DocketNumber： Case CV F 08-1027 LJO SKO
Judges： Lawrence J. O'Neill
Filed Date： 8/23/2010
Status： Precedential
Modified Date： 11/7/2024
United States District Court, E.D. California.
*1191 Adam Phillip Zaffos, Christopher Van Gundy, Roll International Corporation, Legal Department, Mark D. Campbell, Robert Joseph Catalano, Loeb & Loeb LLP, Los Angeles, CA, for Plaintiff.
Alan Stanley Petlak, Pircher Nichols and Meeks, Los Angeles, CA, Donald H. Chase, Edward P. Gilbert, Latisha V. Thompson, Morrison Cohen LLP, New York, NY, for Defendant.
LAWRENCE J. O'NEILL, District Judge.
This action arises out of plaintiff Paramount Farms, Inc.'s ("Paramount Farms'") purchase of an almond pasteurization system designed and manufactured by defendant Ventilex B.V. ("Ventilex BV"). Ventilex BV seeks summary judgment on Paramount Farms' breach of contract and warranty claims in the absence of its privity with Paramount Farms or vicarious liability. Paramount Farms seeks summary judgment on its claims based on preclusive effects of an arbitration award in its favor against Ventilex USA, Inc. ("Ventilex USA"), a United States-based subsidiary of Ventilex BV. This Court considered Paramount Farms and Ventilex BV's cross-summary judgment motions on the record[1] without a *1192 hearing, pursuant to Local Rule 230(g). For the reasons discussed below, this Court DENIES Paramount Farms summary judgment and GRANTS Ventilex BV summary adjudication on Paramount Farms' breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim and overhead and liquidated damages claims but otherwise denies Ventilex BV summary judgment.
Paramount Farms, a Delaware corporation, processes, produces and markets almonds and pistachios and describes itself as "the world's largest vertically integrated supplier of pistachios and almonds." Paramount Farms performs almond processing at its facilities in Lost Hills, California. Beginning in 2004, Paramount Farms initiated efforts to pasteurize almonds to achieve a "5-log" reduction of Salmonella bacteria[2] which was expected to be imposed by federal and California almond regulators.
Ventilex BV is a Dutch company and a manufacturer of nut pasteurization systems, including the 11 THP Deluxe Ventilex Nut Pasteurization System ("Ventilex System"), which was designed and largely manufactured by Ventilex BV. Ventilex BV specializes in manufacturing industrial machinery, particularly fluid bed drying equipment used in food, concrete and spice industries.
Ventilex USA is not a defendant in this action. Ventilex USA is a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Ohio. Ventilex BV is Ventilex USA's sole shareholder. Ventilex BV notes that Ventilex USA was set up as a separate corporation "to serve the U.S. market independent of Ventilex B.V." and manufacturers its own products and sells third-party products in addition to those of Ventilex BV. Ventilex BV points out that Ventilex USA's purpose is to gain a foothold in the United States in that prior to Ventilex USA's creation, Ventilex BV sold its products to United States customers directly or through contracted agents.
In 2004, after a salmonella outbreak, the Almond Board of California ("ABC") and Paramount Farms investigated reduction of salmonella risk to almonds. The ABC developed an action plan for pasteurization of almonds sold in North America. The ABC created the Technical Expert Review Panel ("TERP") to review almond pasteurization technologies and to validate whether particular technology was able to provide required salmonella reduction. Paramount Farms attributes to Ventilex[3] repeated guarantees "that its technology would obtain all necessary governmental approvals within a reasonable period of time."
In summer 2004, Paramount Farms began discussions with Ventilex USA regarding potential purchase of the Ventilex System. Paramount Farms claims that it "refused to consider purchase of the Ventilex system until it could ``prove' its technology *1193 by obtaining TERP approval of another of its machines installed at California Nut (another almond processor)." Paramount Farms further claims that it communicated that it was interested to purchase the Ventilex System "to comply with current and future governmental regulations." Paramount Farms notes that on November 8, 2005, it decided to purchase the Ventilex System after former Ventilex USA President Thomas Schroeder ("Mr. Schroeder") informed Paramount Farms that "its machine at California Nut had obtained TERP approval."
Paramount Farms entered into a November 9, 2005 three-page Proposal Contract ("Proposal Contract") to purchase for more than $765,000 the Ventilex System.[4] The Proposal Contract identifies Paramount Farms as "Owner" and Ventilex USA as "Contractor" and is signed by Paramount Farms and Ventilex USA,[5] the only parties listed in the Proposal Contract's notice provision. The Proposal Contract identifies no other party and identifies to "constitute the contract" between "Owner and Contractor" several documents. Such documents were assembled by Paramount Farms' Shawn Tremaine ("Mr. Tremaine") and included: (1) Mr. Schroeder's November 8, 2005 letter ("November 8 letter") followed by four pages of specifications ("specifications") and a two-page addendum;[6] (2) the nine-page November 9, 2005 Paramount Farms Inc. Standard Conditions ("Paramount Standard Conditions"); and (3) the six-page Attachment No. 1 Paramount Farms Site/Safety/Environmental/Sanitation Rules and Regulations for Contractors ("Paramount Rules and Regulations"), created on January 11, 2000. Ventilex BV claims that Ventilex USA's four-page General Terms and Conditions of SaleRevised January 2004 ("Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions")[7] was included in the overall agreement.
The November 8 letter is entitled "Ventilex Pasteurization System" and references "VENTILEX USA Inc.," "VENTILEX B.V.," and "VENTILEX." The November 8 letter includes a signature for "Tom Schroeder President," with no entity specified.[8] The November 8 letter states in pertinent part:
VENTILEX USA Inc. and VENTILEX B.V. hereby certifies [sic] that the equipment that we supply will be accepted by the FDA and USDA for the Pasteurization of Almonds. The installation will be repeatable, verifiable, and that data logging will take place, thus allowing for trace ability and long term storage of data.
In addition, VENTILEX will work hand in hand with Paramount Farms to make *1194 sure that the "system" is accepted and "validated". VENTILEX guarantees the VENTILEX equipment will be validated and will correct any item found to deficient at our cost.
VENTILEX appreciates your confidence in our company and our equipment, and we will work hard to meet your expectations.[9]
Page 4 of the specifications notes: "F.O.B.: VENTILEX B.V., Heerde, The Netherlands" and "Terms and Conditions: See Attached ``Terms and Conditions' Exhibit A Attached and made part of this proposal." Page 4 of the specifications further notes:
VENTILEX appreciates your interest and will work diligently with Paramount Farms on this project. We appreciate your trust. We will not let you down. Page 4 of the specifications includes a signature "Tom Schroeder Ventilex USA." The last three pages of the specifications contain a footer noting "VENTILEX" and an Ohio address and telephone and fax numbers.
Page 5 of the Paramount Standard Conditions provides the following "Contractor's Guarantee":
(a) In addition to warranties, representations and guarantees stated elsewhere in the contract documents, the Contractor unconditionally guarantees and warrants that all materials and workmanship furnished hereunder shall be without defect and shall conform to the Plans and Specifications, and agrees to replace at its sole cost and expense, and to the satisfaction of the Owner, any and all materials which may be defective, improperly installed, or which do not conform to the plans and specifications.
. . .
(b) The Contractor shall repair or replace to the satisfaction of the Owner any or all such work that may prove defective in workmanship or materials, which is improperly installed, or which does not conform to the plans and specifications, ordinary wear and tear expected, together with any other work which may be damaged or displaced in so doing.
(c) In the event of failure to comply with the above stated conditions within a reasonable time, the Owner is authorized to have the defect repaired or replaced at the expense of the Contractor who will pay the costs and charges therefore immediately upon demand, including any reasonable management and administrative costs, and engineering, legal and other consulting fees incurred to enforce with section.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this Contract, the guarantees and warranties shall remain in effect for one year after the completion of the project. (Bold added.)
Page 3 of the Proposal Contract contains a "Warranty" by which "The Contractor warrants that all the equipment covered by this quotation will be free of defects to workmanship and materials for a period of 12 months from start up. Which is estimated to be: (1, March, 2006)." (Underlining in original.)
The Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions were not attached to the version of the Proposal Contract signed by *1195 the parties or to the other documents included with the Proposal Contract although Ventilex BV claims that all Ventilex Systems were to be resold by Ventilex USA subject to the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions as per the original sale.[10] Ventilex BV acknowledges that the parties dispute whether the Proposal Contract includes the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions. Section 23 of the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions addresses "Liability For Defects" and states: "The Supplier's liability is limited to defects, which appear within a period of one year from delivery." Section 33(b) of the Ventilex USA Terms and Conditions addresses failure to remedy defect and provide:
[W]here the defect is so substantial as to significantly deprive the Purchaser of the benefit of the contract, the Purchaser may terminate the contract by notice in writing to the Supplier. The Purchaser is then entitled to compensation for the loss he has suffered up to a maximum of 15 percent of the purchase price.
The Paramount Farms Standard Conditions include a provision to require arbitration of disputes.
Ventilex BV characterizes Mr. Tremaine as Paramount Farms' "point person" to negotiate the Proposal Contract and notes that Mr. Tremaine neither had discussions with anyone from Ventilex BV nor asked Ventilex BV to sign the Proposal Contract or to guarantee its terms. In addition, Ventilex BV claims that it did not:
1. Draft the Proposal Contract;
2. Negotiate or communicate any of the terms between Ventilex USA and Paramount Farms; or
3. Author the November 8 letter, authorize Ventilex USA to add Ventilex BV's name to the November 8 letter or intend to bind itself "to a contract it did not negotiate."
Ventilex BV points out that its former Managing Director Henk Dijkman ("Mr. Dijkman")[11] neither signed nor approved the Proposal Contract. However, Paramount Farms notes that Mr. Schroeder sent a copy of the Proposal Contract and November 8 letter to Mr. Dijkman prior to signing of the Proposal Contract.
In his recent deposition, Mr. Dijkman testified as to governmental approval of the Ventilex System:
Q. . . . Did you learn at some point in those negotiations from Mr. Schroeder or other sources that Paramount wanted the same Guarantee from Ventilex B.V. and Ventilex, Inc. that was given to Cal Nut?
A. They want the T.E.R.P. approval.
Q. And at some point, Paramount agreed to buy a Ventilex B.V. machine, right?
A. That's right, yeah.
Q. And was it your understanding that Ventilex B.V. and Ventilex, Inc. gave Paramount the guarantee this machine would get all necessary approvals?
A. Yes.
. . .
Q. And did you hope and understand that this guarantee was conveyed to Paramount Farms?
*1196 . . .
THE DEPONENT: Yes. I want to make one comment. At that time we had approval from Cal Nut. So for us it was an indication it was no issue to give the guarantee for the log 5 killing and it should be somewhere in the document between Inc.[12] and B.V.
Q. So to make the sale, Ventilex B.V. and Ventilex, Inc. guaranteed Paramount that the Machine it was buying would get the necessary T.E.R.P. approval?
A. Yes.
Mr. Dijkman further testified that he understood that Paramount Farms relied on guarantees from Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA to decide to purchase the Ventilex System.
