3M Company v. Neology, Inc.

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
3M COMPANY
Plaintiff,
C.A. NO.: N18C-07-089 AML CCLD
Vv.
NEOLOGY, INC. and ONE EQUITY
PARTNERS VI, L.P.,
New Newer Neer” Nee Nee Nee Nee ree” Nee eee”
Defendants.
Submitted: March 25, 2019
Decided: June 28, 2019
Upon Plaintiff's Motion to Dismiss Defendant Neology, Inc.’s First Amended
Counterclaim: Granted in Part, Denied in Part
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Rafael X. Zahralddin-Aravena, Esquire, Jonathan M. Stemerman, Esquire of
ELLIOTT GREENLEAF, P.C., Wilmington, Delaware, and Lawrence M. Shapiro,
Esquire, Sybil L. Dunlop, Esquire of GREENE ESPEL PLLP, Minneapolis,
Minnesota, Attorneys for Plaintiff.
Catherine A. Gaul, Esquire of ASHBY & GEDDES, Wilmington, Delaware, and
John D. Alessio, Esquire, Alex G. Brizolis, Esquire of PROCOPIO, CORY,
HARGREAVES & SAVITCH LLP, San Diego, California, Attorneys for
Defendant Neology, Inc.
T. Brad Davy, Esquire, Jonathan A. Choa, Esquire of POTTER ANDERSON &
CORROON LLP, Wilmington, Delaware, Attorneys for Defendant One Equity
Partners VI, L.P.
LeGrow, J.
In May 2017, Buyer purchased Seller’s tolling and automated license plate
recognition business, and the parties executed an asset purchase agreement
governing the sale. To complete the transaction, the parties also entered into
several transition agreements requiring Seller to assist Buyer in the transition of the
business. Seller initiated this action against Buyer after a dispute arose during the
transition period. Buyer answered and asserted several counterclaims against
Seller for breach of contract, fraud in the inducement, fraudulent concealment,
indemnification, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
According to Buyer, Seller misrepresented and intentionally concealed a major
design flaw of one of its key products to induce Buyer into purchasing the
business. Additionally, Buyer alleges Seller failed to perform its contractual
obligations under the transition agreements.
Currently before the Court is Seller’s motion to dismiss Buyer’s amended
counterclaim for failure to state a-claim. Seller has moved to dismiss the claims
for procedural and substantive reasons, including that the claims are untimely
under the contractual limitations period, fail to state a claim under the contract, and
are contract claims masquerading as fraud claims. For the following reasons, I
dismiss Buyer’s implied covenant and breach of the asset purchase agreement
counterclaims with prejudice and dismiss one of Buyer’s breach of transition
agreement counterclaims without prejudice. Buyer’s remaining causes of action
survive under the minimal pleading standard applicable to a motion to dismiss.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
In 2017, 3M Company (“3M”), sold its tolling and automated license plate
recognition (“ALPR”) business (the “Business”) to Defendant Neology, Inc.
(“Neology”). Defendant One Equity Partners VI, L.P. acted as guarantor for
Neology. The parties executed an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”) on May
4, 2017. As part of the transaction, 3M and Neology also entered into the
Transition Distribution Services Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”), the
Transition Services Agreement (the “Service Agreement”), and the Transition
Contract Manufacturing Agreement (the “Manufacturing Agreement’)
(collectively, the “Transition Agreements”).
The APA
The APA, which set forth the terms and conditions of 3M’s sale of the
Business to Neology, contains several provisions essential to the parties’ dispute.
A. Representations and Warranties
Article 3 of the APA contains representations and warranties 3M made to
Neology. In Section 3.5, 3M specifically represented and warranted that there had
been no “Material Adverse Effect” to the Business between December 31, 2016
and May 4, 2017. The APA defines a Material Adverse Effect as:
[A]ny state of facts, circumstance, condition, event, change,
development, occurrence or effect (each, an “Effect”) that is
materially adverse to (a) the business, condition (financial or
otherwise), assets, liabilities, operations or results of operations of the
Business, taken as a whole or (b) the ability of [3M] to perform its
obligations under this [a]greement or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby . . .'
The definition of a Material Adverse Effect, however, expressly excludes any
effect that:
[R]elates to, arises out of or results from . . . (vii) any failure by the
Business to meet any internal or external estimates, expectations,
budgets, projections or forecasts (but the underlying causes of such
failure may so constitute or be taken into account unless such
underlying causes would otherwise be excepted by another clause of
this definition) .. .”
Elsewhere in the APA, Neology expressly disclaimed reliance on any
representations and warranties except those contained in Article 3 of the APA (the
“Non-Reliance Clause”).’ Specifically, Neology agreed that:
[I]t has relied solely upon its own independent investigation, review
and analysis, and reached its own independent conclusions regarding,
the Business and its operations, assets, condition (financial or
otherwise) and prospects and has not relied on and is not relying on
any representation, warranty or other statement made by, on behalf of
or relating to [3M], [3M]’s [a]ffiliates or the Business except for the
representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article 3 .. .4
' 3M’s Opening Br. Ex. A at 8 [hereinafter “APA”,
* APA at 8. The definition contains a number of other carve-outs in sections (b)(i)-(xi), but the
carve-out in section (b)(vii) is most relevant to this dispute.
* Id. § 4.8.
* Td. § 4.8(a).
Neology agreed not to rely on any representations and warranties, except for those
in Article 3, including any statements regarding “the operation or probable success
or profitability of the Business” or “the accuracy or completeness of any
information” made available to Neology in connection to the APA or in Neology’s
investigations of the Business.” Neology also disclaimed all rights and remedies
arising out of any representation, warranty, or statement 3M made other than the
representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article 3.6
B. Covenants
Article 5 of the APA sets forth both parties’ covenants. Section 5.1 required
3M to continue to conduct the Business in its ordinary course before the
transaction closed. 3M specifically promised that before closing it would:
[U]se commercially reasonable efforts to (A) operate the Business in
the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice .. . (B)
maintain and preserve the present business organizations, assets and
technology of the Business . . . and (C) maintain and preserve the
relationships and goodwill with customers and suppliers of the
Business.’
C. Indemnification
Article 10 of the APA provides both parties the right to indemnification for
certain losses. Under Section 10.2, 3M is obligated to indemnify Neology for any
losses arising from an inaccurate representation or warranty in Article 3 or any
> Id. § 4.8(b).
