ORDER ADOPTING REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION, AND GRANTING MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT
The court has reviewed Magistrate Judge Maria Elena James’ report and recommendation re plaintiff Levi Strauss & Co.’s request for entry of default judgment. Defendants filed no objections to the report. The court finds the report correct, well-reasoned and thorough, and adopts it in every respect. Accordingly, the motion for default judgment is
Defendants Samurai Co., Ltd.; Studio D’Artisan International Co., Ltd.; Full Count Co.; and John Bull Co., Ltd., their agents, employees, attorneys, successors, assigns, affiliates, and joint venturers and any person or persons in active concert or participation with any of them, and/or any person or persons acting for, with, by, through or under any of them are permanently enjoined from:
(a) manufacturing, producing, sourcing, importing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, advertising, or promoting any goods that display any words or symbols that so resemble Plaintiffs trademarks as to be likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception, on or in connection with any product that is not authorized by or for Plaintiff, including without limitation any product that bears Defendants’ designs or any other similar approximation of Plaintiffs trademarks;
(b) using any, word, term, name, symbol, device or combination thereof that causes or is likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception as to the affiliation or association of the Defendants’ or their goods with Plaintiff or as to the origin of the Defendants’ goods, or any false designation of origin, false or misleading description or representation of fact;
(c) further infringing the rights of Plaintiff in and to any of its trademarks in its LEVI’S® brand products or otherwise damaging Plaintiffs goodwill or business reputation;
(d) otherwise competing unfairly with Plaintiff in any manner; or
(e) continuing to perform in any manner whatsoever any of the other acts complained of in plaintiffs first amended complaint.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION RE PLAINTIFF LEVI STRAUSS & CO.’S REQUEST FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT JUDGMENT [Dkt. # 47]
I. INTRODUCTION
Pending before the Court is Plaintiff Levi Strauss & Co.’s Request for Entry of Default Judgment (“the Motion”) against Defendants Samurai Co., Ltd.; Studio D’Artisan International Co., Ltd.; Full Count Co.; and John Bull Co., Ltd. (collectively, “Defendants”). (Dkt. # 47.) In its Motion, Plaintiff requests that the Court grant default judgment against Defendants and, further, issue a permanent injunction prohibiting Defendants from manufacturing, distributing, or selling any goods that infringe on Plaintiffs trademarks. None of the Defendants has filed an Opposition or otherwise appeared in this action. On February 4, 2009, the presiding judge in this matter, the Honorable Phyllis J. Hamilton, issued an order referring the Motion to the undersigned for preparation of a Report and Recommendation. (Dkt. # 48.) On June 11, 2009, the undersigned held a hearing on Plaintiffs Motion. After consideration of Plaintiffs Motion, supporting materials, and oral argument, the undersigned RECOMMENDS that the Court GRANT Plaintiffs Motion and enter default judgment against Defendants on each of Plaintiffs claims. The undersigned further RECOMMENDS that the Court enter a permanent injunction against Defendants consistent with the language set forth herein.
II. BACKGROUND
A. Factual Background
On July 12, 2007, Plaintiff initiated this action by filing a Complaint against eight
Plaintiff manufactures, markets, and sells a variety of apparel, including denim blue jean products. (FAC ¶7.) Plaintiff markets its LEVI’S® brand products with a set of trademarks that are well-known throughout the world. (FAC ¶ 19.) For many years prior to the events giving rise to this case and continuing to the present, Plaintiff has spent great amounts of time, money, and effort advertising and promoting the products on which the trademarks are used, and has sold many millions of these products all over the world, including in the United States and in California. (FAC ¶ 19.) Through this investment and large sales, Plaintiff has created considerable goodwill and a reputation for quality products. (FAC ¶ 19.) Plaintiff has continuously used these trademarks, some for well over a century, to distinguish its products. (FAC ¶ 19.)
Plaintiffs trademarks are federally-registered, in full force and effect, and exclusively owned by Plaintiff. (FAC ¶ 20.) Particularly, Plaintiff owns: (1) the Arcuate Stitching Design Trademark; (2) the Tab Device Trademark; (3) the Shirt Tab Device Trademark; (4) the Housemark Design Trademark; (5) the Two Horse Design and Two Horse Label Design Trademarks; and (6) the 500 Series Trademarks. (FAC ¶¶ 23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34.)
