JMA, Inc. et al v. Biotronik SE & Co. KG, No. 1:2012cv23466 - Document 44 (S.D. Fla. 2013)
Court Description: ORDER granting 31 Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction; Dismissing Defendant Biotronik SE & Co. from this case. Signed by Judge Patricia A. Seitz on 4/4/2013. (ls)
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JMA, Inc. et al v. Biotronik SE & Co. KG Doc. 44 UNI TED STATES DI STRI COURT CT SOUTHERN DI STRI OF FLORI CT DA CASE NO.1 CV2- 23466- TZ/ M ONTON SEI Sl J A,l , ta . M NC-e l, Pl ntfs ai if , BI OTRONI SE & CO.KG .e a . K , t 1, De e nt , f nda s / ORDER GR ANTI M OTI TO DI I FOR LACK OF PERSONAL NG ON SM SS JURI CTI SDI ON Thi m at ri bef et Cou ton Def nda Bi r ni SE & Co.sM oton t Dimi sf s te s or he r e nt oto k ' i o s s or La kofPe s lJ iditon( 31 .Thi acin aiesfom t alege brac ofs l c rona urs ci DE- 1 s to rs r he l d e h aes r pr en a i ag ee e es t tve r ment,whih gr nt Pli if J eph La dul ,La dul l ,Sc t s c a ed a ntfs os pa a pa a, nc. ot M a hion,a J A,l e l i rght t s l c t n me c de c i ade i d ar aof t s nd M nc. xc usve i s o el erai dial vi es n fne e s h Fl i Pli if a lget tDe enda sbr ac d t a ee nt by al wi ohe st out orda. antfs le ha f nt e he he gr me s lo ng t r o s lt de ce wihi t s m ea eaa by tr i tng t a e nt .D e e ntBi r k SE el he vi s t n he n r nd e m na i he gr eme s f nda otoni & Co ( or nk S , Ge a c mp n , e k t d s s t ecamsa an tte f rlc o .Bito i E) a nn n o a y s e s o imis h li g i s h m o a k f pes na j rs cin.Pli tfsh v rs o d d ( 3 )a d Bi to i S tldarpl ( 4 J ro lu idito anif a e e p n e DE- 9 n or nk E ie e y DE- 0 . Be us Bi r k SE doe notf lwihi Fl i sl a m sa ut Bi r ni SE' moton i ca e otoni s al t n orda' ong- r tt e, oto k s i s ga e r nt d. 1 M at ri Fac s . e al t l The Par i s te PlitfsJ sphLa d a( pa ul)a d S otM ahio ( ah s n)aeidiiu l anif o e pa ul La d a n c t t s n M tio r n vd as l h fcsaetk nfo t ec mpan ( 1 , n e so h nv s idc td ' e a t r a e r m h o lit DE- j u ls t e ie n iae . r Dockets.Justia.com whor i i M im iDa Co t Fl rda.Pl ntf La dul ,I i a a nita i y esde n a - de un y, o i ai if pa a nc.s n dmi sr tvel nc. he n c nc. nd h oi l dis vedFl i c por to J A,l ,Sout r Pa e,l ,a ACL ofSout Fl rda, nc. s ol orda or ai n. M . ude dia C.I ( . ude s nnes a or ai a ea lFl i c por tons.St J M e c lS. , nc.St J )i aM i ot c porton. r l orda or a i De e f ndantBi r k SE i a Ge m a c por i wih isprncpalpl c o busne si otoni s r n or aton t t i i ae f i s n Be ln,Ge m a Bi r k,I .i a Or gon c o a i n wih isprncpa pl c ofbusne si ri r ny. otoni nc s n e om r to t t i i l a e i s n La Os g , e o .Ac o dngt t es z De lr to o S s n eBen L 31 1, ke we o Or g n c r i o h wo. caai n f u n n r t DE- - ) n s it d by Bi r k SE i s ubm te otoni n uppor ofismoton,Bi r ni I a Bi toni SE a es se t t i oto k, nc. nd o r k r it r co ni o d by t s mepa e , S Hol ng 1 SE,aGe ny c mpa es wne he n r nt M di 1 nna ompany.Ac r ng t t co di o he Be n De l r ton,Bi r ni SE doesnoto r t c r t c a ai oto k pe ae, onduc ,e ge i orc r yon busne si t nga n, a r i s n Fl i a i i no r se e o lce e t do busnes i Fl i Addii ly,a cor ng t orda nd t s t egit r d r i ns d o i s n orda. tona l c di o Be nt Bi r k SE do no e r s a ope atonalc r ove Bi r k,I . t t r , otoni es