Wilhoite v. Hou

• Court: District Court, S.D. California
• Decided: January 23, 2024
• Docket: 3:23-cv-02333
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 NORMAN WILHOITE and JUDITH Case No.: 3:23-cv-02333-BEN-MSB WILHOITE, derivatively on behalf of 12 TuSimple Holdings, Inc., ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS’ 13 MOTION FOR TEMPORARY Plaintiffs, RESTRAINING ORDER AND FOR 14 v. EXPEDITED DISCOVERY 15 PURUSANT TO FEDERAL RULE XIAODI HOU, MO CHEN, CHENG LU, OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 26(d)(1) 16 GUOWEI “CHARLES” CHAO, and

HYDRON, INC., 17 Defendants. 18

19 -and- 20

21 TUSIMPLE HOLDINGS, INC., 22

Nominal Defendant. 23

24 [ECF No. 8] 25 26 On January 5, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order 27 (“TRO”) and Expedited Discovery. ECF No. 8 (“Mot.”). Nominal Defendant TuSimple 28 Holdings, Inc. (“TuSimple”), filed an opposition to the Motion. ECF No. 28 (“Oppo.”). 1 Plaintiffs replied. ECF No. 33 (“Reply”). A hearing on the motion was held on January 2 22, 2024. ECF No. 35. 3 I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND 4 Plaintiffs Norman and Judith Wilhoite are current shareholders of TuSimple and 5 citizens of Hawaii. ECF No. 1, Verified Shareholder Complaint (“Compl.”) ¶ 18. 6 Plaintiffs filed their complaint on December 22, 2023. See generally Compl. Plaintiffs 7 filed the motion for TRO on January 5, 2024. ECF No. 8. 8 According to the complaint, TuSimple was founded in 2015 by Defendants Mo 9 Chen (“Chen”) and Xiaodi Hou (“Hou”). Compl. ¶ 24. TuSimple’s goal was to develop 10 self-driving technology for long-haul freight trucks, which would require specified routes 11 mapped in high definition and connected by a network of terminals, which it called an 12 ‘autonomous freight network.’ Compl. ¶¶ 34, 38; Oppo. at 5. TuSimple is a Delaware 13 corporation headquartered in San Diego, California; until recently, it operated primarily 14 in the United States and China. Compl. ¶ 24. However, in June of 2023, TuSimple 15 announced it was evaluating “strategic alternatives for its U.S. business . . . .” Mot., Ex. 16 24. On December 4, 2023, TuSimple announced it was winding down the company’s 17 U.S. operations and shifting its focus to the Asia-Pacific region. Mot., Ex. 25. 18 In March of 2021, Defendant Mo Chen launched a company called Hydron, which 19 is a named Defendant in this action. Compl. ¶ 23. Plaintiffs allege Hydron competes 20 with TuSimple and conducts the majority of its business in China.1 Id. Hydron was 21 incorporated in Delaware and, until recently, had its base of operations in Southern 22 California. Id. However, on November 13, 2023, Hydron filed a record with the 23 24 25 26 1 TuSimple’s opposition argues Hydron is not a direct competitor but a manufacturer of 27 trucks into which TuSimple technology could be placed, but the trucks are ultimately “software agnostic.” Oppo. at 6. 28 1 California Secretary of State surrendering its right to transact business in the state and 2 revoking its designation of agent for service of process. Mot., Ex. 26. 3 On October 31, 2022, TuSimple reported in an SEC filing that during 2021, 4 TuSimple employees spent paid hours working on matters for Hydron. Mot., Ex. 14. 5 Additionally, this filing indicated that during 2022, TuSimple shared “confidential 6 information” with Hydron while evaluating Hydron as a potential original equipment 7 manufacturer (“OEM”) partner. Id. 8 Several events have taken place since the TRO motion was filed. First, on January 9 12, 2024, TuSimple announced it would conduct auctions of its trucks, research and 10 development equipment, and office supplies between January 23rd and February 8th. ECF 11 No. 33, Reply Declaration of Albert Chang ¶ 2, Ex. 28. Second, on January 17th, 12 TuSimple announced its voluntary decision to deregister and delist its Class A Common 13 Stock; when this process is complete, TuSimple will no longer be a public company. See 14 ECF No. 29, Notice of Forthcoming Change in Regulatory Status at 2. 15 II. LEGAL STANDARDS 16 1. Temporary Restraining Order. The factors for issuing a temporary restraining 17 order are ‘substantially identical’ to the factors evaluating a request for preliminary 18 injunctive relief. Stuhlbarg Int’l. Sales Co. v. John D. Brush & Co., 240 F.3d 832, 839 19 n.7 (9th Cir. 2001). The Court evaluates whether: (1) the movant is likely to succeed on 20 the merits; (2) the movant is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of 21 preliminary relief; (3) the balance of equities tips in the movant’s favor; and (4) an 22 injunction is in the public interest. Winter v. Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7 23 (2008). A temporary restraining order’s underlying purpose is to preserve the status quo 24 and prevent irreparable harm until a preliminary injunction can be held. Granny Goose 25 Foods, Inc. v. Bhd. Of Teamsters & Auto Truck Drivers, 415 U.S. 423, 439 (1974). 