Ventilex BV notes that it constructed, tested and packed for shipment Ventilex System for Ventilex USA's further handling, installation and startup upon the Ventilex System's arrival in the United States. Ventilex BV disclaims "further responsibility or control of the installation and testing of the Ventilex System." Paramount Farms characterizes Ventilex USA as "simply" a seller of the Ventilex System in that Ventilex USA required a quotation from Ventilex BV and issued a purchase order to Ventilex BV.
After the March 6, 2006 delivery of the Ventilex System to Paramount Farms, Ventilex BV claims that Ventilex USA installed the Ventilex System's process units. Paramount Farms notes that Trecom, a Ventilex BV subcontractor, installed the Ventilex System at Paramount Farms and performs commissioning and start ups of Ventilex BV products. Ventilex BV acknowledges that as the manufacture of Ventilex System software, Trecom "routinely commissions startup" but claims that Ventilex USA retained Trecom to install the Ventilex System at Paramount Farms and paid Trecom's bill. Paramount Farms points to Mr. Dijkman's deposition testimony:
Q. In this time period, 2001 to 2005, when Ventilex, Inc. made a sale of Ventilex B.V. machine, who was responsible for the startup of that machine for the U.S. customer?
A. We were.
Q. And "we," meaning Ventilex B.V.?
A. B.V., yes.
Q. And Ventilex B.V. designed and manufactured those machines?
A. That's right.
Q. Okay. In fact, didn't the machines even have a Ventilex B.V. kind of name plate on them?
A. That's right.
According to Ventilex BV, the Ventilex System was fully operational no later than June 29, 2006 and Paramount Farms operated the Ventilex System "without Complaint for more than a year." Ventilex BV claims that it was unaware of issues with the Ventilex System until September 2007 when Ventilex USA alerted that Paramount Farms' Ventilex System "had failed validation testing and that Paramount was having an issue with its process authority to obtain TERP validation." Paramount Farms points to Mr. Schroeder's November 3, 2007 and December 18, 2007 emails that "we have failed" to suggest that Ventilex BV and/or Ventilex USA "could not deliver on the guarantee of governmental approval despite extensive efforts" of the parties.
*1197 Paramount Farms notes that its Ventilex System did not meet the regulatory "drop dead date" of June 1, 2008 for having a TERP-approved almond pasteurization system in place to prevent its United States almond sales. As such, in April 2008, Paramount Farms stopped using the Ventilex System, sent its almonds for outside pasteurization, and decided to purchase a pasteurization system produced by FMC Food Tech., Inc. ("FMC System"). Paramount Farms entered into a May 2008 contract to purchase the FMC System.
In early June 2008, Paramount Farms filed an arbitration demand with the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") against Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA. Paramount Farms notes that the arbitration demand included claims for breach of contract and breach of warranty of the Proposal Contract and its "primary basis. . . was failure of the pasteurization machine to obtain required government approval as provided and promised in the express performance guarantee/warranty by both Ventilex USA and BV." Ventilex BV submitted to AAA its June 25, 2008 objection to participate in arbitration in that it "never executed and was never a party to any arbitration agreement with Paramount to resolve disputes." Ventilex BV sought to stay the arbitration in New York state court on grounds that it is not a party to the Proposal Contract and incorporated documents. In late June 2008, Paramount Farms removed the state action to a New York federal court but on July 18, 2008, filed this action against Ventilex BV in this Court to allege what Paramount Farms characterizes as the "same claims" asserted against Ventilex USA in the arbitration. In October 2008, Paramount Farms withdrew its claims against Ventilex BV in the arbitration to render this action as the sole forum for Paramount Farms' claims against Ventilex BV.
Paramount Farms' operative original complaint ("complaint"), filed on July 18, 2008, alleges that "Ventilex did not or could not address the fundamental design flaws of the System that prevented it from achieving the required results and being validated and approved." The complaint further alleges that since August 15, 2007, Paramount Farms' Ventilex System "has been tested by TERP for validation at least four times," "has failed to perform as warranted," and has failed to "achieve a 5-log reduction in Salmonella bacteria" or "even a 4-log reduction" to force Paramount Farms to pasteurize its almonds offsite at a cost of $68,000 per week since April 14, 2008 and to purchase a replacement pasteurization system in excess of $1 million.
As to specific claims against Ventilex BV, the complaint alleges:
1. A (first) breach of written contract claim that "Ventilex breached the written Contract"[13] and a (second) breach of express warranty claim that "Ventilex has breached the express warranty contained in the Contract" in that:
a. The Ventilex System "has not been validated or approved by any governmental agency for almond pasteurization";
*1198 b. Ventilex has failed to work with Paramount Farms to ensure that the system is approved or validated;
c. The materials and workmanship were defective and failed to perform to plans and specifications; and
d. Ventilex failed to repair or replace to Paramount Farms' satisfaction the defective workmanship or materials within a reasonable time;
2. A (third) breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim that "Ventilex" has failed to provide contracted materials, workmanship and services and has failed promptly to remedy defective and nonconforming materials, workmanship and services;
3. A (fourth) breach of implied warranty of merchantability claim that the system's failure to achieve 5-log Salmonella bacteria reduction renders the system "not fit for the purpose in which such goods are generally used"; and
4. A (fifth) breach of implied warranty of fitness for particular purpose claim that the "goods provided to [Paramount Farms] by Ventilex were not suitable for [Paramount Farms'] particular needs" in the absence of a 4-log or 5-log Salmonella bacteria reduction.
The complaint alleges damages in excess of $5 million.
During August to December 2009, twelve days were devoted to arbitrate Paramount Farms' claims against Ventilex USA before a panel of three AAA arbitrators who issued a February 26, 2010 unanimous decision ("arbitration decision") to award $4,989,387 to Paramount Farms on its breach of contract and warranty claims. Paramount Farms notes that the arbitration resolved issues before this Court, including:
1. Interpretation of "contract," "performance guarantee/warranty," and "applicable warranty provisions";
2. "[W]hether Ventilex's[14] terms and conditions were part of the contract";
3. "[W]hether Ventilex breached the contract and/or any guarantees/warranties";
4. "[W]hether Paramount failed to act within the warranty period";
5. "[W]hether Paramount waived any claims";
6. "[W]hether Paramount was in anyway responsible for any of its damages";
7. "[W]hether Paramount's purchase of a replacement system was proper";
8. The "amount of damages owed to Paramount"; and
9. "[W]hether Paramount was entitled to liquidated damages, overhead costs, or attorneys' fees."
According to Paramount Farms, this action against Ventilex BV "involves the same contract, same pasteurization system, same purchaser, same manufacturer, same underlying facts, same principal witnesses and same claims of breach of contract and breach of warranty (and related claims) as the previous arbitration" between Paramount Farms and Ventilex USA. Ventilex BV notes that the arbitration decision made no finding regarding it.
*1199 With its May 28, 2010 ruling, the Los Angeles County Superior Court granted Paramount Farms' petition to confirm the arbitration award in Paramount Farms' favor. A $5,010,432.98 judgment in Paramount Farms as entered on June 29, 2010 in Los Angeles County Superior Court. On July 2, 2010, Ventilex USA filed a notice of appeal of the judgment.
To support summary judgment in its favor, Paramount Farms contends that its favorable arbitration decision entitles it to res judicata (claim preclusion) and collateral estoppel (issue preclusion) on its breach of contract and warranty claims given Ventilex BV's "direct liability" under the approval guarantee which Ventilex BV provided Paramount Farms. Paramount Farms further contends that Ventilex BV is bound to the arbitration decision under agency principles "whereby a parent is held liable for its subsidiary's acts if the subsidiary is just an ``extension' or mere ``selling/marketing arm' or the parent." In addition, Paramount Farms advocates that Ventilex BV is directly liable under the approval guarantee in that Ventilex BV provided or ratified the approval guarantee and the Ventilex System failed to obtain governmental approvals as warranted.
Ventilex BV seeks summary judgment on Paramount Farms' claims based on its absence of privity with Paramount Farms. Ventilex BV further contends that Paramount Farms' claims are barred by warranty time limits. Ventilex BV further seeks summary judgment on Paramount Farms' overhead and liquidated damages claims as unsupported by fact or law.
F.R.Civ.P. 56(a) permits a "party claiming relief" to seek "summary judgment on all or part of the claim." F.R.Civ.P. 56(b) permits a "party against whom relief is sought" to seek "summary judgment on all or part of the claim." "A district court may dispose of a particular claim or defense by summary judgment when one of the parties is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on that claim or defense." Beal Bank, SSB v. Pittorino, 177 F.3d 65, 68 (1st Cir.1999).
Summary judgment is appropriate when there exists no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. F.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(2); Matsushita Elec. Indus. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 587, 106 S. Ct. 1348, 1356, 89 L. Ed. 2d 538 (1986); T.W. Elec. Serv., Inc. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Assn., 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir.1987). The purpose of summary judgment is to "pierce the pleadings and assess the proof in order to see whether there is a genuine need for trial." Matsushita Elec., 475 U.S. at 586, n. 11, 106 S. Ct. 1348, 89 L. Ed. 2d 538; International Union of Bricklayers v. Martin Jaska, Inc., 752 F.2d 1401, 1405 (9th Cir.1985).
On summary judgment, a court must decide whether there is a "genuine issue as to any material fact," not weigh the evidence or determine the truth of contested matters. F.R.Civ.P. 56(c)(2); Covey v. Hollydale Mobilehome Estates, 116 F.3d 830, 834 (9th Cir.1997); see Adickes v. S.H. Kress & Co., 398 U.S. 144, 157, 90 S. Ct. 1598, 26 L. Ed. 2d 142 (1970); Poller v. Columbia Broadcasting System, 368 U.S. 464, 467, 82 S. Ct. 486, 7 L. Ed. 2d 458 (1962); Loehr v. Ventura County Community College Dist., 743 F.2d 1310, 1313 (9th Cir.1984). The evidence of the party opposing summary judgment is to be believed and all reasonable inferences that may be drawn from the facts before the court must be drawn in favor of the opposing party. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 255, 106 S. Ct. 2505, 91 L. Ed. 2d 202 (1986); Matsushita, 475 U.S. at 587, 106 S. Ct. 1348. The inquiry is *1200 "whether the evidence presents a sufficient disagreement to require submission to a jury or whether it is so one-sided that one party must prevail as a matter of law." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 251-252, 106 S. Ct. 2505.
To carry its burden of production on summary judgment, a moving party "must either produce evidence negating an essential element of the nonmoving party's claim or defense or show that the nonmoving party does not have enough evidence of an essential element to carry its ultimate burden of persuasion at trial." Nissan Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Fritz Companies, Inc., 210 F.3d 1099, 1102 (9th Cir.2000); see High Tech Gays v. Defense Indus. Sec. Clearance Office, 895 F.2d 563, 574 (9th Cir.1990). "[T]o carry its ultimate burden of persuasion on the motion, the moving party must persuade the court that there is no genuine issue of material fact." Nissan Fire, 210 F.3d at 1102; see High Tech Gays, 895 F.2d at 574. "As to materiality, the substantive law will identify which facts are material. Only disputes over facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude the entry of summary judgment." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S. Ct. 2505.