6 Id.
"Td. § 5.1,
breach of covenant, agreement, or obligation to be performed by 3M under the
APA. Section 10.8(a) makes indemnification the parties’ exclusive remedy (the
“Exclusive Remedy Clause”), and provides:
From and after the Closing, (i) this Article 10 shall be the sole and
exclusive remedy of the [iJndemnified [p]arties (including [Neology]
and [3M]) in connection with this [a]greement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, (ii) neither [Neology] nor [3M] shall be liable or
responsible in any manner whatsoever (whether for indemnification or
otherwise) to any [indemnified [p]arty for a breach of this
[a]jgreement or in connection with any of the transactions
contemplated by this [a]greement . . . each [p]arty hereby waives, to
the fullest extent permitted under applicable [l]aw, any and all rights,
claims and causes of action (A) for any breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation set forth herein or (B)
otherwise relating to the subject matter of this [a]greement, in each
case, that it may have against the other [p]arty . . .
Fraud claims, however, fall outside the Exclusive Remedy Clause, as Section
10.8(b) makes clear:
Nothing in this Article 10, but subject in all cases to the limitations in
Section 4.8 and Section 11.3, shall limit either [p]arty’s right to bring
a claim until the latest time permitted by applicable [l]aw based on the
[fJraud of any other [p]erson against such [p]erson in respect of any
representation and warranty contained in Article 3 or Article 4...
The APA further sets certain limitations periods applicable to the APA’s
representations, warranties, and covenants. The representation in Section 3.5
expires eighteen months after the closing date. All covenants and agreements that
® Td. § 10.1(a)(ii).
must be performed before the closing expire twelve months after the closing date.”
In order to bring a timely claim, the complaining party must provide written notice
within the survival period, including “a description in reasonable detail of (i) the
basis for, and nature of, such Claim, including the facts constituting the basis for
such Claim, and (ii) the estimated amount of the Losses that have been or may be
1° Neither party is required to indemnify the other beyond the
sustained . .
survival period, but if any claim is brought in good faith during the survival period,
the claim survives until it is “fully and finally resolved.”"!
If a timely claim is brought, Section 10.5(b) limits 3M?’s liability for
indemnification to Neology, stating: “the maximum aggregate [lliability of [3M]
(i) under Section 10.2(a) shall be $300,000, and (ii) under Section 10.2(a) and
Section 10.2(b) together shall be the [p]urchase [p]rice.” Section 10.2(a) refers to
claims arising out of “any inaccuracy in any representation or warranty of [3M]
contained in Article 3,” and Section 10.2(b) refers to claims arising out of “any
breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by [3M] or any of
its [a]ffiliates contained in or made pursuant to [the APA].”
To summarize, claims under the APA — other than for fraud — must be
noticed within the survival period applicable to that claim, are limited to claims for
? Td. § 10.1(a)(iii).
'0 Td. § 10.6(a).
"! Id. § 10.1(b).
indemnification, and any resulting damages award is capped at $300,000 in the
case of inaccurate representations or warranties in Article 3, or at the purchase
price in the case of a breach of any covenant.
The Transition Agreements
In addition to the APA, 3M and Neology also entered into the Transition
Agreements. The Transition Agreements required 3M to perform certain services
for Neology after the closing to assist with the transition of the Business. For
example, the Service Agreement required 3M to provide Accounting and Finance
Services, Information Technology Services, Supply Chain Services, and IT
Systems Access Services.'* In addition, under the Manufacturing Agreement, 3M
agreed to manufacture and sell products.'? The Distribution Agreement required
3M to sell products to customers and to accept and decline orders."* Each
transition agreement contained a provision requiring 3M to perform these services
for Neology with the same standard of care 3M would use for its own business.’
Each transition agreement also contained a clause limiting 3M’s liability to
Neology for breach of the agreement. Specifically, 3M’s maximum liability to
Neology for breach of contract is $500,000 under the Distribution Agreement, '°
'2 3M’s Opening Br. Ex. C App. A [hereinafter “Service Agreement”).
'3 3M’s Opening Br. Ex. D § 2.1 [hereinafter “Manufacturing Agreement”).
4 3M’s Opening Br. Ex. B § 2.5 [hereinafter “Distribution Agreement”.
'S Distribution Agreement § 2.3; Manufacturing Agreement § 2.5; Service Agreement § 2.4.
'6 Distribution Agreement § 4.1(a).
$600,000 under the Service Agreement,'’ and the total amount paid under the
Manufacturing Agreement as of the date of the alleged breach.’®
This Litigation and Neology’s Amended Counterclaims
On July 11, 2018, following difficulties with the Business’s transition, 3M
brought this action against Neology and One Equity. Neology filed its answer
along with counterclaims for breach of contract, fraud in the inducement,
indemnification, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
3M moved to dismiss Neology’s original counterclaims under Superior Court Civil
Rule 12(b)(6), and Neology then filed amended counterclaims (the “Amended
Counterclaims”) containing additional breach of contract claims and a claim for
fraudulent concealment. 3M again moved to dismiss and the parties briefed and
argued that motion.
The Amended Counterclaims focus on two sets of allegations: (1) before
selling the Business to Neology, 3M misrepresented and concealed product
development issues with the Business’s new fixed ALPR camera (the “New Fixed
Camera”), and (2) during the transition period, 3M failed to maintain an exemption
needed for Neology legally to sell ALPR products in the European Union, and 3M
sold ALPR products at below average gross profit margins.
" Service Agreement § 4.1(a).
'8 Manufacturing Agreement § 7.2(a).
A. The New Fixed Camera
Neology’s first set of allegations concern undisclosed problems with the
New Fixed Camera. Neology alleges that during due diligence, 3M provided
several projections and forecasts for the Business that specifically referenced the
New Fixed Camera. For example, a March 13, 2017 report by KPMG (the
“KPMG Report”) stated the Business would be launching the New Fixed Camera
in mid-2017, “which would help drive and grow the ALPR gross margins.”'? The
KPMG Report projected the New Fixed Camera “would account for 12.16% of the
Business’s fixed ALPR camera sales in 2017, 52.38% of the fixed camera sales in
2018, and 100% of the fixed camera sales in 2019.” An April 5, 2017 report by
Ermst & Young LLP (the “E&Y Report”) also noted that the Business was
“focusing on developing new technology and not attempting to market/sell the
aged technology.””
