Case ID: f-supp-2d_981/html/0972-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "MARSHA J. PECHMAN, Chief Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

TRADER JOE’S COMPANY, Plaintiff, v. Michael Norman HALLATT, /b/a Pirate Joe’s a/k/a Transilvania Trading Company, Defendants.
    Case No. C13-768 MJP.
    United States District Court, W.D. Washington, at Seattle.
    Oct. 2, 2013.
    
      Brian M. Berliner, Jordan Raphael, O’Melveny & Myers, Los Angeles, CA, Scott T. Wilsdon, Jeremy E. Roller, Yarmuth Wilsdon PLLC, Seattle, WA, for Plaintiff.
    Nathan Thomas Alexander, Patchen Marie Haggerty, Dorsey & Whitney, Seattle, WA, for Defendants.
   ORDER GRANTING MOTION TO DISMISS

MARSHA J. PECHMAN, Chief Judge.

This matter comes before the Court on Defendant Michael Norman Hallatt d/b/a Pirate Joe’s a/k/a Transilvania Trading Company (collectively, “Pirate Joe’s”)’s motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(1). (Dkt. No. 25.) The Court considered the motion, Plaintiff Trader Joe’s response, Pirate Joe’s reply, and all related documents. The motion to dismiss is GRANTED. The Court notes Pirate Joe’s has pending a motion to stay discovery. (Dkt. No. 32.) This motion is MOOT because this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction.

Background

Trader Joe’s is a well known grocery store in the United States having its name and “South Pacific” theme since 1967. (Dkt. No. 1 at 3.) More than 390 Trader Joe’s grocery stores operate in 30 states and the District of Columbia, including 14 stores in the state of Washington. (Id.) Trader Joe’s alleges its trademarks are also well known in Canada. More than forty percent of credit card transactions at Trader Joe’s Bellingham, Washington location are with non-U.S. Residents. (Id. at 4.) Trader Joe’s does not have any locations outside the United States. Trader Joe’s has a website featuring its distinctive theme, but visitors cannot purchase Trader Joe’s products through the website.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) granted Trader Joe’s a trademark registration for the TRADER JOE’S trademark (No. 2,171, 157) for “retail services in the field of specialty foods and beverages” in International Class 42. (Dkt. No. 1 at 4, Dkt. No. 1-3 at 1.) The USPTO also granted Trader Joe’s a Trademark Registration (No. 4, 001,533) for the TRADER JOE’S mark for “retail grocery services” in International Class 35. (Id.) Trader Joe’s also obtained numerous United States trademark registrations for the TRADER JOE’S mark in connection with branded goods sold at its retail stores. (Dkt. No. 1 at 5.) Trader Joe’s uses the TRADER JOE’S mark to identify both its retail stores and services and around eighty percent of goods it sells in its retail stores. (Dkt. No. 1 at 4.)

Defendant Hallatt owns and operates a grocery store in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, operating under the name Pirate Joe’s. (Dkt. No. 24 at 3.) This store previously operated under the name “Transilvania Trading.” (Id.) Hallatt admits he and others at his direction have purchased products at Trader Joe’s paying full retail prices in the state of Washington. (Id.) Hallatt transports the products across the United States border to Canada, declaring the transported merchandise to boarder agents. (Id. at 4.) Hallatt admits re-selling “unmodified” Trader Joe’s products in Canada and publically acknowledges the products he sells were purchased from Trader Joe’s. (Id.) Hallatt denies his activity is wrongful or intended to deceive customers into believing Pirate Joe’s and/or Transilvania Trading have been authorized or approved by Trader Joe’s to sell its branded products. (Id.) Trader Joe’s contends Pirate Joe’s prominently displays Trader Joe’s trademarks and other intellectual property to pass as an approved Trader Joe’s retailer. (Dkt. No. 1 at 8.) Defendant alleges Trader Joe’s marks are displayed in notices alerting customers it is not an authorized Trader Joe’s retailer. (Dkt. No. 24 at 5.) Defendant admits to using Trader Joe’s grocery bags in the past but allege this practice has stopped. (Id.)