"If a moving party fails to carry its initial burden of production, the nonmoving party has no obligation to produce anything, even if the nonmoving party would have the ultimate burden of persuasion at trial." Nissan Fire, 210 F.3d at 1102-1103; see Adickes, 398 U.S. at 160, 90 S. Ct. 1598. "If, however, a moving party carries its burden of production, the nonmoving party must produce evidence to support its claim or defense." Nissan Fire, 210 F.3d at 1103; see High Tech Gays, 895 F.2d at 574. "If the nonmoving party fails to produce enough evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact, the moving party wins the motion for summary judgment." Nissan Fire, 210 F.3d at 1103; see Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322, 106 S. Ct. 2548, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265 (1986) ("Rule 56(c) mandates the entry of summary judgment, after adequate time for discovery and upon motion, against a party who fails to make the showing sufficient to establish the existence of an element essential to that party's case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof at trial.")
"But if the nonmoving party produces enough evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact, the nonmoving party defeats the motion." Nissan Fire, 210 F.3d at 1103; see Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322, 106 S. Ct. 2548, 91 L. Ed. 2d 265. "The amount of evidence necessary to raise a genuine issue of material fact is enough ``to require a jury or judge to resolve the parties' differing versions of the truth at trial.'" Aydin Corp. v. Loral Corp., 718 F.2d 897, 902 (quoting First Nat'l Bank v. Cities Service Co., 391 U.S. 253, 288-289, 88 S. Ct. 1575, 1592, 20 L. Ed. 2d 569 (1968)). "The mere existence of a scintilla of evidence in support of the plaintiff's position will be insufficient." Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252, 106 S. Ct. 2505.
Under F.R.Civ.P. 56(d)(2), a summary judgment/adjudication motion, interlocutory in character, may be rendered on the issue of liability alone. "In cases that involve . . . multiple causes of action, summary judgment may be proper as to some causes of action but not as to others, or as to some issues but not as to others, or as to some parties, but not as to others." Barker v. Norman, 651 F.2d 1107, 1123 (5th Cir.1981); see also Robi v. Five Platters, Inc., 918 F.2d 1439 (9th Cir.1990); Cheng v. Commissioner Internal Revenue Service, 878 F.2d 306, 309 (9th Cir.1989). A court "may grant summary adjudication as to specific issues if it will narrow the issues for trial." First Nat'l Ins. Co. v. *1201 F.D.I.C., 977 F. Supp. 1051, 1055 (S.D.Cal. 1977).
As discussed below, factual issues preclude summary judgment for the parties, except for Ventilex BV on Paramount Farms' breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim and overhead and liquidated damages claims.
Paramount Farms seeks summary judgment on grounds that:
1. The arbitration decision entitles it to res judicata/collateral estoppel against Ventilex BV as to Paramount Farms' claims;
2. Ventilex USA acted as Ventilex BV's agent to bind Ventilex BV to the approval guarantee; and
3. Ventilex BV is directly liable under the approval guarantee.
Paramount Farms seeks to apply against Ventilex BV the "preclusive effects" of the arbitration decision in that this Court's only legal determination is whether Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA "were in privity for purposes" of the Proposal Contract. Paramount Farms characterizes the arbitration as "a near replica of the current case" to entitle Paramount Farms to res judicata and collateral estoppel effects of the arbitration decision.[15]
Ventilex BV responds that the arbitration addressed only issues between Paramount Farms and Ventilex USA and did not address issues relative to Ventilex BV.
"To determine the preclusive effect of a state court judgment, federal courts look to state law." Intri-Plex Technologies, Inc. v. The Crest Group, Inc., 499 F.3d 1048, 1052 (9th Cir.2007).
"Res judicata" is "the preclusive effect of a final judgment on the merits. Res judicata, or claim preclusion, prevents relitigation of the same cause of action in a second suit between the same parties or parties in privity with them." Mycogen Corp. v. Monsanto Co., 28 Cal. 4th 888, 896-897, 123 Cal. Rptr. 2d 432, 51 P.3d 297 (2002). Res judicata "precludes parties or their privies from relitigating a cause of action that has been finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction." Rice v. Crow, 81 Cal. App. 4th 725, 734, 97 Cal. Rptr. 2d 110 (2000) (dismissal of a California superior court complaint with prejudice is a final judgment on merits).
Res judicata serves "the dual purpose of protecting litigants from the burden of relitigating an identical issue with the same party or his privy and of promoting judicial economy by preventing needless litigation." Parklane Hosiery Co., Inc. v. Shore, 439 U.S. 322, 326, 99 S. Ct. 645, 58 L. Ed. 2d 552 (1979). Res judicata "relieve[s] parties of the cost and vexation of multiple lawsuits, conserve[s] judicial resources, and, by preventing inconsistent decisions, encourage[s] reliance on adjudication." Allen v. McCurry, 449 U.S. 90, 94, 101 S. Ct. 411, 66 L. Ed. 2d 308 (1980).
The U.S. Supreme Court has further explained the "general rule of res judicata":
The general rule of res judicata applies to repetitious suits involving the same cause of action. It rests upon considerations *1202 of economy of judicial time and public policy favoring the establishment of certainty in legal relations. The rule provides that when a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final judgment on the merits of a cause of action, the parties to the suit and their privies are thereafter bound ``not only as to every matter which was offered and received to sustain or defeat the claim or demand, but as to any other admissible matter which might have been offered for that purpose.' ... The judgment puts an end to the cause of action, which cannot again be brought into litigation between the parties upon any ground whatever, absent fraud or some other factor invalidating the judgment.
C.I.R. v. Sunnen, 333 U.S. 591, 597, 68 S. Ct. 715, 92 L. Ed. 898 (1948) (citation omitted).
The "prerequisite elements" to apply the res judicata doctrine to an entire cause of action or one or more issues are: "(1) A claim or issue raised in the present action is identical to a claim or issue litigated in a prior proceeding; (2) the prior proceeding resulted in a final judgment on the merits; and (3) the party against whom the doctrine is being asserted was a party or in privity with a party to the prior proceeding." People v. Barragan, 32 Cal. 4th 236, 253, 9 Cal. Rptr. 3d 76, 83 P.3d 480 (2004) (quoting Brinton v. Bankers Pension Services, Inc., 76 Cal. App. 4th 550, 556, 90 Cal. Rptr. 2d 469 (1999)).
Like res judicata, "[c]ollateral estoppel precludes relitigation of issues argued in prior proceedings." Lucido v. Superior Court, 51 Cal. 3d 335, 341, 272 Cal. Rptr. 767, 769, 795 P.2d 1223 (1990), cert. denied, 500 U.S. 920, 111 S. Ct. 2021, 114 L. Ed. 2d 107 (1991). "A party's ability to relitigate an issue decided in a prior state court determination depends on the law of the state in which the earlier litigation occurred." Kinslow v. Ratzlaff, 158 F.3d 1104, 1105 (10th Cir.1998).
Threshold requirements to apply collateral estoppel are:
1. The issue sought to be precluded from relitigation must be identical to that decided in a former proceeding;
2. The issue must have been actually litigated in the former proceeding;
3. The issue must have been necessarily decided in the former proceeding;
4. The decision in the former proceeding must be final and on the merits; and
5. The party against whom preclusion is sought must be the same as, or in privity with, the party to the former proceeding.
Lucido, 51 Cal.3d at 341, 272 Cal. Rptr. at 769.
Paramount Farms explains that collateral estoppel applies if "(1) the issues decided in the arbitration are the same as those at issue here; (2) the previous award was the final determination by the arbitrators; and (3) Ventilex USA and Ventilex BV were in privity."
"The application of the doctrine of collateral estoppel depends on whether the issue in both actions is the same, not whether the issue arises in the same context." First N.B.S. Corp. v. Gabrielsen, 179 Cal. App. 3d 1189, 1195-1196, 225 Cal. Rptr. 254, 257 (1986) (italics in original). "[O]nly issues actually litigated in the initial action may be precluded from the second proceeding under the collateral estoppel doctrine.... An issue is actually litigated ``[w]hen [it] is properly raised, by the pleadings or otherwise, and is submitted for determination, and is determined.'" *1203 Gottlieb v. Kest, 141 Cal. App. 4th 110, 148, 46 Cal. Rptr. 3d 7 (2006) (citations omitted).
Paramount Farms argues that the arbitration decision addressed the "same" issues involved in this action"the exact same contract, same failed pasteurization system, same purchaser, same manufacturer, same facts, and same claims of breach of contract and breach of warranty (and related claims) based on the same actions by the parties involved." Paramount Farms characterizes the approval guarantee as the "lynchpin of this case."
Ventilex BV argues that the legal liability issues presented in the arbitration and this action are "completely different" despite whether Paramount Farms' claims in this action "arise out of the same basic transaction." Ventilex BV notes that the arbitration did not address negotiations and communications between Paramount Farms and Ventilex BV, Ventilex BV's agreement with Ventilex USA to sell the Ventilex System, Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA's respective responsibilities regarding the sale, Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA's relationship, and Ventilex BV's involvement in the sale of the Ventilex System to Paramount Farms.
As to liability, the arbitration decision determined that:
1. Ventilex USA "warranted that it would provide a pasteurization system that would ``be accepted by the FDA and USDA for pasteurization of Almonds'";
2. Ventilex USA promised that it would "work hand in hand with Paramount Farms to make sure that the ``system' is accepted and ``validated'";
3. Ventilex USA guaranteed that it would "correct any item found to be deficient at our cost";
4. The Ventilex System provided to Paramount Farms never received "necessary approval";
5. The "warranty provision at issue pertains to achieving the necessary approvals for the pasteurization system," including working "hand in hand" with Paramount Farms "to make sure the system is accepted and validated";
6. "Achieving approval was the sine qua non of the parties' bargain";
7. "Ventilex breached its warranty to provide a pasteurization system that would obtain necessary approvals and that it would work with Paramount at its expense to correct the machine so it could obtain approval";
8. "The machine did not achieve the approval, and the level of service provided was not calculated to actually make the changes necessary to achieve approval"; and
9. Ventilex USA is not liable for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
For damages, the arbitration decision awarded Paramount Farms $2,667,327 for direct additional costs, comprising Ventilex System installation costs and the purchase price of Ventilex System plus the cost above that for the FMC System[16] less the price of the Ventilex BV cooler and drier which Paramount Farms retained. The arbitration decision also awarded Paramount Farms $2,200,368 for outside pasteurization costs plus pre-award interest of $121,692 for a total award of $4,989,387. The arbitration decision rejected Paramount *1204 Farms' claims for: (1) $2,565,000 overhead costs arising from Paramount Farms' management efforts to address the Ventilex System; and (2) $5.42 million in liquidated damages which Paramount Farms sought under a provision addressing delay to deliver the Ventilex System.