Despite these statements, Neology contends 3M knew the New Fixed
Camera would not be ready to launch by mid-2017. Neology cites a March 16,
2017 3M internal report (the “Thermal Report”) suggesting the New Fixed Camera
9922
“suffer[ed] from ‘serious overheating’ issues. According to Neology, 3M’s
efforts to resolve these design issues proved unsuccessful, and Neology did not
'? Am. Countercl. 4 7.
20 1d. 4 8.
21 1d 97.
2 Td. 4 10.
discover the New Fixed Camera’s overheating problem until after it acquired the
Business. Neology further claims that despite diligent attempts to redesign the
New Fixed Camera, it has been unable to resolve the overheating issue and get the
product to market.
Neology asserts several claims related to the overheating issue with the New
Fixed Camera. First, Neology brings a breach of contract claim alleging the
overheating issue was a “Material Adverse Effect” known to 3M as early as March
2017, and 3M therefore inaccurately represented and warranted in APA Section 3.5
that there had been no Material Adverse Effect to the Business since December 31,
2016. Neology also seeks indemnification for losses related to the inaccurate
representation in Section 3.5. Next, Neology claims 3M’s failure to disclose the
camera’s overheating issue was a violation of the APA’s implied covenant of good
faith and fair dealing. Finally, Neology claims 3M fraudulently induced Neology
into purchasing the Business and intentionally and fraudulently concealed the
Thermal Report.
B. The RoHS 2 Exemption and Sale of ALPR Products
The Amended Counterclaims also describe 3M’s alleged failures to perform
as required during the transition period. Neology first claims 3M breached its
obligation to maintain an exemption from the European Commission’s Restriction
on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic
10
Equipment (the “RoHS 2 Exemption”). The RoHS 2 Exemption is a permit the
Business needs to sell certain ALPR products in the European Union.” According
to Neology, 3M obtained the RoHS 2 Exemption when it owned the Business, but
3M allowed the exemption to expire in July 2017 after the sale of the Business was
complete. This lapse allegedly left Neology unable legally to sell ALPR products
in the European Union almost immediately after it purchased the Business.
Neology also alleges that during the transition period, 3M failed to sell
ALPR products consistent with past practices, resulting in lower than normal gross
profit margins. Neology specifically references the KPMG Report, which listed an
average gross profit margin of “49.9% in 2014, 47.5% in 2015 and 28.9% in 2016”
and reported “gross profit margin is expected to step-up from 29% in FY 2016 to a
more normalized 41% in FY 2017, when compared to 48% gross margins achieved
in FY 2015.” Despite this report, 3M sold ALPR products at an 8.45% gross
profit margin during the transition period, and 3M continued to sell ALPR products
at a gross profit margin of -396.54% after Neology terminated the Transition
Agreements in November 2017.”°
Neology cites 3M’s transition period conduct to support several of its
claims. Neology first alleges that by failing to maintain the RoHS 2 Exemption,
3 At oral argument, the parties agreed the RoHS 2 Exemption was a “Permit” within the
meaning of the APA and the Transition Agreements.
*4 Am. Counterel. J 38.
*° Id. 9§ 39-40.
11
3M breached its covenant in the APA to operate the Business before closing in the
ordinary course and consistent with past practices. Neology also contends its
losses related to the breach of covenant are subject indemnification. Neology
offers similar allegations to support its claim for breach of the Transition
Agreements. Neology alleges 3M was required to provide services consistent with
3M’s past practices, but instead 3M failed to maintain the RoHS 2 Exemption and
sold ALPR products at historically low gross margins. Finally, Neology contends
this conduct supports its claim for breach of the APA’s and the Transition
Agreements’ implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
The Parties’ Contentions
In its motion to dismiss, 3M attacks the Amended Counterclaims as both
procedurally and substantively deficient. 3M first argues Neology’s claims are
barred procedurally because Neology failed to follow contractually-mandated
dispute resolution procedures, certain claims are untimely, and the original
counterclaim improperly was amended under Superior Court Civil Rule 15(a).
Next, 3M contends Neology’s breach of contract claims under the APA must be
dismissed because indemnification is the parties’ exclusive remedy. As to
Neology’s indemnification claim, 3M argues that claim must be dismissed because
Neology fails to plead the existence of a “Material Adverse Effect” as defined in
the APA. Even if the indemnification claim survives, 3M contends the Court
12
should strike the request for damages in excess of $300,000. 3M also argues
Neology’s breach of contract claims under the Service Agreement and the
Manufacturing Agreement must be dismissed because 3M was not obligated to
maintain the RoHS 2 Exemption under those agreements. 3M contends the
implied covenant claim should be dismissed because the express terms of the
contract govern the conduct at issue. Finally, 3M argues the fraud claims
impermissibly are bootstrapped to Neology’s breach of contract claim and also are
barred by the APA’s Non-Reliance Clause.
In response, Neology first argues its counterclaims are not barred
procedurally because the parties have satisfied or waived any pre-litigation dispute
resolution requirements; Neology’s claims timely were noticed; and under a
pragmatic interpretation of Rule 15(a), Neology’s counterclaims properly were
amended. As to the breach of contract claim under the APA, Neology argues it
sufficiently pleads the existence of a Material Adverse Effect under the APA
definition, and the remedy of indemnification does not affect its breach of contract
claim. Neology also contends 3M’s maximum liability is not $300,000 because
Neology alleges a violation of both APA Sections 10.2(a) and 10.2(b), for which
3M’s maximum liability is the purchase price under the APA. As to the breach of
contract claims under the Transition Agreements, Neology argues 3M
contractually was obligated to maintain the RoHS 2 Exemption because 3M could
13
not properly provide the contracted-for services without maintaining the
exemption. Next, Neology contends that if the breach of contract claim does not
survive, Neology sufficiently pleads breach of the implied covenant in the
alternative. Finally, as to the fraud claims, Neology argues the Non-Reliance
Clause does not bar its claims, and further, Neology alleges 3M made material
misrepresentations and concealed material facts before the APA was executed,
which brings the claim outside any argument regarding bootstrapping.
ANALYSIS
On a motion to dismiss, the Court must determine whether the “plaintiff
“may recover under any reasonably conceivable set of circumstances susceptible of
proof.”””* “If [the plaintiff] may recover, the motion must be denied.”?” A court
may grant the motion if “it appears to a reasonable certainty that under no state of
facts which could be proved to support the claim asserted would plaintiff be
entitled to relief.””** When applying this standard, the Court will accept as true all
°° Holmes v. D’Elia, 2015 WL 8480150, at *2 (Del. Dec. 8, 2015) (quoting Spence v. Funk, 396
A.2d 967, 968 (Del. 1978)).
