Wavelinq, Inc. v. JDS Lightwave Products Group, Inc.

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
FILED
August 14, 2008
No. 05-11359
Charles R. Fulbruge III
Clerk
WAVELINQ, INC.; ET AL.,
Plaintiffs,
WAVELINQ, INC.,
Plaintiff–Appellee–Cross Appellant,
v.
JDS LIGHTWAVE PRODUCTS GROUP, INC.; JDS UNIPHASE, INC., formerly
known as JDS FITEL, Inc.,
Defendants–Appellants–Cross Appellees.
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Texas
No. 3:01-CV-1752
Before KING, GARZA, and OWEN, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
Wavelinq, Inc. and Jim Seago (collectively Wavelinq) sued JDS Lightwave
Products Group, Inc. and JDS Uniphase, Inc. f/k/a JDS Fitel, Inc. (collectively
JDS) for royalties it alleged were owed under an asset purchase agreement. A
jury returned a verdict in favor of Wavelinq, and all parties have appealed. The
*
Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be
published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R.
47.5.4.
No. 05-11359
district court erred in applying the Texas prejudgment interest rate, and we
accordingly reverse and remand to the district court for further proceedings. In
all other respects, we affirm the judgment of the district court.
I
Wavelinq, Inc. and its sole shareholder, Jim Seago, designed and
manufactured a wavelength monitoring unit (WMU) for fiberoptic transmission
systems. JDS purchased Wavelinq and its assets in exchange for cash, a job at
JDS for Seago, and an “earn-out” provision. The earn-out provision stated that
JDS would pay Seago seven percent of product sales each year for three years.
The annual earn-out amounts were capped at $1,000,000, $1,500,000, and
$2,500,000 respectively in the first, second, and third years for a total of
$5,000,000. JDS was responsible for calculating how much it owed in earn-out
payments within thirty days of the end of each year.
JDS failed to provide any earn-out statements to Wavelinq for the first two
years. After the third year, JDS supplied a vague earn-out statement that
itemized sales for each year: the statement merely listed a net revenue for each
JDS location but did not identify what products were included in the
calculations, the price of the units sold, how many units were sold, or to whom
the units were sold. JDS does not dispute that it owes Wavelinq $897,773 as
reflected in this earn-out statement, but JDS has not paid anything to Wavelinq
because it argues that a portion of the contract does not require payment until
any disputes are resolved.
Wavelinq sued JDS for breach of contract, claiming that JDS failed to
include certain products in the earn-out statement and also left out a number of
sales for the products that were included. The case was tried before a jury.
The jury charge was divided into two sections: liability and damages. The
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No. 05-11359
section on liability asked whether JDS failed to comply with the Asset Purchase
Agreement with regard to three separate categories: (1) “disputed products,”
products that Wavelinq contended were within the earn-out provision;
(2) “undisputed products,” products JDS had included within the earn-out but
for which Wavelinq contended the sales amounts were understated; and
(3) “earn-out statements,” amounts reflected on JDS’s yearly statements to
Seago, which the parties agreed would be owed but disputed when payment was
required. The second section asked the jury to assess damages for any of the
three categories to which it had answered “yes” in the first section and presented
a blank space for each of the three categories.
The jury found that JDS breached the agreement with regard to all three
categories. The jury was apparently confused, however, in answering the
damage questions. The jury initially returned a verdict allocating nothing for
the first two categories, despite an affirmative answer to the liability questions,
but it allocated $5,000,000 for the earn-out statements category, even though the
parties agreed on the amount owed, $897,773.
The district court gave the jury additional instructions. The jury was
instructed that they should leave the first two categories blank if they agreed
with JDS, but if they agreed with Wavelinq, they should allocate the
$5,000,000—the maximum amount under the Asset Purchase Agreement if all
of the yearly caps were met—among all three categories. The district court
specifically pointed the jury to two exhibits, one showing Wavelinq’s model for
damages and another showing the amount claimed for earn-out statements. The
district court told the jury that if they agreed with Wavelinq, they should consult
these exhibits, subtracting the damages for undisputed products and earn-out
statements from the $5,000,000 cap to reach the amount available for disputed
3
No. 05-11359
products. The jury returned a second verdict, allocating $1,500,000 for disputed
products, $750,000 for undisputed products, and $2,750,000 for earn-out
statements. Following postverdict motions, the district court reduced the
damages for earn-out statements to $897,773 for a total verdict of $3,147,773 in
favor of Wavelinq. JDS appeals, and Wavelinq cross-appeals.