The arbitration decision addresses overlapping issues involved here but since parent corporation Ventilex BV is the defendant here, this Court is not prepared to characterize the issues in the arbitration and this action as identical or the same in that the only issues pertaining to Ventilex USA were actually litigated in the arbitration. Although the issues in the arbitration arose within the context of the issues here, Ventilex BV points to sufficient distinctions among the issues to raise no less than factual issues whether res judicata or collateral estoppel applies to the arbitration decision. The arbitration decision addressed precise issues as to Ventilex USA, not Ventilex BV whose liability and role differ from those of Ventilex USA. A further problem is that Paramount Farms fails to define or identify which claims or issues are subject to res judicata or collateral estoppel effects. Paramount Farms appears to seek to insert Ventilex BV in the arbitration decision in place of Ventilex USA. Paramount Farms fails to demonstrate its ability to do so.
Paramount Farms notes that arbitration awards are final to subject them to res judicata and collateral estoppel effects.
To be a final determination for collateral estoppel purposes, a determination need not be a final judgment but "sufficiently firm to be accorded conclusive effect." Luben Industries, Inc. v. United States, 707 F.2d 1037, 1040 (9th Cir.1983). California Code of Civil Procedure section 1287.4 addresses a judgment confirming an arbitration award and provides:
If an award is confirmed, judgment shall be entered in conformity therewith. The judgment so entered has the same force and effect as, and is subject to all the provisions of law relating to, a judgment in a civil action of the same jurisdictional classification; and it may be enforced like any other judgment of the court in which it is entered, in an action of the same jurisdictional classification.
"Once a valid award is made by the arbitrator, it is conclusive on matters of fact and law and all matters in the award are thereafter res judicata." Lehto v. Underground Constr. Co., 69 Cal. App. 3d 933, 939, 138 Cal. Rptr. 419 (1977). "[E]very presumption favors the arbitrator's award, and the merits of the award, either on question of law or fact, are generally not subject to review." Lehto, 69 Cal.App.3d at 939, 138 Cal. Rptr. 419. Quoting from a treatise, the California Court of Appeal has likewise explained:
Once a valid award is made, with the submission upon which it is founded it becomes the sole basis for any further determination of the rights of the parties with respect to any demands embraced in the submission, and the latter are merged and extinguished in the award. The award is conclusive on matters of fact and law, and all matters in the award are thereafter res judicata, on the theory that the matter has been adjudged by a tribunal which the parties have agreed to make final, a tribunal of last resort for that controversy.
Thibodeau v. Crum, 4 Cal. App. 4th 749, 759, 6 Cal. Rptr. 2d 27 (1976) (quoting 6 Cal.Jur.3d, Arbitration and Award, § 41, p. 72.)
There is no doubt that the arbitration decision is a final decision on the merits as to Paramount Farms and Ventilex USA who agreed to arbitrate their disputes. *1205 However, Ventilex BV raises a valid point whether it is bound to the arbitration decision as a third party.
In Vandenberg v. Superior Court, 21 Cal. 4th 815, 836-837, 88 Cal. Rptr. 2d 366, 982 P.2d 229 (1999), the California Supreme Court adopted "for California purposes, the rule that a private arbitration award cannot have nonmutual collateral estoppel effect unless the arbitral parties so agree." The California Supreme Court explained:
We therefore face a situation in which the policies underlying the doctrine of collateral estoppel must yield to the contractual basis of private arbitration, i.e., the principle that the scope and effect of the arbitration are for the parties themselves to decide. Accordingly, we are compelled to conclude that a private arbitration award, even if judicially confirmed, can have no collateral estoppel effect in favor of third persons unless the arbitral parties agreed, in the particular case, that such a consequence should apply.
Vandenberg, 21 Cal.4th at 833-834, 88 Cal. Rptr. 2d 366, 982 P.2d 229.
Paramount Farm's commencement of this action after dismissing Ventilex BV from arbitration demonstrates the absence of agreement to subject Ventilex BV to collateral estoppel effects of the arbitration. Ventilex BV correctly notes that to oppose its motion to dismiss, Paramount Farms took a position as to the effects of arbitration on Ventilex BV which contradicts the stance it advocates to support summary judgment.[17] There is no evidence that Paramount Farms and Ventilex USA agreed that Ventilex BV would be bound by the arbitration decision. Paramount Farms fails to satisfy the final decision on merits element as to Ventilex BV.
Paramount Farms argues that Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA are in privity for purposes of res judicata and collateral estoppel. Ventilex BV responds that "there is no privity as a matter of fact and law between Ventilex USA and Ventilex B.V. with respect to the arbitration or the underlying transaction."
Privity refers to "a relationship between the party to be estopped and the unsuccessful party in the prior litigation which is ``sufficiently close' so as to justify application of the doctrine of collateral estoppel." Clemmer v. Hartford Ins. Co., 22 Cal. 3d 865, 875, 151 Cal. Rptr. 285, 587 P.2d 1098 (1978). The California Supreme Court has explained:
In the context of collateral estoppel, due process requires that the party to be estopped must have had an identity or community of interest with, an adequate representation by, the losing party in the first action as well as the circumstances must have been such that the party to be estopped should reasonably have expected to be bound by the prior adjudication. Thus, in deciding whether to apply collateral estoppel, the court must balance the rights of the party to be estopped against the need for applying collateral estoppel in the particular case, in order to promote judicial economy by minimizing repetitive litigation, to prevent inconsistent judgments which undermine the integrity of the judicial system, or to protect against vexatious litigation.
*1206 Clemmer, 22 Cal.3d at 875, 151 Cal. Rptr. 285, 587 P.2d 1098 (citations omitted).
To address privity, "courts examine the practicalities of the situation and attempt to determine whether plaintiffs are ``sufficiently close to the original case to afford application of the principle of preclusion.'" Armstrong v. Armstrong, 15 Cal. 3d 942, 951, 126 Cal. Rptr. 805, 544 P.2d 941 (1976) (quoting People ex rel. State of Cal. v. Drinkhouse, 4 Cal. App. 3d 931, 937, 84 Cal. Rptr. 773 (1970)). Privity exists when the person involved is "so identified in interest with another that he represents the same legal right." Zaragosa v. Craven, 33 Cal. 2d 315, 318, 202 P.2d 73 (1949).
Nonetheless, "collateral estoppel may be applied only if the requirements of due process are met." Lynch v. Glass, 44 Cal. App. 3d 943, 948, 119 Cal. Rptr. 139 (1975). "Due process requires that the nonparty have had an identity or community of interest with, and adequate representation by, the losing party in the first action." Lynch, 44 Cal.App.3d at 948, 119 Cal. Rptr. 139. "The circumstances must also have been such that the nonparty should reasonably have expected to be bound by the prior adjudication." Lynch, 44 Cal.App.3d at 948, 119 Cal. Rptr. 139. "A nonparty should reasonably be expected to be bound if he had in reality contested the prior action even if he did not make a formal appearance. Thus, collateral estoppel has been applied against nonparties who had a proprietary or financial interest in and control of, a prior action." Lynch, 44 Cal. App.3d at 949, 119 Cal. Rptr. 139. Collateral estoppel further applies when the nonparty has such an interest "in the determination of a question of fact or law with reference to the same subject matter or transaction." Stafford v. Russell, 117 Cal. App. 2d 319, 320, 255 P.2d 872 (1953), cert. denied, 346 U.S. 926, 74 S. Ct. 315, 98 L. Ed. 419 (1954).
Paramount Farms argues that Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA are "sufficiently close" and share a "community of interest" in that:
1. Ventilex USA was created to serve as a sales and marketing office for Ventilex BV products in the United States;
2. Ventilex USA sold the Ventilex System designed and manufactured by Ventilex BV;
3. The Ventilex System was installed at Paramount Farms by Trecom, which performed commissioning and start ups for most Ventilex BV machines;
4. Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA were referred to interchangeably;
5. To make a sale, Ventilex USA required a prior quote from Ventilex BV, which dictated price and specifications;
6. Ventilex USA's Mr. Schroeder sent a copy of the Proposal Contract to Ventilex BV's Mr. Dijkman;
7. The November 8 letter states that "VENTILEX USA Inc. and VENTILEX B.V. hereby certifies [sic] that the equipment that we supply will be accepted by the FDA and USDA for the Pasteurization of Almonds";
8. Mr. Dijkman was aware that Paramount Farms required the approval guarantee from Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA and that Mr. Schroeder provided the approval guarantee; and
9. Neither Ventilex BV nor Mr. Dijkman disclaimed the approval guarantee.
*1207 As such, Paramount Farms argues that Ventilex BV knew that the approval guarantee was in the names of Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA and that Paramount Farms "was relying on it" to the effect that Ventilex BV "approved or otherwise ratified Ventilex BV's inclusion and backing of the performance guarantee."
Paramount Farms further contends that Ventilex USA adequately represented Ventilex BV's interests in the arbitration given the similarity of claims against Ventilex USA in the arbitration and those against Ventilex BV here. "[D]ue process requires both that the prior litigation of the issue have been motivated by the same underlying purposes, and that the original party have had an incentive and opportunity to litigate the issue in the manner best suited to furthering those common underlying purposes." Jones v. Bates, 127 F.3d 839, 848 (9th Cir.1997).
To combat the community of interest and sufficiently close elements, Ventilex BV points to an absence of evidence as to:
1. Commingling of funds or unauthorized diversion or misuse of corporate assets;
2. Ventilex BV's representation that it would be responsible for Ventilex USA's debts;
3. Failure of Ventilex BV or Ventilex USA to keep separate corporate documents;
4. Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA's use of a single address;
5. Ventilex USA's inadequate capitalization;
6. Concealment of Ventilex USA's ownership;
7. Disregard of corporate formalities;
8. An attempt to assign liabilities to Ventilex USA; and
9. Use of Ventilex USA as a mere shell or conduit.
The record reveals factual issues whether Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA share a sufficiently close relationship to qualify them as in privity to apply collateral estoppel. Although Ventilex BV is the parent of Ventilex USA, Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA are separate corporations, and there is no evidence to substantiate that Ventilex USA is Ventilex BV's alter ego. Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA's sharing of interests in limited matters at issue is insufficient to cloak them with privity given factual issues regarding their relationship arising from their separate operations. As to the Ventilex System, the record reveals that Ventilex USA was the sales representative and Ventilex BV was the manufacturer and that each had defined, separate roles which at times overlapped. The record reflects that the relationship was typical of a sales representative and manufacturer, except for the parent-subsidiary relationship. Although Paramount Farms raises valid points to support privity, the record raises questions as to the community of interest of Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA to prevent an undisputed finding of privity.
At first blush, Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA's shared legal counsel appears to support privity. However, Ventilex BV raises a valid point that shared counsel "is a matter of judicial and economic efficiency and business judgment." Shared counsel's rigorous representation of Ventilex USA in the arbitration does not translate to privity.
Paramount Farms argues that Ventilex BV reasonably should have expected to be bound by the arbitration decision. Ventilex BV responds that "[t]here is no evidence of any acquiescence whatsoever by *1208 Ventilex B.V. to the arbitration or its result."
