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Denim v. Ramirez

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Sep 29, 2008
295 F. App'x 206 (9th Cir. 2008)

Opinion

No. 06-56844.

Submitted September 8, 2008.

The panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed.R.App.P. 34(a)(2).

Filed September 29, 2008.

Peter W. Ross, Esq., Browne Woods George, LLP, Beverly Hills, CA, for Plaintiff-Appellee.

Robert G. Klein, Los Angeles, CA, for Defendant-Appellant.

Steven F. Raspe, Esq., Roberts Raspe Blanton, LLP, Los Angeles, CA, for Appellee/Defendant.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Dean D. Pregerson, District Judge, Presiding. D.C. No. CV-05-01869-DDP.

Before: TASHIMA, SILVERMAN, and CALLAHAN, Circuit Judges.



MEMORANDUM

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.


Lillian Ramirez appeals pro se from the district court's post-judgment orders after a jury found that she infringed on D.A.D.S. Denim, Inc.'s copyright and trademark for its Citizens of Humanity jeans. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review for abuse of discretion. See Ets-Hokin v. Skyy Spirits, Inc., 323 F.3d 763, 766 (9th Cir. 2003) (attorney fee award for copyright infringement), Earthquake Sound Corp. v. Bumper Indus., 352 F.3d 1210, 1216 (9th Cir. 2003) (attorney fee award for trademark infringement), School Dist. No. U, Multnomah County, Or. v. ACandS, Inc., 5 F.3d 1255, 1262 (9th Cir. 1993) (denial of Fed. Rule Civ. Pro. 60(b) motion). We affirm.

The district court did not abuse its discretion when it awarded attorneys' fees to D.A.D.S. on its copyright claim. See Ets-Hokin, 323 F.3d at 766 (setting forth non-exclusive factors to guide the award or denial of attorneys' fees).

Similarly, the district court did not abuse its discretion when it determined that D.A.D.S. was entitled to attorneys' fees on its trademark claim because, on de novo review, the circumstances here were "exceptional" under 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a). Earthquake Sound 352 F.3d at 1216 (stating that whether circumstances are "exceptional" is a question of law reviewed de novo); see also Gracie v. Gracie, 217 F.3d 1060, 1071 (9th Cir. 2000) (explaining that "exceptional circumstances" can be found for purposes of attorney fee awards when the non-prevailing party's case is "groundless, unreasonable, vexatious, or pursued in bad faith").

The district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Ramirez's motion to amend or alter the judgment because Ramirez failed to show good cause. See ACandS, 5 F.3d at 1263 (setting forth elements for reconsideration under Rule 60(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure).

Ramirez's remaining contentions, including that the district court abused its discretion when it granted non-party Roberts, Raspe Blanton, LLP's motion to quash and motion for a protective order, are not persuasive.

We instruct the Clerk to file the transcripts received on August 27, 2007.

AFFIRMED.


Summaries of

Denim v. Ramirez

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Sep 29, 2008
295 F. App'x 206 (9th Cir. 2008)
Case details for

Denim v. Ramirez

Case Details

Full title:D.A.D.S. DENIM, INC., a California corporation, Plaintiff-Appellee, v…

Court:United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Date published: Sep 29, 2008

Citations

295 F. App'x 206 (9th Cir. 2008)