II
JDS contends that it was entitled to judgment as a matter of law that none
of the disputed products are included within the earn-out provision. We review
a district court’s denial of judgment as a matter of law de novo,2 finding
judgment as a matter of law appropriate when “a party has been fully heard on
an issue . . . [and] a reasonable jury would not have a legally sufficient
evidentiary basis to find for the party on that issue.”3 At issue are broadband
wavelength lockers, narrowband wavelength lockers, lasers with integrated
monitors–lockers, and integrated power monitors–channel monitors. Relatedly,
JDS contends that it was error for the jury to determine whether the agreement
had been breached by the failure to include disputed products in the earn-out
statements.
Due to a choice of law clause in the Asset Purchase Agreement, Ontario
law controls the agreement.4 Under Ontario law, “[t]he cardinal rule of contract
2
Anthony v. Chevron USA, Inc., 284 F.3d 578, 583 (5th Cir. 2002).
3
FED. R. CIV. P. 50(a).
4
Int’l Interests, L.P. v. Hardy, 448 F.3d 303, 306 (5th Cir. 2006) (“In diversity cases, a
federal court must follow the choice of law rules of the forum state . . . .”). “The Supreme Court
of Texas has recognized that contractual choice of law provisions should generally be
enforced . . . .” Id. at 306-07 (citing DeSantis v. Wackenhut Corp., 793 S.W.2d 670, 677 (Tex.
1990)).
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interpretation ‘is that the court should give effect to the intention of the parties
as expressed in their written agreement,’ and where the intention of the parties
‘is plainly expressed in the language of the agreement, the court should not stray
beyond the four corners of the agreement.’”5 The only outside evidence allowed
is the commercial context of the contract “to show the purpose for which various
contractual provisions were included.”6
The earn-out provision defined “product sales” as follows:
“Product Sales” means wavelength monitoring or spectral
analysis devices employed in Wavelength Division
Multiplexing (WDM) network applications that are
manufactured and sold by JDS and its subsidiaries and its
successors (including successors by merger) as determined by
calculating the gross invoiced amount less returns and other
discounts (other than trade discounts and receivable discounts)
as determined in accordance with GAAP. For greater clarity,
these “Products”:
(1) will provide accurate measurements of optical
performance parameters such as wavelengths,
linewidths, intensity levels, noise floor and optical
signal-to-noise ratio; and
(2) may incorporate, but are not limited to, grating,
photodetector array and DSP (Digital Signal Processing)
technologies.
Testimony at trial described the basic processes involved in fiberoptics
transmission systems. In the most basic fiberoptic transmission system, data
is transmitted through fiberoptic cable with lasers. A laser on one end will flash
a light, and a receiver on the other end detects light pulses. A basic fiberoptic
5
Venture Capital USA Inc. v. Yorkton Sec. Inc., [2005] 75 O.R.3d 325, 333 (quoting
KPMG Inc. v. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, [1998] O.J. No. 4746).
6
Prenor Trust Co. of Can. v. Kerkhoff Props. Inc., [1994] 21 Alta. L.R.3d 122, ¶ 16.
5
No. 05-11359
transmission allows a single channel of light.
A more advanced system can send multiple light waves through a single
fiberoptic cable at the same time. The receiver unit is capable of identifying a
large number of light pulses simultaneously, distinguished by their colors and
reading data based on which discrete lights are on and off at certain times. This
type of multicolored light transmission system is known as wavelength division
multiplexing (WDM). Each light pulse within the WDM is referred to as a
channel.
The color of the laser light is determined by the wavelength of the light
pulses. Because a large number of colors can be broadcast at the same time over
the same cable, the wavelengths need to be monitored to ensure that each signal
is the proper color. JDS purchased a Wavelinq device that was a WMU.
Wavelength monitoring is basically controlling the subtle shades of the laser
colors. Channel monitoring and wavelength monitoring are interchangeable
terms. The WMU also performs a power monitoring function that ensures that
the lights from the laser are bright enough to reach the receiver on the other end
of the fiberoptic network.