To address the reasonable expectations issue, courts examine whether:
1. The nonparty "had received actual notice at the time of the litigation that his interests were being litigated";
2. The nonparty "``had in reality contested the prior action even if he did not make a formal appearance,' such as where the nonparty had a financial interest in and ``power to control' the litigation of the prior action"; and
3. The "unsuccessful party in the first action could ``fairly be treated as acting in a representative' capacity for the nonparty now being precluded."
Jones, 127 F.3d at 846 (citations omitted).
The record and its reasonable inferences fail to indicate that Ventilex BV reasonably should have expected to be bound by the arbitration decision. Ventilex BV was aware of the arbitration but fought to exclude itself from it. Although Ventilex BV would expect to benefit had Ventilex USA succeeded in arbitration, there is no showing that Ventilex BV had a true financial interest in the arbitration's outcome given remaining questions as to Ventilex BV's liability under the approval guarantee. Ventilex BV's power to control the arbitration's outcome was limited to participation in it. Since it did not participate in the arbitration, it lacked control over it. Ventilex USA did not adequately represent Ventilex BV's interests in the arbitration given that their bases of liability differ in respects.
In sum, factual issues prevent subjecting Ventilex BV to res judicata or collateral estoppel effects of the arbitration decision.
Putting aside res judicata/collateral estoppel, Paramount Farms argues that Ventilex USA acted as Ventilex BV's agent to bind Ventilex BV to the arbitration decision under the doctrines of ratification and representative services.
Ventilex BV responds that general corporation principles bar its liability under agency. "It is a general principle of corporate law deeply "ingrained in our economic and legal systems" that a parent corporation (so-called because of control through ownership of another corporation's stock) is not liable for the acts of its subsidiaries." U.S. v. Bestfoods, 524 U.S. 51, 61, 118 S. Ct. 1876, 141 L. Ed. 2d 43 (1998). "The law allows corporations to organize for the purpose of isolating liability of related corporate entities.... Only in unusual circumstances will the law permit a parent corporation to be held either directly or indirectly liable for the acts of its subsidiary." Bowoto v. Chevron Texaco Corp., 312 F. Supp. 2d 1229, 1234 (N.D.Cal. 2004).
"Whether to hold a parent liable for the acts of its subsidiary is a highly fact-specific inquiry." Bowoto, 312 F.Supp.2d at 1234. "There are no inflexible tests by which courts determine when to hold corporations liable for the acts of their subsidiaries. Generally, the corporate separateness is respected unless to do so would work an injustice upon innocent third parties." Fidelity & Deposit Co. of Maryland v. USAFORM Hail Pool, Inc., 523 F.2d 744, 758 (5th Cir.1975). "But each case must be considered on its own facts." Edwin K. Williams & Co. v. Edwin K. Williams, 542 F.2d 1053, 1063 (9th Cir. 1976), cert. den. 433 U.S. 908, 97 S. Ct. 2973, 53 L. Ed. 2d 1092 (1977).
"An agency may be created, and an authority may be conferred, by a precedent *1209 authorization or a subsequent modification." Cal. Civ. Code, § 2307. "Ratification is the voluntary election by a person to adopt in some manner as his own an act which was purportedly done on his behalf by another person, the effect of which, as to some or all persons, is to treat the act as if originally authorized by him." Rakestraw v. Rodrigues, 8 Cal. 3d 67, 73, 104 Cal. Rptr. 57, 500 P.2d 1401 (1972).
Paramount Farms notes that ratification may be inferred from a purported principal's conduct which demonstrates an intent to adopt an act as its own, including acceptance of benefits. The nature of ratification was explained in Rakestraw, 8 Cal. 3d 67, 73, 104 Cal. Rptr. 57, 500 P.2d 1401: "A purported agent's act may be adopted expressly or it may be adopted by implication based on conduct of the purported principal from which an intention to consent to or adopt the act may be fairly inferred, including conduct which is ``inconsistent with any reasonable intention on his part, other than that he intended approving and adopting it.'"
"The principal may become liable for an act he did not originally authorize, if the principal ratifies the act." Shultz Steel Co. v. Hartford Accident & Indemnity Co., 187 Cal. App. 3d 513, 519, 231 Cal. Rptr. 715 (1986). "There is no question but that where the rights of third persons depend on his election, the rule is a principal must disaffirm an unauthorized act of his agent within a reasonable time after acquiring knowledge thereof, else his silence may be deemed ratification or acquiescence in order to protect an unsuspecting third party." Gates v. Bank of America Nat. Trust & Savings Ass'n, 120 Cal. App. 2d 571, 576-577, 261 P.2d 545 (1953).
Paramount Farms contends that Ventilex BV did not disavow its liability under the approval guarantee and affirmed the approval guarantee by "undertaking measures to obtain TERP approval." Paramount Farms points to Ventilex BV Managing Director Mr. Dijkman's knowledge that Paramount Farms relied on the approval guarantee to purchase the Ventilex System. Paramount Farms contends that Ventilex BV "pushed so hard for validation... because it felt responsible under the guarantee."
The import of Paramount Farms' agency and ratification arguments is unclear. Paramount Farms appears to claim that Ventilex BV is liable for the arbitration award against Ventilex USA as principal of Ventilex USA because it ratified Ventilex USA's conduct. Paramount Farms' complaint does not seek to hold Ventilex BV liable specifically as a principal. The complaint merely includes a routine allegation that "each Defendant was the agent, alter ego, conspirator, and aidor and abettor of the other Defendants." The complaint clearly states that "Ventilex USA is not a party to this action." An issue arises whether Paramount Farms' agency theory has been plead and is properly before this Court given the complaint's direct liability claims against Ventilex BV.
In addition, Paramount Farms is unclear as to what Ventilex BV ratified. Paramount Farms appears to claim that Ventilex BV ratified the approval guarantee. However, based in part on the disarray of the documents forming the agreement between Paramount Farms and Ventilex USA, the scope of Ventilex BV's liability under the approval guarantee is unclear to raise factual issues as to its direct liability let alone its liability under agency or ratification theories.
Ventilex BV contends that its liability vis a vis its direct transaction with Ventilex USA is limited by the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions' remedy of return of purchase price plus 15 percent. *1210 Of key importance is Mr. Dijkman's testimony:
Q. ... Did you at all times understand that your Ventilex B.V. guarantee was limited to return of the purchase price plus no more than 15 percent?
...
A. The guarantee says the machine should perform and validatelet validate the machine.
Q. And if it failed to perform, you understood that you wouldyou could be responsible for return of the purchase price, plus up to 15 percent of the purchase price.
A. I was pleased to do that.
...
Q. ... Did Ventilex B.V. ever authorize Ventilex U.S.A., Inc. to give a greater warranty than what was in the Orgaline Terms and Conditions[18] that governed its dealings with Ventilex U.S.A.?
A. We did not give themwe did not give them the authority
....
We did give a warranty ... getting the T.E.R.P. approval.... We were not giving them unlimited liability. It wasit wasto my opinion, it was limited to the Orgaline Conditions.
Q. And the Orgaline Condition limitation also applied to the other warranty or guarantee that you're referring to in terms of T.E.R.P. approvals, is that right?
A. Yes, that'sI think so, yeah.... I'm always the understanding Orgaline, if you limit something, it's for everything.
At a minimum, the record raises factual issues as to what Ventilex BV "ratified" to defeat summary judgment for Paramount Farms on a ratification theory.
Paramount Farms argues that Ventilex BV is liable under the approval guarantee pursuant to the representative services doctrine. Ventilex BV challenges application of the representative services doctrine the "roots" of which "are in the context of personal jurisdiction, not on the ultimate issue of whether liability can attach based on agency principles."
"A parent corporation can be held vicariously liable for the acts of a subsidiary corporation if an agency relationship exists between the parent and the subsidiary." Bowoto, 312 F.Supp.2d at 1238 (N.D.Cal. 2004). "Unlike liability under the alter-ego or veil-piercing test, agency liability does not require the court to disregard the corporate form. Agency has been a theory on which courts in this circuit have allowed plaintiffs to proceed for many decades." Bowoto, 312 F.Supp.2d at 1238.
Factors to address a parent corporation's agency liability include "whether the subsidiary is functioning as an incorporated arm of the parent," and "whether the subsidiary is involved in activities that, but for the subsidiary's presence, the parent would be forced to undertake itself." Bowoto, 312 F.Supp.2d at 1239. "In addition to the need for a close relationship or domination between the parent and subsidiary, agency liability also requires a finding that the injury allegedly inflicted by the subsidiary, for which the parent is being held liable, was within the scope of the subsidiary's authority as an agent." Bowoto, 312 F.Supp.2d at 1239.
*1211 "The agency test is satisfied by a showing that the subsidiary functions as the parent corporation's representative in that it performs services that are ``sufficiently important to the foreign corporation that if it did not have a representative to perform them, the corporation's own officials would undertake to perform substantially similar services." Doe v. Unocal Corp., 248 F.3d 915, 928 (9th Cir.2001) (quoting Chan v. Society Expeditions, Inc., 39 F.3d 1398, 1405 (9th Cir.1994)).
Paramount Farms characterizes Ventilex USA as "nothing more than Ventilex BV's sales and marketing conduit in North America" and as a "substitute" for Ventilex BV. Paramount Farms notes that at the time of the Proposal Contract, "Ventilex USA did not develop or manufacture any products" and "merely effectuated sales" by "communicating the details of those sales to Ventilex BV for specific manufacture and ultimate delivery." Paramount Farms further notes that "in most cases," Ventilex BV was not paid by Ventilex USA until the customer paid Ventilex USA. Paramount Farms points out that prior to Ventilex USA's incorporation, Ventilex BV sales representatives performed Ventilex USA's current functions. Paramount Farms notes Mr. Dijkman's dual director status with Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA as "probative" whether an agency exists between Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA.
To establish agency, Ventilex BV holds Paramount Farms to demonstrate:
1. Ventilex BV's "manifestation" that Ventilex USA would act on Ventilex BV's behalf;
2. Ventilex USA accepted or consented to so act; and
3. An understanding that Ventilex BV would control Ventilex USA's undertaking on Ventilex BV's behalf.
To negate support in Paramount Farms' favor on these issues, Ventilex BV notes that:
1. Paramount Farms' Mr. Tremaine concedes he never had discussions with anyone from Ventilex BV;
2. Mr. Dijkman's denial of involvement in negotiations with Paramount Farms although Mr. Schroeder apprised him of developments;
3. Ventilex USA negotiates its own contracts;
4. Ventilex USA is a Delaware corporation with its own board of directors;
5. Ventilex USA was established to serve the United States market;
6. Ventilex USA sells products other than those of Ventilex BV;
7. Ventilex USA and Ventilex BV have neither shared banking accounts nor commingled funds;
8. Ventilex USA and Ventilex BV maintained separate offices and websites; and
9. Ventilex USA and Ventilex BV do not share employees.
Ventilex BV further notes that in his declaration, Mr. Schroeder explained:
When Ventilex USA contracted to purchase equipment from Ventilex B.V., it always remained obligated to pay Ventilex B.V. regardless of whether Ventilex USA's customers actually paid for the equipment. Of course, in an effort to maintain adequate cash flow, I would always seek to pay Ventilex B.V. after Ventilex USA received payment from its customer.
