MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER ON MOTION TO DISMISS
Plaintiff Sean Podpeskar brings this action based on alleged design defects in batteries manufactured by Defendant Makita U.S.A. Inc. (“Makita”). Podpeskar alleges the following claims: violation of the Minnesota Unlawful Trade Practices
Makita moves to dismiss all claims. Because Podpeskar sufficiently pleaded notice and unconscionability, the Court will deny Makita’s motion with regard to Pod-peskar’s express warranty claim. The Court also finds Podpeskar pleaded his fraud claims with sufficient particularity and properly pleaded an unjust enrichment claim in the alternative, and therefore, the Court will deny Makita’s motion with regard to those claims. But, because Podpes-kar’s declaratory and injunctive relief claims are remedies rather than standalone claims, the Court will grant Makita’s motion on those claims,
BACKGROUND
Makita “design[s], manufactúrete], market[s] and s[ells] power tools featuring lithium-ion batteries that have been sold throughout the United States.” (Am. Compl. at 4, Jan. 29, 2016, Docket No. 29.)
Podрeskar contends that the batteries at issue are defective in design because they “rely solely upon the first cell for power.” (Id. at 5.) Podpeskar alleges that this design causes the battery to fail prematurely, and renders it unusable, stating:
Because power is used even when the [bjattery is not in use, the power in the first cell of the [bjattery is depleted. This essentially causes the chip to believe that the cell has shorted out. If a consumer attempts to charge the [bjat-tery three times in this state the charger will believe the [bjattery is not functional and will no longer charge it.
(Id.) Makita later introduced new batteries with “Star Protection Computer Controls which draw power from all cells of the battery,” and which Podpeskar refers to as a “corrective measure.” (Id. at 1-2.) Pod-peskar cites reviews of Amazon.com as a “sampling” of the complaints Makita received, many dated between 2010 and 2012.
Podpeskar alleges that Makita “advertised and expressly warranted” that the
negligently, knowingly and intentionally concealed, and has failed to disclose that ... its [b]atteries routinely fail well short of their usable life and are not receiving maximize battery life or any benefit based on the built-in chip.... Indeed, [Makita’s] [b]atteries have deteriorated and will continue to deteriorate at a rate demonstrating their lack of durability and resiliency.
(Id. at 7 (emphasis added).)
Makita has since extended its express warranty on the batteries from one year to three years;
Podpeskar filed his initial complaint on October 22, 2015, alleging a UTPA claim, an PSAA claim, express and implied warranty claims, and claims based on fraudulent misrepresentation, concealment, and failure to disclose. Podpeskar also requested declaratory and. injunctive relief, and pleaded a claim of unjust enrichment in the alternative. The claims remain the same in Podpeskar’s Amended Complaint. Podpeskar brings his claims as a purported class action on behalf of “a class of all others similarly situated.” (Id. at 1.) Pod-peskar defines the national class as:
All individuals and entities in the United States that purchased [b]atteries, or devices sold with [b]atteries, on or after October 2009. Excluded from the Class are Defendant, any entity in which Defendant has a controlling interest or which has a controlling interest in Defendant, and Defendant’s legal representatives, assigns and successors. Also excluded are the judge to whom this case is assigned and any member of the, judge’s immediate family.
(Id. at 15.) In the alternative, Podpeskar defines a “Minnesota class” the same, except restricted to the state. (Id. at 16.)
Makita initially moved to dismiss Pod-peskar’s complaint on January 8, 2016. Podpeskar responded by amending the complaint on January 29, 2016. Makita
ANALYSIS
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
In reviewing a motion to dismiss brought under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6), the Court considers all facts alleged in the complaint as true to determine if the complaint “state[s] a claim to relief ’that is plausible on its face.” Braden v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.,
II. WARRANTY CLAIMS
Podpeskar brings claims for both breach of express warranty and breach of the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness based on the allegedly defective battery design, which resulted in a shorter battery life than expected. Makita argues Podpeskar’s warranty claims must be dismissed on various grounds that are addressed, in turn, below.
A. Pre-Lawsuit Notice
First, Makita argues that the Court should dismiss both the express and implied warranty claims because Podpeskar did not provide pre-lawsuit notice of a breach of warranty. Podpeskar alleges that he contacted Makita; Makita stated the warranty period had lapsed; and, Podpes-kar chose to buy a new product. Podpeskar does not allege he told Makita that there was a breach of warranty or that he intended to sue.
