D.A.D.S. Denim, Inc. v. Ramirez

295 F. App'x 206

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

Footnotes

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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. 1J, 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 nonexclusive 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.

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