Ventilex BV concludes that the evidence suggests "a typical parent-subsidiary relationship with appropriate corporate separateness."
*1212 The record raises factual issues as to the nature of Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA's relationship to bar summary judgment on the representative services issue in Paramount Farms' favor. Factual issues arise whether Ventilex USA was a mere sales arm of Ventilex BV in that, among other things, Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA entered into a transaction apart from Paramount Farms for Ventilex USA's acquisition of the Ventilex System and its resale to Paramount Farms. Although the businesses of Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA intertwined, there is insufficient showing of a close relationship or domination to impose agency liability upon Ventilex BV given the distinct separateness of Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA as demonstrated by Ventilex BV's above points. Paramount Farms fails to demonstrate application of the representative services doctrine or any other agency theory to support summary judgment in its favor.
In addition, Paramount Farms argues that Ventilex BV is directly liable under the approval guarantee which is part of the "contract" with Paramount Farms and which neither Ventilex BV nor Ventilex USA fulfilled. Paramount Farms contends that it "need only show that Ventilex BV authorized or otherwise intended to provide" the approval guarantee to Paramount Farms to prove that Ventilex BV breached the contract and warranty. Paramount Farms points to Mr. Dijkman's testimony that Ventilex BV guaranteed governmental approval and a commitment to help to obtain approval and that Mr. Dijkman understood that Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA guaranteed that Paramount Farms would get necessary approvals:
Q. So to make the sale, Ventilex B.V. and Ventilex, Inc. guaranteed Paramount that the machine it was buying would get the necessary T.E.R.P. approval?
A. Yes.
As noted above, although the reasonable inferences indicate that Ventilex BV is a party to the approval guarantee, the scope of Ventilex BV's liability and Paramount Farms' remedies as to Ventilex BV under the approval guarantee are unclear to bar summary judgment, and Paramount Farms provides no guidance on this matter. Paramount Farms asks this Court to grant it a wholesale summary judgment without explanation how to effectuate such a judgment.
Ventilex BV seeks summary judgment that Paramount Farms' claims of breach of contract, breach of express warranty and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing fail in the absence of Ventilex BV's privity with Paramount Farms. Paramount Farms responds that Ventilex BV is a contract party because Ventilex BV manufactured and shipped the Ventilex System pursuant to the Proposal Contract and provided the approval guarantee.
Ventilex BV claims an absence of a contract between it and Paramount Farms to support privity in that:
1. The Proposal Contract lists and was signed only by Ventilex USA and Paramount Farms;
2. The Proposal Contract's notice provision references only Ventilex USA and Paramount Farms;
3. Former Ventilex USA President Mr. Schroeder testified that he had "authority" only for Ventilex USA;
*1213 4. Paramount Farms' point person Mr. Tremaine neither had discussions with anyone from Ventilex BV nor asked Ventilex BV to sign the Proposal Contract or to guarantee its terms; and
5. Ventilex BV Managing Director Mr. Dijkman testified that Mr. Schroeder drafted the Proposal Contract, that Mr. Dijkman did not authorize anyone to make a representation or agreement with Paramount Farms for Ventilex BV, that no one from Paramount Farms asked Ventilex BV to sign the Proposal Contract or to guarantee Ventilex USA's performance, and that Mr. Dijkman had no contact with Paramount Farms.
Paramount Farms responds that Ventilex BV "directly issued the performance guarantee stating that the machine would achieve governmental approval." Paramount Farms notes that the approval guarantee "carefully distinguishes between and includes references to Ventilex USA, Ventilex BV, and ``VENTILEX' (the combined companies)."
Ventilex BV claims the absence of an agency relationship with Ventilex USA to subject Ventilex BV to vicarious liability. Paramount Farms responds that there is "ample evidence" that Mr. Schroeder and in turn Ventilex USA acted as actual or ostensible agents of Ventilex BV.
An "agent" represents a "principal" "in dealings with third persons. Such representation is called agency." Cal. Civ. Code, § 2295. "An agency is either actual or ostensible." Cal. Civ. Code, § 2298. "An agency is actual when the agent is really employed by the principal." Cal. Civ. Code, § 2299. "An agency is ostensible when the principal intentionally, or by want of ordinary care, causes a third person to believe another to be his agent who is not really employed by him." Cal. Civ. Code, § 2300.
In Tomerlin v. Canadian Indem. Co., 61 Cal. 2d 638, 643-644, 39 Cal. Rptr. 731, 394 P.2d 571 (1964), the California Supreme Court explained:
Actual authority arises as a consequence of conduct of the principal which causes an agent reasonably to believe that the principal consents to the agent's execution of an act on behalf of the principal.... Similarly, ostensible authority arises as a result of conduct of the principal which causes the third party reasonably to believe that the agent possesses the authority to act on the principal's behalf....
To establish actual or ostensible authority the principal's consent need not be express. "Agency may be implied from the facts of a particular case, and if a principal by his acts has led others to believe that he has conferred authority upon an agent, he cannot be heard to assert, as against third parties who have relied thereon in good faith, that he did not intend to confer such power.... An agent's authority may be proved by circumstantial evidence...." (Citations omitted.)
For ostensible agency, "the principal need not have been in direct contact with the third party; the manifestation of the principal may be to the community at large, and may consist of appointing the agent to a particular position." Meyer v. Ford Motor Co., 275 Cal. App. 2d 90, 102, 79 Cal. Rptr. 816 (1969).
Ventilex BV argues "there is no factual basis" to find actual agency in that the Proposal Contract is between Paramount Farms and Ventilex USA and Mr. Schroeder lacked "authority to bind Ventilex B.V. to any contract." Ventilex BV continues that Ventilex USA lacks ostensible authority *1214 in the absence of Ventilex BV's conduct to cause "a third party reasonably to believe" that Ventilex USA has authority. Ventilex BV points to Mr. Tremaine's testimony of the absence of his discussions with Ventilex BV personnel. Ventilex BV holds Paramount Farms to establish that Paramount Farms' belief that Ventilex USA's authority to bind Ventilex BV was reasonable in that "persons dealing with an assumed agent are bound at their peril to ascertain the extent of the agent's authority." Lindsay-Field v. Friendly, 36 Cal. App. 4th 1728, 1734, 43 Cal. Rptr. 2d 71 (1995).
Ventilex BV contends that it lacks a sufficient "unity of interest and ownership" with Ventilex USA "to obliterate their separate corporate personalities." As a reminder, a general principle of corporate law is "that a parent corporation (so-called because of control through ownership of another corporation's stock) is not liable for the acts of its subsidiaries." Bestfoods, 524 U.S. at 61, 118 S. Ct. 1876. Ventilex BV further argues that Paramount Farms could not reasonably believe "that a separate foreign parent corporation would be bound under these circumstances" in the absence of Ventilex BV's extensive control over Ventilex USA to create an agency relationship. To support the absence of Ventilex BV's control over Ventilex USA, Ventilex BV notes that:
1. Ventilex USA is a Delaware corporation with its own board of directors;
2. Ventilex USA was established as a separate corporation to serve the United States market;
3. Ventilex USA manufactures products and sells third-party products;
4. Ventilex BV neither negotiates nor executes contracts for Ventilex USA;
5. Ventilex BV did not authorize Ventilex USA to enter into the Proposal Contract;
6. Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA do not share employees; and
7. Ventilex USA placed purchase orders with Ventilex BV which issued invoices to Ventilex USA.
To oppose Ventilex BV's points, Paramount Farms points to communications between Paramount Farms' Mr. Tremaine and Ventilex USA's Mr. Schroeder and in turn Mr. Schroeder's communications with Ventilex BV personnel addressing negotiations. Paramount Farms gleams from the exchange of communications that Ventilex BV was aware to the approval guarantee and accepted it as to the Ventilex System sold to Paramount Farms in the absence of attempt to remove the approval guarantee. Paramount Farms argues that Mr. Schroeder "informed Ventilex BV every step of the way of the negotiated terms of the agreement," including the approval guarantee. Paramount Farms concludes that Ventilex BV's silence in receiving and failing to disclaim the approval guarantee binds it to the approval guarantee.
With the parties' legal points and contentions in mind, this Court turns to the viability of Paramount Farms claims for breach of contract, breach of express warranty and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
"The standard elements of a claim for breach of contract are: ``(1) the contract, (2) plaintiff's performance or excuse for nonperformance, (3) defendant's breach, and (4) damage to plaintiff therefrom.'" Wall Street Network, Ltd. v. New York Times Co., 164 Cal. App. 4th 1171, 1178, 80 Cal. Rptr. 3d 6 (2008). Ventilex BV argues that the first element requires "a valid contract between the parties" to *1215 avoid liability for "entities that are not parties to a contract." Gen-Probe Inc. v. Center for Neurologic Study, 853 F. Supp. 1215, 1219 (S.D.Cal.1993) (counterclaim dismissed for failure to allege "existence of a written contract" between the parties).
Paramount Farms points out that "a person who holds himself out as offering a service cannot complain if in reliance thereon another accepts the offer and agrees to the terms. Such a person becomes a party without being a signator." Huckell v. Matranga, 99 Cal. App. 3d 471, 481, 160 Cal. Rptr. 177 (1979).
Ventilex BV argues that since it is neither a signatory nor party to the Proposal Contract, Paramount Farms lacks a "viable claim of agency or vicarious liability" or a "cognizable theory upon which Ventilex B.V. can be held liable" on the Proposal Contract.
The key problem for Ventilex BV is the approval guarantee in the November 8 letter, which states: "VENTILEX USA Inc. and VENTILEX B.V. hereby certifies [sic] that the equipment that we supply will be accepted by the FDA and USDA for the Pasteurization of Almonds." The approval guarantee continues that "VENTILEX will work hand in hand with Paramount Farms to make sure that the ``system' is accepted and ``validated.'" The approval guarantee also provides: "VENTILEX guarantees the VENTILEX equipment will be validated and will correct any item found to be deficient at our cost." Page four of the of the November 8 letter's specifications reveals that the system was shipped from Ventilex BV's overseas plant ("F.O.B.: VENTILEX B.V., Heerde, The Netherlands").
The November 8 letter with its approval guarantee put Ventilex BV front and center to certify and validate the Ventilex System. Mr. Dijkman confirmed that the Ventilex System sale to Paramount Farms was premised on Ventilex BV's approval guarantee which Mr. Schroeder recalls was prepared by Ventilex BV. The approval guarantee, November 8 letter and specifications treat Ventilex BV and Ventilex USA as a combined entity to raise factual issues as to the scope of Ventilex BV's responsibility under the approval guarantee and remedies available for Ventilex BV's breach of the approval guarantee. The Proposal Contract and November 8 letter reveal that Ventilex BV, at a minimum, offered services which Paramount Farms accepted despite whether Ventilex BV signed the Proposal Contract. The evidence, viewed most favorably to Paramount Farms, indicates that Ventilex BV made the approval guarantee and took no measures to disavow it, especially given that it appeared in connection with two other Ventilex System sales. Ventilex BV's attempt to raise agency defenses are unavailing given Ventilex BV's affirmative actions to make the approval guarantee and absence of actions to disavow it. Paramount Farms' breach of contract claim survives.