t xe cie ny r i ontol r otoni nc, he wo co pa esd nots r anyof e sordie t s a e h ope a e a aditnc e iy.The Be nt m ni o ha e fc r r c or , nd ac r t s s si t ntt r De l ai f t rsa e t tBi r k SE manuf c ur r a s l ca di cr l ma ge nt car ton urhe tt s ha otoni a t e s nd els r a hyt un na me pr s( vi s fo isofs e i Gema t iscusomes i udi Bi rnok,l a oduct de ce) r m t lc s n r ny o t t r,ncl ng oti nc. nd, t ,t r ltons p be we n Bi toni SE andBitoni l i t tofbuye a s lr hus he ea i hi t e o r k o r k, nc. s ha r nd ele . l o p sto t t mo in, pa uah ss b t d as r de lrto r 3 - 1 i n p o iin o he to La d l a u mit wo n ca ai n DE- 9 1 ,n e whi h he sa e t thebele st tt de c we em a acur i pa ti Or on by s c tt s ha ive ha he vies r nuf t ed n r n eg ome Bi toni e iy.Howe r t de c shes d we e c s d,fnihe a sa o r k ntt ve ,he vi e ol r a e i s d, nd t mped i Ge ny by n nna Bi r ni SE. Acc di t La dul , be i ed t thewa a i pe n s l s oto k or ng o pa a he lev ha s n nde nde t a e r pr e t tveofa Bi r k en iyt ta t l manuf c ur d t de c a t thewa e es n a i ny otoni tt ha cualy a t e he vi es nd ha s wor ng f rt be ftofBi r k SE,a wel asBi r k, nc.Furhe ,La ki o he ne i otoni s l otoni I t r padul r c i d a e e ve co muni a i die ty fom Bi r k SE,s cik a l am e or ndum a m c tons r c l r otoni pe t ly m a nnouncng a Orgi l i n i na 2 Eq pme M a a t eAgr e e bet e Bi r k SE and ac ui nt nuf c ur e m nt we n otoni ompe io .Acc di t tt r or ng o La dul ,hea s r c ve a s e a r die l fom Bi r k SE.A ddii ly, pa a pa a l o e ei d als wa d r cty r otoni tonal La dul saest Bi rnok SE eiheri ta e ora ove bu t f hi tni o y,r l as ofne t t hat oti t niit d ppr d dges or s e t r e e es w pr t , f lows p a e aton pr amsf hi trior oduc s and el hi nd duc i ogr or s e rt y. The R e e e at v Agr e e s pr s nt i e e m nt I Aug t2009, otoni l .a Pli if Lapadul,J A , nc. a M ahion e e e n us Bi r k, nc nd a ntf s a M l , nd t s ntr d i o a Aut i d SaesRe r s nttve Agr eme ,e f c i Augus 1, nt n horze l p e e ai e nt fe tve t 2009 a s he e t nd c dul d o expie o M a c 31 201 Prort t tBi r k,l a La dul a J. La dul I r n r h , 5. i o ha otoni nc. nd pa a nd A. pa a, nc. e e e i o a I pende Repr s nttv A g e m e ,e f c i J nt r d nt n nde nt e e a i e r e nt fe tve anua y 1 2006 an s tt r , d e o e r on Dec mbe 31 201 xpie e r , 5. Unde t eRe es nt i A g e nt ,La dul La r hes pr e atve r eme s pa a, padul a, I , M A, nc.and M ahion ag ee t m a ke a s l Bitoni de ce i ce t n de i d nc.J I , t s r d o r t nd el o r k vi s n rai fne a ea ofs h Fl i ,t t excuson ofal ot pr t an s v c .I r ur Bi toni r s out orda o he l i l her oduc s d er i es n et n, o r k, l pr m ie La dul La nc. o s d pa a, padul I ,J A , nc. a M ahion t tt y woul havee usve a, nc. M I , nd t s ha he d xcl i rg st s lBi r k deviesi t ea ea .TheRe e e t tveAgr men sde i t t r i ht o el otoni c n hos r s pr s n a i ee t fne he e m t oto k'a Bi r k, nc. The ei no r f r nc t Bi toni SE i t Re e e a i ' r ni ' s otoni l 2 Bi r s eee e o or k n he pr s nt tve Ag e me s3 r e nt . TheCl ms ai Some i ea trt 2009Re e e ai Ag ee twa sgne Pl ntfsla ne t t tm fe he pr s nttve r men s i d, ai if e r d ha 2 Re e e a i Ag ee nt ha be fl unde s a a DE- The d i ton i The pr s nttve r me s ve en ied r e l t 20. efnii s on t fr tpageoftxtofbot Agr m e s he is e h ee nt . 