Copywatch, Inc. v. American National Red Cross ( 2018 )

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
COPYWATCH, INC.,
Plaintiff,
v. Civil Action No. 17-1219 (TJK)
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS,
Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff CopyWatch, Inc. (“CopyWatch”) is a consulting firm that advises businesses
how they can reduce their copying and printing expenses. CopyWatch claims that it provided
such advice to Defendant American National Red Cross (“Red Cross”). According to
CopyWatch, Red Cross improperly and unjustly used that advice without paying for it, in breach
of express and implied agreements between the parties.
Red Cross has moved to dismiss under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6), arguing
that CopyWatch has failed to state a claim. ECF No. 15; see also ECF No. 15-1 (“Def.’s Br.”);
ECF No. 17 (“Pl.’s Opp’n”); ECF No. 18 (“Def.’s Reply”). For the reasons explained below, the
motion is DENIED.
Factual and Procedural Background
CopyWatch, a corporation headquartered and incorporated in New York, alleges that it is
“an industry leader in document expense auditing and reduction services.” ECF No. 13 (“Am.
Compl.”) ¶¶ 5, 11. It claims to have developed a “confidential and proprietary audit and
document management process” that allows its clients to reduce their document-related
expenses, including through its expertise in negotiating with vendors. Id. ¶¶ 13-15. CopyWatch
asserts that its customary fee is 30% of the cost savings achieved, which clients often prefer
because “it does not require any new expenditures on their part.” Id. ¶ 17.
Red Cross is a corporation chartered by Congress and headquartered in the District of
Columbia. Id. ¶ 6; see 36 U.S.C. § 300101. In June 2015, CopyWatch personnel met with Red
Cross’s “IT Procurement leader,” Michael Macon, to discuss a possible business relationship.
Am. Compl. ¶¶ 21-22. Shortly before the meeting, the parties executed a Non-Negotiable
Confidential Disclosure Agreement (the “NDA”). Id. ¶ 23; see also ECF No. 15-2 (“Wright
Decl.”) App. 1, at 5-6 (copy of NDA).1 The NDA provided, among other things, that the parties
would not disclose any “Confidential Information,” defined as “certain confidential information
relating to copier and printer cost recovery service.” Wright Decl. App. 1, at 5. The NDA
further provided that the parties would “only use the Confidential Information to the extent
necessary to achieve or advance the Purpose,” defined as “explor[ing] business opportunities of
mutual interest.” Id.; see Am. Compl. ¶ 25.
According to CopyWatch’s Amended Complaint, Red Cross agreed during the June 2015
meeting that CopyWatch “would provide its services to [Red Cross], including auditing [Red
Cross’s] document expense costs for all copiers . . . , multi-functional devices, and printers.”
Am. Compl. ¶ 28. The parties also agreed that CopyWatch would prepare a written audit report
detailing Red Cross’s costs and proposing strategies for reducing them. Id. ¶ 29. Moreover,
CopyWatch alleges, Red Cross agreed that it would handle all information arising from the audit
“in accordance with the NDA” and that CopyWatch “would be paid,” although the parties did
not reach an agreement regarding the specific terms of payment. Id. ¶¶ 30-31.
1
Because the Wright Declaration filed in support of Red Cross’s motion to dismiss encompasses
several documents, all citations to the Declaration refer to the page numbers generated by ECF.
2
After the June 2015 meeting, Macon allegedly “sent correspondence to CopyWatch
reflecting that [Red Cross] understood that CopyWatch expected to be compensated for its
services” and “confirming that CopyWatch would begin work while the parties worked out
payment terms.” Id. ¶ 32. CopyWatch claims that it relied on these commitments in pursuing its
work, which included talking to copier and printer vendors. Id. ¶¶ 33-37. Red Cross has
attached what it represents is the Macon email to its motion to dismiss. See Wright Decl. App. 3,
at 12.