Plaintiff owns the Arcuate Stitching Design Trademark (the “Arcuate trademark”), which consists of a distinctive pocket stitching design that is the oldest known apparel trademark in the United States. (FAC ¶ 22.) Plaintiff has used the Arcuate trademark continuously since 1873 in interstate commerce on clothing products. (FAC ¶ 22.) It first used the Arcuate trademark on jeans, and later began using it on trousers, pants, shorts, skirts, and jackets. (FAC ¶ 22.) Plaintiff owns the following United States and California Registrations for its Arcuate trademark: (a) U.S. Registration No. 1,139,254; (b) U.S. Registration No. 404,248 1 (c) U.S. Registration No. 2,791,156; U.S. (d) Registration No. 2,794,649; and (e) California Registration No. 088399. (FAC ¶ 23 & Ex. B.)
Plaintiff also owns the Tab Device Trademark, which consists of a distinctive marker of textile or other materials sewn into one of the regular structural seams of the garment. (FAC ¶ 24 & Ex. C.) Plaintiff has used the Tab Device trademark continuously since 1936 in interstate commerce on clothing products. (FAC ¶ 24.) Plaintiff owns the following United States Registrations for its Tab Device trademark: (a) U.S. Registration No. 356,701; (b) U.S. Registration No. 516,561; (c) U.S. Registration No. 577,490; (d) U.S. Registration No. 774,625; (e) U.S. Registration No. 775,412; and (f) U.S. Registration No. 1,157,769. (FAC ¶ 26 & Ex. D.) Plaintiff avers that these Registrations have become incontestable under 15 U.S.C. § 1065. (FAC ¶ 26.)
Plaintiff also owns the Shirt Tab Device Trademark, which consists of a distinctive tab affixed to the exterior of a shirt pocket. (FAC ¶ 27.) Plaintiff has used the mark in interstate commerce continuously since 1969. (FAC ¶ 27.) Plaintiff owns the following United States and California Registrations for the Shirt Tab Device: (a) U.S. Registration No. 2,726,253; and (b)
Additionally, Plaintiff owns the House-mark Design Trademark (“Housemark trademark”), a distinctive logo originally adopted to identify genuine LEVI'S® products, first used in 1966. (FAC ¶ 29 & Ex. H.) Plaintiff owns the following United States Registrations for the Housemark Design: (a) U.S. Registration 849,437; (b) U.S. Registration No. 1,135,196; (c) U.S. Registration No. 1,041,846; (d) U.S. Registration No. 1,122,468; and (e) U.S. Registration No. 1,155,926. (FAC ¶ 30 & Ex. H.) Plaintiff alleges the Housemark trademark is incontestable under 15 U.S.C. § 1065. (FAC ¶ 30.)
Plaintiff also owns the Two Horse Design and Two Horse Label Design Trademarks (“Two Horse trademarks”), which were also adopted to identify genuine LEVI’S® products, first used in 1866. (FAC ¶ 31 & Ex. I.) Plaintiff owns the following United States Registrations for the Two Horse Trademarks: (a) U.S. Registration 523,665; and (b) 1,140,853. (FAC ¶ 32 & Ex. J.) Plaintiff alleges the Two Horse trademarks are incontestable under 15 U.S.C. § 1065. (FAC ¶ 32.)
Finally, Plaintiff owns the 500 Series trademarks. The marks consist of three digit numbers beginning with the number “5” (e.g. 501®, 505®, 517®, and 569®). (FAC ¶ 33 & Ex. K.) Plaintiff owns the following United State Registrations for the 501 Series trademarks: (a) U.S. Registration No. 1,552,985; (b) U.S. Registration No. 1,313,554; (c) U.S. Registration No. 1,319,462; and (d) U.S. Registration No. 2,503,976. (FAC ¶ 34 & Ex. L.) Plaintiff alleges the 501®, 505®, and 517® trademarks are incontestable under 15 U.S.C. § 1065. (FAC ¶ 34.)
Defendants Samurai, Studio D’Artisan, Full Count, and John Bull are all Japanese business entities. (FAC ¶¶ 9, 10, 13, 14.) According to Plaintiff, each of the Defendants manufactured, offered for sale, advertised, and sold jean and other garments that imitate a number of trademarks Plaintiff has used for many years to identify its LEVI’S® brand products around the world. (FAC, ¶¶ 9, 10, 13, 14 & Exs. N, O, R, S.) Defendants have sold their clothing through authorized retailers in San Francisco and New York, and through their own websites over the Internet. (Dkt. # 66 ¶¶ 2-6.) Plaintiff alleges Defendants’ manufacturing, sourcing, marketing, and selling have caused and continue to cause actual consumer confusion resulting in irreparable harm to Plaintiff. (FAC ¶¶ 37, 39, 45, 47, 57, 58.)