Another type of relevant technology is spectral analysis devices. These
monitor the power levels at various individual wavelengths as opposed to the
device as a whole.
The definition in the earn-out agreement lists a number of characteristics
for “product sales.” The devices must be “wavelength monitoring or spectral
analysis devices employed in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) network
applications.” Thus they must either monitor the wavelength, color, and channel
of the light or monitor power at wavelengths. They must also be used in WDM
(multichannel) network applications.
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No. 05-11359
The agreement further states that products “will provide accurate
measurements of optical performance parameters such as wavelengths,
linewidths, intensity levels, noise floor and optical signal-to-noise ratio;
and . . . may incorporate, but are not limited to, grating, photodetector array and
DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technologies” [emphasis added]. JDS argues
that the list of five optical performance parameters is meant to be read as a
requirement that a product perform all five measurements at the same time.
The Wavelinq WMU is the only product that can measure all five parameters
simultaneously (thus excluding all other products from the earn-out).
JDS bases its argument on the plural “s” attached throughout the
definition. Paragraph 1.3 of the Asset Purchase Agreement states that “unless
the context requires otherwise, words importing the singular include the plural
and vice versa . . . .” Because the context does not demand otherwise, we impart
no special meaning to the plural forms. The definition also states that the
products will contain optical performance parameters “such as,” suggesting that
the list is demonstrative and not exhaustive.
The product may incorporate technologies like those listed. The word
“may” suggests that these technologies can be utilized by the products but are
not a necessary component. Additionally, the technologies are not limited to
those listed, so the list is not necessarily exhaustive. JDS argues that because
the listed components, in the listed order, are the core of the Wavelinq monitor
design, they should be construed as being satisfied only by a Wavelinq monitor
or similar design. Nothing in the definition requires that a design include
all—or any—of the three listed components.
A wavelength locker is used in dense WDM transmission systems to
stabilize the wavelength of the light pulses emitted by the lasers. The locker is
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No. 05-11359
tuned to an individual channel, where it filters and detects a small amount of
the laser light source and provides a stabilizing feedback signal to ensure that
the source continues to emit the proper wavelength. JDS’s product description
for wavelength lockers stated that it was used in dense WDM systems to monitor
channel frequency and optical power. Channel frequency is a synonym for
channel wavelength, so the device functions as a channel wavelength monitor.
A locker is a one-channel-at-a-time device—if a fiberoptic cable contains
eighty channels, it will require eighty lockers. Narrowband and broadband
lockers are different only in packaging—companies could either purchase all of
the lockers they needed as a broadband locker unit with one product number for
multiple lockers or as a narrowband unit with individual product numbers for
each locker. The lockers were offered in this manner for the ease and choice of
the purchasing company depending on their administrative needs.
JDS did not include any locker sales on the earn-out statement it provided
to Wavelinq, arguing that lockers do not fall under the product definition. First,
JDS contends that because an individual locker focuses on a single wavelength,
it could not work with a multichannel signal and therefore does not fall within
the definition. This analysis assumes that a single product must be capable of
monitoring a multichannel signal, yet there is no such requirement in the
definition of “product sales.” The definition merely requires that a product be
used in WDM network applications, and a series of lockers can be combined to
monitor all available wavelengths within a WDM network.
Second, JDS argues that because lockers were available at the time of the
agreement, they should not be included in the earn-out. Nothing in the
agreement excludes preexisting products. Further, two of the undisputed
products that JDS included in the earn-out statement, OPM and Queensgate,
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No. 05-11359
existed at the time of the agreement.
Under the product definition, lockers are wavelength monitoring devices
that are employed in WDM network applications. They measure wavelength,
linewidth, and intensity levels. Though they do not contain grating or DSP, they
contain something similar to a photodetector array: each locker contains two
photodetectors, so the combination of the necessary amount of lockers for use in
a WDM network will yield a large number of photodetectors, similar to a
photodetector array. The narrowband and broadband lockers are not explicitly
excluded by the product definition.
JDS also argues that lasers with integrated monitors do not fall within the
product definition. Its argument is based on the assumption that the definition
is meant to only include Wavelinq’s WMU and similar designs. The integrated
units are dissimilar to the Wavelinq WMU.