26 2. Plaintiffs’ Underlying Claims. Plaintiffs bring two claims: one arising under the 27 federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (“DTSA”) and one under California’s Uniform Trade 28 Secrets Act (“CUTSA”). See generally Compl. Claims arising under the DTSA and 1 CUTSA have “substantially similar elements.” Sun Distrib. Co., LLC v. Corbett, 2018 2 WL 4951966 at *2 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 12, 2018). To state a claim for misappropriation of 3 trade secrets, a plaintiff must allege: (1) existence and ownership of a trade secret, and (2) 4 misappropriation thereof. Cutera, Inc. v. Lutronic Aesthetics, Inc., 444 F. Supp. 3d 1198, 5 1205 (E.D. Cal. 2020). A “trade secret” has three elements: (1) it is a specific type of 6 information (i.e., financial, scientific, technical, etc.); (2) the owner has taken reasonable 7 measures to keep secret; and (3) the information derives independent economic value 8 from its secrecy. Cutera, 444 F. Supp. 3d at 1205; see also 18 USC § 1839(3); Cal. Civ. 9 Code § 3426.1(d). Misappropriation is defined as improper: (1) acquisition; (2) 10 disclosure; or (3) use of a trade secret. Kimera Labs Inc. v Jayashankar, 2022 WL 11 11965058 at *6 (S.D. Cal. Oct. 20, 2022). The DTSA permits a Court to enjoin “actual 12 or threatened misappropriation.” See 18 USC § 1836(b)(3)(A)(i). 13 III. DISCUSSION 14 A. Temporary Restraining Order 15 Parties presented thoughtful arguments at the hearing held January 22, 2024. See 16 ECF No. 35. Defendant TuSimple argues two main points: (1) Plaintiffs have not 17 demonstrated sufficient facts to support the idea that misappropriation of TuSimple’s 18 trade secrets is imminent, or even that past misappropriation has occurred (Oppo. at 14- 19 18); and (2) Plaintiffs have brought suit in this district in contravention of a valid and 20 enforceable forum selection clause (Oppo. at 9-10). 21 On the first point, Plaintiffs argue there is a strong inference that Hydron utilized 22 TuSimple’s trade secrets because it was able to announce it was “autonomous ready” 23 only twenty months2 after its founding in March 2021. In contrast, TuSimple spent over 24 25 26 2 Plaintiffs’ motion describes this period as seven months. Mot at 17. However this 27 appears to be a mathematical error. Plaintiffs’ exhibits confirm Hydron was incorporated in 2021 (Mot., Ex. 12) and announced it was “autonomous ready” in November 2022 28 1 seven years developing its autonomous driving technology. Compl. ¶ 24. Strengthening 2 this inference is the fact that TuSimple employees performed work for Hydron in 2021, 3 “during which they presumably utilized TuSimple trade secrets.” Reply at 2. The 4 connections between TuSimple and Hydron were discussed in depth at the hearing. ECF 5 No. 35. 6 Given the timeline of events and circumstantial evidence, the arguments of the 7 parties, and the allegations in the complaint, the Court finds Plaintiffs have raised serious 8 questions regarding the merits of their claim under the DTSA warranting issuance of a 9 TRO. 10 1. TRO Factors. Through circumstantial evidence and reasonable inference, 11 Plaintiffs have demonstrated misappropriation of TuSimple’s trade secrets by Defendant 12 Hydron and others is likely to occur absent a TRO, if it has not occurred already. 13 Although the Defendants argue Plaintiffs lack concrete, direct proof, this is not required 14 for a TRO. See Alliance for the Wild Rockies v. Cottrell, 632 F.3d 1127, 1135 (9th Cir. 15 2011) (“serious question” on the merits sufficient for issuance of a TRO). Additionally, 16 Plaintiffs have also reasonably argued TuSimple’s planned liquidation of its U.S. assets 17 and expatriation of the proceeds abroad would result in irreparable harm to Plaintiffs as it 18 would leave these Plaintiffs and others no legal recourse for their claims. Plaintiffs have 19 demonstrated they lack any other adequate legal remedy to preserve the status quo, 20 tipping the balance of equities in their favor. At the hearing, counsel for TuSimple 21 indicated no hardship that would befall TuSimple as a result of the proposed TRO’s 22 restrictions, aside from some reputational harm. Finally, “discouraging practices aimed 23 at surreptitiously acquiring trade secrets” is well within the public interest. Avery 24 Dennison Corp. v. Kitsonas, 118 F.Supp.2d 848, 855 (S.D. Ohio 2000). 