Coach, Inc. v. Hubert Keller, Inc.
911 F. Supp. 2d 1303
S.D. Ga.2012Background
- Coach sue HKI for contributory trademark infringement and vicarious copyright infringement; seeks HKI’s tax returns for 2009–2011 and a redeposition on revenues; HKI objects claiming lack of relevance and vagueness; Coach seeks Rule 37 sanctions; HKI rents flea-market booths, not selling goods; issue is whether tax/financial data are discoverable to prove damages; John Doe defendants dismissed on coach’s latest briefs.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether Coach may compel HKI’s tax returns and financial data | Coach argues revenues/expenses relevant to damages. | HKI asserts data are irrelevant or overly broad. | Denied; tax/financial data not needed to prove damages here. |
| Whether damages framework justifies disclosure of tax returns | Ill-gotten profits damages may require financials. | No clear path to proving profits from HKI; statutory damages may apply. | Denied; statutory damages available; no need for HKI’s tax returns. |
| Whether deposition instruction to not answer was sanctionable | HKI's counsel instructed witness not to answer; biased questioning prevented. | Deposition conduct not shown as bad faith; instruction was appropriate for irrelevancy. | Not sanctioned; sanctions denied; costs awarded to neither side. |
Key Cases Cited
- Nike, Inc. v. Variety Wholesalers, Inc., 274 F.Supp.2d 1352 (S.D. Ga. 2003) (Damages and profits principles in infringement cases; relevance of financial data)
- Wesco Mfg., Inc. v. Tropical Attractions of Palm Beach, Inc., 833 F.2d 1484 (11th Cir. 1987) (Plaintiff must prove sales; burden on defendant to show deductions)
- Taylor v. Meirick, 712 F.2d 1112 (7th Cir. 1983) (Illustrates limitations on using general tax returns for profit damages)
- Hard Rock Cafe Licensing Corp. v. Concession Servs., Inc., 955 F.2d 1143 (7th Cir. 1992) (Liability for contributory infringement; context for damages/discovery)
- Louis Vuitton S.A. v. Lee, 875 F.2d 584 (7th Cir. 1989) (Contributory infringement and damages considerations)
- Caffey v. Cook, 409 F.Supp.2d 484 (S.D.N.Y. 2006) (Damages proof; admissibility of profits/deductions)