Court Opinion

ID: 2868478
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-06 02:25:39.249067+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:22:58.110696
License: Public Domain

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

                                      NO. 03-03-00590-CV

                                Bubbajunk.com, Inc., Appellant

                                                v.

                              Momentum Software, Inc., Appellee

    FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 250TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
        NO. GN200500, HONORABLE PATRICK O. KEEL, JUDGE PRESIDING

                            MEMORANDUM OPINION

               Appellant Bubbajunk.com, Inc. appeals from a final summary judgment granted in

favor of appellee Momentum Software, Inc. In one issue, Bubbajunk contends that the district court

erred in granting summary judgment because Bubbajunk presented sufficient evidence of its breach

of contract counterclaim and Momentum did not prove its affirmative defense of novation as a matter

of law. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the judgment of the district court.

                                        BACKGROUND

               In February 2000, the parties entered into a contract for Momentum to develop the

Bubbajunk website (hereinafter the “consulting agreement”). One of the purposes of the website was

to display classified advertising. When the website was launched in September 2000, there were
problems with links to the classified advertisements. Around the same time, Bubbajunk became

delinquent on its payments for Momentum’s services under the consulting agreement. On December

8, 2000, the parties entered into an agreement reducing the balance that Bubbajunk owed, to be paid

in weekly installments, and allowing Bubbajunk to contract directly with one of Momentum’s former

employees to provide “maintenance support” of the website (hereinafter the “final cost agreement”).

               In December 2001, Momentum’s former employee discovered that a database

scripting error caused the problem. At some point after this discovery, Bubbajunk ceased to make

payments under the final cost agreement. Momentum then filed suit for the balance still owed under

the agreement. Bubbajunk asserted a counterclaim for breach of the consulting agreement on the

ground that Momentum did not complete the software according to specifications. Momentum, in

its answer to Bubbajunk’s counterclaim, asserted the affirmative defense of novation. Momentum

argued that because the final cost agreement superseded the consulting agreement, Bubbajunk could

assert no claims under the consulting agreement.

               After a period of discovery, Momentum filed a motion for summary judgment on

three grounds. Under the rule 166a(c) summary judgment standard, Momentum asserted that it had

conclusively proven its breach of contract claim. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c). It also asserted that

it had conclusively proven its affirmative defense of novation as to Bubbajunk’s counterclaim.

Under the no-evidence summary judgment standard, Momentum contended that Bubbajunk had set

forth “no evidence on the essential elements of a breach of contract claim.” The trial court, without

stating the grounds for its ruling, granted summary judgment in favor of Momentum and ordered that

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Bubbajunk take nothing on its counterclaim. It is from this final summary judgment that Bubbajunk

appeals.

                                     STANDARD OF REVIEW

                In one issue, Bubbajunk asserts that the trial court erred in granting summary

judgment in favor of Momentum. Because the trial court’s orders do not specify the ground or

grounds relied on for its rulings, we must review each argument asserted in the motions and affirm

the trial court’s judgments if any of these arguments is meritorious. See Star-Telegram, Inc. v. Doe,

915 S.W.2d 471, 473 (Tex. 1995). We review the trial court’s decision to grant summary judgment

de novo. Natividad v. Alexsis, Inc., 875 S.W.2d 695, 699 (Tex. 1994). Momentum moved for

summary judgment on both no-evidence and rule 166a(c) summary judgment grounds; therefore, we

will discuss the specific standards of review for both.

No-Evidence Summary Judgment

                A party seeking a no-evidence summary judgment must assert that no evidence exists

as to one or more of the essential elements of the nonmovant’s claims on which it would have the

burden of proof at trial. Holmstrom v. Lee, 26 S.W.3d 526, 530 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000, no pet.).

Once the movant specifies the elements on which there is no evidence, the burden shifts to the

nonmovant to raise a fact issue on the challenged elements. Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(i). The nonmovant

is not required to marshal its proof,1 but it must point out evidence that raises a fact issue. Id. 166a(i)

        1
          To “marshal one’s evidence” means to arrange all of the evidence in the order that it will
be presented at trial. In re Mohawk Rubber Co., 982 S.W.2d 494, 498 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1998,
orig. proceeding).

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cmt. To raise a genuine issue of material fact, the nonmovant must set forth more than a scintilla

of probative evidence as to an essential element of the nonmovant’s claim on which the nonmovant

would have the burden of proof at trial. See id. 166a(i); Merrell Dow Pharms., Inc. v. Havner, 953
S.W.2d 706, 711 (Tex. 1997). If the evidence supporting a finding rises to a level that would enable

reasonable, fair-minded persons to differ in their conclusions, then more than a scintilla of evidence

exists. Havner, 953 S.W.2d at 711. Less than a scintilla of evidence exists when the evidence is “so

weak as to do no more than create a mere surmise or suspicion” of fact, and the legal effect is that

there is no evidence. Jackson v. Fiesta Mart, 979 S.W.2d 68, 70 (Tex. App.—Austin 1998, no pet.)