*7 Deuley v. DynCorp Int’l, Inc., 2010 WL 704895, at *3 (Del. Super. Feb. 26, 2010) (citing
Parlin v. DynCorp Int'l, Inc., 2009 WL 3636756, at *1 (Del. Super. Sept. 30, 2009) (quoting
Spence, 396 A.2d at 968)), aff'd, 8 A.3d 1156 (Del. 2010).
8 Fish Eng’g Corp. v. Hutchinson, 162 A.2d 722, 724 (Del. 1960) (citing Danby v. Osteopathic
Hosp. Ass’n of Del., 101 A.2d 308, 315 (Del. Ch. 1953), aff'd, 104 A.2d 903 (Del. 1954)); Nero
v. Littleton, 1998 WL 229526, at *3 (Del. Ch. Apr. 30, 1998).
14
9
non-conclusory, well-pleaded allegations.”’ In addition, “a trial court must draw
all reasonable factual inferences in favor of the party opposing the motion.””°
I. Neology’s counterclaims are not barred procedurally.
In its motion to dismiss, 3M first argues the Amended Counterclaim must be
dismissed due to procedural deficiencies, namely Neology’s failure to: (1) engage
in pre-litigation dispute resolution procedures, (2) properly amend its counterclaim
under Superior Court Civil Rule 15(a), and (3) timely provide notice to 3M of
Neology’s claims under the APA and the Distribution Agreement.
A. The parties have waived the APA’s dispute resolution procedures.
The APA contains a provision requiring the parties to engage in pre-
litigation dispute resolution when any post-closing dispute arises.*! Under Section
11.9, if a post-closing dispute arises, the parties must attempt to negotiate with one
another, or, if negotiations are unsuccessful after thirty days, they must initiate
non-binding mediation with a mutually-agreed upon mediator.” Neither party may
initiate legal proceedings until forty-five days after appointment of a mediator.*?
3M contends Neology failed to comply with Section 11.9’s dispute
resolution procedures before filing the Amended Counterclaims, and Neology’s
”” Pfeffer v. Redstone, 965 A.2d 676, 683 (Del. 2009).
© Doe v. Cahill, 884 A.2d 451, 458 (Del. 2005) (citing Ramunno v. Cawley, 705 A.2d 1029,
1034 (Del. 1998) (citing Solomon vy. Pathe Commc’ns Corp., 672 A.2d 35, 38 (Del. 1996)) (other
citations omitted)).
3! APA § 11.9.
32 Td. § 11.9(a)-(b).
33 Td. § 11.9(c).
15
claims therefore must be dismissed.** In response, Neology argues any pre-
litigation dispute resolution requirement has been met or cured because the parties
mediated after Neology filed the Amended Counterclaims, and further, 3M waived
its right to insist on mediation when it initiated this litigation without mediating its
own claims. Although 3M maintains this argument “on principle,’ 3M
acknowledged at oral argument that this point largely is moot due to post-filing
events. I agree. Here, the parties’ actions indicate they have waived strict
compliance with the APA’s dispute resolution procedures.’ The parties mediated
without success in February 2019 after the Amended Counterclaims were filed,*®
and according to Neology, 3M itself failed to comply with the APA’s dispute
resolution procedures before filing this action.*” Accordingly, the APA’s dispute
resolution procedures have been waived for purposes of this dispute.
** See Fernstrum v. Trunzo, 2017 WL 6028871, at *4 (Del. Ch. Dec. 5, 2017).
35 See Millsboro Fire Co. v. Construction Management Service, Inc., 2009 WL 846614, at *5
(Del. Super. Mar. 31, 2009) (finding the parties had waived the pre-litigation mediation
requirement when neither requested mediation before filing suit and they had unsuccessfully
mediated during the pendency of the action). See also Allied World Surplus Lines Insurance
Company v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina, 2017 WL 3328230, at *2 (D.S.C.
Aug. 3, 2017) (the parties had waived strict compliance with the requirement that AAA
administer mediation when both parties voluntarily submitted to mediate before the judge).
*6 Neology’s Answering Br. at 6.
°7 Am. Countercl. | 22. See Delta and Pine Land Co. v. Monsanto Co., 2006 WL 1510417, *5
(Del. Ch. May 24, 2006) (finding that a party who actively has participated in litigation has
waived its right to arbitration).
16
B. A motion to dismiss is not a responsive pleading under Superior
Court Civil Rule 15(a).
Superior Court Civil Rule 15(a) provides, “[a] party may amend the party's
pleading once as a matter of course at any time before a responsive pleading is
served or .. . Otherwise, a party may amend the party's pleading only by leave of
court or by written consent of the adverse party...” 3M contends their original
motion to dismiss is a “responsive pleading,” and Neology’s Amended
Counterclaims therefore must be dismissed because the claims were filed without
3M’s consent or leave from the Court.”
A motion to dismiss, however, is not a responsive pleading. This conclusion
is consistent with the Court’s rules, Delaware case law, and the notion of judicial
efficiency.”” Permitting one amendment as a matter of right in the face of a motion
to dismiss encourages a plaintiff to address, if possible, any deficiencies in an
initial complaint and proceed on its best set of allegations. If, even after
38 Super. Ct. Civ. R. 15(a) (emphasis added).
» There is no Delaware Supreme Court case squarely addressing this issue. 3M cites Prezant v.
De Angelis for its contention that a motion to dismiss is a responsive pleading. 636 A.2d 915,
919 (Del. 1994) (“The complaint was amended without leave of the court, pursuant to Chancery
Rule 15(a), because, unlike the vigorously contested Illinois action in which defendants filed a
motion to dismiss, defendants have never filed a responsive pleading in this action.”). In a more
recent case, however, the Delaware Supreme Court referred to a motion to dismiss and a
responsive pleading as separate documents. Gadow v. Parker, 865 A.2d 515, 519 (Del. 2005)
(“The Superior Court Civil Rules expressly permit a defendant to raise the defense of limitations
in a motion to dismiss or in a first responsive pleading to the complaint.”).
* See Ward v. CareFusion Solutions, LLC, 2018 WL 1320225, at *3 (Del. Super. Mar. 13, 2018)
(“[A] motion to dismiss is not a responsive pleading that would require [Plaintiffs] to seek leave
of the Court to file an amended Complaint.”). See also Gumbs v. Delaware Department of
Labor, 2015 WL 1542126, at *1 (Del. Super. Mar. 27, 2015); Stoppel v. Henry, 2011 WL 55911,
at *3 (Del. Super. Jan. 4, 2011).
