Tracfone Wireless, Inc. v. Cabrera

883 F. Supp. 2d 1220, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 114693, 2012 WL 3264514
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. Florida
DecidedJuly 11, 2012
DocketCase No. 1:12-cv-20768
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 883 F. Supp. 2d 1220 (Tracfone Wireless, Inc. v. Cabrera) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Tracfone Wireless, Inc. v. Cabrera, 883 F. Supp. 2d 1220, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 114693, 2012 WL 3264514 (S.D. Fla. 2012).

Opinion

ORDER GRANTING FINAL JUDGMENT AND PERMANENT INJUNCTION AGAINST DEFENDANT RICARDO CABRERA. JR.

JOAN A. LENARD, District Judge.

Plaintiff TracFone Wireless, ' Inc. (“TracFone”) brought the above-captioned lawsuit against Defendant Ricardo Cabrera, Jr. asserting claims for conversion; common-law fraud; federal trademark infringement, 15 U.S.C. § 1114; federal unfair competition and false advertising, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1); unjust enrichment; unauthorized access to a protected computer -with intent to defraud, 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(4); unauthorized access to a protected computer, 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(C); civil conspiracy and violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

I. Cabrera’s Illegal Conduct

According to TracFone, Cabrera is engaged in, and knowingly facilitates and encourages others to engage in, unlawful business practices involving the illicit sale to consumers across the country of stolen TracFone Prepaid Phones, prepaid airtime minutes, and other equipment for use on TraeFone’s service, and other violations of federal and state law (the “Illegal Airtime Fraud Scheme”). Id. at ¶ 2. As alleged in the Complaint, Cabrera is a former TracFone employee who has fraudulently represented himself as a TracFone dealer and fraudulently advertised stolen TracFone phones and airtime online through classified advertisements on websites like Craig’s List. Id. at ¶ 30-31. Cabrera’s participation in the Illegal Airtime Fraud Scheme has caused damage and substantial and irreparable harm to TracFone. See id. at ¶ 44^49.

II. The Present Litigation

As a result of Cabrera’s theft and other illegal activities, TracFone asserted claims against Cabrera for conversion; common-law fraud; federal trademark infringement, 15 U.S.C. § 1114; federal unfair competition and false advertising, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1); unjust enrichment; unauthorized access to a protected computer with intent to defraud, 18 U.S.C. [1223]*1223§ 1030(a)(4); unauthorized access to a protected computer, 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(5)(C); civil conspiracy and violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

The Court finds that all of the allegations in the complaint are well pled, and they are deemed admitted by virtue of Cabrera’s default. See Eagle Hosp. Physicians, LLC v. SRG Consulting, Inc., 561 F.3d 1298,1307 (11th Cir.2009). TracFone has therefore succeeded in proving its claims and Cabrera is hereby permanently enjoined and liable to TracFone for the damages set forth herein. Further, the Court finds Cabrera has violated two orders of this Court: an April 11, 2012 order [DE 16] requiring him to appear at a May 10, 2012 deposition; and a May 15, 2012 order of this Court [DE 25] requiring him to show cause why he should not be held in civil contempt and sanctioned for his failure to appear at the deposition.

DISCUSSION

I. Conversion (Count One)

In order to establish a claim for conversion, TracFone must prove the following three elements: “(1) act of dominion wrongfully asserted; (2) over another’s property; and (3) inconsistent with his ownership therein.” Del Monte Fresh Produce Co. v. Dole Food Co., Inc., 136 F.Supp.2d 1271, 1294 (S.D.Fla.2001) (citing Warshall v. Price, 629 So.2d 903, 904 (Fla. 4th DCA 1993) (analyzing each element to find that plaintiff had established conversion claim)).

The evidence demonstrates that TracFone has the right to provide its telecommunications services to the public and Cabrera has no such privilege or right. Compl., ¶ 22. Moreover, Cabrera knew or should have known that TracFone is the owner of the Marks and that Cabrera had no legal right to use the Marks on their infringing products and services. Id., ¶ 51. Finally, Cabrera knew or should have known that TracFone is the owner of a Lenovo ThinkPad T510 (the “Computer”) which Cabrera stole and kept for his own personal use. Id., ¶ 18. Cabrera was wrongfully interfering with TracFone’s rights by engaging in the Illegal Airtime Fraud Scheme and caused substantial harm to TracFone. Id., ¶ 53. Therefore, Cabrera’s actions constitute conversion.

II. Common Law Fraud Claim (Count Two)

To prevail on a claim for fraud, TracFone must demonstrate a “(1) misrepresentation of material fact; (2) by someone who knew or should have known of the statement’s falsity; (3) with intent that the representation would induce another to rely and act on it; and (4) injury suffered in justifiable reliance on the representation.” Zarrella v. Pacific Life Ins. Co., 755 F.Supp.2d 1231, 1237 (S.D.Fla.2011)

TracFone has properly established fraud by Cabrera. Upon information and belief, as part of the Illegal Airtime Fraud Scheme, Cabrera regularly and systematically uses TracFone codes and other identifiers to access TracFone’s proprietary computer system over the internet or through TracFone representatives over the telephone. [DE 1 at ¶ 54.] In so doing, Cabrera misrepresents to TracFone, on an ongoing basis, that he is authorized to obtain TracFone prepaid airtime for use on TracFone’s Prepaid Wireless Service. Id. Cabrera knew that he was not authorized to obtain TracFone prepaid airtime in the manner described herein. Id., ¶ 55. Further, Cabrera intended for TracFone to rely on his misrepresentations so as to obtain the TracFone prepaid airtime for use on TracFone’s Prepaid Wireless Services. Id., ¶ 56. TracFone’s reliance on Cabrera’s misrepresentations was reasonable as Cabrera presented the codes and identifiers neces[1224]*1224sary for the legitimate transmittal of TracFone prepaid airtime. Id., ¶ 57. Further, TracFone was harmed as a result of Cabrera’s’ actions. Id., ¶ 58. Thus, Cabrera’s actions constitute fraud.

III. Trademark-Related Claims (Counts Three and Four)

Section 32(1) of the Lanham Act protects against the use in commerce of “any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or color-able imitation of a registered mark in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising of any goods or services on or in connection with which such use is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive.” 15 U.S.C. § 1114(l)(a). Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act states that:

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883 F. Supp. 2d 1220, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 114693, 2012 WL 3264514, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/tracfone-wireless-inc-v-cabrera-flsd-2012.