Plaintiff filed its Complaint in federal court alleging Defendant violated the Lanham Act by including Federal Trademark Infringement, 15 U.S.C. § 1114(1); Unfair Competition, False Endorsement and False Designation of Origin, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1)(A); False Advertising, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1)(B); and Federal Trademark Dilution, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c). (Dkt. No. 1 at 9-11.) Plaintiff also brought claims under state law. (Id. at 12-13.) Defendant moves to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, arguing the causes of action under the Lanham Act are the basis for federal jurisdiction and the Lanham Act should not apply extraterritorially in this case. (Dkt. No. 25 at 3-4.) Plaintiff counters the motion, arguing extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act is appropriate.

Analysis

I. Standard

Federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction, but pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1331, they “have broad adjudicatory authority over all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States.” Leeson v. Transamerica Disability Income Plan, 671 F.3d 969, 974 (9th Cir.2012) (internal citations omitted). Because of this extensive power, jurisdictional dismissals in actions based on federal questions are exceptional. Id. at 975. A federal court may dismiss a federal question claim for lack of subject matter jurisdiction “only if (1) the alleged claim under the Constitution or federal statutes clearly appears to be immaterial and made solely for the purposes of obtaining jurisdiction; or (2) such a claim is wholly insubstantial and frivolous.” Id. (internal citations omitted).

In reviewing a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(1), courts must accept the allegations in the complaint as true, unless the challenger asserts a factual attack with or in place of a facial attack. Wolfe v. Strankman, 392 F.3d 358, 362 (9th Cir.2004). A facial attack asserts the allegations contained in the complaint are insufficient on their face to invoke federal jurisdiction. Id. A factual attack, in contrast, requires submission of evidence that calls into dispute the truth of the allegations that support jurisdiction. Id.

Pirate Joe’s argues it mounts both a facial and factual attack. (Dkt. No. 25 at 3.) However, it does not present a single factual argument calling into question the facts alleged by Trader Joe’s. Pirate Joe’s alleges it supplied evidence going to the “nationality/location of business and achieving compliance factors” of the substantive legal analysis, which are discussed below. (Dkt. No. 30 at 3.) However, the only evidence or argument Pirate Joe’s offers is Defendant Hallatt is a Canadian citizen but also holds U.S. Permanent Resident Alien status, Pirate Joe’s makes no sales and has no place of business in the United States, and Pirate Joe’s knows of no Trader Joe’s locations in Canada. (Dkt. No. 25 at 7.) There is no dispute of facts; these facts are not contested by Trader Joe’s. (Dkt. No. 28 at 23.)

Pirate Joe’s argues it cannot be expected, in making a factual attack, to present evidence in the negative (i.e., lack of effect on U.S. commerce, lack of cognizable injury). (Dkt. No. 30 at 3.) This argument fails. To make a factual attack, Pirate Joe’s must actually challenge facts in Plaintiffs complaint that go to jurisdiction. Safe Air v. Meyer, 373 F.3d 1035, 1039 (9th Cir.2004). Unsupported and conclusory assertions going to Plaintiffs legal arguments are not enough. This is evidenced by the Ninth Circuit’s language on the review requirements for a facial attack: “Once the moving party has converted the motion to dismiss into a factual motion by presenting affidavits or other evidence properly brought before the court, the party opposing the motion must furnish affidavits or other evidence necessary to satisfy its burden of establishing subject matter jurisdiction.” Savage v. Glendale Union High Sch., 343 F.3d 1036, 1039 n. 2 (9th Cir.2003). It cannot be said a factual attack is “clearly mounted” simply because the motion to dismiss says it is making a factual attack; there must be an actual challenge to the facts supporting jurisdiction. (Dkt. No. 30 at 2.)

Pirate Joe’s fails to make a factual attack on jurisdiction, and this motion is properly analyzed as a facial attack. However, even construing the motion as a facial attack, there is no basis for extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act in this case.