The integrated products are created by packaging a monitor or locker with
a laser or other network application. The laser channel monitor–locker is sold
as a combined unit that provides a monitor or locker to control the laser and is
a type of wavelength monitor. The integrated power monitor–channel monitor
is used to monitor individual transmission channels or laser powers. It is a type
of spectral analysis device because it measures power over channels. Both
integrated products are designed for use in WDM network applications. Each
measures a number of the optical performance parameters. The integrated
products contain the necessary features to possibly fall under the product
definition.
The agreement defines products through illustrative lists of technologies
and features that are explicitly nonexhaustive. The agreement requires only
that the product either monitor the wavelength, color, and channel of the light
9
No. 05-11359
or monitor power at wavelengths, be used in WDM network applications, and
provide accurate measurements of optical performance parameters. The district
court did not err in failing to hold, as a matter of law, that the disputed products
were excluded from the earn-out provisions. For the same reason, any error in
submitting to the jury whether the disputed products were “products” under the
Asset Purchase Agreement was harmless as to JDS.
III
Both parties lodge a myriad of complaints concerning the jury’s verdict and
the district court’s subsequent supplemental instructions and resubmission to
the jury; however, neither party objects to the original jury charge. Wavelinq
argues that the district court should have entered judgment on the first verdict
in its favor for $5,000,000. JDS argues that the supplemental instructions
tainted the jury’s deliberations. We conclude that the district court did not err
in resubmitting the case to the jury and that the accompanying supplemental
instructions were not an abuse of discretion.
A
The practice of resubmission to the jury for clarification when the verdict
is conflicting is well-established. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 49(b) explicitly
allows a district court to “direct the jury to further consider its answers and
verdict” when the answers to interrogatories are inconsistent with the general
verdict or each other.6 Rule 49(a), which concerns special verdicts, does not
explicitly provide for resubmission to the jury. However, we have held that
special verdicts, such as the one involved in this case, should be treated the same
6
FED. R. CIV. P. 49(b).
10
No. 05-11359
because Rule 49(a) does not prohibit resubmission of inconsistent verdicts and
it has long been the practice of this circuit.7 The majority of circuits agree.8 The
Ninth Circuit noted that it “promotes both fairness and efficiency.”9
In University Computing Co. v. Lykes–Youngstown Corp., we held that “the
trial court had the authority to request the jury to correct its verdict.”10 In that
breach of contract and misappropriation action, the jury awarded punitive
damages for misappropriation and conversion but did not award actual damages
on those counts.11 The defendants argued that because the jury did not award
any actual damages, the initial verdict amounted to a finding of no injury with
respect to those counts.12 In rejecting that argument, we noted that although the
problem has “arisen infrequently,” courts have generally held that “a trial court
may order a jury to continue its deliberation if the verdict is contrary to the
7
Nance v. Gulf Oil Corp., 817 F.2d 1176, 1178 (5th Cir. 1987) (citing Perricone v.
Kansas City S. Ry. Co., 704 F.2d 1376, 1379 (5th Cir. 1983); Guidry v. Kem Mfg. Co., 604 F.2d
320, 321 (5th Cir. 1979); Fugitt v. Jones, 549 F.2d 1001, 1005 (5th Cir. 1977); Morrison v.
Frito-Lay, Inc., 546 F.2d 154, 160-61 & n. 10 (5th Cir. 1977); and Landry v. Offshore Logistics,
Inc., 544 F.2d 757, 761 (5th Cir. 1977)).
8
See Mateyko v. Felix, 924 F.2d 824, 827 (9th Cir. 1991); Karl v. Burlington N. R.R. Co.,
880 F.2d 68, 72-73 (8th Cir. 1989); Santiago-Negron v. Castro-Davila, 865 F.2d 431, 444 (1st
Cir. 1989); Auwood v. Harry Brandt Booking Office, Inc., 850 F.2d 884, 890-91 (2d Cir. 1988).
But see McCollum v. Stahl, 579 F.2d 869, 871 (4th Cir. 1978) (holding that a resubmission was
an abuse of discretion because “the remand of the questions to the jury was tantamount, in its
effect, to a direction to the jury to find liability in order to warrant the award of damages”).
9
Mateyko, 924 F.2d at 827.
10
504 F.2d 518, 547 (5th Cir. 1974).
11
Id. at 546.
12
Id.