Under Minnesota law, a buyer alleging breach of warranty “must within a reasonable time after the buyer discovers or should have discovered any breach notify the seller of breach or be barred from any remedy.” Minn. Stat. § 336.2-607(3)(a). The purpose оf this requirement is:
(1) to provide the seller with an opportunity to correct the defect ...; (2) to provide the seller with an opportunity to prepare for negotiation and litigation; and ■ (3) to provide the seller with an opportunity to investigate the claims independently while the merchandise remains in a relatively pristine state.
Christian v. Sony Corp. of Am.,
Both parties discuss Drobnak v. Andersen Corp., in which the Eighth Circuit discussed the notice requirement in section 336.2-607(3)(a).
The notice ‘of the breach’ required is not of the facts, which the seller presumably knows quite as well as, if not better than, the buyer, but of buyer’s claim that they constitute a breach. The purpose of the notice is to advise the seller that he must meet a claim for damages, as to which, rightly or wrongly, the law requires that he shall have early warning.
Id. at 785 (quoting Am. Mfg. Co. v. U.S. Shipping Bd. Emergency Corp.,
However, other parts of the opinion suggest that the notice requirement is not so strict. The reasoning in Drobnak suggests a buyer must notify the seller that there is a problem with the particular transaction or product, but the Eighth Circuit also stated that “[t]he bar for sufficiency is low,” id. at 784; that “[njotice is sufficient so long as it ‘let[sj the seller know that the transaction is still troublesome and must be watched,’ ” id. (second alteration in original) (quoting Minn. Stat. § 336.2-607, U.C.C. cmt. 4); and that the purpose of notification is to “open[] the way for normal settlement through negotiation,” id. (quoting Minn. Stat. § 336.2-607, U.C.C. cmt. 4). The court in Drobnak did not distinguish between notification of a specific problem and specific notification of a breach of warranty—-as Makita suggests. Indеed, the facts of the case did not require the Eighth Circuit to decide that issue, since the plaintiffs provided no notice of either type. Considering Drobnak and the statute’s underlying purpose “to defeat commercial bad faith, not to deprive a good faith consumer of his [or her] remedy,” Minn. Stat. § 336.2-607, U.C.C. cmt. 4, the Court finds that a buyer need only notify the seller that he or she is unsatisfied with the product, but need not specifically state that there was a breach of warranty to satisfy the notice requirement.
Here, Podpeskar provides few details of his notice to Makita, stating only he contacted Makita and Makita told Pod-peskar his warranty was expirеd. (See Am. Compl. at 8.) But from those factual allegations, it follows that Podpeskar must have complained about the quality of the battery—his problem—and Makita told Podpeskar it would not solve his problem. Indeed, the purposes of the notice requirement are sufficiently met in this case. Makita had an opportunity to correct the defect by replacing or fixing Podpes-kar’s battery. Makita knew to look at the Podpeskar transaction and could have prepared for negotiation based on Podpes-kar’s complaint. Accordingly, the Court rejects Makita’s argument that Podpeskar failed to satisfy the pre-lawsuit notiсe requirement.
B. Limited Warranty
Second, Makita argues the Court should dismiss the express warranty claim because the applicable limited warranty does not cover a design defect. Makita argues that the battery was subject to a limited warranty, only covering defects from workmanship and materials. “[Djefects in material and workmanship refer to departures from a product’s intended design,” and not “inadequacy of the design itself.” Bruce Martin Constr., Inc. v. CTB, Inc.,
Each Makita Lithium-Ion tool is warranted to be free of defects from workmanship and materials for the period of THREE YEARS from the date of original purchase. The Makita Lithium-Ion battery has a limited ONE YEAR warranty. Should any trouble develop during the three-year period for the Lithium-Ion tool and during the one-year period for the Lithium-Ion battery, return the COMPLETE tool and or battery, freight prepaid, to one of Makita’s Factory or Authorized Service Centers.
If inspection shows the trouble is caused by defective workmanship or material, Makita will repair (or at our option, replace) without charge.
(Decl. of Isaac W. Messmore in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss, Ex. 1 (“Warranty”), Jan. 8, 2016, Docket No. 14 (emphasis added).)
The difference in language between the sentence about the tool warranty and the one about the battery warranty could have been purposeful, as Podpeskar contends, meaning that Makita intended to limit the tool warranty to workmanship and material defects; however, the Court must read the entire warranty together. See Brookfield Trade Ctr., Inc. v. Cty. of Ramsey,
Podpeskar also argues that Makita’s advertising statements are express warranties, which conflict with and should override the workmanship and material limitation. Podpeskar points to several of Makita’s marketing statements, including: “15-minute rapid optimum charger communicates with the battery’s built-in chip throughout the charging process to optimize battery life by actively controlling current, voltage and temperature.” (Am. Compl. at 5-6.) And that the tool “[a]c-cepts Makita 18-Volt LXT lithium-ion battery for even longer run time.” (Id.) Podpeskar argues that these statements warrant that the chip will have increased battery life, and the workmanship and material limitation cannot be read to prohibit breaches of that warranty involving design defects.