Based on the foregoing allegations, Plaintiff asserts claims against Defendants for: (1) Federal Trademark Infringement under 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114-1117, Lanham Act § 32; (2) False Designation of Origin and False Description under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), Lanham Act § 32(a); (3) Federal Dilution of Famous Marks under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c), Lanham Act § 43(c); (4) California Dilution and Trademark Infringement under California Business and Professions Code §§ 14320, 14330, 14335, 14340; and (5) California Unfair Competition under California Business and Professions Code § 17200.
B. Procedural Background
Plaintiff filed its First Amended Complaint on July 25, 2007. (Dkt. # 16.) The FAC and summons was served on each of the Defendants by international certified mail, return receipt request, but none of them answered or otherwise responded to the FAC. (Dkt. #44.) On February 20, 2009, the clerk entered default against Defendants. (Dkts.# 49-50.) On February 4, 2009, Plaintiff filed its Motion for Default Judgment against Defendants. (Dkt. #47.) On June 11, 2009, the Court conducted a hearing on the matter.
A. Legal Standard
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(b)(2) permits a court, following default by a defendant, to enter default judgment in a case. The court has discretion in determining whether to grant or deny a motion for default judgment.
Draper v. Coombs,
The Ninth Circuit has enumerated the following factors to assist courts in determining when entry of default judgment is appropriate: (1) the possibility of prejudice to the plaintiff; (2) the merits of plaintiffs substantive claim; (3) the sufficiency of the complaint; (4) the sum of money at stake in the action; (5) the possibility of dispute concerning material facts; (6) whether default was due to excusable neglect and; (7) the strong policy underlying the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure favoring decisions on the merits.
Eitel v. McCool,
Upon entry of default all factual allegations within the complaint are accepted as true, except those allegations relating to the amount of damages.
TeleVideo Sys., Inc. v. Heidenthal,
B. Jurisdiction
When entry of judgment is sought against a party who has failed to plead or otherwise defend, a district court has an affirmative duty to look into its jurisdiction over both the subject matter and the parties.
In re Tuli,
1. Subject Matter Jurisdiction
District courts have original jurisdiction to hear civil cases arising under the Constitution, laws or treaties of the United States. 28 U.S.C. § 1331. As indicated above, Plaintiff has asserted trademark claims arising under federal law. Accordingly, the District Court may properly exercise jurisdiction over this matter pursuant to § 1331. Furthermore, because Plaintiffs state law claims “are so related to [the] claims” within the Court’s original jurisdiction, the Court may also properly exercise supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiffs’s state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a).
2. Personal Jurisdiction
As the party seeking to invoke this Court’s jurisdiction, Plaintiff bears the burden of establishing that this Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendants.
See Scott v. Breeland,
The Ninth Circuit has articulated a three-prong test to determine whether a party has sufficient minimum contacts to be susceptible to specific personal jurisdiction:
(1) The non-resident defendant must purposefully direct his activities or consummate some transaction in the forum or resident thereof; or perform some act by which he purposefully avails himself of the privilege of conducting activities in the forum, thereby invoking the benefits and protections of its laws;
(2) the claim must be one which arises out of or relates to the defendant’s forum-related activities; and
(3) the exercise of jurisdiction must comport with fair play and substantial justice, i.e., it must be reasonable.
Schwarzenegger,
With respect to the first prong, it is satisfied by either purposeful availment or purposeful direction, which are “two distinct concepts.”
Pebble Beach Co. v. Caddy,
a. Purposeful Direction
To evaluate purposeful direction, the Court applies a three-part “Calder-effects” test, articulated in the Supreme Court’s decision in
Colder v. Jones,
As to the first factor, Plaintiff contends that Defendants committed intentional acts by manufacturing and selling products that directly infringe on its trademarks. (Dkt. # 70 at 4, citing FAC ¶¶ 1, 64, 72, 75.) With respect to the second factor, Plaintiff argues that, because its principal place of business is in San Francisco and because it advertises and sells trademarked LEVIS® products in California — facts which Defendants, as competitors in the jeans market were aware of — Defendants’ infringing conduct was directly aimed at California.
(Id.
at 5.) Finally, because Plaintiff is based in San Francisco, the harm to its business and reputation from Defendants’ manufacturing and selling of infringing products was suffered by Plaintiff in California.
(Id.)
Taking these facts into consideration, the undersigned finds that
b. Forum, Related Activities
The second prong of the specific jurisdiction analysis requires that the plaintiffs claims arise from the defendant’s forum-related activities.
See Panavision Int’l,
c. Reasonableness
The final prong assesses the reasonableness of exercising jurisdiction over the defendant. “Even if the first two requirements are met, in order to satisfy the Due Process Clause, the exercise of personal jurisdiction must be reasonable.”