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No. 05-11359
court’s instructions”13 or “if the jury returns two inconsistent verdicts.”14
Wavelinq argues that resubmission was neither appropriate nor necessary
because it was clear that the jury’s intent was to award $5,000,000. Wavelinq
contends that the district court should have reapportioned the damages among
the three categories such that Wavelinq was awarded $5,000,000. Wavelinq
cites a number of authorities where the district court corrected inconsistent
answers to special interrogatories, but Wavelinq’s authorities are clearly
distinguishable. In G.A. Thompson & Co. v. Partridge, a district court entered
judgment for approximately $120,000 against four defendants jointly and
severally when a jury mistakenly awarded approximately $30,000 against each
of the defendants.15 Other situations with courts altering verdicts generally
occur when the jury reduces a damage award based on negligence attributed to
the liable party.16 We have recognized that the district court “may correct
clerical errors in a verdict and must harmonize apparently conflicting verdicts.”17
However, none of these cases permitted a district court to adjust the allocation
among different damage categories as Wavelinq argues the district court should
have done here.
13
Id. at 547 (citing Alston v. West, 340 F.2d 856 (7th Cir. 1965) and Grober v. Capital
Transit Co., 119 F. Supp. 100 (D.D.C. 1954)).
14
Id. (citing Wells Truckways, Ltd. v. Burch, 247 F.2d 194 (10th Cir. 1957)).
15
636 F.2d 945, 963-64 (5th Cir. 1981).
16
See, e.g., Geosearch, Inc. v. Howell Petroleum Corp., 819 F.2d 521, 528 (5th Cir. 1987)
(district court allowed recovery of the full damage award where the jury awarded 55% of
uncontested damages against a defendant who was found 45% negligent).
17
Id. at 527 (citing FED. R. CIV. P. 60(a); Atlantic & Gulf Stevedores, Inc. v. Ellerman
Lines, Ltd., 369 U.S. 355, 364 (1962); and Mercer v. Long Mfg. N.C., Inc., 665 F.2d 61, 65 (5th
Cir. 1982)).
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More importantly, the district court recognized the jury’s confusion when
it awarded $5,000,000 in a category in which the parties agreed the maximum
amount was $897,773. The district court gave supplemental instructions with
an explanation of how to allocate the damages based on each party’s arguments
and damage models. The district court did not err in refusing to enter the first
verdict and resubmitting the matter to the jury for further consideration.
B
JDS challenges the district court’s supplemental jury instructions.
Because neither party objected to the original jury charge in district court,
appellate review is precluded “unless the error is so fundamental as to result in
a miscarriage of justice.”18 As JDS objected to the supplemental instructions, our
review of the supplemental instructions is for abuse of discretion.19 “A district
court does not abuse its discretion if its instructions, as a whole, state the law
correctly and instruct the jury properly on the legal principles to be applied to
the facts that they will decide.”20
The district court discussed the jury’s initial verdict, stating there were
two logical ways to read it. The jury could have agreed with JDS concerning
Wavelinq’s failure to prove damages for disputed and undisputed products and
intended to award no damages in those categories to Wavelinq. The other
possibility was that the jury decided Wavelinq proved its case and intended to
award the full $5,000,000 under the damage caps. The district court instructed
the jury that if this was the case, the damages would need to be allocated among
18
Farrar v. Cain, 756 F.2d 1148, 1150 (5th Cir. 1985).
19
Nat’l Hispanic Circus, Inc. v. Rex Trucking, Inc., 414 F.3d 546, 550 (5th Cir. 2005).
20
Id. (citing United States v. Dien Duc Huynh, 246 F.3d 734, 738 (5th Cir. 2001)).
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the three categories. The district court specifically pointed the jury to
Wavelinq’s damage model and the exhibit that showed the maximum award
recoverable for the category covering the earn-out statements. The district court
stated that to stay within the $5,000,000 cap, the jury might consider calculating
the amounts for undisputed products and earn-out statements, subtracting that
number from $5,000,000, and placing the remainder in the disputed products
category. The district court explicitly told the jury that “I am not trying to push
you in one direction or the other” and that the district court wanted the verdict
to be the jury’s own.