(quoting Kindred v. Con/Chem, Inc., 650 S.W.2d 61, 63 (Tex. 1983)). If the nonmovant fails to

present evidence raising a genuine issue of material fact as to the challenged element, the trial court

must grant the motion. Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(i). A no-evidence summary judgment is essentially a

directed verdict granted before trial, to which we apply a legal sufficiency standard of review.

Jackson, 979 S.W.2d at 70.

Rule 166a(c) Summary Judgment

               The standards for review of a rule 166a(c) summary judgment are well established.

The movant must demonstrate that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that it is

entitled to judgment as a matter of law on the issues expressly set out in the motion. Tex. R. Civ.

P. 166a(c). In deciding whether there is a disputed material fact issue precluding summary judgment,

the court must take evidence favorable to the nonmovant as true, indulge every reasonable inference

in favor of the nonmovant, and resolve any doubts in the nonmovant’s favor. See Cathey v. Booth,

900 S.W.2d 339, 341 (Tex. 1995); Nixon v. Mr. Prop. Mgmt. Co., 690 S.W.2d 546, 548-49 (Tex.

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1985). A defendant moving for summary judgment on an affirmative defense must conclusively

establish each element of the affirmative defense to prevail. See Friendswood Dev. Co. v. McDade

+ Co., 926 S.W.2d 280, 282 (Tex. 1996).

                                            ANALYSIS

               In one issue, Bubbajunk asserts that the trial court erred in granting summary

judgment in favor of Momentum. Momentum moved for summary judgment on three grounds:

conclusive proof of its claim, conclusive proof of its novation affirmative defense to Bubbajunk’s

counterclaim, and, in the alternative, no evidence of Bubbajunk’s counterclaim. Bubbajunk in its

response did not attempt to set forth a disputed material fact issue as to any element of Momentum’s

breach of contract claim. Bubbajunk instead contended that (i) promissory estoppel barred

Momentum’s claim; (ii) a fact issue existed as to Momentum’s novation affirmative defense; and

(iii) it had put forth evidence of its counterclaim, which offset Momentum’s claim. We will begin

with Momentum’s motion for summary judgment on its breach of contract claim.

Momentum’s Breach of Contract Claim

               Momentum first asserted in its motion for summary judgment that it was entitled to

judgment on its breach of contract claim. To prevail on this ground, Momentum must have proven

all elements of its claim as a matter of law. The essential elements of a breach of contract claim are

that a valid contract existed, the plaintiff performed, the defendant breached, and the plaintiff has

suffered resulting damages. Scott v. Sebree, 986 S.W.2d 364, 372-73 (Tex. App.—Austin 1999, pet.

denied). As evidence, Momentum attached the final cost agreement and an affidavit by Scott

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Campbell, president of Momentum, attesting to Momentum’s fulfillment of its performance under

the final cost agreement, which was to allow one of its former employees to contract directly with

Bubbajunk, Bubbajunk’s delinquency on its payments, and the amounts due.

               Bubbajunk’s response did not contest any of the elements of Momentum’s claim;

instead, it asserted an affirmative defense of promissory estoppel. The elements of promissory

estoppel are: a promise, foreseeability of reliance thereon by the promisor, and substantial reliance

by the promisee to its detriment. English v. Fischer, 660 S.W.2d 521, 524 (Tex. 1983). The

response stated, “Defendant has shown that Plaintiff promised to deliver a website for classified ads.

There is evidence that Plaintiff should have known that Defendant would rely on this promise, and

that the Defendant actually relied on the promise.”

               “To be an effective bar to a plaintiff’s summary judgment,” the defendant’s response

to summary judgment must include its affirmative defense, “along with proper proof.” 3 Roy W.

McDonald & Elaine A. Grafton Carlson, Texas Civil Practice § 18:7, at 867 (2d ed. 2000). An

affirmative defense will be insufficient in law if a fact issue is not raised as to each element of such

defense. Brownlee v. Brownlee, 665 S.W.2d 111, 112 (Tex. 1984). Here, Bubbajunk asserted the

elements of its affirmative defense but failed to present any supporting evidence to raise a fact issue.

Bubbajunk further wholly failed to establish a material fact issue as to Momentum’s breach of

contract claim. Because Momentum met the burden of conclusively establishing its breach of

contract claim as a matter of law, we affirm the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of

Momentum on this ground.

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Bubbajunk’s Breach of Contract Counterclaim

               Momentum further contended that Bubbajunk had set forth “no evidence on the

essential elements of a breach of contract claim.” Momentum stated the elements of a breach of

contract claim—contract, breach, and damages from the breach—and asserted that “Bubbajunk has

no evidence of any actionable breach.” At oral argument, Momentum conceded that it only

challenged the breach element of Bubbajunk’s counterclaim. Therefore, we will consider only

whether Bubbajunk’s response pointed out evidence that raised a genuine issue of material fact as

to the breach element.