However, “[t]o be actionable, warranties must be more than ‘mere puf-fery.’” Windsor Craft Sales, LLC v. VICEM Yat Sanayi ve Ticaret AS, No. 10-297,
Podpeskar next argues that even if the workmanship and materials limitation applies to the battery, the Court should find it unconscionable. Workmanship and materials warranties are not categorically unconscionable. See In re Caterpillar, Inc., C13 and C15 Engine Prods. Liab. Litig., No. 14-3722,
The Court finds that Podpeskar pleaded sufficient facts regarding unconscionability, and “the Court must allow [Podpeskar] ‘the opportunity to submit evidence regarding the disclaimer’s commercial setting, purpose, and effect.’” Johnson v. Bobcat Co.,
Next, Makita argues that the Court should dismiss Podpeskar’s fraud-based claims because he failed to plead them with sufficient particularity. The heightened pleading requirement of Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b) applies to Podpeskar’s UTPA and FSAA claims, see Select Comfort Corp. v. Sleep Better Store, LLC,
Rule 9(b) requires that the circumstances surrounding a party’s allegations of fraud or mistake must be pleaded with particularity. Courts have construed this requirement to mean that “the complaint must allege such matters as the time, place, and contents of false representations, as well as the identity of the person making the misrepresentation and what was obtained or given up thereby.” Ransom v. VFS, Inc.,
A. Particular Statements
Podpeskar contends that he satisfied the particularity requirement. In response to Makita’s motion, Podpeskar points to several allegations. First, Pod-peskar alleged that- Makita “advertised and expressly warranted the batteries to not only be ‘thoroughly inspected and tested before leaving the factory,’ but also ‘free of defects.’ ” (Am. Compl.' аt 5 (citing the warranty on Makita’s website).) Second, Podpeskar’s complaint contained several statements regarding the optimized battery life from the Home Depot and CPO Outlets websites, including: the battery and charger combination “optimize[d] battery life by actively controlling current, voltage, and temperature”; the “built-in fan ... cool[ed] the battery,” which would produce “more lifetime work”; the specific battery resulted in an “even longer run time”;,and the battery and charger combination “maximize[d] battery life” and took “only 30 minutes, to charge.” (Id. at 5-6.) Finally, Podpeskar alleged that “[u]pon information and belief, [Makita] and its agents would represent that the [b]atteries should last approximately 1,000- charges.” (Id. at 6.)
Because many of the statements Pod-peskar relies upon suffer from certain infirmities,
B. Duty to Disclose
Makita also argues that Podpes-kar did not sufficiently allege that Makita had a duty to disclose material facts, and that therefore, Podpeskar’s claims based on fraudulent omissions or nondisclosures fail. “As a general rule, one party to a transaction has no duty to disclose material facts to the other.” Taylor Inv. Corp. v. Weil,
Podpeskar aims for the second exception, and alleges that Makita “had special knowledge of material facts to which [Pod-peskar] and the [c]lass members did not have access, and, therefore, had a duty to disclose these facts to the other party so as to prevent its statements from being misleading.” (Am. Compl. at 23.) In Graphic Communications, the Minnesota Supreme Court held a plaintiff is required to allege “actual knowledge of fraudulent conduct.”
C. Reliance and Causation
Next, Makita argues that Podpeskar’s common law fraud claims fail because Pod-
While the Complaint is not a model of clarity, the Court finds that Podрeskar sufficiently alleged reliance to move forward. Podpeskar alleged: he “reasonably relied upon the statements made by Maki-ta on the [b]atteries’ packaging,” (Am. Compl. at 7); “Makita also represented, through its omissions, that the [bjatteries were free of defects and would function properly,” (id.); and that “he would not have purchased the [bjatteries or he would have either negotiated additional warranty coverage, negotiated a lower price to reflect the risk, or simply avoided the risk altogether by purchasing a different product” if he had “known the [bjatteries were defective and would fail prеmaturely,” (id. at 22). Accepting these allegations as true, Podpeskar alleged that he relied on statements and omissions suggesting the product was not defective at the time of purchase and that he was damaged by this reliance.