Breach of express warranty elements include "the exact terms of the warranty, plaintiff's reasonable reliance thereon, and a breach of that warranty which proximately causes plaintiff injury." Williams v. Beechnut Nutrition Corp., 185 Cal. App. 3d 135, 142, 229 Cal. Rptr. 605 (1986); see Burr v. Sherwin Williams Co., 42 Cal. 2d 682, 268 P.2d 1041 (1954).
Ventilex BV challenges the breach of express warranty claim in that Ventilex BV was not a party to the Proposal Contract and the alleged breach of express warranty relates solely to the Proposal Contract.
Paramount Farms notes the absence of privity requirement with an express warranty. *1216 "Privity is generally not required for liability on an express warranty because it is deemed fair to impose responsibility on one who makes affirmative claims as to the merits of the product, upon which the remote consumer presumably relies." Cardinal Health 301, Inc. v. Tyco Electronics Corp., 169 Cal. App. 4th 116, 143-144, 87 Cal. Rptr. 3d 5 (2008). Paramount Farms argues that at a minimum, "Ventilex BV conferred agent status upon Mr. Schroeder by receiving, reviewing, and accepting the draft contract that contained the guarantee."
This Court is not prepared to conclude that Ventilex BV did not provide the approval guarantee to Paramount Farms and in turn is not subject to the approval guarantee. Ventilex BV is plainly named in the paragraph providing the approval guarantee's certification that the equipment "will be accepted by the FDA and USDA." Mr. Dijkman acknowledged Ventilex BV's approval guarantee to Paramount Farms. The approval guarantee creates no less than a factual issue that Ventilex BV provided an express warranty of acceptance by FDA and USDA. Ventilex BV's attempt to disavow its attachment to the certification and approval guarantee is unpersuasive. The breach of express warranty claim survives Ventilex BV's lack of privity attack.
Ventilex BV likewise challenges the breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim in its absence as a party to the Proposal Contract.
"There is an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in every contract that neither party will do anything which will injure the right of the other to receive the benefits of the agreement." Kransco v. American Empire Surplus Lines Ins. Co., 23 Cal. 4th 390, 400, 97 Cal. Rptr. 2d 151, 2 P.3d 1 (2000) (quoting Comunale v. Traders & General Ins. Co., 50 Cal. 2d 654, 658, 328 P.2d 198 (1958)). "The prerequisite for any action for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing is the existence of a contractual relationship between the parties, since the covenant is an implied term in the contract." Smith v. City and County of San Francisco, 225 Cal. App. 3d 38, 49, 275 Cal. Rptr. 17 (1990). "Without a contractual relationship, [a plaintiff] cannot state a cause of action for breach of the implied covenant." Smith, 225 Cal.App.3d at 49, 275 Cal. Rptr. 17; see Waller v. Truck Ins. Exchange, Inc., 11 Cal. 4th 1, 36, 44 Cal. Rptr. 2d 370, 900 P.2d 619 (1995) ("there can be no action for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing because the covenant is based on the contractual relationship").
Paramount Farms offers no meaningful defense for survival of the breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim. Paramount Farms neither explains how Ventilex BV breached the implied covenant nor offers facts to support a breach. Given that the arbitration panel found that such claim failed as to Ventilex USA, this Court is hard pressed, without Paramount Farms' assistance, to determine viability of the claim as to Ventilex BV. Ventilex BV is entitled to summary adjudication on the breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim.
Ventilex BV argues that Paramount Farms' claims of breach of implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose fail because Paramount Farms cannot establish "vertical privity" with Ventilex BV. Paramount Farms responds that Ventilex BV was a *1217 party to the contract with Paramount Farms and that direct contractual privity is not required for a breach of implied warranty claim.
"Vertical privity is a prerequisite in California for recovery on a theory of breach of the implied warranties of fitness and merchantability." U.S. Roofing, Inc. v. Credit Alliance Corp., 228 Cal. App. 3d 1431, 1441, 279 Cal. Rptr. 533 (1991). A California plaintiff alleging breach of warranty must stand in "vertical privity" with the defendant. Anunziato v. eMachines, Inc., 402 F. Supp. 2d 1133, 1141 (C.D.Cal. 2005). The California Court of Appeal has explained "vertical privity":
"The term ``vertical privity' refers to links in the chain of distribution of goods. If the buyer and seller occupy adjoining links in the chain, they are in vertical privity with each other and lack of privity would not be available as a defense to the seller in a warranty action brought by the buyer. For example, the distributor is normally in vertical privity with the manufacturer, and the ultimate retail buyer is normally in vertical privity with the dealer. But if the retail buyer seeks warranty recovery against a manufacturer with whom he has no direct contractual nexus, the manufacturer would seek insulation via the vertical privity defense." (Clark & Smith, The Law of Product Warranties (1984) ¶ 10.01[1], p. 10-3.)
Osborne v. Subaru of America, Inc., 198 Cal. App. 3d 646, 656, n. 6, 243 Cal. Rptr. 815 (1988).
"[T]here is no privity between the original seller and a subsequent purchaser who is in no way a party to the original sale." Burr, 42 Cal.2d at 695, 268 P.2d 1041. Stated another way, an "end consumer" who "buys from a retailer is not in privity with a manufacturer." Clemens v. DaimlerChrysler Corp., 534 F.3d 1017, 1023 (9th Cir.2008).
Ventilex BV argues that Paramount Farms is unable to establish vertical privity with it because the Proposal Contract establishes that Paramount Farms contracted for the Ventilex System with Ventilex USA, not Ventilex BV. Ventilex BV contends that the breach of implied warranty claims fail in the absence of Paramount Farms' privity with manufacturer Ventilex BV.
Paramount Farms responds that Ventilex BV ignores the "many dealings" between Paramount Farms and Mr. Schroeder, "Ventilex BV's representative," and the approval guarantee. Paramount Farms claims that Ventilex BV's direct dealings with Paramount Farms avoid the privity requirement.
The evidence, viewed in Paramount Farms' favor, reveals a direct contractual nexus with Ventilex BV given the approval guarantee that "the equipment we supply will be accepted by the FDA and USDA for the Pasteurization of Almonds." Mr. Dijkman establishes that Ventilex BV was aware of Paramount Farms' need for an almond pasteurizer that would secure governmental approvals. The evidence and inferences favorable to Paramount Farms point to direct links in the distribution chain to Ventilex BV given that Trecom, a Ventilex BV subcontractor, installed the Ventilex System at Paramount Farms and performs commissioning and start ups for Ventilex BV machines. Moreover, the evidence does not suggest that Ventilex BV merely sold the Ventilex System to Ventilex USA and washed its hands of ensuing matters. The reasonable inferences from the evidence suggest that Ventilex BV remained involved after its sale and assisted to attempt to secure governmental approvals to satisfy the approval guarantee. As such, the record raises factual issues as to *1218 vertical privity to prevent summary judgment in Ventilex BV's favor on the breach of implied warranty claims.
Ventilex BV contends that one-year warranty limitations in the Proposal Contract and the Paramount Standard Conditions bar all of Paramount Farms' claims. Paramount Farms responds that the approval guarantee is not subject to time limitations addressing workmanship and materials.
The Proposal Contract's section "7. Warranty" provides: "The Contractor warrants that all the equipment covered by this quotation will be free of defects due to workmanship and materials for a period of 12 months from start up." (Underlining in original.)
The Paramount Standard Conditions' section "15. Contractor's Guarantee" provides: (d) Except as otherwise provided in this Contract, the guarantees and warranties shall remain in effect for one year after the completion of the project."
Ventilex BV claims these warranties expired no later than mid-June 2007 prior to Paramount Farms' indication that its was dissatisfied with the Ventilex System. Ventilex BV contends that the warranty period started no later than June 29, 2006 when Ventilex System installation was completed and that Ventilex BV learned of potential problems no earlier than September 2007. Ventilex BV points out: "If a manufacturer determines that useful life [of a product] and warrants the product for a lesser period of time, we can hardly say that the warranty is implicated when the item fails after the warranty period expires. The product has performed as expressly warranted." Clemens, 534 F.3d at 1023.
Paramount Farms responds that the approval guarantee lacks a time limitation. Paramount Farms points to Mr. Dijkman's testimony as to the significance of warranty time limits: "Warranty time is mostly on mechanical parts and I'm not sure it's applicable for warranty on process. I'm not so sure. It's mostly warrantiesyou know, machines wear and tear and we have to guarantee it and faults and everything." Paramount Farms continues that "this case is and has always been about obtaining governmental approval," not defects in materials or workmanship. Paramount Farms contends that the Ventilex System was "defectively designed" to render the warranty limits inapplicable to the approval guarantee.
This Court agrees with Paramount Farms. The approval guarantee is separate from warranties on materials and workmanship. Ventilex BV points to no express time limit that applies to the open-ended approval guarantee. Subjecting the approval guarantee to a time limit suggested by Ventilex BV would render the approval guarantee useless given that government approval was never secured. The Proposal Contract and Paramount Standard Conditions' warranty time limits are inapplicable to Paramount Farms' claims.
Ventilex BV argues that the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions governed the sale of the Ventilex System from Ventilex BV to Ventilex USA and that Ventilex BV "never authorized the resale of its equipment" in the absence of the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions to bar or substantially limit Paramount Farms' claims.
Ventilex BV relies on section 23 of the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions, which provides: "The Supplier's liability is limited to defects, which appear within a period of one year from delivery. If the daily use of the Product exceeds *1219 that which is agreed, this period shall be reduced proportionately." Ventilex BV claims that no defect appeared within one year of delivery of the Ventilex System.
Ventilex BV also relies on section 33 of the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions which provides:
Where the defect has not been successfully remedied ...
a) the Purchaser is entitled to a reduction of the purchase price in proportion to the reduced value of the Product, provided that under no circumstance shall such reduction exceed 15 percent of the purchase price, or
b) where the defect is so substantial as to significantly deprive the Purchaser of the benefit of the contract, the Purchaser may terminate the contract by notice in writing to the Supplier. The Purchaser is then entitled to compensation for the loss he has suffered up to a maximum of 15 percent of the purchase price.
Ventilex BV argues that it "unequivocally limited recoverable damages to the return of the purchase price, plus no more than 15% of the purchase price, and thus cannot be liable for damages in excess of that amount."
Ventilex BV also points to a section 43 of the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions. However, the language that Ventilex BV attributes to the section 43 differs substantially from the exhibit Ventilex represents as the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions.
Paramount Farms argues that the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions were not subject to an agreement with Paramount Farms. Paramount Farms argues that Ventilex BV's attempt to incorporate the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions by reference fails to satisfy incorporation by reference requirements.