3 t Alhough Pli if a gue t tt Agr e e sdo notd s e n be we n dif r ntBi r k antf s r ha he e m nt i c r t e fe e otoni e iisg 38a 8J a saed,t Agre nt defnet t m k otoni 'ome nBi rmi ntte DE- t , s tt he e me s i he er l r k't a otc k, Bi I The e or a y r f r nc t SBi r k' i t Re es t tveAgr eme si ar f r et nc. r f e, n e e e e o l otoni ' n he pr en a i e nt s e e enc o Bi r k,I ,nota he Bi toni en tt otoni nc. not r o r k iiy. Bi r k wass lng co pone sofisde c t ot de cec otoni eli m nt t vies o her vi ompa e who s d t i ni s ol he r pr t wih t Bi r k c oduc s t he otoni omponent wihi t a ea a sg d t Pl ntfs t ,i rng ng s t n he r s s i ne o ai if , hus nfi i on t exc usviy gr nt i t Re es nt tveAgr e e s Ad tona l Bi r ni I a s he l i t a ed n he pr e ai e m nt. dii ly, oto k, nc. lo r move c ti a e fom t ar asa sgne t Lapa a, pa a, nc,J A , nc. e d era n r as r he e s i d o dul La dul l . M I and M ahion i t Re e e ai A g ee nt .Asar ul,La dul ,La ul I , M A, nc. t s n he pr s nt tve r me s es t pa a pad a, nc.J l , a M ahion beg n e orng pos i eempl nd t s a xpl i sbl oyme wih Pl ntf St J nt t ai if . ude.I r pons n es e, Bi to k,I t r nae t Re es n a i Agr e e s whih 1d t t flng oft saci n. o r ni nc. e mi t d he pr e t tve e m nt , c e o he ii hi to Pli if 'f urc antfs o ountco pl i al ge onec am f br a h ofconta and t e cai ss e ng m ant le s l i or e c r ct hr e l m e ki d ca ao yj d me . e lr tr u g nt l St I. andar f Per o Juridi ton d or s nal s ci W h nc nsd rn amoint d s s f rlc o p ro a j rs ito , d src c u t e o i eig to o imis o a k f es n lu id ci n a itit o r mus frtdeer ne whet ra pli ifhasesa ihed aprm af ci ca eofpe s l t is t mi he a ntf t bls i a e s r ona j rs ito Ab a o v Wat s y Co,1 2F. p' 2 , 75( 1hCi. 0 5 .l ma i u id cin. r ms n . lDine . 3 Ap x 73 2 1 t r 2 0 ) n kng t sdee na i t dititco tmus ac p t pli ifsa lga i astue, e s hi tnni ton, he src ur t ce t he a ntf le tons r unl s c r dit d by de e onta c e f ndantsa fda t. I i tra pli ifhase t bls d aprma f c ec e ' fi vis d û e Af a ntf sa ihe i a i as f r midito a dt d fn n h sflda fd vt c ne tn j rs cin,hepan ifb as o j s cin n he ee da t a ie fi a is o tsig u idito t litf e r tebud no pr vn s fiin j rs ito b a d vt o oh rs r sa e ns' 1 a 2 6 h r e f o ig u fce t u idcin y y a i r te wo n ttme t. d. t 7 s ' (mpha i a ) I t pli ifsc anta s ri e de c lc wiht e ss dded . f he antf ompli nd uppo tng vi nce onfit t he de enda ' a fda t ,hec t us c tu a1r a ona ei e enc i f voro t pli if f nts fi vis t our m t onsr e l e s bl nf r es n a f he a ntf . M ee e rl Mee v SunI enatonalHotl,Lt ,288F. 1 1 ( t Ci. ir x e. ir . ntr i es d. 3d 264, 269 11h r 2002) . Tod tnniewh t e i h sp ro a j rs ito t Co r mu t o du t t - r ee n eh r t a e s n l u idcin,he u t s c n c a wopa t iq iy.Fis, t t ee n ij rs ito e ssu d rFlrd ' ln a sau e Flrd n u r rti mus d tnnie f u id cin xit n e o i as o g-nn ttt , oia 4 Sttt j4 1 3.S c n ,h Co r mu tdeemiewh t e e e csn j rs itono rte aue 8.9 e o d te u t s tr n eh r x riig u id ci ve h de e nt c f nda s omporswih t DuePr es Cl e. fic ar l v. ove ad 544 F. 1 t t he oc s aus c i delo f l y 3d 280, 1 3(11h Ci.2008) Thi i as at pa tdee mi in.TheCour mus detr newhehe 28 t r . s s lo wo- r tr nato t t emi t r t de e nt had s fce m i mum c a t wih Fl i a whe he m ant na eoft he f nda s ufi int ni ont c s t orda nd t r i e nc he s i i Flrd d e n t fe érdio a n to soffi pa a ds b tn il u tc . I a ut n o ia o s o o fnd la t n l o in ar ly n u sa ta j sie' d t t i ' 1 4. 