17
amendment, the complaint remains deficient, a defendant would have a strong
argument to seek dismissal with prejudice. Accordingly, Neology was not required
to seek 3M’s consent or leave from the Court, and Neology’s Amended
Counterclaims properly were filed under Rule 15(a).
C. Neology sufficiently pleads that it provided timely notice of a dispute
under the Distribution Agreement and the APA.
Next, 3M argues Neology’s breach of covenant claim under the APA and
breach of contract claim under the Distribution Agreement both are untimely.
According to Neology, however, it gave 3M timely notice of its claims, and
regardless, timeliness is a question of fact not amenable to resolution on a motion
to dismiss. Under Delaware law, parties to a contract may shorten the statute of
limitations."’ Both the APA and the Distribution Agreement expressly limit the
time period for a party to bring a claim.
The limitations period in the APA prohibits any claim for breach of
covenant brought twelve months after the closing date.” To preserve a claim, the
complaining party must provide written notice of the claim within twelve months
of closing, including descriptions of the nature of the claim and the estimated
loss.” The closing date was June 30, 2017, therefore notice of any claim for
“| Woodward v. Farm Family Cas. Ins. Co., 796 A.2d 638, 642-43 (Del. 2002).
” APA § 10.1(a)(iii).
3 Td. § 10.6(a).
18
breach of covenant was required by June 30, 2018." Under Section 10.1(b), if
notice is provided by June 30, 2018, the claim survives until it is “fully and finally
resolved.”
The Distribution Agreement expressly prohibits a claim brought more than
two months after the agreement’s termination or expiration unless the claim was
timely noticed in writing and with the requisite specificity.° The Distribution
Agreement was effective from June 1, 2017 to December 1, 2017, therefore notice
of any breach of contract claim under the Distribution Agreement was required by
February 1, 2018.”°
In the Amended Counterclaims, Neology alleges that “3M had notice of
Neology’s claims against 3M, including Neology’s claims under the [Distribution
Agreement], prior to February 1, 2018, which 3M expressly acknowledged in
writing several months before 3M filed suit against Neology in this Court.”
Under Delaware’s pleading standard this statement sufficiently pleads that
Neology’s claims are timely. Whether Neology ultimately can prove it timely gave
notice with the specificity required under the Distribution Agreement and the APA
is a question of fact the Court cannot resolve on the record before it.
“* Id. § 2.4(a).
’ Distribution Agreement § 4.1 (a).
“6 Id. § 5.1.
“7 Am. Countercl. q 46.
19
II. Neology’s Breach of Contract Claims
A. Indemnification is the parties’ exclusive remedy under the APA
because the Exclusive Remedy Clause bars a breach of contract
claim.
3M next argues Neology’s breach of contract claim is not permitted under
the APA because indemnification is Neology’s exclusive remedy. In Count I of
the Amended Counterclaims, Neology alleges 3M breached the APA by making
inaccurate representations and warranties under APA Section 3.5 and by breaching
the covenant in APA Section 5.1. Under the Exclusive Remedy Clause, however,
indemnification is the parties’ exclusive remedy for breach."® Each party agreed
that neither would be liable for breach and waived “to the fullest extent permitted
under applicable Law, any and all rights, claims and causes of action [] for any
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement or obligation set forth
[in the APA] or [] otherwise relating to the subject matter of [the APA].”*? The
Exclusive Remedy Clause is unequivocal. Each party waived their right to any
claim for breach of the APA, and Neology’s only remaining claim is for
indemnification under Article 10. 3M’s motion to dismiss Neology’s breach of
contract claim under the APA therefore is granted, and Neology’s claims under
Section 3.5 and 5.1 survive only as indemnification claims.
8 APA § 10.8(a).
* Id. (emphasis added).
20
Barb. 3M has conceded that Neology adequately pleads a breach of
contract claim under the Distribution Agreement.
In the Amended Counterclaims, Neology alleges 3M’s sale of ALPR
products at historically low gross profit margins breached Section 2.5(a) of the
Distribution Agreement, which required 3M to “sell [p]roducts to, and accept or
decline orders received from, [c]ustomers only [] in a manner consistent with its
”°
past practices ....” Other than attacking this claim procedurally, 3M does not
contend Neology fails adequately to plead a claim for breach of the Distribution
Agreement. Because the Court already concluded Neology’s Distribution
Agreement claim is not barred procedurally, 3M has conceded that Neology
adequately pleads a breach of contract claim under the Distribution Agreement.”’
C. Neology does not adequately plead a breach of contract claim under
the Service Agreement.
3M next argues Neology’s breach of contract claim under the Service
Agreement fails as a matter of law. Under the Service Agreement, 3M was
required to perform certain “Transition Services” for Neology to assist with the
transition of the Business, and 3M was to use “substantially the same degree of
care, skill, and diligence” it used when providing those services to its own
. . 51 Onn . oo o : :
organization. Transition Services are defined as “the transition services listed in
*° Although the claim survives, 3M’s maximum liability for breach of contract is $500,000.
Distribution Agreement § 4.1(a).
*! Service Agreement § 2.4.
21
Appendix A.” Appendix A contains a Transition Services Schedule describing
four specific Transition Services: Accounting and Finance Services, Information
Technology Services, Supply Chain Services, and IT Systems Access Services.”*
Neither party was required to perform any service except those specified in the
Transition Services Schedule.’ Under the Service Agreement, 3M also was
required to use good faith efforts to obtain all “Consents and Permits” necessary to
properly perform these services.°> 3M was not, however, required to perform the
services “in a jurisdiction where a Permit [was] required . . . and [3M did not] hold
such Permit . . . provided, that, [3M] used commercially reasonable efforts to retain
or obtain any such Permit .. .”°°
The parties agree the RoHS 2 Exemption constitutes a “Permit” under the
Service Agreement. The parties disagree, however, whether 3M contractually was
obligated to maintain the RoHS 2 Exemption under the Service Agreement. 3M
argues that obtaining regulatory approval to sell products in the European Union
was not expressly listed in the Transition Services Schedule, and 3M therefore was
not obligated to maintain the RoHS 2 Exemption. Neology acknowledges the
RoHS 2 Exemption is not expressly listed in the Transition Services Schedule, but
argues maintaining the permit contractually was required because the permit was
Td at 5.
