Source: http://ca.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20120203_0001654.ECA.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 20:25:44+00:00

Document:
MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. ET AL., DEFENDANTS.
In considering a motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, the court must accept as true the allegations of the complaint in question, Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007), and construe the pleading in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, see Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232, 236 (1974). However, to avoid dismissal for failure to state a claim, a complaint must contain more than "naked assertions," "labels and conclusions" or "a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action." Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555-57 (2007). In other words, "[t]hreadbare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by mere conclusory statements do not suffice." Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937, 1949 (2009). Furthermore, a claim upon which the court can grant relief must have facial plausibility. Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570. "A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged." Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. at 1949.
The court now proceeds to analyze plaintiff's causes of action in accordance with the principles outlined above.
First Cause of Action for Cancellation of Deed of Trust In support of her claim for cancellation of the deed of trust, plaintiff contends that the inclusion of MERS's name on the deed of trust is a false statement in the county record, clouds title to the property, and impairs its market value.
Section 3412 of the California Civil Code provides that "[a] written instrument, in respect to which there is a reasonable apprehension that if left outstanding it may cause serious injury to a person against whom it is void or voidable, may, upon his application, be so adjudged, and ordered to be delivered up or canceled." Cal. Civ. Code § 3412. Here, plaintiff fails to allege why the deed of trust is void or voidable, and how she has suffered or will suffer serious harm as a result of MERS's designation in the deed of trust. California courts have held that MERS*fn4 may properly serve as a beneficiary and nominee for the lender when the deed of trust so specifies. See Gomes v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 192 Cal. App. 4th 1149, 1156 n.7, 1157-58 (2011) (holding that under California law, MERS may initiate a foreclosure as the nominee, or agent, of the noteholder); see also Pantoja v. Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 640 F. Supp. 2d 1177, 1190 (N.D. Cal. 2009) (noting that "courts have been clear to allow MERS to conduct the foreclosure process when granted the power of sale provision"). Thus, the mere status of MERS as nominee for the lender and beneficiary under the deed of trust cannot cause plaintiff any injury.

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