CopyWatch’s original complaint described the interactions between the parties in the
summer of 2015 somewhat differently. As set forth in the original complaint, the parties reached
their understanding that CopyWatch would perform the audit not at the June 2015 meeting, but
on “August 10, 2015.” See ECF No. 1 (“Orig. Compl.”) ¶ 25. According to Red Cross, this was
an implicit reference to a Memorandum of Understanding (the “MOU”) executed by the parties
on that same date. See Def.’s Br. at 5. Red Cross has now attached the MOU to its motion to
dismiss. Wright Decl. App. 2, at 8-10.
According to its terms, the MOU was “an expressly non-binding set of understandings”
between CopyWatch and Red Cross. Id. at 8. The MOU explained that CopyWatch would
prepare its audit report and that each party “intend[ed] to be solely responsible for its own costs
incurred in connection with its efforts under this MOU.” Id. The MOU further stated that the
parties’ exchange of confidential information would be governed by the previously executed
NDA. Id. Article VII of the MOU read as follows:
This MOU simply memorializes the Parties’ current intent and
does not constitute a legally binding agreement of the Parties to
consummate any transaction outlined herein nor does it create any
legal obligations on or provide any rights in favor of the Parties. If
further discussions and negotiations occur, neither Party to the
proposed transactions will be under any legal obligation with
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respect to the proposed transactions or any similar transactions
unless and until the final, written agreements providing for the
transaction have been executed and delivered by all Parties
intending to be bound. No offer, commitment, estoppel,
undertaking or obligation of any nature whatsoever shall be
implied in fact, law or equity until such final written agreements
have been executed and delivered.
The Red Cross in its sole discretion shall decide whether or not to
pursue any recommendations made by CopyWatch.
Id. at 9-10. Article VIII stated that the MOU “supersede[d] all prior agreements and
understandings” related to the same subject matter. Id. at 10. The MOU concluded by
reiterating: “Intending not to be bound by anything herein, the Parties intend this MOU to be a
memorialization of their current intent and an aid to any future negotiations.” Id.The Amended Complaint claims that, on October 16, 2015, CopyWatch delivered its
audit report, which explicitly stated that it was “confidential.” Am. Compl. ¶ 38. The report, by
applying CopyWatch’s “unique and proprietary industry expertise and know-how,” allegedly
told Red Cross how it could “substantially reduce its document expenses.” Id. ¶ 39. Red Cross
has filed a copy of the audit report under seal. ECF No. 11 (“Audit Report”).
After delivering the report, CopyWatch claims, it provided Red Cross with further helpful
advice. Red Cross’s Chief Information Officer allegedly “thanked CopyWatch for the ‘great’
report” and asked several follow-up questions “concerning how CopyWatch would execute its
plan.” Am. Compl. ¶ 44. In response, CopyWatch provided additional “details concerning
execution of the strategies outlined in the Report.” Id. CopyWatch also delivered a “draft lease
buyout letter” that Red Cross could send to its current vendor. Id. ¶ 45. CopyWatch claims that
it had contacted the vendor directly over the previous months to negotiate better terms for Red
Cross. Id. ¶ 47.
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CopyWatch alleges that Red Cross subsequently “us[ed] and rel[ied] on CopyWatch’s
audit analysis and findings to seek reduced copying and document expenses.” Id. ¶ 55. In
addition, Macon allegedly sent the lease buyout letter CopyWatch had drafted to Red Cross’s
vendor. Id. ¶ 46. CopyWatch further claims that Red Cross’s Director for Decision Support and
Business Planning “made an unsolicited telephone call” to CopyWatch’s president “boasting
that, since having CopyWatch’s work product, [Red Cross] had been able to drive down its cost-
per-copy rate to 2.7 cents.” Id. ¶ 56. According to CopyWatch, that represented a total cost
savings of over $15 million. Id. ¶ 57. CopyWatch’s customary 30% fee would have therefore
earned it over $4.5 million, and in May 2016, CopyWatch sent an invoice to Red Cross for that
amount. Id. ¶ 60. Red Cross has attached what it represents is a copy of the invoice to its
motion to dismiss. Wright Decl. App. 5, at 16-17.