II. Lanham Act and Extraterritorial Application

The Lanham Act “confers broad jurisdictional powers upon the courts of the United States.” Steele v. Bulova Watch Co., 344 U.S. 280, 283, 73 S.Ct. 252, 97 L.Ed. 319 (1952). The Supreme Court has held the Lanham Act can be applied extraterritorially. Id. at 287, 73 S.Ct. 252. The Ninth Circuit says the Lanham Act should be applied extraterritorially where: (1) the defendant’s action creates some effect on American foreign commerce, (2) the effect is sufficiently great to present a cognizable injury to plaintiff under the Lanham Act, and (3) “the interests of and links to American foreign commerce [are] sufficiently strong in relation to those of other nations to justify an assertion of extraterritorial authority.” Reebok Int’l v. Marnatech Enters., 970 F.2d 552, 554 (9th Cir.1992). These are known as the “Timberlane factors.”

A. Effect on American Foreign Commerce & Effect Sufficient to Present Cognizable Injury

To meet the first two prongs of the Timberlane test, a plaintiff need only show there is “some” effect on United States foreign commerce. Wells Fargo & Co. v. Wells Fargo Express Co., 556 F.2d 406, 428 (9th Cir.1977). To evaluate these factors, a court should look not to the locus of the activity sought to be reached, but to the nature of its effect on that commerce which Congress may regulate. Id. This factor can support extraterritorial jurisdiction where all challenged transactions occurred abroad, and where the injury is limited to deception of consumers abroad, so long as there is monetary injury in the United States to an American plaintiff. Love v. Associated Newspapers, Ltd., 611 F.3d 601, 613 (9th Cir.2010).

Even taking the allegations in the Complaint as true and drawing all inferences in favor of the Plaintiff, the facts of this case do not show an effect on U.S. foreign commerce sufficient to present a cognizable Lanham Act claim. In previous cases finding extraterritorial jurisdiction appropriate, either the extraterritorial commercial activity was taking place partly within the United States, or the plaintiff conducted business internationally. For example, Trader Joe’s cites Steele v. Bulova Watch Co., 344 U.S. 280, 73 S.Ct. 252, 97 L.Ed. 319 (1952) and Reebok Int’l v. Marnatech Enters., 970 F.2d 552 (9th Cir.1992) in support of its argument the Lanham Act should be applied extraterritorially here. It is true that in Steele the Supreme Court held the Lanham Act provides a “broad jurisdictional grant,” but that case involved the extraterritorial reach of the Lanham Act where a U.S. citizen manufactured infringing products abroad and then sent them back to the United States.

In Reebok, the Ninth Circuit held a Mexican manufacturer making and selling knock-off Reebok shoes could be held liable for Lanham Act violations. The defendant in that case organized and directed the manufacture of the counterfeit shoes from the United States and then sold them in Mexican border towns knowing that the shoes went back to the United States with regular frequency. Because sales of the counterfeit shoes decreased Reebok’s legitimate sales in Mexico and the United States, the Court held the district court had jurisdiction over Reebok’s claims against the Mexican defendant. Id. at 557.

The most factually analogous case to the one presented here is Love v. Associated Newspapers, Ltd., 611 F.3d 601 (9th Cir.2010). In Love, CDs infringing on a U.S. trademark were manufactured in Germany by a London manufacturer, and none of the CDs ever entered the U.S. market. Id. at 613. The plaintiff in Love alleged the infringing CDs caused confusion abroad, and resulted in reduced ticket sales for his U.S. tour, creating an impact on U.S. commerce. Id. The Ninth Circuit found even if there was confusion abroad, it would be too great a stretch to infer such overseas confusion resulted in lost ticket sales in the U.S. Id. Here, all alleged infringement takes place in Canada and Trader Joe’s cannot show economic harm. Even if Canadian consumers are confused and believe they are shopping at Trader Joe’s or an approved affiliate when shopping at Pirate Joe’s, there is no economic harm to Trader Joe’s because the products were purchased at Trader Joe’s at retail price. (Dkt. No. 28 at 14.) Like in Love, any “goodwill” related harm is too tenuous to support a cognizable Lanham Act claim when all infringing conduct is abroad.