28 Un e Flrd ' ln -nn sau e ac u t yh v g n r lu idito o e ad fn a t d r o i as o g a ttt, o r ma a e e ea j rs cin v r ee d n o s e ii j rs ito A c u t a g n rl u idit no e ad fn a t ftepes n i r p cfc u idcin. o r h s e e a j rs ci v r ee d n i h ro s o t n a e i s b tnil n n t s ltda tvt wi i E o i l' Fl. tt j48 1 3 2 . s g g d n u sa ta a d o io ae ciiy t n Flrda. a S a. .9 4 ) e h ' %subsa i a notiolt d aci t 'm e nsi ontnuousa s t tc g r busnes l tntal nd s a e tviy' a l i c nd ysema i ene al i s ds . a e i d 739 2d 7, 20 F1 4t z c ac'wih Fl i Woo v Nov CompanisBel eLt , So. 61 6 ( a. h ont t' t orda. DCA 1 9 )(iai no te ) S e ii j rs ito aie wh n itrai, d f n n b e c e 9 9 ctto mitd . p cfc u id ci n rss e ,n e l a ee da t r a h s a aco r c i Fl i by f lng t pe f m a t r quie by t c r tt bepe f nne i nta t n orda aii o ror c s e r d he ontac o ro d n Fo i a Fl. tt j481 3 1( ) o b o rtn , o d cigo c n n o ab i s v n u ei lrd , a S a. .9 ( )g , r y peai g c n u tn r a yi g n usne s e t r n Flrd , a S a. 4 .9 ( )a.Sp cfcj rs ito o l e it i t c us o a to aie o ia Fl. tt j 8 1 3 1() e ii uid cin ny x ss f he a e f ci n rs s fom t br c oroutoft busne sopeatons Fl Stt j48.93. r he ea h he i s r i . a. a. 1 Th DueP o e sClus p o iistee ecs o p ro a j rs ito o e an n e ie t e r c s a e r hb t h x r ie f es n l u idcin v r o r sd n de e ntunl shi c a twih t sae i s ch t thehasi ai wa ni 't hem a be f nda es s ont c t he t t s u ha ' r r ng' hat f y s be tt s i te e Lica d lo 5 4F.d a 1 4.Th sr q ie n ha b e me i a u j c o ut h r . c ir el , 4 3 t 28 i e ur me t s e n t f de e ntha i pos l diec e ' saci te atr i nt oft f m and t ltgai a ies f nda sç pur ey r t d'hi tvii s esde s he onl he ii ton rs o oft ea tvii s I ut hos c i te . d. Eve i t sr quieme i me ,ac tm us t n dee mi i n f hi e r nt s t our t he tr ne f mai e nc oft s ti t f r c ntna e he ui n he o um ompo t wih tadii lnotonsoff rpl and s t nta rs t r tona i ai ay ubsa i l 5 j sie I .l ma n ti d tr n to , c r ma c nsde s v rlfco s i l dngShe u t . d n kig hs eemiain a ou t y o i r e ea a t r,ncu i û c t bud n o t ed fn a t l iaigi t f r m,hef r m' itrs i aj dc tn t r e n h e e d n of i g tn n he o u t o u s n eet n d u iaig he t d s ue t ep an ifsitrs i o tii gc n e in a efcier le a dt j d ca ip t,h litf ne et n b an n o v n e t nd fe tv eif n he u iil s t m ' i e es i r s vi t diput ' 1 yse s ntr t n e ol ng he s e-' d. 1 1 Anayss 1. l i Bi r k SE movest dim isPl i if c otoni o s s antfs' ompl i be a ePli if ca ant c us antfs nnote t bls sa ih ete g n rl rs e i c u idito o e i.Bito i SE ag e ta t Co r d e n t v i r e ea o p c t j rs cin v r t or nk r u s h the u t o s o ha e h i p ro a j rs ito o e ip ru n t Flrd ' l ga m sauea d e e i i dd, x rii g es n l u idcin v r t u s a t o o ia s on -r ttt n , v n f t i e ecsn p ro a j rs ito o e Bito i SE wo l o fndd pr c s .Ass tf rhb l wsh Co r e s n lu id ci n v r or nk ud fe ue o e s e o t eo t e u t d e n t a pes n l u idcin o e Bi to i S un e Flrd ' l n -r sau e Th , o s o