Red Cross refused to pay. According to CopyWatch, Red Cross had in fact schemed to
avoid payment starting shortly after it began using CopyWatch’s work product. Macon left Red
Cross around that time, and CopyWatch asserts on “information and belief” that Red Cross
“fired Mr. Macon as part of [Red Cross’s] attempt to use CopyWatch’s audit, analysis, and
recommendations without compensating CopyWatch.” Am. Compl. ¶ 50. CopyWatch claims it
sought to “finalize payment terms” with other Red Cross employees, id. ¶ 51, who “continued to
seek and accept CopyWatch’s services while stringing CopyWatch along” with respect to those
terms, id. ¶ 53.
In the Amended Complaint, CopyWatch has brought three claims for relief under District
of Columbia law. In Count I, it claims that Red Cross violated the NDA by “exploit[ing]
CopyWatch’s confidential and proprietary know-how, analysis, work product, and strategies for
its own personal gain . . . without permission from CopyWatch.” Id. ¶ 65. In Count II,
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CopyWatch claims that its dealings with Red Cross gave rise to an “implied-in-fact contract” that
Red Cross breached by refusing to pay for CopyWatch’s services. Id. ¶¶ 68-76. Similarly, in
Count III, CopyWatch claims in the alternative that Red Cross unjustly enriched itself by
retaining the benefit of CopyWatch’s services without paying for them. Id. ¶¶ 77-82.
Red Cross has moved to dismiss all three claims. ECF No. 15. Red Cross argues that
CopyWatch’s allegations that it breached the NDA are too conclusory to survive a motion to
dismiss. See Def.’s Br. at 8-11. Red Cross further argues that CopyWatch’s claims for breach of
an implied-in-fact contract and unjust enrichment are untenable because express contracts (the
NDA and the MOU) govern the parties’ relationship. See id at 11-13. Finally, Red Cross argues
that Counts II and III each fail to state a claim. See id. at 14-20.
Legal Standard
A motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) “tests whether a plaintiff has properly stated a
claim.” BEG Invs., LLC v. Alberti, 85 F. Supp. 3d 13, 24 (D.D.C. 2015). “A court considering
such a motion presumes that the complaint’s factual allegations are true and construes them
liberally in the plaintiff’s favor.” Id. Nonetheless, the complaint must set forth enough facts to
“state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.” Id. (quoting Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662,
678 (2009)).
“District courts may refer to materials outside the pleadings in resolving a 12(b)(6)
motion” only if they “convert the motion to dismiss into one for summary judgment.” Kim v.
United States, 632 F.3d 713, 719 (D.C. Cir. 2011); see Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(d). In that event,
“district courts must provide the parties with notice and an opportunity to present evidence in
support of their respective positions.” Kim, 623 F.3d at 719. Otherwise, the district court must
ignore materials outside the pleadings that the parties introduce. See Hurd v. District of
Columbia, 864 F.3d 671, 686 (D.C. Cir. 2017). Certain documents nonetheless fall “within the
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pleadings,” including any “written instrument that is an exhibit to a pleading.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
10(c). Courts may also consider other documents “whose authenticity is not disputed” if “they
are referred to in the complaint and are integral” to the plaintiff’s claim. Kaempe v. Myers, 367
F.3d 958, 965 (D.C. Cir. 2004). In addition, courts may take judicial notice of certain public
records. See Hurd, 864 F.3d at 686.
Analysis
Because CopyWatch has adequately stated its claims, Red Cross’s motion to dismiss will
be denied. The Court will begin by considering which documents are within the pleadings and
thus properly considered on this 12(b)(6) motion. It will then analyze each count of
CopyWatch’s Amended Complaint in turn.
