Opinion ID: 3035537
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: standard of review

Text: We review the District Court's legal conclusions de novo, reading all facts in the light most favorable to the party that did not move for summary judgment—the Estate. Lucent Info. Mgmt., Inc. v. Lucent Techs., Inc., 186 F.3d 311, 315 (3d Cir. 1999). The Estate argues that we review the District Court’s “factual findings” under a “clearly erroneous” standard. But, to support this proposition, the Estate cites a case reviewing a 9 preliminary injunction. Sandoz Pharms. Corp. v. Richardson-Vicks, Inc., 902 F.2d 222, 226 (3d Cir. 1990). We recently explained the important distinction between the standards of review for a preliminary injunction and summary judgment. Doeblers’ Pa. Hybrids, Inc. v. Doebler, 442 F.3d 812, 820 (3d Cir. 2006). “Failure to strictly observe the principles governing summary judgment becomes particularly significant in a trademark or tradename action, where summary judgments are the exception.” Country Floors, Inc. v. P'ship Composed of Gepner & Ford, 930 F.2d 1056, 1062-63 (3d Cir. 1991). On a summary judgment motion, the District Court must not find facts. See Doeblers’, 442 F.3d at 820 (“A District Court should not weigh the evidence and determine the truth itself, but should instead determine whether there is a genuine issue for trial.”). Rather, it should identify undisputed facts and resolve the remaining disputed facts in favor of the non-movant. For example, “[c]redibility determinations that underlie findings of fact are appropriate to a bench verdict,” but “[t]hey are inappropriate to the legal conclusions necessary to a ruling on summary judgment.” Country Floors, 930 F.2d at 1062. When considering the District Court’s grant of summary judgment to the Estate on a particular claim, “the sole question before [our] Court is whether plaintiff met its burden of demonstrating that it was entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Doeblers’, 442 F.3d at 820. 10