°3 Id. App. A.
“Td § 2.1,
> Td § 6.14.
°° Td. § 2.6(b).
22
necessary for 3M to provide “Supply Chain Services.” Neology posits the RoHS 2
Exemption is encompassed in Supply Chain Services because the permit is
necessary to get the product to market. Neology, however, does not point to any
language in the Transition Services Schedule to support the conclusion that
“Supply Chain Services” includes selling the Business’s products.
Supply Chain Services includes procuring goods and services, package
design, generating supply and demand plans, obtaining materials, product
production support, and stock support.°’ Nothing in the description of Supply
Chain Services appears to address the product’s final sale, and Section 2.1 of the
Service Agreement clearly states that the parties only contractually were obligated
to perform services listed in the Transition Services Schedule. Because nothing
within “Supply Chain Services” refers to getting the product “to market,” the Court
cannot reasonably infer from Neology’s allegations that 3M contractually was
required to maintain the RoHS 2 Exemption under the Service Agreement.”®
Accordingly, Count I as it relates to the Service Agreement is dismissed without
prejudice to Neology filing a second amended counterclaim within twenty days.”
°7 Id. App. A at 11-12.
°8 This conclusion is bolstered by the fact that selling the products specifically is covered in the
Manufacturing Agreement, as explained below.
°° Even if Neology sufficiently can plead a claim under the Service Agreement, 3M’s maximum
liability for breach of contract is $600,000. Service Agreement § 4.1 (a).
23
D. Neology adequately pleads a breach of contract claim under the
Manufacturing Agreement.
3M also argues Neology’s breach of contract claim under the Manufacturing
Agreement fails as a matter of law. The Manufacturing Agreement required 3M to
provide “Contract Manufacturing Services” during the transition of the Business,
and to use “substantially the same degree of care, skill, and diligence” 3M used
when providing those services to its own organization.” The definition of
Contract Manufacturing Services specifically includes “sell[ing] the [p]roducts . .
.” which, in the European Union, would require the RoHS 2 Exemption.*!
3M argues it was not obligated to maintain the RoHS 2 Exemption,
particularly because 3M was not required to provide Contract Manufacturing
Services “in a jurisdiction where a Permit is required to perform such [services]
and 3M does not hold such Permit .. .” 3M’s argument, however, relies on a
disputed fact the Court cannot resolve on a motion to dismiss. 3M contends it did
not hold the RoHS 2 Exemption before closing. Neology, on the other hand,
alleges 3M “previously obtained” the RoHS 2 Exemption and allowed it to
expire.” Whether or not 3M held the permit at the time the parties entered into the
Manufacturing Agreement may come to light during discovery, but the Court
cannot make that determination on the current record. Accordingly, 3M’s motion
°° Manufacturing Agreement § 2.5(b).
6! Td. § 2.1(b).
© Td. § 2.7(b).
° Am. Counterel. ff 17-18.
24
to dismiss Neology’s breach of contract claim under the Manufacturing Agreement
is denied.
Ili. Neology’s implied covenant claim does not plead any contractual gap.
3M next argues Neology’s implied covenant claim must be dismissed
because the express terms of the contract govern the conduct at issue. In the
Amended Counterclaims, Neology alleges 3M breached the implied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing in the APA and Transition Agreements by “failing to
disclose the actual status and market readiness of the New Fixed Camera to
Neology, failing to renew the RoHS 2 exemption . . . and selling Neology’s ALPR
products below historical gross margins and COGS.” 3M argues Neology merely
repeats the allegations supporting its breach of contract claim, which is insufficient
to plead an implied covenant claim under Delaware law. In response, Neology
maintains it has pleaded its implied covenant claim in the alternative, and “if the
finder of fact determines there was no contractual breach, 3M’s conduct amounts
to a breach of the implied covenant.”
64 Although the claim survives, 3M’s maximum liability for breach of contract is the “aggregate
amount paid by [Neology] to 3M pursuant to [the Manufacturing Agreement] as of the date of
the performance or non-performance from which such [I]osses arose . . .” Manufacturing
Agreement § 7.2(a).
6 Am. Countercl. {| 72-73.
66 Neology’s Answering Br. at 25.
25
The implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing is a “limited and
*°7 The Court only will imply contractual obligations
extraordinary legal remedy.
when there are “developments or contractual gaps that . . . neither party
anticipated.” To sufficiently plead breach of the implied covenant, the complaint
“must allege a specific implied contractual obligation, a breach of that obligation
by the defendant, and resulting damage to the plaintiff.” The Court will not
retroactively “grant contractual protections that parties forwent at the bargaining
table.”””
When the express terms of the contract address the conduct at issue, the
implied covenant claim must be dismissed.”’ Simply mirroring the factual
allegations that support a breach of contract claim is insufficient to state a claim for
breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.”
67 Nemec v. Shrader, 991 A.2d 1120, 1128 (Del. 2010).
°8 Td. at 1125.
® Kuroda v. SPJS Holdings, L.L.C., 971 A.2d 872, 888 (Del. Ch. 2009) (quoting Fitzgerald v.
Cantor, 1998 WL 842316, at *1 (Del. Ch. Nov. 10, 1998)).
” Ashland LLC vy. Samuel J. Heyman 1981 Continuing Trust for Heyman, 2017 WL 1224506, at
*7 (Del. Super. Mar. 30, 2017) (citing Aspen Advisors LLC y. United Artists Theatre Co., 861
A.2d 1251, 1260 (Del. 2004)).
"| Nationwide Emerging Managers, LLC vy. Northpointe Holdings, LLC, 112 A.3d 878, 896 (Del.
2015).
” GWO Litigation Trust v. Sprint Solutions, Inc., 2018 WL 5309477, at *6 (Del. Super. Oct. 25,
2018) (citing Cental Mortg. Co. v. Morgan Stanley Mortg. Capital Holdings LLC, 27 A.3d 531,
539 (Del. 2011) (“To maintain an implied covenant claim, the factual allegations underlying the
implied covenant claim must differ from those underlying an accompanying breach-of-contract
claim.”)); Haney v. Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc., 2016 WL 769595, at *9 (Del. Ch. Feb.
26, 2016) (“Where a plaintiff has failed to identify a gap in the contract, merely repeating the
defendant's allegedly improper acts or omissions already the subject of a separate breach of
contract claim is insufficient to support a claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith
and fair dealing.”’).