h ve ro a j rs ito v r or nk E d r o ia s o g am ttt . us t Cour ne d nota e sBi r k SE' duepr e sa g e s he t e ddr s otoni s oc s r um nt . A. Pli tfsHa NotEsa ihe Gene a J idi ton Ov Bi r k SE a n if ve t bls d r l urs ci er otoni Bito kSE a s rsta Plitfsc r te tbls g n r lu idcin o e ibe a ei or ni se t h t an if amo sa ih e ea j rs ito v r t c us t i note ge i s t nta aci t wihi Fl i a t aci nso Bi toni I .c s nga d n ubsa i l tviy t n orda nd he to f o r k, nc anno be t ati ed t Bi r k SE.W hie Pli if 'c trbut o otoni l antfs ompl i a lgest tBi toni SE i t pa e of ant le ha o r k s he r nt Bi toni I and,a s h,die t d a contole Bi toni l ' c o r k, nc. s uc r c e nd r ld o r k, nc.s onduc ,Bi r k SE ha t otoni s s bm it d t Be ntDeearto t te t bls st tBi r k SE a Bi r k,l a e sse u te he r l ai n ha sa i he ha otoni nd otoni nc. r itr c ompa e ,bot owne by M S Hol ng1 SE.Furhe m or ,t Be ntDeca ai e t bls s nis h d di 1 t r e he r lr ton sa ihe t tBi toni SE doe note r s a o r tonalc r ofa na ur wha s ve ove ha or k s xe cie ny pe a i ontol ny t e toe r r Bitoni I ,t c o r k, nc. he ompa e do no s r ofi r ordie or ,a none ofBi r k l ' ni s t ha e fce s r ct s nd otoni nc.s e pl esa epad by Bi toni SE orvi eve s Thus Bitoni SE a guest tbec us i i m oye r i or k c r a. , or k r ha a e ts n te g g di s b tn ila tvt i Fl rd ,heCo r d e n th v g n r lu idcino e i. o n a e n u sa ta cii n o ia t y u t o s o a e e ea j rs ito v r t 6 Whi Plitfs c mplitalg dg n rl u idcine it p ru n t FlrdaS au e l an if' o an l e e ea j rs it xss u s a t o o i ttt e e o j48.934 ,i r pons t t moton, antfssat t tt ydonotha s fcintdic r 1 2) n es e o he i Pli if t e ha he ve ufi e s ovey t deenui t ext ofBi r k SE' a tvii i Fl rda.Cons que ty, ai if havenot o t ne he ent otoni s ci tes n o i e n l Pl ntfs me t i b r e of sa ls i gg n rl u id cin o e Bito i SE. ther u d n e tbih n e ea j rs ito v r o r nk B. antfsHa No Esa ihe Specf J rs c i Ove Bi r k SE Pl i if ve t tbls d ik u iditon r otoni Bito i S as manan ta P an if c n o etb ihs cfcj rs ito o e i or nk E lo i tis h t litfs a n t sa ls pe i u idcin v r t b sdo FlrdaStt t j481 3 1( )o j48 1 3 1( ) Pu s a tt j4 1 3 1() Bito i a e n o i aue .9 4 )a r .9 ( )g . ru n o 8.9 ( )a , or nk S wo l b s be to s e i j rs ito i i o rts c n u t, ng g si o c riso a E u d e u jc t p cic u idci n f t peae , o d cs e a e n, r are n busne sorbusnes ve ur i t sae ofFl i orhasa ofs e o age y i t sat of i s i s nt e n he t t orda n tc r nc n he t e Flrd .Pu s n t j4 1 3 1( ) Bito i S wo db s be t os cfcj rs cini i o ia rua t o 8.9 ( )g , or n k E ul e u j c t pe i u idit f t o b ea hesa c nta ti Fl i by f ii t peronn a t r quie byt c r ctt bepe f me r c o r c n orda a lng o f c s e r d he onta o ror d i Fl i Bi r k SE as e t t t r i no e de e t ti wasope ai abusne si n orda. otoni s rs hat he e s vi nc ha t r tng i s n Fl rdaort ti be he a c r cti Fl i oi ha t ac d onta n orda. i TheCour D oe NotHav Pe s . t s e r onalJurs c i Pur uantt Fl i St ut iditon s o orda at e f 4 . 