25 2. Defendant’s Forum Non Conveniens Argument. While Defendants make strong 26 arguments that the forum selection clause is valid and enforceable (see Oppo. at 9-10), 27 Plaintiffs correctly identify this does directly relate to the merits of their DTSA claim 28 (Reply at 11-14). Courts have used their discretion to go in both directions when faced 1 with dueling or sequential TRO motions and motions to transfer or dismiss based on 2 forum non conveniens grounds. Compare Flynn v. Nat’l Asset Mgmt. Agency, 42 F. 3 Supp. 3d 527, 531 n.6 (S.D.N.Y. 2014) (court denied preliminary injunction and 4 dismissed on forum non conveniens grounds) with Monte Carlo Aviation Corp. v. 5 Dassault Aviation S.A., 2011 WL 345774 (E.D. Ark. Feb. 1, 2011) (denial of preliminary 6 injunction and dismissal of case on forum non conveniens grounds after TRO previously 7 issued). The Court finds a TRO is warranted given the rapid nature of unfolding events, 8 and the Court may address TuSimple’s forum non conveniens arguments in considering 9 the briefing already underway related to TuSimple’s motion to dismiss. See ECF No. 27. 10 B. Expedited Discovery 11 Courts in the Ninth Circuit generally use a “good cause” standard to evaluate 12 whether to permit expedited discovery, considering such factors as: (1) whether a 13 preliminary injunction is pending; (2) the breadth of the discovery requests; (3) the 14 purpose for requesting expedited discovery; (4) the burden on defendants to comply with 15 the request; and (4) how far in advance of typical discovery process the request is made. 16 Am. LegalNet, Inc. v. Davis, 673 F. Supp. 2d 1063, 1067 (C.D. Cal. 2009). 17 The Court finds that Plaintiffs’ expedited discovery requests at this point are 18 overbroad and overly burdensome. See Oppo. at 23-24. Plaintiffs have not adequately 19 demonstrated, either at the hearing or in the briefing, why materials pertinent to 20 TuSimple’s internal investigation of the 2022 information sharing is necessary on an 21 expedited basis. However, the Court finds good cause for some expedited discovery, and 22 grants to Plaintiffs more limited expedited discovery. 23 IV. ORDER 24 Having considered the parties submissions and arguments and for the reasons set 25 forth above, the Court GRANTS the Motion and ORDERS as follows: 26 A) Temporary Restraining Order: 27 28 1 Defendants and all those acting in concert with any of them and with actual notice 2 of the Court’s Order, are enjoined for a period of forty-five (45) days from the date of this 3 Order from: 4 1. Violating the National Security Agreement between TuSimple, Holdings, Inc. 5 and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). 6 2. Selling, transferring, or disclosing TuSimple trade secrets to people or entities 7 outside the United States, including TuSimple’s China-based businesses. 8 3. Selling, transferring, or disclosing TuSimple trade secrets to Hydron, Inc. 9 4. Transferring outside of the United States any proceeds obtained from the sale, 10 transfer, or disclosure of TuSimple’s trade secrets. 11 5. Transferring outside of the United States any proceeds obtained from the sale, 12 transfer, or disclosure of TuSimple’s assets other than trade secrets. 13 B) Expedited Discovery 14 Within fourteen (14) days from the date of this Order, TuSimple shall provide to 15 Plaintiffs the following documents in their possession, custody or control: 16 A) Documents sufficient to show the location of TuSimple’s trade secrets; and 17 B) Documents sufficient to identify any proprietary information and/or intellectual 18 property belonging to TuSimple that has been disclosed or transferred to Hydron. 19 Any materials turned over by Defendants to Plaintiffs’ counsel shall be maintained 20 by Plaintiffs’ counsel as highly confidential—Attorneys’ Eyes Only. 21 C) Briefing Schedule Regarding Appropriate Bond Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 65(c) contemplates a plaintiff seeking a TRO to post a bond. 22 Neither party raised this issue in their briefing. Accordingly, the Court ORDERS the 23 parties to brief the issue of an appropriate security, or the waiver of same, in accordance 24 25 with the following briefing schedule: 1. Defendant TuSimple shall file a brief regarding the appropriate amount of bond 26 27 or security in relation to this TRO, and do so no later than Thursday, January 25, 2024. 28 1 2. Plaintiffs shall file their brief in response regarding the appropriate amount of 2 || bond or security in relation to this TRO, and do so no later than Monday, January 29, 3 |}2024. 4 3. The Court will then take the issue under submission. 5 D) Preliminary Injunction Hearing 6 A hearing is set for Friday, March 8, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom 5A before 7 || Judge Roger T. Benitez. 8 The following briefing schedule applies: 9 1. Plaintiffs shall file their Motion for Preliminary Injunction by February 9, 2024. 10 2. Defendants shall respond to the motion by February 23, 2024. 11 3. Plaintiffs shall file any reply by March 2, 2024. 12 13 IT IS SO ORDERED. . 14 Dated: January 23, 2024 15 ~ ROGER T. BENIT 6 United States District Judge

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