JDS cites Belton v. Fibreboard Corp., in which we held that the judge
invaded the jury’s fact-finding function with instructions expressing opinions on
damages and encouraging a specific verdict.21 In Belton, a jury returned an
initial verdict, but the district court told them that because the other defendants
had settled with the plaintiffs, they would have to make the damage award
higher if the plaintiffs were to recover from the nonsettling defendant.22 The
district court asked: “I presume this is the amount that you feel that they should
recover from the defendant; is that correct?”23 We deemed this to be an
inappropriate comment on the factual issue of damages.24 The jury then
returned a second verdict, but that verdict still would not have allowed the
plaintiffs to recover the full amount the jury had stated in the first verdict when
they were under the impression that the plaintiffs’ settlement with the other
21
724 F.2d 500, 505-06 (5th Cir. 1984).
22
Id. at 506.
23
Id.
24
Id.
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No. 05-11359
defendants would not be deducted.25 At this point, the district court told the jury
the amounts of the previous settlements and instructed them to deliberate
further.26 We reversed because it was “clear that the verdict upon which the
judgment appealed from was entered did not represent the views of an impartial
jury.”27
However, in Belton, we noted that a district “judge has the right to
comment on the evidence, but may not comment on the ultimate factual issues
to be decided.”28 Relying on University Computing Co. v. Lykes–Youngstown
Corp., we noted that when the district court received the first verdict and
concluded that the jury did not understand the charge, the district court would
have been “free to ask the jury members whether their verdict was intended to
reflect the total amount of the plaintiffs’ damages, to reinstruct them, and to
allow them to deliberate further.”29 In the present case, the district court’s
supplemental instructions were significantly more evenhanded than in Belton.
The district court presented both plausible explanations for the jury’s first
verdict and instructed them how to clarify their intent to ensure that they
understood the initial charge. The district court also was careful to explain how
the jury might use the evidence without commenting on its weight.
25
Id. at 503.
26
Id. at 503-04.
27
Id. at 506.
28
Id. at 505-06 (citing Quercia v. United States, 289 U.S. 466, 470 (1933) and
McCullough v. Beech Aircraft Corp., 587 F.2d 754, 761 (5th Cir. 1979)).
29
Id. at 506 (citing FED. R. CIV. P. 49(b); Univ. Computing Co. v. Lykes–Youngstown
Corp., 504 F.2d 518, 547 (5th Cir. 1974); and Stewart v. Atl. Pipe Line Co., 470 F.2d 738 (5th
Cir. 1972), modified, 479 F.2d 311 (5th Cir. 1973)).
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No. 05-11359
The district court’s supplemental instructions are in line with situations
in which a court of appeals has affirmed a district court’s supplemental
instructions upon resubmission of a verdict. In University Computing Co. v.
Lykes–Youngstown Corp., the district court reminded the jury that if it was their
intention to find that the plaintiff was not damaged with respect those counts
where the jury had awarded punitive but not actual damages, then the jury only
needed to return a verdict for the defendants.30 We approved of those
supplemental instructions because they “clearly and properly notif[ied] the jury
of its options without making any attempt to sway the jury in its deliberations.”31
Likewise, in Alston v. West, the Seventh Circuit concluded that a district court
did not coerce the verdict where the court resubmitted a verdict because the
jury’s first verdict failed to follow the court’s instructions.32 In the first verdict,
the jury found the owner of the automobile that caused an accident liable but not
the agent who actually drove the car despite an explicit instruction by the
district court that such a verdict was not legitimate.33 Because the district court
made “it plain to the jury that they were the sole judges of the facts,” the
Seventh Circuit concluded that the district court acted within it discretion.34 In
the present case, the district court made it clear that the jury was the sole judge
of the facts by twice telling the jury that they could simply return their first
verdict if that was their intent. Given this record, the district court did not
30
Univ. Computing Co., 504 F.2d at 547.
31
Id.
32
340 F.2d 856, 858 (7th Cir. 1965).
33
Id. at 857.
34
Id. at 858.
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No. 05-11359
coerce a certain verdict.
JDS complains that the trial court pointed out Wavelinq’s exhibits and
damage model to the jury when discussing how it might choose to allocate the
$5,000,000. But JDS fails to note that this instruction was given in the context
of what the jury should do if they found JDS liable and agreed with Wavelinq’s
presentation. Inherent in these comments is that these exhibits might be useful
if the jury agreed with Wavelinq. The district court was merely commenting on
the evidence, which is permissible.35 Accordingly, the district court did not abuse
its discretion in giving the supplemental instructions.