Trader Joe’s argument it competes directly with Pirate Joe’s for Canadian customers who may purchase goods in the United States also fails. (Dkt. No. 28 at 14.) Trader Joe’s has not cited, and this Court has not found, circumstances where the Lanham Act was applied to alleged infringement happening entirely abroad on the grounds foreign customers will buy the infringing product in their home country and not cross into the United States to purchase the legitimate product here. Such an application would stretch the jurisdictional reach of the Lanham Act too far.

Trader Joe’s asserts that at the very least, dismissal is not appropriate at the Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(1) stage, arguing Love is distinguishable because it addressed a summary judgment motion. (Dkt. No. 28 at 11, n. 4.) For this proposition it cites a recent decision in Airwair Int’l Ltd. v. Vans, Inc., 2013 WL 3786309, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 100120 (N.D.Cal. July 17, 2013). It asserts this case demonstrates that even where manufacturing, advertising and selling all occurred internationally, dismissal on a Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(1) motion is inappropriate. (Dkt. No. 28 at 11.) This case is distinguishable because the plaintiff in Airwair alleged infringing products were making their way back to the United States, causing confusion and damaging goodwill. Airwair, 2013 WL 3786309 at *3, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2013 at *10. Further, in Airwair, the allegedly infringing goods were advertised in the United States through a website. Id. at *3, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2013 at *10-11. The Northern District of California specifically distinguished Love, noting in Love it was undisputed that all relevant infringing actions occurred abroad. Id. Here, there is no dispute that all allegedly infringing activity occurs in Canada. (Dkt. No. 1 at 6.) Taking all Trader Joe’s allegations as true and drawing all inferences in their favor, it has not alleged facts to show Pirate Joe’s action creates some effect on American foreign commerce or that any effect is sufficiently great to present a cognizable injury to plaintiffs under the Lanham Act.

B. Interest and Links to American Foreign Commerce

Analyzing the third factor of the Timberlane test “involves the balancing of seven relevant factors: The degree of conflict with foreign law or policy, the nationality or allegiance of the parties and the locations or principal places of business of corporations, the extent to which enforcement by either state can be expected to achieve compliance, the relative significance of effects on the United States as compared with those elsewhere, the extent to which there is explicit purpose to harm or affect American commerce, the foreseeability of such effect, and the relative importance to the violations charged of conduct within the United States as compared with conduct abroad.” Reebok, 970 F.2d at 555.

1. Degree of conflict with foreign law or policy

Pirate Joe’s cites Star-Kist Foods, Inc. v. P.J. Rhodes & Co., 769 F.2d 1393 (9th Cir.1985) for the proposition that where the commerce sought to be restrained is wholly foreign application of the Lanham Act could create a conflict with that foreign country’s patent and trademark law. (Dkt. No. 25 at 61.) Star-Kist involved foreign commerce in the Philippines where there was a pending petition to cancel trademark registrations in the Philippine Patent Office. Star-Kist, 769 F.2d at 1396. Trader Joe’s correctly notes courts in this District have found in the past where there is no related pending proceeding in the foreign country at issue, there is little risk of conflict with foreign law or policy. Best Western Int’l v. 1496815 Ont., Inc., 2007 WL 779699, *6, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 18447, *20 (D.Ariz. Mar. 13, 2007). The circumstance here is more analogous to Star-Kist. As Trader Joe’s noted in a letter sent to Defendant, Trader Joe’s has two pending trademark applications pending in Canada. (Dkt. No. 29 at 6.) Because the alleged infringement at issue is wholly foreign and there are related pending matters in Canada, this factor weighs against extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act.

