Opinion ID: 734276
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: appellant's fees

Text: 63 Feltner and Krypton International contend that they were entitled to attorneys' fees as prevailing parties under the license agreements. Additionally, Krypton International asserts that it was entitled to attorneys fees under 17 U.S.C. § 505 because it prevailed on Columbia's copyright claims. 64 As to their claim for fees under the license agreement, California law governs. Diamond v. John Martin Co., 753 F.2d 1465, 1467 (9th Cir.1985). Under California law, a defendant in a contract action is not a prevailing party when the plaintiff voluntarily dismisses the action. Cal.Civ.Code § 1717(b)(2). This is so regardless of whether the dismissal is with or without prejudice. D & J, Inc. v. Ferro Corp., 176 Cal.App.3d 1191, 222 Cal.Rptr. 656, 657 (1986). Thus Appellants were not prevailing parties under the license agreement. 9 65 As to Krypton International's claim for fees pursuant to 17 U.S.C. § 505, it has failed to show that the district court's denial of its fee request was an abuse of discretion. See, e.g., National Conference of Bar Examiners v. Multistate Legal Studies, Inc., 692 F.2d 478, 488 & n. 12 (7th Cir.1982), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 814, 104 S.Ct. 69, 78 L.Ed.2d 83 (1983).