A. Documents Within the Pleadings
Red Cross has submitted five documents in connection with its motion to dismiss. The
first, the NDA, is properly before the Court on this motion. “The prototypical incorporation by
reference occurs where a complaint claims breach of contract, and either party attaches to its
pleading an authentic copy of the contract itself.” Banneker Ventures, LLC v. Graham, 798 F.3d
1119, 1133 (D.C. Cir. 2015). Such a contract “is ‘integral’ to the plaintiff’s claim—it ‘form[s]
the basis for a claim or part of a claim.’” Id. (alteration in original) (quoting Carroll v. Yates,
362 F.3d 984, 986 (7th Cir. 2004)). Count I of the Amended Complaint alleges a breach of the
NDA, and CopyWatch has not challenged the authenticity of the copy submitted by Red Cross.
Therefore, the Court will consider the text of the NDA in deciding the motion.
Red Cross has also submitted a copy of the MOU. That document, however, is not
within CopyWatch’s pleadings. It is not “referred to” in the Amended Complaint, nor is it
“integral” to CopyWatch’s claims. Id. Only Count I is based on a written contract: the NDA.
Counts II and III do not seek to enforce any written agreement, but rather seek to impose
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liabilities based on Red Cross’s conduct. Thus, even though the MOU “may well prove
dispositive” as to some or all of CopyWatch’s claims, it cannot justify dismissal at this stage.
Johnson v. Long Beach Mortg. Loan Tr. 2001-4, 451 F. Supp. 2d 16, 46-47 (D.D.C. 2006).
Red Cross contends that the MOU was referenced in CopyWatch’s original complaint
and therefore can be considered on this motion. Red Cross’s argument proceeds in two steps.
First, it argues, the Amended Complaint “directly contradicts the facts set forth in
[CopyWatch’s] original complaint” with respect to the MOU, and so the Court should strike the
discredited allegations in the Amended Complaint and look to the original complaint instead.
Def.’s Br. at 5 (quoting Hourani v. Mirtchev, 943 F. Supp. 2d 159, 171 (D.D.C. 2013), aff’d, 796
F.3d 1 (D.C. Cir. 2015)). Second, Red Cross asserts that the original complaint clearly
references the MOU by describing an agreement reached on August 10, 2015 (the date of the
MOU) with the same subject matter as the MOU. See id. at 5-6.
Red Cross’s argument founders at the first step. While the Court may strike “sham”
allegations that represent a “180 degree change” from the original complaint, the amendments in
this case are not so extreme. Clay v. Howard Univ., 128 F. Supp. 3d 22, 26-27 (D.D.C. 2015).
CopyWatch’s original complaint alleged that it agreed on August 10, 2015, to perform an audit
for Red Cross. Orig. Compl. ¶¶ 25-26. In its Amended Complaint, CopyWatch omits any
reference of an agreement reached on August 10, 2015, and instead alleges that a similar
agreement to perform an audit occurred at the earlier June 2015 meeting. Am. Compl. ¶¶ 28-31.
Red Cross may well be correct that this amendment represents gamesmanship, an effort on
CopyWatch’s part to prevent the Court from considering the MOU in connection with this
motion. But the “argument that the changes in [CopyWatch’s] amended complaint rise to the
level of direct contradiction overstates the changes [CopyWatch] has made.” Clay, 128 F. Supp.
8
3d at 27. It is conceivable that the parties reached an understanding regarding the audit report in
the June 2015 meeting and reaffirmed it in August 2015, when the MOU was executed. Thus,
the allegations in both complaints could be true, and the amendment “does not fundamentally
change the nature of Plaintiff’s allegations.” Id. Accordingly, no part of the Amended
Complaint will be stricken, and the entire document remains CopyWatch’s operative pleading.
