U.S. Philips Corp. v. Kbc Bank N.V.

667 F. App'x 632

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: June 30, 2016
• Docket: 14-56199, 14-56541, 14-56592
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

U.S. Philips Corp. and KBC Bank cross-appeal the district court’s orders holding KBC in contempt and granting, in part, Philips’s motion for attorneys’ fees. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

1. The district court did not err in holding that KBC has a superior claim to KXD Technology Inc.’s funds. “[U]n-der California law, a Bank’s right of setoff against a matured debt of its creditor is superior to the rights of a third party creditor.” Da-Green Elecs., Ltd. v. Bank of Yorba Linda, 891 F.2d 1396, 1399 (9th Cir. 1989) (citing Walters v. Bank of Am., 9 Cal.2d 46, 55, 69 P.2d 839 (1937)). Because KXD’s debt to KBC came due before the district court entered judgment in Philips’s favor in the underlying patent suit against KXD, KBC had an equitable right of setoff that was superior to Philips’s rights as a judgment creditor. See Martin v. Wells Fargo Bank, 91 Cal.App.4th 489, 494, 110 Cal.Rptr.2d 653 (2001).

2. Nevertheless, the district court did not abuse its discretion by holding KBC in contempt. The temporary restraining order (“TRO”), in relevant part, enjoined “all banks” from “transferring” KXD’s assets. While the TRO was in effect, KBC transferred payments from KXD’s customers into KXD’s bank account with KBC, then transferred those funds out of KXD’s account to pay down KXD’s outstanding debt to KBC. These transfers made the disputed funds “unavailable” to Philips be cause, for example, Philips could not reach the funds by attaching KXD’s account. Further, internal memoran-da show that KBC and KXD executives worked together to coordinate these transfers, satisfying the aiding and abetting element required to hold a non-party in contempt. See Peterson v. Highland Music, Inc., 140 F.3d 1313, 1323-24 (9th Cir. 1998).

3. The district court did not abuse its discretion in holding that Philips is not entitled to an award of damages. In civil contempt actions, “an award to an opposing party is limited by that party’s actual loss.” In re Crystal Palace Gambling Hall, Inc., 817 F.2d 1361, 1366 (9th Cir. 1987). Because KBC has a superior claim to KXD’s funds, its actions did not cause Philips any actual losses.

4. The district court did not abuse its discretion in awarding attorneys’ fees. That Philips and its counsel had a contingent-fee agreement does not preclude a fee award. See Blanchard v. Bergeron, 489 U.S. 87, 94, 109 S.Ct. 939, 103 L.Ed.2d 67 (1989); United States v. $28,000.00 in U.S. Currency, 802 F.3d 1100, 1108 (9th Cir. 2015). The district court’s decision to award only those fees and costs incurred in the course of the contempt proceedings was reasonable under the circumstances. See Donovan v. Burlington N., Inc., 781 F.2d 680, 682-83 (9th Cir. 1986).

AFFIRMED.

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