IV
Both JDS and Wavelinq appeal the district court’s decision to award
Wavelinq $897,773 for the earn-out category. In the second verdict, the jury had
awarded $2,750,000 for this category. The district court reduced this amount by
granting judgment as a matter of law.
A
JDS contends that the earn-out agreement does not require JDS to pay
Wavelinq any earn-out amount during the pendency of the lawsuit. Although
JDS conceded that it owed $897,773 under the initial earn-out statement, JDS
moved for summary judgment arguing that no payment was due until the
lawsuit concluded. JDS now argues that the district court improperly submitted
the question of the earn-out statement to the jury and should have granted its
summary judgment motion to not require payment until the lawsuit’s conclusion.
We review the denial of JDS’s summary judgment motion on the earn-out
35
Belton v. Fibreboard Corp., 724 F.2d 500, 505 (5th Cir. 1984).
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No. 05-11359
statements de novo.36
Under the earn-out provision of the agreement, JDS was required to
provide Wavelinq with a reasonably detailed earn-out statement within thirty
days after the end of each year. Wavelinq then had fifteen days to object to the
statement. If Wavelinq failed to object, the earn-out statement was accepted,
and JDS was required to pay Wavelinq within five business days. JDS argues
that because Wavelinq objected to the earn-out statement, the five-day period
has not yet expired such that the jury should not have been presented with a
question about these statements.
JDS contends that “an unambiguous contract term says that payment is
not required while a dispute is pending.” The contract does not contain such a
provision—the only relevant provision states when payment is due without
objection. The district court did not err by denying JDS’s summary judgment
motion.
B
Wavelinq argues that the district court improperly granted JDS’s motion
for judgment as a matter of law to reduce the recovery under the verdict for the
earn-out category. We review a district court’s denial for judgment as a matter
of law de novo,37 finding judgment as a matter of law appropriate when “a party
has been fully heard on an issue . . . [and] a reasonable jury would not have a
legally sufficient evidentiary basis to find for the party on that issue.”38
Wavelinq again argues that the jury intended to award Wavelinq
36
Coleman v. Houston Indep. Sch. Dist., 113 F.3d 528, 533 (5th Cir. 1997).
37
Anthony v. Chevron USA, Inc., 284 F.3d 578, 583 (5th Cir. 2002).
38
FED. R. CIV. P. 50(a).
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No. 05-11359
$5,000,000 and asserts that the jury’s intent should trump all other
considerations. It is elementary that a verdict must be supported by the
evidence, and in this case, the evidence, in addition to the parties’ agreement,
limited the maximum recovery to $897,773.
V
JDS argues that the evidence is insufficient to support the jury’s second
verdict, contending that the damage awards have no relation to Wavelinq’s
damage model. JDS also faults Wavelinq’s damage model because it divided the
statements into a year-by-year format rather than a claim-by-claim format that
would comport with the jury instructions. JDS fails to note that within each
year, the models have breakdowns for each type of product, allowing the jury to
convert from a year-based calculation to a claim-based calculation.
JDS argues that the line items in the damage model do not comport with
the jury’s exact awards. For example, the jury awarded 36.44% of disputed
product claims and 90.25% of undisputed product claims that Wavelinq sought
to prove. Wavelinq retorts that the jury reduced the award in the disputed
products category significantly to keep the overall award under the $5,000,000
cap, as instructed by the district court. It is possible under this theory that the
jury found that Wavelinq proved damages in excess of the $1,500,000 for
disputed products but simply allocated the remaining portion of the $5,000,000
to this blank after calculating the undisputed product and earn-out statement
damages. The district court’s supplemental instructions suggested this approach
to the jury should they find for Wavelinq.
The record is not so devoid of evidence that a reasonable person could not
reach the jury’s findings. The confusion seemingly resulted from the jury being
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No. 05-11359
instructed to operate under a $5,000,000 cap. Though the verdict may not
exactly correspond with Wavelinq’s damage model, Wavelinq’s model was not
restricted by the $5,000,000 cap. With the jury operating under the caps, the
verdict is sufficiently based on evidence adduced at trial even though it does not
exactly correspond with the Wavelinq model.