9 ()g 8 1 3 1 () The o y c r t a is he ea e t Repr s nt i Agr ment. Howe r Bi r i nl ontac s t s ue r r he e e atve ee s ve , oton k SE i no apa t t et roft Re es nt tveAgr e e s.Thus Bi r k SE mai ai t t s t ry o ihe he pr e ai e m nt , otoni nt ns ha i c n o b s be t oj rs it npu s a t o j4 1 3 1( ) P anif a g et ta at r t a n t e u jc t u idci ru n t 8.9 ( )g . litfs r u ha s hid o pa t be i i yoft Re es nttveAgr eme s Bi toni SE ha a oblga i no t hi r ry nefcar he pr e a i e nts o r k d n i ton t o nde Pl i if 'abiiy t pe f m unde t Re es nt tveAg e ment. Thus Pl i if s e t bas antfs lt o r or r he pr e ai re s , antfs e k o e j rs ito o t efc t a Bito i S i atid-a t b n t a yofac nr c t a wa t b u id ci n n h a t h t or nk E s hr p ry e ekir o ta t h t s o e pe f me i Fl i Pl i if , we r ha f l t ct t a bi ng c e1 w t twoul ror d n orda. antfs ho ve , ve aied o ie o ny ndi as a ha d 7 s uppor isp oposton t tbengat r pa t bene a y t a c r c i s ic e ton iso t tt r ii ha i hid- ry fcir o onta t s uf i n t wn o e tbls p ro a j rs ito o r h tb n f ay. sa ih es n l u idcin ve t a e ekir Furhe ,i i no c e rt tBi r k SE i a t r pa t benet i yoft Repr s n a i t r t s t l a ha otoni s hid- ry k ar he e e t tve Agr e e ment. l or rt ha at r pa t be fc a yt c ta tngpa tesm us e es an s n de o ve hid- ry ne i r he on r c i ri t xpr s i e t prma iy a die tybe ftt t r pa t Ve orHo pial v. ueCr sBl nt nt o i rl nd r c l ne i he hid- ry. nc s t s Bl os ue Shedo o eIln 1 F.d67 , 0( 1hCi. 9 9 .Th r i n e i e eta Plitfs il fRh d sa d, 69 3 7 68 1 t r 1 9 ) e e s o v d nc h t anif a dBito i I c itn dt prma i a d dr cl b nhtBito k S wh nt e e trd n or nksn .n e de o i rl n ie t e e or ni E e h y ne e y y i o t Re es nt tveAgr e e s Ac or ngt t Be ntDe l r ton, otoni SE s d nt he pr e a i e m nt . c di o he r c a a i Bi r k ol de c t Bi toni l Pli tfst n s d t deviesasr pr ent i ofBi r k, nc vies o o r k, ne. a n if he ol he c e es atves otoni l . The e i no e d et ta bene i pa s die ty t Bi r k SE a ar ul oft r s vi enc ha ny ft s ed r c l o otoni s es t he Re e e ai Agr me s Gi n t r ltons psbet n t pa te ,t s y t tBi r k pr s nttve et nt . ve he ea i hi wee he ri s o a ha otoni SE wa at r pa t be ii r oft Re e e atveAgr eme swoul ma e r s hid- ry nefc a y he pr s nt i e nt d ke ve y ma a t e ofagood t t r pa t be fcir ofa c r c sbe we n a i pende nuf cur r he hid- ry nei a y ny onta t t e n nde nt diti oroft tgood and iss l pe e.Thede i ii oft r pary be fca y i nott t srbut ha t aes opl fn ton hid- t nei ir s ha br d.To s oa uppor t i postont tBi r k SE i at r pa t be t il Pli if poi t t her ii ha otoni s hid- ry nek ay, antfs nt o lngua i t Re e e ai Ag ee a ge n he pr s nt tve r ment whih r f st pr duc sm a a t e by Bi to k s c e er o o t nuf c ur d o r ni a tse appr d a r l s byBi toni Howe r t Re es t tveAgr e e ssa e nd e t d, ove nd eea ed or k. ve , he pr en a i e m nt tt t tS oto k'r f r t Bi r k,I , Bi toni SE. Co eq nty, he e i i uf e ha l r ni ' e e s o otoni nc.not o r k Bi ns ue l t r s ns fcint e de t esa ih t tBi r k SE i at r pa t be kir oft Repr s nt tve vi nce o t bls ha otoni s hid- ry nef a y he e e ai Ag e ment. Acc di y, ai if havef ie t me t rbur n o e t bls ng pe s re s or ngl Pl ntfs a ld o et hei de f sa ihi r onal j rs ito o e Bito i SE p ru n t FlrdaStt t j481 3 1( ) u idcin v r or n k u s a to o i aue .9 ()g . 