D. Public Benefit
Makita argues that Podpes-kar’s UTPA and FSAA claims also fail because he failed to allege a public benefit. A plaintiff pursuing relief under the Private Attorney General Statute must “demonstrate that their cause of action benefits the public.” In re Levaquin Prods. Liab. Litig.,
Here, several factors weigh in favor of finding Podpeskar sufficiently pleaded a public benefit: Podpeskar attempts to bring a class action and injunction and the product was likely widely disseminated; thus, Podpeskar seeks to benefit more than just himself. While it is less clear if the harm is ongoing, cf. Johnson,
IV. EQUITABLE CLAIMS
A. Unjust Enrichment
Makita contends that Podpeskar’s unjust enrichment claim should be dismissed because he has an equitable remedy at law; whereas Podpeskar responds that he is properly pleading the unjust enrichment claim in the alternative. “So long as an adequate legal remedy exists, equitable remedies like unjust enrichment are not available.” Loftness Specialized Farm Equip., Inc. v. Twiestmeyer,
B. Declaratory and Injunctive Relief
Makita also challengеs Podpeskar’s declaratory and injunctive relief claim, arguing that it is actually a remedy and not a stand-alone claim, and therefore it should be dismissed. Podpeskar contends that it is premature to dismiss his declaratory relief claim as duplicative or arising under his substantive claims because declaratory relief may be necessary if an injunctive relief class is certified under Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(2). Gooch v. Life Inv’rs Co.,
Podpeskar’s claim asks for a declaration, stating that Makita’s “batteries have defects,” that Makita “knew of the defects,” and requiring Makita to “re-audit and reassess all prior warranty claims” and “establish an inspection program” for class members’ claims. (Am. Compl. at 30.) The requested declaratory relief is very similar to that discussed in Gooch,
Makita, rightly argues, however, that declaratory and injunctive relief are remedies rather than claims, and should be dismissed. See Motley v. Homecomings Fin., LLC,
ORDER
Based on the foregoing, and all of the files, records, and proceedings herein, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Makita’s Motion to Dismiss [Docket No. 38] is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part as follows:
1. The motion is GRANTED with regard to Podpeskar’s declaratory and in-junctive relief claim. The declaratory and injunctive relief claim is DISMISSED with prejudice.
Notes
. The Court will cite to CM/ECF page numbers rather than paragraph numbers for the Amended Complaint because the Amended Complaint repeats paragraph numbers. (See Am. Compl. at 13-14.)
. For example, Podpeskar quotes the following review from Amazon.com in his complaint:
These batteries have a design defect that will kill them prematurely and a 'feature' that will force you to buy another.
There is internal circuit to control charge and count how many times it has charged or failed charging. This circuit is powered off a couple cells only, so if you leave without use too long those cells will zero out while the remaining are fully charged. This will cause a fail chаrging, and while it could be recoverable (if not too deep discharged) the scheme of a ‘smart battery’ (should we call it a scam?) prevents it from charging on the ‘smart charger' and you are out $100 for a new one.”
(Am. Compl. at 9 (from "BadApple” on January 8, 2012).)
. This extension of the warranty applies retroactively according to Makita’s brief and its website. (See Def.’s Mem. in Supp. of Mot. to Dismiss at 3-4, Mar. 18, 2016, Docket No. 40 (citing Innovation Press Release, Makita Launches Upgraded 3-Year Lithium-Ion Warranty, MakitaTools.com (Oct. 1, 2015), https:// www.makitatools.com/company/press-releases/2015/makita-launches-upgraded-3-year-lithium-ion-warranty).)
. The Eighth Circuit applied Indiana law in Bruce Martin Construction,
. “In addition to the pleadings, the Court may properly consider materials that are necessarily embraced by the pleadings.” Sagehorn v. Indep. Sch. Dist. No. 728,
: Podpeskar’s claims regarding the warranty language Would not, by themselves, satisfy the Rule 9(b) standard because the statements specifically relate to a warranty for defects in workmanship, (See Warranty; see also Am. Compl. at 5.) Further, Podpeskar’s statements pleaded on “information and belief” could not independently support a finding that Pod-peskar met Rule 9(b)’s particularity requirement. See Drobnak,
. Makita notes that the statements Podpeskar relied upon are from retailer websites and riot directly from Makita. But, Makita failed to cite any case law obligating the Court to credit the statements to the retailers. And, in fact,
. Makita also argues that the unjust enrichment claim should be dismissed because Pod-peskar failed to plead the claim with particularity under Rule 9(b). The parties agree that Rule 9(b) applies to an unjust enrichment claim based on fraud. See Khoday,