2. Nationality or allegiance of parties and locations of corporations

Trader Joe’s is a California corporation with its principal place of business in California. (Dkt. No. 1 at 1.) Defendant Pirate Joe’s is based in Canada with its principal place of business in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Id. at 2.) Defendant Hallatt is a Canadian citizen with U.S. Permanent Resident Alien status. (Dkt. No. 25 at 7.) It is undisputed Hallatt makes frequent trips to the U.S. to purchase products at Trader Joe’s to sell at Pirate Joe’s. Although Pirate Joe’s does not operate outside Canada, Hallatt’s connections with the U.S. are likely sufficient to support extraterritorial jurisdiction. See, Reebok Int’l, 970 F.2d at 556-57.

3.Extent to which enforcement by either state can be expected to achieve compliance

Pirate Joe’s argues enforcing compliance from the U.S. will be difficult because Pirate Joe’s is a Canadian corporation and Hallatt is a Canadian citizen. Compliance is easily achieved when a U.S. company or individual is doing the alleged infringing. Ocean Garden, Inc. v. Marktrade Co., 953 F.2d 500, 504 (9th Cir.1991). Trader Joe’s cites an order from the District of New Mexico in Basis Int’l v. Research in Motion Ltd., for the proposition this factor can weigh in favor of extraterritorial jurisdiction even where the defendant is a foreign national. 827 F.Supp.2d 1302, 1305 (D.N.M.2011). Basis is distinguishable because in Basis, it was alleged the defendant “conducted extensive business in [the U.S.], and that almost half of [defendant’s] revenue [came] from [the U.S.].” Id. at 1307. This factor has generally been analyzed not as how likely the foreign country at issue is to respect an order of a U.S. Court, but instead as how strong a foreign defendant’s presence is in the United States. Id. Here, this factor weighs against extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act.

4. Relative significance of effects on United States as compared with those elsewhere

When allegedly infringing activities are wholly foreign, the effects on the U.S. are considered “relatively insignificant.” Star-Kist, 769 F.2d at 1396. As discussed above, Pirate Joe’s is paying market price for Trader Joe’s food and re-selling it in Canada. The impact on Canadian consumers and Canadian commerce is more significant than the impact in the United States, even if the Court were to assume there is some diversion of business or reputational impact. This factor weighs against extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act.

5. Extent to which there is explicit purpose to harm or affect American commerce

Under the facts of this case, this factor is analytically difficult. This case is distinct from other cases analyzing application of extraterritorial jurisdiction of the Lanham Act because most cases involve infringement where the defendant is creating some product that is or is intended to replace the plaintiffs product. See, e.g., Reebok, 970 F.2d at 554. Pirate Joe’s makes it quite clear it is intentionally purchasing food from Trader Joe’s and selling it in Canada. (Dkt. No. 29 at 10-11.) It is unclear this is an intent to harm. The food is purchased at retail price from Trader Joe’s. At best, this factor weighs neutrally.

6. Foreseeability of such effect

As discussed above, it is unclear there is an intent to harm. It follows that harm is not necessarily foreseeable. This factor weighs against extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act.

7. Relative importance to violations charged of conduct within the United States as compared with conduct abroad

Plaintiff cites the Ninth Circuit case Ocean Garden for the proposition this factor weighs in favor of extraterritorial jurisdiction even when all conduct occurred outside the U.S. and no infringing items entered the U.S. (Dkt. No. 28 at 21), 953 F.2d at 504. Unlike here, the defendant in Ocean Garden was a U.S. corporation. 953 F.2d at 504. The Ninth Circuit has analyzed this factor by comparing the significance of actions taking place in the U.S. to the significance of actions taking place abroad. Reebok, 970 F.2d at 557. On these facts, the actions are more significant in Canada. Pirate Joe’s lawfully purchases food in the U.S. from Trader Joe’s; the alleged infringement occurs when the food is re-sold in Canada. This factor weighs against extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act.

Because evaluation of the Timberlane factors instructs against extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act, this Court finds it has no subject matter jurisdiction in this case.