JDS also contends that Wavelinq’s models are flawed due to improper
calculations. Specifically, the returns and discounts subtracted from gross sales
were supposed to be determined according to Generally Accepted Accounting
Practices (GAAP). We reject this argument because there were no applicable
GAAP on the issue of returns and discounts.
JDS also asserts that Wavelinq failed to subtract returned products from
the gross sales on their damage model. The record reflects factual disputes,
which were for the jury to resolve.
JDS also disputes the additional sales that Wavelinq sought to prove for
the undisputed products. JDS complains that Wavelinq did not provide an
actual invoice to prove that the unreported sales occurred. Not only did
Wavelinq provide documents to support the unreported sales, but Seago also
testified at length and in detail of his personal knowledge about these sales.
Accordingly, we conclude that the evidence adduced at trial was sufficient
to support the second verdict.
VI
Finally, JDS contends that the trial court incorrectly applied the Texas
prejudgment interest rate instead of the lower Ontario rate after determining
that JDS failed to give adequate notice of reliance on foreign law on this issue.
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No. 05-11359
We review the district court’s decision on choice of law questions de novo.39
“Issues regarding pre-judgment interest in a diversity case ‘are governed by
applicable state law.’”40 As we have noted earlier, Texas would honor the parties’
choice of Ontario law.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 44.1 requires that a party “who intends to
raise an issue about a foreign country’s law must give notice by a pleading or
other writing.” In considering the reasonableness of notice, the court should
weigh “[t]he stage which the case had reached at the time of the notice, the
reason proffered by the party for his failure to give earlier notice, and the
importance to the case as a whole of the issue of foreign law sought to be
raised.”41
JDS asserted from the beginning of the litigation that Ontario law applies
to all substantive contract issues, as stipulated in the Asset Purchase
Agreement. In multiple briefs and orders, JDS quoted the choice of law clause.
However, JDS did not raise Ontario law for the specific issue of prejudgment
interest until after the final judgment was entered.
Wavelinq argues that JDS has waived its right to address foreign law by
waiting to provide notice on the prejudgment interest question until after the
final judgment was entered. Wavelinq cites two cases to support its waiver
argument, but in both the party failed to give notice of any foreign law issue.42
39
R.R. Mgmt. Co. v. CFS La. Midstream Co., 428 F.3d 214, 221-22 (5th Cir. 2005).
40
Hall v. White, Getgey, Meyer Co., LPA, 465 F.3d 587, 595 (5th Cir. 2006) (quoting
Canal Ins. Co. v. First Gen. Ins. Co., 901 F.2d 45, 47 (5th Cir. 1990)).
41
FED. R. CIV. P. 44.1 advisory committee’s note.
42
See Frietsch v. Refco, Inc., 56 F.3d 825, 828 (7th Cir. 1995); Thyssen Steel Co. v. M/V
Kavo Yerakas, 911 F. Supp. 263, 267 (S.D. Tex. 1996).
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No. 05-11359
Because JDS referred to Ontario law since the beginning of the lawsuit, it did
not waive its foreign law arguments.
Under Ontario law, prejudgment interest begins accruing the date the
cause of action arose and continues to the date of the order.43 Ontario courts will
average the rates over the relevant time period so that recovery is more
accurate.44 Wavelinq argues that Ontario law provides broad discretion to
determine the interest rate. The Courts of Justice Act provides Ontario courts
with broad discretion in determining the amount of prejudgment interest to be
awarded.45 Citing differences in the currency and economy, Wavelinq argues
that these factors weigh heavily in favor of concluding that an Ontario court
would apply the Texas prejudgment interest rate.
Since the parties contracted to use Ontario law, it should govern the
prejudgment interest rate. Accordingly, we reverse the district court’s judgment
to the extent it applied Texas prejudgment interest, and we remand so that
Ontario prejudgment interest law can be applied.
* * *
For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court
in part; REVERSE in part; and REMAND the cause for further proceedings.
Each party shall bear its own costs of this appeal.
43
Court of Justice Act § 128(1), R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43 s. 128 (Can.).
44
Dunlaw Life Ins. Agency Ltd. v. Citadel Life Assurance Co., [2003] O.J. No. 4969,
¶ 10.
45
Court of Justice Act § 130, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.43 s. 130 (Can.).
22