDs, Spectrum was under no obligation to continue to use AHAdams's services and, as he stated in his deposition, Mr. Adams himself was unsure of his future role in the HHC project. Accordingly, Mr. Adams's conduct surrounding the delivery of the Drawings at issue is objective evidence supporting the conclusion that AHAdams granted Spectrum a nonexclusive license.
While AHAdams asserts that the language establishes its intent to prohibit use of Drawings, the undisputed facts in this case, as well as appearance of the language on the drawings, undermine this contention. First, the language following the copyright symbol is the only indication of record that, during the many months the parties worked together and Spectrum paid AHAdams over half a million dollars, AHAdams "plainly contemplated [its] [required] long-term involvement in" the project. Nelson-Salabes, 284 F.3d at 516; see id. ("NSI specifically advised Strutt [that it could not] utilize NSI's plans without NSI's future involvement or express consent."). Second, although the Drawings are poster-size (two feet by three feet), the copyright language itself is miniscule — certainly no larger than font point size six
Moreover, Spectrum Health paid AHAdams over $500,000 for its services, including almost $100,000 for the architectural drawings. See Spectrum's Undisputed Facts ¶ 42. If the Court agreed with AHAdams's assertion that it did not grant an implied nonexclusive license, then the illogical result would be that Spectrum Health would have paid a large amount of money for Drawings it could use only upon compulsion to continue doing business with AHAdams. As the Ninth Circuit explained in Foad, finding that a nonexclusive license had not been granted "would allow architectural or engineering firms to hold entire projects hostage, forcing the owner either to pay the firm off, continue to employ it, or forego the value of all work completed so far and start from scratch." Foad, 270 F.3d at 829 n. 12. In this case, AHAdams was paid a significant amount of money, and although AHAdams was aware that its Drawings were being copied prior to its official termination, it was not until after the parties engaged in a fee dispute that AHAdams mailed the letter
For the foregoing reasons, the Court concludes, as a matter of law under which there is no disputed issue of material fact, that AHAdams granted Defendants an implied nonexclusive license to use the Drawings in their construction of the HHC. There is no question that the Defendants' use of the Drawings fell within the scope of this implied nonexclusive license. Accordingly, the Court finds that the Defendants are entitled to summary judgment on AHAdams's copyright infringement claim.
Because AHAdams's federal claim will be dismissed, the Court will decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the remaining state law claims. See 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(3) ("The district courts may decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over a [pendant state law claim] if ... the district court has dismissed all claims over which it has original jurisdiction[.]"); Borough of W. Mifflin v. Lancaster, 45 F.3d 780, 788 (3d Cir.1995) ("[W]here the claim over which the district court has original jurisdiction is dismissed before trial, the district court must decline to decide the pendent state claims unless considerations of judicial economy, convenience, and fairness to the parties provide an affirmative justification for doing so." (emphasis added)).
Thus, for the foregoing reasons, the Court will grant the Spectrum Health Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, the Matsinger Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment, and T.N. Ward's Motion for Summary Judgment.
An appropriate Order follows.
(1) T.N. Ward's Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 39) is
(2) The Matsinger Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 40) is
(3) The Spectrum Health Defendants' Partial Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 41) is
(4) The Clerk of Court shall mark this case CLOSED for statistical purposes.
AHAdams also asserts that only Mr. Adams's interpretation of the AIA Agreement is relevant, and, because at his deposition Mr. Adams stated that Section 7.3 did not grant Spectrum Health a nonexclusive license, the unambiguous language granting a nonexclusive license is immaterial. But, again, when determining whether a nonexclusive license was granted, courts look to objective evidence. Because the AHAdams AIA Agreement unambiguously grants a nonexclusive license to Spectrum to use the Drawings, Mr. Adams's post-hoc subjective interpretation is not relevant to the Court's analysis.
Additionally, no evidence has been presented that distinguishes the rights of the other Defendants to use the Drawings from the rights of Spectrum Health. Specifically, Paul E. Jones and his company Paul E. Jones, Associates, Inc., was at all times working as an agent of Spectrum and acting in its capacity as an agent. Additionally, T.N. Ward and the Matsinger Defendants are contractors and, thus, the language of the AHAdams AIA Agreement detailing the nonexclusive license applies to them as well because the AIA Agreement allows "Contractor, Subcontractors,... Owner's consultants and separate contractors" to reproduce the Drawings in order to construct the HHC. Accordingly, the Court concludes that the implied nonexclusive license prevents AHAdams from asserting a copyright claim against all of the Defendants.