Panavision Int’l, L.P.,
d. Conclusion
In sum, based on the foregoing analysis, the undersigned finds that Plaintiff has sufficiently established that the Court may properly exercise specific jurisdiction over Defendants in this action.
3. Service of Process
Finally, the undersigned must assess whether Plaintiff properly effected service of process upon Defendants. Plaintiff indicates that, on February 15, 2006, it served each of the Defendants with the First Amended Complaint and Summons by international certified mail, return receipt requested. (Dkt. ## 23-26.) Plaintiff filed proofs of service for Defendants Samurai, John Bull, and Full Count on March 3, 2008, and for Studio D’Artisan on March 5, 2008. Thus, the question is whether this manner of service is valid.
The Hague Convention governs service of summons on defendants in foreign countries that are signatories to the treaty. Japan is a signatory to the Hague Convention. Thus, service on Japanese defendants — such as the Defendants in this case — must comport with the Hague Convention’s methods for international service of process. Article 10(a) of the Hague Convention authorizes judicial documents to be “sent” by mail, “provided the State of destination does not object.” Japan has not stated any objection to Article 10(a).
See Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co. v. Fuji Elec. Sys. Co., Ltd.,
No. C-04-3627 MMC,
Because Article 10(a) does not affirmatively authorize international mail service, a court “must look outside the Hague Convention for affirmative authorization of the international mail service that is merely not forbidden by Article 10(a).”
Brockmeyer v. May,
Under Rule 4(h), foreign corporations residing outside of a United States judicial district may be served in any manner prescribed by Rule 4(f) for serving an individual, except personal delivery under (f)(2)(C)(i). Pursuant to Rule 4(f), unless prohibited by the foreign country’s law, service may be effected by “using any form of mail that the clerk addresses and send to the individual and that requires a signed receipt.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 4(f)(2)(C)(ii). Here, Plaintiff has filed affidavits attesting that the Clerk of the Court sealed and mailed to Defendants packets containing a Summons, the First Amended Complaint, ADR instructions, and the Court’s Case Management State form. (Dkt. ## 23-26, Ex. A.) Additionally, each affidavit included as an exhibit a signed return receipt from each Defendant. (Dkt. ## 23-26, Ex. A.) Thus, Plaintiff complied with the requirements sets forth in Rule 4(f)(2)(C)(ii). The undersigned concludes that Plaintiff properly effected service of process of Defendants.
C. Application of the Eitel Factors to the Case at Bar
1. Prejudice to Plaintiff
Under the first
Eitel
factor, the court must examine whether Plaintiff will suffer further prejudice if its default judgment is not granted.
Eitel,
2. Sufficiency of the Complaint and Likelihood of Success on the Merits
The second and third
Eitel
factors assess whether a plaintiff has plead facts sufficient to maintain its claims, and each claims’ likelihood of success.
See Danning v. Lavine,
a. Federal Trademark Infringement
Plaintiffs first claim for relief is for federal trademark infringement pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114-1117. To prevail on a trademark infringement claim under the Lanham Act, a plaintiff must establish that the defendant is “using a mark confusingly similar to a valid, protectable trademark” that the plaintiff owns.
Brookfield Communications, Inc. v.
W.
Coast Entm’t,
b. Federal Unfair Competition (False Designation of Origin and False Description)
Plaintiff next asserts a federal unfair competition claim against defendants based on false designation of origin and false description pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a). This section provides:
(1) Any person who, on or in connection with any goods or services, or any container for goods, uses in commerce any word, term, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof, or any false designation or origin, false or misleading description of fact, or false or misleading representation of fact, which—
(A) is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive as to the affiliation, connection, or association of such person with another person, or as to the origin, sponsorship, or approval of his or her goods, services, or commercial activities by another person, or
(B) in commercial advertising or promotion, misrepresents the nature, characteristics, qualities, or geographic origin of his or her or another person’s goods, services, or commercial activities, shall be liable in a civil action by any person who believes that he or she is or is likely to be damaged by such act.
15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1).
In its First Amended Complaint, Plaintiff has alleged that Defendants are engaged in manufacturing, marketing, and selling garments that display symbols and devices that are confusingly similar to Plaintiffs Arcuate, Tab, Shirt Tab, Two Horse, and 500 Series trademarks. (FAC ¶¶ 37-40, 45-48.) Plaintiff has also alleged that Defendants’ conduct is likely to cause confusion, mistake, or deception by or in the public as to the affiliation, connection, association, origin, sponsorship or approval of them infringing products, resulting in harm to Plaintiff. (FAC ¶ 58, 66.) Deeming these allegations as admitted, the undersigned finds that Plaintiff is entitled to judgment on its false designation of origin claim.
c. Trademark Dilution
Plaintiffs third claim against Defendants is for trademark dilution pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c). To prove a dilution claim, a plaintiff must demonstrate that the mark used by the defendant is identical, or nearly identical, to the plaintiffs protected mark.