26
Here, the APA and the Transition Agreements squarely address 3M’s
alleged failure to disclose the overheating issue with the New Fixed Camera,
failure to retain the RoHS 2 Exemption, and the sale of ALPR Products below
historical gross margins. The APA expressly defines a Material Adverse Effect
and establishes the type of occurrence or development that must be disclosed to
Neology before closing.” Further, the Transition Agreements set forth 3M’s
duties under those contracts and what services 3M agreed to provide.” 3M’s
conduct either was a breach of those obligations or it was not.
The Court rejects the argument that the implied covenant of good faith and
fair dealing can be plead in the alternative under these circumstances. Neology
cites Renco Group, Inc. v. MacAndrews AMG Holdings LLC,” but that case is
inconsistent with other Delaware cases defining the pleading requirements of
implied covenant claims.”° Neology does not plead an unanticipated development
or contractual gap; it simply realleges its breach of contract claim as an implied
covenant claim. Because the express terms of the contracts govern the alleged
conduct, Neology’s claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing must be dismissed.
® APA at 8-9.
™ See, e.g., Service Agreement App. A; Distribution Agreement § 2.1; Manufacturing
Agreement § 2.1.
™ 2015 WL 394011, at *6-7 (Del. Ch. Jan. 29, 2015).
”© GWO Litigation Trust, 2018 WL 5309477, at *5-7; Edinburgh Holdings, Inc. v. Education
Affiliates, Inc., 2018 WL 2727542, at *9 (Del. Ch. June 6, 2018); Khushaim v. Tullow Inc., 2016
WL 3594752, at *3-4 (Del. Super. June 27, 2016).
27
IV. Neology adequately pleads a claim for indemnification.
3M next argues Neology’s indemnification claim under the APA must be
dismissed. Neology alleges it has suffered losses related to “(i) inaccuracies in
representations and warranties that it made pursuant to Article 3 of the APA, and
(ii) breach of covenants, agreements or obligations to be performed by 3M or any
of its [a]ffiliates contained in or made pursuant to the APA,” and therefore
Neology should be indemnified in an amount “in excess of $5,958,700.”"’ 3M
argues the indemnification claim must be dismissed because 3M has not made an
inaccurate representation or warranty. 3M also contends Neology’s damages
request exceeds the contractually-permitted recovery, and the Court should strike
any damages request in excess of $300,000.
Neology bases its first indemnification claim on the Material Adverse Effect
clause of APA Section 3.5, which states, “since [December 31, 2016] until [May 4,
2017]... there has not been any Material Adverse Effect.” The APA defines a
Material Adverse Effect as a condition that materially is adverse to “the business,
condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities, operations or results of
operations of the Business, taken as a whole... .”” The definition of Material
Adverse Effect expressly excludes the Business’s failure to meet “estimates,
™ Am. Counterel. J 67.
78 APA at 8.
28
expectations, budgets, projections or forecasts,” but “the underlying causes of such
failure may so constitute or be taken into account... .”””
Under Delaware law, “[a] buyer faces a heavy burden when it attempts to
invoke a material adverse effect clause.”*° A material adverse effect generally is
an unexpected event or series of events that threatens a business’s overall earnings
81 A material adverse effect is not “[a]
“in a durationally-significant manner.
short-term hiccup in earnings.” Rather, it is a material change when viewed
through a reasonable acquirer’s long-term perspective.” Whether a material
adverse effect exists ultimately is a factual issue.®°
3M argues Neology does not sufficiently plead the existence of a Material
Adverse Effect because Neology relies on forward-looking financial statements,
which the Non-Reliance Clause and the plain language of the definition of Material
Adverse Effect disallow. Neology specifically acknowledged in the APA that it
was not relying on “any representation, warranty or other statement. . . except for
the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article 3 ...,” and that
3M had not made any statements regarding “the operation or probable success or
9 Iq
8° Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. vy. Huntsman Corp., 965 A.2d 715, 738 (Del. Ch. 2008)
(citing In re IBP, Inc. Shareholders Litigation, 789 A.2d 14, 68 (Del. Ch. 2001)).
83 Akorn, Inc. v. Fresenius Kabi AG, 2018 WL 4719347, at *52 (Del. Ch. Oct. 1, 2018)
(“Whether the party asserting the existence of an MAE has adduced sufficient evidence to carry
its burden of proof is a question of fact.”). See also ChyronHego Corp. v. Wight, 2018 WL
3642132, at *9 (Del. Ch. July 31, 2018).
29
profitability of the Business” and “the accuracy or completeness of any
information” provided in contemplation of the transaction.®* Additionally, the
definition of Material Adverse Effect excludes “any failure by the Business to meet
any internal or external estimates, expectations, budgets, projections or
forecasts.”®
The Court agrees that under the plain terms of the APA, Neology has waived
its right to rely on the financial projections and therefore cannot utilize them to
allege the existence of a Material Adverse Effect. Excluding the financial
projections, however, and drawing all reasonable inferences from Neology’s
allegations, the Court concludes Neology sufficiently has pleaded there was a
Material Adverse Effect that 3M failed to disclose to Neology before the sale.
According to Neology, 3M knew there were serious and unresolved issues with the
New Fixed Camera, which the parties anticipated would represent 100% of camera
sales by 2019.*° The Thermal Report indicated that previous attempts to fix the
overheating issue had failed, and 3M had no plan in place for further
development.*’ It is reasonable to infer from the Amended Counterclaims that 3M
knew as early as March 2017 that an entire product line, which represented a
substantial portion of the Business, was in jeopardy. Accordingly, Neology
APA § 4.8.
8 Id. at 8.
*© Am. Countercl. 44 7-11.
87 Id. J 10.
30
adequately pleads there was a “development” that was “materially adverse” to the
Business between December 31, 2016 and May 4, 2017, and 3M’s representation
to the contrary was inaccurate and misleading.
Neology’s second claim for indemnification is based on the covenant in
APA Section 5.1, which required 3M to operate the ALPR Business in its ordinary
course before closing. Neology alleges 3M breached this covenant when it failed
to maintain the RoHS 2 Exemption. Other than attack this claim as untimely, 3M
does not contend Neology fails adequately to plead an indemnification claim for
breach of covenant. Because the Court already has rejected 3M’s timeliness
argument in its present procedural posture, Neology’s breach of covenant claim
survives.