In Shaw v. Regents of University of California, 58 Cal. App. 4th 44, 54, 67 Cal. Rptr. 2d 850 (2008), the California Court of Appeal explained incorporation by reference requirements:
"A contract may validly include the provisions of a document not physically a part of the basic contract.... ``It is, of course, the law that the parties may incorporate by reference into their contract the terms of some other document.... But each case must turn on its facts.... For the terms of another document to be incorporated into the document executed by the parties the reference must be clear and unequivocal, the reference must be called to the attention of the other party and he must consent thereto, and the terms of the incorporated document must be known or easily available to the contracting parties.'" (Citations omitted.)
Ventilex BV's reliance on the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions is misplaced. The evidence reveals that the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions were not part of the agreement with Paramount Farms in that they were neither referred to in the Proposal Contract nor attached to the version of the Proposal Contract signed by Paramount Farms and Ventilex USA. As such, purported reference to the Ventilex USA General Terms was unclear and, at best for Ventilex BV, equivocal. Paramount Farms denies that it agreed to the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions to no less than raise a factual issue as to their application and whether the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions were called to Paramount Farms' attention. As the arbitration panel found, there is no evidence that Mr. Tremaine or any one else from Paramount Farms understood that the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions applied. Like the arbitration panel, this Court concludes *1220 that the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions do not apply despite Ventilex BV's claims that Ventilex USA provided them to Paramount Farms during negotiations weeks prior to the signing of the Proposal Contract. In the absence of Paramount Farms' consent, the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions do not apply to Paramount Farms. Moreover, the portions of the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions upon which Ventilex BV relies do not address governmental approvals to render such portions irrelevant and no less than superceded by the approval guarantee's express language.
Ventilex Farms seeks summary adjudication on Paramount Farms' claim of $2,565,000 overhead damages for efforts to address the Ventilex System problems.
In his report, Paramount Farms accountant expert Edward White ("Mr. White") opined that Paramount Farms "has incurred substantial overhead costs and has lost significant executive and managerial time which was focused on finding and implementing a solution to the problems created by the Ventilex failures." Mr. White calculated Paramount Farms' total overhead related to almonds during November 2005 to March 2009 was $25,650,000. Mr. White opined that 10 percent of the almond overhead ($2,565,000) was allocated to "[a]cquiring, installing, testing and modifying the Ventilex unit," "[d]eveloping a solution to the Ventilex failures," "[a]cquiring, installing, and testing the FMC Pasteurizer," and "[m]anaging the outside pasteurization." The premise of Mr. White's opinion is that Paramount Farms' management could have devoted efforts to make money if they did not need to address Ventilex System problems.
Ventilex BV contends that during his arbitration testimony, Mr. White was unable to identify "overhead costs" (internal labor, salaries, utilities, etc.) that increased due to Ventilex System problems. Ventilex BV argues that Paramount Farms and Mr. White "fail to demonstrate any causal link between issues relating to the Ventilex System and any dreamed up overhead damages." In sum, Ventilex BV characterizes the overhead damages as "speculative."
Paramount Farms characterizes its overhead costs as "lost opportunity costs." Paramount Farms claims it expended "significant efforts" to arrange for outside pasteurization and to negotiate and purchase the FMC System to avoid a "shut down" of its almond operations. Paramount Farms argues that the "real test is what percentage of the overhead was dedicated to the disruption caused by Ventilex's failure to provide a product that worked."
The "burden of proof is upon the party claiming the damage to prove that he has suffered damage and to prove the elements thereof with reasonable certainty." Peters v. Lines, 275 F.2d 919, 930 (9th Cir.1960). A plaintiff can recover only "those elements that he can prove with reasonable certainty." Walden v. United States, 31 F. Supp. 2d 1230, 1235 (S.D.Cal. 1998).
Ventilex BV is correct that the overhead damages advocated by Mr. White are speculative and lack sufficient certainty. This Court agrees with the arbitration panel's analysis:
While it appears likely the inability to use the Ventilex pasteurizer did result in some increased overhead expense, the Panel is unable to conclude that the method by which it was calculated is sufficiently certain to allow an award. Mr. White simply took a percentage of a *1221 percentage, which appears to us to be speculation.
Like the arbitration panel, this Court is unable to conclude that Mr. White's method supports the overhead damages award sought by Paramount Farms. Ventilex BV is entitled to summary adjudication on the overhead damages claim.
Paramount Farms seeks $5.42 million pursuant to the Proposal Contract's liquidated damages provision ("liquidated damages provision"), which provides in part: "If the work under this Contract is not completed by the deadline set forth in Paragraph 4 of this Proposal Contract . . ., the parties agree that liquidated damages shall be assessed and paid" in increments ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per day. Paramount Farms claims that since Paramount Farms never received "a working machine," Paramount Farms is entitled to liquidated damages "from January 27, 2006 until the time [Paramount Farms] obtained TERP validation of the new FMC machine on January 24, 2009."
Ventilex BV argues that the liquidated damages provision "applies only to delays in initial shipping" and points to the Proposal Contract's January 27, 2006 "ship date." Ventilex BV notes the absence of a "validation date" in the liquidated damages provision and interprets the liquidated damages provision to ensure that the Ventilex System was shipped no later than January 27, 2006. Ventilex BV points out that the parties resolved a dispute over late shipment of the Ventilex System with a $10,000 credit to Paramount Farms to establish an "understanding" and "satisfaction and accord" of the liquidated damages provision to waive a liquidated damages claim at this stage. Ventilex BV argues that to the extent the liquidated damages clause is ambiguous, it should be construed against Paramount Farms as drafter and that Paramount Farms' liquidated damages claim fails in the absence of a reasonable relationship to actual anticipated damages. "A liquidated damages clause will generally be considered unreasonable, and hence unenforceable . . . if it bears no reasonable relationship to the range of actual damages that the parties could have anticipated would flow from a breach." Ridgley v. Topa Thrift & Loan Ass'n, 17 Cal. 4th 970, 977, 73 Cal. Rptr. 2d 378, 953 P.2d 484 (1998). Ventilex BV continues that Paramount Farms' attempted recovery of actual and liquidated damages is "an impermissible double recovery."
Paramount Farms contends that the liquidated damages provision applies in that Ventilex BV "never shipped a ``completed' machine or otherwise completed the ``work'" as defined by the Proposal Contract. Paramount Farms argues that "work" referenced in the liquidated damages provision comprised assembly of a Ventilex System guaranteed to obtain "necessary governmental approvals within a commercially reasonable time" and "shipment of that system by January 27, 2006."
Paramount Farms' interpretation of the liquidated damages claim is unreasonable and overreaching in that the liquidated damages provision addresses completion of a Ventilex System capable of obtaining governmental approval or not. The liquidated damages provision's scope is limited to manufacture of the Ventilex System and its shipment. Paramount Farms offers no evidence, and Ventilex BV's evidence negates, that the liquidated damages provision applies to governmental approval. There is no dispute that governmental approval would be sought after the Ventilex System was manufactured, shipped, installed and tested and in turn after the *1222 "ship date" noted in the Proposal Contract. The liquidated damages provision does not address failure to satisfy the approval guarantee which Paramount Farms concedes is the core issue. Ventilex BV is correct that Paramount Farms and Ventilex USA addressed the liquidated damages clause shortly after Paramount Farms' receipt of the Ventilex System and that Paramount Farms' liquidated damages claim encroaches on damages recoverable under its other theories. Ventilex BV is entitled to summary adjudication on Paramount Farms' liquidated damages claim.
For the reasons discussed below, this Court:
1. DENIES Paramount Farms summary judgment;
2. GRANTS Ventilex summary adjudication on Paramount Farms' breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim and overhead and liquidated damages claims but otherwise DENIES Ventilex BV summary judgment; and
3. CONFIRMS the September 16, 2010 pretrial conference and November 1, 2010 trial.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
[1] This Court carefully reviewed and considered all arguments, points and authorities, declarations, testimony, statements of undisputed facts and responses thereto, objections and other papers filed by the parties. Omission of reference to an argument, document, evidence, objection or paper is not to be construed to the effect that this Court did not consider the argument, document, evidence, objection or paper. This Court thoroughly reviewed, considered and applied the evidence it deemed admissible, material and appropriate for summary judgment/adjudication. This Court does not rule on objections in a summary judgment/adjudication context.
[2] "5-log" means to reduce the bacteria level by a factor of 100,000 or five zeros.
[3] Paramount Farms merely refers to "Ventilex" and does not specify Ventilex BV, Ventilex USA, or both.
[4] The Ventilex System comprised an almond pasteurizer, drier and cooler.
[5] Ventilex BV contends that it is not a party to the Proposal Contract and did not sign it.
[6] The addendum made changes to the quotation including a changed delivery point, a figure for installation costs, and other changes.
[7] The main text of the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions includes the heading "General Conditions for the Supply of Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Products." Ventilex BV notes that the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions "are universally recognized terms and conditions of sale published by the European Engineering Industries Association."
[8] In his declaration, Mr. Schroeder states that he executed the Proposal Contract "on behalf of Ventilex USA. I did not represent at any time that Ventilex B.V. would be a party to, or guarantor of, that Contract."
[9] This Court will refer to the November 8 letter's three above paragraphs as the "approval guarantee." Paramount Farms claims that Ventilex BV drafted the approval guarantee. Mr. Schroeder recalls that an identical approval guarantee provided to Cal Nut was drafted by Ventilex BV. Paramount Farms notes that the same approval guarantee was provided for three Ventilex System sales in the United States.
[10] Ventilex BV claims that Ventilex USA purchased the Ventilex System from Ventilex BV subject to the Ventilex USA General Terms and Conditions for resale to Paramount Farms.
[11] Ventilex BV explains that under Dutch law, Mr. Dijkman "was essentially its chief executive officer or president."
[12] Mr. Dijkman referred to Ventilex USA as "Inc."
[13] The complaint defines "Ventilex" as "Ventilex B.V. and each of the fictitiously named Doe defendants." The complaint states: "Ventilex USA is not a party to this action." The complaint appears to refer to "Contract" as the Proposal Contract and documents which it incorporates.
[14] This Court is unsure whether Paramount Farms' use of "Ventilex" refers to Ventilex BV, Ventilex USA or both.
[15] Paramount Farms does not distinguish res judicata and collateral estoppel and appears to seek to apply both doctrines.
[16] The arbitration panel specifically found that Paramount Farms "had no viable alternative to replacing the Ventilex pasteurizer with the FMC pasteurizer and such replacement was necessary to mitigate Paramount's damages."
[17] Ventilex BV explains: "By reversing its position on issue preclusion, Paramount is seeking to have it both waysfirst rejecting the doctrine so as to maintain a separate action and pursue allegedly independent claims against Ventilex B.V., and later asserting the doctrine affirmatively to prevent Ventilex B.V. from defending itself in that same action."
[18] The parties refer to the Ventilex USA Terms and Conditions as the "Orgaline Terms and Conditions."
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