               Momentum asserts that it is entitled to summary judgment on this ground because

Bubbajunk has not raised any fact issue concerning a breach. We agree. A breach of contract occurs

when a party fails or refuses to do something that it has promised to do. Televentures, Inc. v.

International Game Tech., 12 S.W.3d 900, 910 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000, pet. denied); see also

Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 235(2) (1981) (when performance of duty under contract is due,

any non-performance is breach). In the consulting agreement, Momentum promised “to perform the

services (the ‘Services’) that are described and set forth in the Work Authorization(s) attached hereto

and incorporated herein.” The contract went on to state: “Changes within the scope of the Services

shall be made only in a writing executed by authorized representatives of both parties.” The

description of services in each of the two work authorizations was “[r]equirement, design and

development services in conjunction with the Bubbajunk.com project.” Momentum also warranted

in the consulting agreement that its services would be performed “in a professional and workmanlike

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manner.” Bubbajunk did not assert a breach of this warranty, which is a separate and distinct cause

of action from breach of contract. See, e.g., Southwestern Bell Tel. Co. v. FDP Corp., 811 S.W.2d
572, 576-77 & n.3 (Tex. 1991) (elements of cause of action for breach of express warranty for

services include:    defendant sold services to plaintiff; defendant made a representation;

representation became part of the basis of the bargain; and defendant breached warranty).

               Bubbajunk did not present evidence that Momentum failed to fulfill its promises

enumerated in the consulting agreement and the work authorizations. Bubbajunk instead pointed

out statements in an unsigned software requirements specification, along with testimony that the

website did not perform according to the specification. Bubbajunk appears to be arguing that the

specification is a part of the contract between the parties.

               An unsigned paper may be incorporated by reference in a signed agreement. Owen

v. Hendricks, 433 S.W.2d 164, 166 (Tex. 1968). For an unsigned document to be so incorporated,

the express language used in the signed document is not important provided the signed document

plainly refers to the other writing. Id. The work authorizations, for example, are expressly made

a part of the consulting agreement. Neither the consulting agreement nor the work authorizations

refer to the specification, which was prepared after the parties entered into the consulting agreement,

and the unsigned specification was not “executed by authorized representatives of both parties” as

required in the consulting agreement. Bubbajunk failed to demonstrate that the specification was

a part of the contract between the parties or that Momentum breached its promises in the consulting

agreement and work authorizations. See id.

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               Even if the software requirements specification were a part of the consulting

agreement, Bubbajunk’s evidence is insufficient because it fails to point out which statements in the

specification were breached. The affidavits of Jay Wommack, president of Bubbajunk, and Bradley

Pruitt, an employee of Bubbajunk, contain conclusory assertions that the website did not work

because of a database script error. These assertions fail to link the error to statements in the

specification. Affidavits consisting only of conclusions are insufficient to raise an issue of fact. See

Ryland Group, Inc. v. Hood, 924 S.W.2d 120, 122 (Tex. 1996) (stating that “conclusory affidavits

are not enough to raise fact issues”); Brownlee, 665 S.W.2d at 112. The affidavit must set forth such

facts as would be admissible at a conventional trial on the merits, see Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(f)

(“affidavits . . . shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence”), and must be direct,

unequivocal, and controvertible. Brownlee, 665 S.W.2d at 112. Furthermore, Bubbajunk’s response

to Momentum’s motion for summary judgment does not point out the statements in these affidavits,

see Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(i) cmt., instead only pointing out statements in Jay Wommack’s deposition,

which are also conclusory by failing to assert which statements in the specification were breached.

               Because Bubbajunk failed to point out evidence of the element of breach, Momentum

is entitled to summary judgment as to Bubbajunk’s breach of contract counterclaim. Accordingly,

we affirm the district court’s order that Bubbajunk take nothing on its counterclaim. Because we

affirm the grant of summary judgment on this ground, we need not address Momentum’s motion for

summary judgment in the alternative on its novation affirmative defense to the counterclaim. Having

overruled Bubbajunk’s issue, we affirm the final summary judgment of the district court.

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                                         CONCLUSION

               Because Momentum met the burden of conclusively establishing its breach of contract

claim as a matter of law, we affirm the trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of

Momentum on its claim. Further, because Bubbajunk failed to present evidence of the element of

breach in its breach of contract counterclaim, we affirm the trial court’s grant of summary judgment

in favor of Momentum on its no-evidence ground as to the counterclaim. Having overruled

Bubbajunk’s issue, we affirm the final summary judgment of the district court.

                                              Jan P. Patterson, Justice

Before Chief Justice Law, Justices Patterson and Puryear

Affirmed

Filed: April 29, 2004

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