III. Leave to Amend

Trader Joe’s asks the Court for leave to amend to allege additional facts supporting either its Lanham Act claims or diversity subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(2). (Dkt. No. 28 at 22.) Fed. R.Civ.P. 15(a)(2) says a party may amend its pleading with leave of the court, and “the court should freely give leave when justice so requires.” “Five factors are frequently used to assess the propriety of a motion for leave to amend: (1) bad faith, (2) undue delay, (3) prejudice to the opposing party, (4) futility of amendment, and (5) whether plaintiff has previously amended his complaint.” Allen v. Beverly Hills, 911 F.2d 367, 373 (9th Cir.1990). There is no evidence of bad faith or undue delay in this case, and Plaintiff has not previously amended its Complaint.

Leave to amend here turns on the issue of futility, because if amendment is not futile any prejudice to Pirate Joe’s would be outweighed by the interest of justice. Courts should not grant leave to amend where amendment is futile. Nunes v. Ashcroft, 348 F.3d 815, 818 (9th Cir.2003). Amendment is futile when “the pleading could not be possibly cured by the allegation of other facts.” Id., quoting Doe v. U.S., 58 F.3d 494, 497 (9th Cir.1995).

Trader Joe’s cannot add facts to support jurisdiction under the Lanham Act. The facts of the alleged wrongful conduct are straightforward. Even if Trader Joe’s were to bring further allegations to support a showing of economic harm under the Lanham Act, extraterritorial jurisdiction would not be supported. The above analysis, finding extraterritorial jurisdiction is not supported, was already made drawing all inferences in favor of Trader Joe’s. The request to amend to allege additional facts supporting extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act is DENIED.

Alternatively, Trader Joe’s asks to amend to allege additional facts supporting diversity subject matter jurisdiction. (Dkt. No. 28 at 23.) While the Lanham Act claims cannot survive even with amendment, Trader Joe’s also brought state law claims in their Complaint. (Dkt. No. 1 at 12-13.) The state law claims were properly brought because federal courts have supplemental jurisdiction over state law claims where a claim with original jurisdiction is also properly brought. 28 U.S.C. § 1367. When a federal claim is dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, a federal court cannot retain supplemental jurisdiction over state law claims. Scott v. Pasadena Unified Sch. Dist., 306 F.3d 646, 664 (9th Cir.2002). For this reason the state law claims are dismissed along with the Lanham Act claims.

Trader Joe’s may, however, amend its Complaint to assert and independent jurisdictional basis for its state law claims. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(2), district courts have jurisdiction over civil actions where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, “between citizens of a State and citizens or subjects of a foreign state, except ... [where the citizen of a foreign state is] lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States and [is] domiciled in the same State[.]” It is undisputed Trader Joe’s is a U.S. corporation with its principal place of business in California. (Dkt. No. 1 at 1.) Defendant Hall att is a Canadian citizen with U.S. Permanent Resident Alien status. (Dkt. No. 26 at 1.) No allegations are made with regard to Hallatt’s domicile. It appears undisputed Pirate Joe’s is a citizen of Canada under 28 U.S.C. § 1332(c); Trader Joe’s alleges Pirate Joe’s is “based” in Vancouver, Canada with its principal place of business in Canada. (Dkt. No. 1 at 2.)

Based on the information before the Court, Trader Joe’s may be able to allege additional facts supporting diversity jurisdiction over its state law claims. For this reason the request for leave to amend to allege additional facts going to diversity jurisdiction to over the state law claims is GRANTED.

Conclusion

Although the Lanham Act has a broad jurisdictional grant, it is not without limits when it comes to extraterritorial application. Taking all of Plaintiffs allegations as true and drawing all inferences in its favor, extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act is not supported. Defendant’s motion is GRANTED and this case is DISMISSED. The Lanham Act claims are DISMISSED with prejudice. Trader Joe’s is granted leave to amend its Complaint within ten (10) days of this Order to support diversity jurisdiction over their state law claims.

The clerk is ordered to provide copies of this order to all counsel.