The Court also rejects 3M’s request to strike the amount of damages in
excess of $300,000. Neology’s indemnification claim does not fall within that
damages cap. According to Section 10.5(b) of the APA, 3M’s maximum liability
for a claim under Section 10.2(a) (“any inaccuracy in any representation or
warranty of [3M] contained in Article 3”) is $300,000, but 3M’s maximum liability
for a claim under Section 10.2(a) and Section 10.2(b) (“any breach of covenant,
agreement, or obligation to be performed by [3M] or any of its [a]ffiliates
contained in or made pursuant to [the APA]’”) together is the purchase price under
31
the APA.** Neology’s indemnification claim includes underlying claims for an
inaccurate representation and warranty in Section 3.5 and for breach of covenant.
Accordingly, 3M’s maximum liability is the purchase price under the APA.
V. Neology adequately pleads a claim for fraud in the inducement and
fraudulent concealment.
In its final argument, 3M contends Neology’s fraud claims are not
sufficiently pleaded because the factual allegations supporting those claims are
identical to Neology’s breach of contract allegations. 3M also argues the APA’s
Non-Reliance Clause bars the fraud claims. In the Amended Counterclaims,
Neology alleges 3M misrepresented in Section 3.5 of the APA that there had been
no Material Adverse Effect, Neology justifiably relied on that representation, 3M
knew the representation was false, and Neology fraudulently was induced into
purchasing the Business. Neology further alleges 3M had a duty to inform
Neology of the developments in the Thermal Report but failed to do so, and 3M
concealed material facts related to the Business with the intent to deceive Neology
and induce Neology into entering the APA. As a result of 3M’s conduct, Neology
claims it has suffered significant damages.
According to 3M, the bases for Neology’s fraud claims are 3M’s forward-
looking statements and financial projections about the New Fixed Camera, which
88 APA § 10.5(b) (“Notwithstanding anything in this [a]greement to the contrary, the maximum
aggregate [L]iability of [3M] (i) under Section 10.2(a) shall be $300,000, and (ii) under Section
10.2(a) and Section 10.2(b) together shall be the [p]urchase [p]rice.”) (emphasis added).
32
the Non-Reliance Clause in Section 4.8 expressly precludes. In the APA, Neology
represented to 3M that it had not relied on “any representation, warranty or other
statement made by, on behalf of or relating to [3M], [3M]’s [aJffiliates or the
Business,” except for those in Article 3." At oral argument, Neology conceded the
clause precludes reliance on extracontractual representations, including the KPMG
Report, the E&Y Report, and 3M’s own financial statements. Citing Novipax
Holdings LLC v. Sealed Air Corporation, Neology nevertheless maintains that the
Non-Reliance Clause does not bar its fraud claims altogether.”
In Novipax, as in this case, indemnification was the parties’ exclusive
remedy for breach, but the contract contained a fraud carve-out stating “nothing []
shall limit [] any claim based on fraud, willful misrepresentation or willful breach .
..”! The contract also contained non-reliance and integration provisions.” The
Court upheld the plaintiff's fraud claim, finding that, “the parties preserved a fraud
claim in [the exclusive remedy clause], but limited that fraud claim through the
non-reliance provisions . . . to written representations in the APA.””
Here, the APA clearly limits fraud claims to the written representations in
the contract. Section 10.8(b) provides:
8° Td. § 4.8(a).
°° 2017 WL 5713307 (Del. Super. Nov. 28 2017).
9! Td. at *5.
*2 Td. at *10-11.
°3 Td. at *12 (emphasis added).
33
The parties agree that nothing in this Article 10, but subject in all
cases to the limitations in Section 4.8 and Section 11.3, shall limit
either [p]arty’s right to bring a claim until the latest time permitted by
applicable [l]jaw based on the [f]raud of any other [p]erson against
such [p]erson in respect of any representation and warranty contained
in Article 3 or Article 4..."
This provision unambiguously preserves a fraud claim, but confines that claim to
the representations and warranties in Article 3 and Article 4 of the APA and
excludes reliance on any extracontracual representations as required by the Non-
Reliance Clause. Neology’s fraud claims are permitted under the APA because
they focus on an alleged misrepresentation in APA Section 3.5. To the extent,
however, that Neology is relying on extracontractual representations to support its
fraud claims, reliance on those representations is barred by the Non-Reliance
Clause and the express language of Section 10.8(b).
3M also contends Neology’s fraud claims impermissibly are “bootstrapped”
to its breach of contract claim. Under Delaware law, a fraud claim may be based
on contractual representations, but “where an action is based entirely on a breach
of the terms of a contract between the parties, and not on a violation of an
9995
independent duty imposed by law, a plaintiff must sue in contract and not in tort.
The plaintiff may not “bootstrap a claim of breach of contract into a claim for fraud
4 APA § 10.8(b) (emphasis added).
°° Aviation West Charters, LLC v. Freer, 2015 WL 5138285, at *6 (Del. Super. July 2, 2015).
34
by alleging that a contracting party never intended to perform its obligations.””°
Merely adding the term “fraudulently induced” to the complaint is not sufficient.
Instead, the plaintiff must base its fraud claim on “conduct that is separate and
distinct from the conduct constituting breach.”’’ Nevertheless, allegations
specifically suggesting fraudulent inducement to contract are not barred.”®
Here, Neology’s fraud claims are not impermissibly bootstrapped to its
contract claim. Neology specifically alleges the fraud occurred before the parties
entered the APA, when 3M represented there was no Material Adverse Effect to
the Business. Neology does not allege 3M failed to perform under the contract,
rather, Neology makes a separate and distinct claim that 3M misrepresented and
concealed a major product line’s development issues in order to induce Neology
into purchasing the Business. Further, Neology seeks rescissory damages, which
are a remedy for fraud, not breach of contract.” Accordingly, Neology sufficiently
pleads claims for fraudulent inducement and fraudulent concealment.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, 3M’s Motion to Dismiss is DENIED as to Counts
I (Breach of the Manufacturing Agreement and Distribution Agreement), II, II,
and IV; is GRANTED without prejudice as to Count I (Breach of the Service
°° Novipax Holdings LLC, 2017 WL 5713307, at *14.
°7 Aviation West Charters, LLC, 2015 WL 51382885, at *6.
- Novipax Holdings LLC, 2017 WL 5713307, at *14; Aviation West Charters, LLC, 2015 WL
5138285, at *6.
” Novipax Holdings LLC, 2017 WL 5713307, at *14.
35
Agreement); and is GRANTED with prejudice as to Counts I (Breach of the APA)
and V. IT ISSO ORDERED.
36