8 i. The Cour Doe Not ePe s i t s Hav r onalJurs c i Pur uantt Fl ri St ut iditon s o o da at e j4 .9 ()a ' 8 l 3 1 () Plitfsas a sr t a teCo r h sp ro a j rs ito o e Bito i SE b sd o anif lo se th t h u t a es n l u idcin v r o rn k a e n . Flrd S auej4 .9 ( )a b c u eBito i S drcl itrce wihPli tf La d l a o ia tt t 8 l 3 1() e a s or n k E ie t n ea td t anif pa u a s y a me be ofiss l f c Thus Pl ntfsar ue t tLa dul wa Bi r k SE' a nt m r t aes or e. , ai if g ha pa a s otoni s ge , whc wo l s be t or nk S t p ro a j rs ito W hl Pli if a ec re th ta ih ud u j c Bi to i E o e s n l u idcin. i ant s r o rc ta n e f a e tsa to c ns be th pi cpa t j rs it n, anif ha ep ee tdn e ie eta g n ' cins a u j c te rn i lo u idci Plitfs v r s ne o vd nc h t o La padul wasa ag ofBi r k SE. a n ent otoni Fis,t Re es nt tveAgr e e sa ebe we n Pl ntfsand Bi r k, nc.Se r t he pr e ai e m nt r t e ai if otoni I cond, t s ndi o ame o a he e ng f m bouta a ee ntbe we Bi r k SE a ano he devi n gr me t en otoni nd t r ce ma a ur rt s l r pr e a i swho s dBi r ni SE' pr tdoesnotesa ih t nuf ct e o a es e es nttve ol oto k s oduc tbls he e se e ofa a nc r ltons p;nordoe t r eptofas l sa d.I or rt e t bls a xit nc n ge y ea i hi s he ec i a e war n de o sa ih n a nc r ai hi Pli if woul ha t esa iht e ee t ()ac ge y eltons p antfs d ve o tbls hre lmens: 1 knowldgme byt e nt he p icp lh thea e twi a t o h m, 2 tea e tsa c p a c o t eu etkn a d () rn ia ta t g n l c f r i ( ) h g n ' c e tn e f h nd ra ig, n 3 l c r b t prncpalove t a i oft a nt Gol c dtv Hol ontol y he i i r he ctons he ge . ds hmi . man, So. 422, 571 2d 42 n. ( a.1 .Thee denc r i upon b Pl ntfsdoesnote tbls t e se ofa 4 5 Fl 990) vi e eled y ai if sa ih he xitnce n ag yr ltons p bewe n La dul a Bi r k SE. Pli if havenotpoi e t a enc ea i hi t e pa a nd otoni a ntf s nt d o ny e de et tBi r k SE ha c r ove Lapa a' a tons Thus i Pli tfsca vi nc ha otoni d ontol r dul s c i . , f a n if nnot e t bls t tLa dul wa an a nto Bi r k SE,t y ca tesa ih t tBi r ni SE sa ih ha pa a s ge f otoni he nno t bls ha oto k wa ope a i c s r tng, onduci enga ng i o ca r i on abusnes vd ur i Fl i tng, gi n, r ry ng i s nt e n orda. Co s q e ty teCo l d e n t a ep ro a j rs ito p ru n t Flrd Sauej n e u n l,h u' o s o h v es n l u id cin u s a t o o ia tt t t 48.93( (). 1 1)a C.TheCour W ilNotGr ntJu i d ci lDicove y t l a rs i tona s r Pl ntfsr que tt t i t Co ti r l t ntt de t moton t dimi s i s d ai if e s ha ,f he ur s euca o ny he i o s s , t houl g a tPlitfsj rs it na d s o e y Plitfs ho v rha eno s t u wha d s o eyt e rn an if u id ci l ic v r . an if, we e, v t e o t t ic v r h y o s e ; n ta ,he ag et t' f r to rve ldd rn . .u idcin ld sov r c ud e k i se d t y r u ha çn o main e ae u ig . j rs ito a ic e y o l i r ve lpos i ea to loralenai e am s'a i to orbo h De e nt .Pl ntfs e a sbl ddii na t r tve l i ' gans ne t f nda s ai if f rhe s g e t h tl d iin l ratr aiet e re ( fl bltlmiht u fc a ar s l o u t r u g s t a ç dto a o len tv h o is o i i y g s ra e s e ut f a a i j rs ito l ic v r ' Dee d n so po ea yj rs ito a d so e ybe a s s c u id cina d s o ey. fn a t p s n u idcin l ic v r c u e u h ' dic r woul a oun t afs ng e dii s ove y d m t o i hi xpe ton. J idi i ldicove yha be n e ane a f l w s urs ctona s r s e xpl i d s olo : i t a c ran t r t oft a lga i orf c s s o s e ti hetu h he le tons a t Th pyn sh fsrsino ae sca e ys ito l i n t ve il f a çts i g u it o r s j r u deuio eo a s r it np do olu id ci n.t s o a hce or ilh n ne rp gte j edcif l in v r l o é e p dto ' nh p st t ic v r wil u ti tee rieo p ro a j rs ito ' x e ii n i o e ha d so e y l s san h xecs f es n l u idcin. ' Pa k rv Br s Wel n I c, 7 F. u p. d 1 9 ,1 0 ( D. . 