See Thane Int’l, Inc. v. Trek Bicycle Corp.,
d. California Dilution and, Trademark Infringement
Plaintiffs fourth claim against Defendants is for dilution and trademark infringement under California Business & Professions Code Sections 14320, 14330, 14335, and 14340. Plaintiffs fifth and final claim against Defendants is for unfair competition pursuant to California Business & Professions Code Section 17200.
With respect to Plaintiffs trademark infringement and unfair competition claims under California law, courts apply the same likelihood of confusion test under applied to federal trademark infringement claims.
See Jada Toys, Inc. v. Mattel, Inc.,
3. The Sum of Money at Stake in the Action
The fourth
Eitel
factor addresses the amount of money at stake in relation to the seriousness of Defendants’ actions.
Eitel,
4. Possibility of Dispute Concerning Material Facts
The fifth Eitel factor examines the likelihood of dispute concerning the material factors surrounding the case. As detailed above, Plaintiff has sufficiently alleged and has submitted exhibits demonstrating Defendants’ use of its marks. It is unlikely Defendants would be able to present facts raising any dispute as to these allegations. Accordingly, this factor favors entry of default judgment.
5. Possibility of Excusable Negligence
The sixth Eitel factor examines whether Defendants’ failure to respond was the result of excusable neglect. As discussed above Plaintiff properly served Defendants with its First Amended Complaint in February 2008. Reviewing the record, Defendants have had ample time to appear and respond in this matter. There is no evidence to support a finding that their failure to defend or otherwise appear in this matter was the result of excusable neglect. Thus, this factor favors entry of default judgment.
6. Policy for Deciding on the Merits
The final
Eitel
factor examines whether the strong policy favoring deciding cases on the merits prevents a court
D. Remedies
Plaintiffs motion requests entry of a permanent injunction against the defaulting Defendants.
1. Permanent Injunction
Under the Lanham Act, injunctive relief may be granted upon reasonable terms according to principles of equity to remedy past and future violations of a plaintiffs trademark rights. 15 U.S.C. § 1116(a);
see also Century 21 Real Estate Corp.,
Here, Plaintiff has demonstrated that Defendants’ infringement has caused and continues to cause irreparable harm to Plaintiff for which monetary damages are inadequate. Plaintiff has also asserted that, unless Defendants are restrained by the Court, they will continue to infringe on Plaintiffs marks, resulting in further harm to Plaintiff. Plaintiff has therefore shown that it is entitled to entry of a permanent injunction enjoining Defendants from further infringements of its marks.
IV. CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing analysis, the undersigned RECOMMENDS that the District Court GRANT Plaintiff Levi Strauss & Co.’s Motion for Default Judgment (Dkt. # 47). The undersigned further RECOMMENDS that the Court GRANT Plaintiffs request for entry of a permanent injunction, consistent with the following language:
Defendants Samurai Co., Ltd.; Studio D’Artisan International Co., Ltd.; Full Count Co.; and John Bull Co., Ltd., their agents, employees, attorneys, successors, assigns, affiliates, and joint venturers and any person or persons in active concert or participation with any of them, and/or any person or persons acting for, with, by, through or under any of them are permanently enjoined from:
(a) manufacturing, producing, sourcing, importing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, advertising, or promoting any goods that display any words or symbols that so resemble Plaintiffs trademarks as to be likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception, on or in connection with any product that is not authorized by or for Plaintiff, including without limitation any product that bears Defendants’ designs or any other similar approximation of Plaintiffs trademarks;
(b) using any, word, term, name, symbol, device or combination thereof that causes or is likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception as to the affiliation or association of the Defendants’ or their goods with Plaintiff or as to the origin of the Defendants’ goods, or any false designation of origin, false or misleading description or representation of fact;
(c) further infringing the rights of Plaintiff in and to any of its trademarks in its LEVI’S® brand products or otherwise damaging Plaintiffs goodwill or business reputation;
(d) otherwise competing unfairly with Plaintiff in any manner; and
(e) continuing to perform in any manner whatsoever any of the other acts complained of in Plaintiffs First Amended Complaint.
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b)(2) a party may serve and file objections to this Report and Recommendation ten (10) days after being served.
IT IS SO RECOMMENDED.
Notes
. Plaintiff alleges that the Registration Nos. 1,139,254 and 404,248 have become incontestable under the provisions of 15 U.S.C. § 1065.