00 ) V g v r e . u h lma , n p3 7 S p 2 2 0 3 5 N. Ga 2 5 ; o t . Gr e i Hol n LLC, l: -cv I OF,2002W L 534542,a *7( D. e nmarne dig, No. 01 -031 -J t N. Ga. F b. , 0 2 ( e yn j rs ito a d s o eyb c us t ee d nc t epanif e 20 2 0 ) d n ig u idcin l ic v r e a e h vit e h litf S tci t d bei a et a ç i pa e an ng bl o dducei t dic ypr s ' wou d isilha f ie t n he s over oce s' l ttl ve a ld o ma eou ap i f cec s o pes n l u idcin'; e as T i e I u .I c v k t rma a i ae f ro a j rs ito ' s e lo rntc nd s,n . . ) Pe r Pr mo in l o s, n .3 5F.d 1 7 ,1 8 ( d. r20 5 (t u id ci n l d e o to a Pr d .I c, 9 3 2 5 2 3 Fe Ci. 0 ) ûl rs ito al l dic yi a opra ewhe et e si r c d i tna ua e t s s over s ppr it r he xitng e or s i deq t ' o uppor pe s l t rona j idcina t p ryd mo srtst a ic ns ppe n is u idito a alg to s urs ito nd a a t e n tae h t t a u lme t t j rs cin l le ain t oughdico r ') hr s vey. . ' AtantsHydr ponis I .v I e natona Gr l i o c , nc . ntr i l ower Su y,I . - F.Supp. -,201 W L s ppl nc , 2d 3 2 1 2( D. . 01 ) Hee P an if aen ttyn t a c rantetuh o t ej rs ito a 8 0 N. Ga 2 3 . r , litfs r o ri g o s eti h r t f h u idcin l al gai a s re i t co pl nt The a r nty c le tons s e td n he m ai . y ppa e l once t tt alegai ofa pa e de ha he l tons r nt s i ar r a i hi ar i orec .SeeDE- a 4,n.0. l t d,Pl ntfsa esm pl ubsdi y eltons p e nc r t 39 t 1 nsea ai if r i y s ac n fran w b ssf r u idcin n t a e o a yhn p e i t ec mp an . e rhig o e a i o j rs ito , o b sd n n tig ld n h o lit Furhe t nnor t y a s a e, he lo ppea t be s r hi f po e i la tona c e ofa ton.Thi ro ea c ng or t nta ddii l aus s ci s 10 woul be bydefnii a ' ihi e dii ' TheCour alo not t tPl i if ha not d , i ton, ç s ng xpe ton. f ' t s es ha antfs ve a f maieys u h j rs ito a d so ey;h yh v no fldamoi s e ig s c o s u h fi tv l o g t u idcin l ic v r t e a e t ie r t e kn u h r o g t on asa o t smoi np n i gj rs ito a ds o ey.Co s q e ty Plitfs r q e t o ty f hi to e d n u idcin l ic v r n e u n l, anif' e u s f r j rs ito l ic veyi d ne .Se UntdTe h o o e Cop. . z r 5 6F.d 1 6 , u id cina d s o r s e id e ie c n lgis r v Ma e , 5 3 2 0 1 8 - ( 1hCi. 0 )(i igdsrc c u t i n ta u eisds rto b d n ig 2 0 81 1 t r 20 9 fndn itit o r dd o b s t icein y e yn j rs ito a ds o eywh np an ifddn tfnnal mo ef r u idcina d s o eyb , u idcin l ic v r e litf i o o l v o j rs ito l ic v r ut y i t a bured t r s i isbref asa at r tvet dim is land whe pl ntf di not nse d, i he eque t n t i s n le na i o s s a n ai if d tkea afr tvese orf a ny fimai tps onnala tont c ci o ompe dic y . l sover) Acc di l i i or ngy, t s ORDERED t tDe enda Bi toni SE & Co.sM oto t Dim isf rLa k ofPe s l ha f nt o r k ' in o s s o c r ona J rs it n ( 31 i GRANTED. Dee d n Bito kSE & Co i ds se fo t i c s . u idci DE- ) s o fn a t or ni .s imis d r m h s a e DONE a ORDERED i M im i Fl i t s nd n a , orda, hi - V 8dy ofApri,2013. a l k zee PATRI A A. E1 Z CI UNI TED STA TES DI STRI J CT UDGE Al Couns ofRe or l el c d
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