For that reason, the Court must follow the “hornbook law that an amended complaint
supersedes the prior complaint and renders it of no legal effect.” Halldorson v. Sandi Grp., 934
F. Supp. 2d 147, 156 (D.D.C. 2013). While the original complaint remains part of the record and
may be examined by the Court to the extent it is helpful in interpreting the allegations in the
Amended Complaint, see W. Assocs. Ltd. P’ship ex rel. Ave. Assocs. Ltd. P’ship v. Mkt. Square
Assocs., 235 F.3d 629, 634 (D.C. Cir. 2001), the MOU is within the pleadings only if it is
“integral” to the claims in the Amended Complaint, Banneker Ventures, 798 F.3d at 1133-34.
Moreover, the Amended Complaint remains entitled to a presumption of truth at this stage of the
proceedings. See Clay, 128 F. Supp. 3d at 26-27. If an agreement to perform the audit occurred
in June 2015, as CopyWatch now alleges, then the Court cannot conclude that the MOU is
integral to its claims. Therefore, the MOU is not within the pleadings.
The remaining three documents consist of an email from Macon to CopyWatch dated
July 6, 2015, Wright Decl. App. 3, at 12; the Audit Report (which has been filed under seal); and
an invoice that CopyWatch sent to Red Cross in May 2016, Wright Decl. App. 5, at 16-17. The
Court will assume, without deciding, that those documents are within the pleadings, because they
do not compel dismissal of CopyWatch’s claims, as explained below.
B. Count I: Breach of the NDA
Under District of Columbia law, CopyWatch must establish four elements to prevail on
its claim for breach of contract: “(1) a valid contract between the parties; (2) an obligation or
9
duty arising out of the contract; (3) a breach of that duty; and (4) damages caused by breach.”
Tsintolas Realty Co. v. Mendez, 984 A.2d 181, 187 (D.C. 2009). CopyWatch alleges that Red
Cross breached its obligations under the NDA by exploiting CopyWatch’s confidential
information for financial gain, thereby depriving CopyWatch of “lost income for its services.”
Am. Compl. ¶¶ 62-67. Red Cross does not dispute that the NDA is a valid contract between the
parties, or that the contract obligated Red Cross not to use CopyWatch’s confidential material.
Red Cross does, however, argue that CopyWatch has not adequately alleged a breach of that duty
or damages. See Def.’s Br. at 9-11. The Court disagrees.
First, Red Cross argues, the Audit Report does not constitute confidential information
protected by the NDA because the report was not proprietary and amounted to nothing more than
a “sales pitch.” Id. at 10. But the NDA does not clearly exclude nonproprietary information or
“sales pitches” from “Confidential Information,” which is defined as “certain confidential
information relating to copier and printer cost recovery service.” Wright Decl. App. 1, at 5.
CopyWatch alleges that the Audit Report met that definition: the report was marked as
“confidential” and explained how Red Cross could reduce its copying and printing costs. See
Am. Compl. ¶¶ 38-41. The Court has also examined the Audit Report itself, which Red Cross
has filed under seal, and its contents do not make those allegations implausible. See Audit
Report. Plausibility is enough at this stage. See Council on Am.-Islamic Relations Action
Network, Inc. v. Gaubatz, 793 F. Supp. 2d 311, 343-44 (D.D.C. 2011) (holding plaintiff had
plausibly alleged that information fell within scope of confidentiality agreement). Of course, it
will ultimately be CopyWatch’s burden to show that the Audit Report was among the “certain
confidential information” that the parties intended to protect. Wright Decl. App. 1, at 5
(emphasis added).
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Red Cross next argues that CopyWatch has not adequately alleged that Red Cross
actually used any confidential information in violation of the agreement. Def.’s Br. at 8-9, 10-
11. CopyWatch’s allegations, Red Cross argues, are too conclusory to “nudge[] [its] claims
across the line from conceivable to plausible.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 570
(2007). The Court disagrees, because the Amended Complaint specifically alleges that a Red
Cross employee called CopyWatch’s president “boasting that, since having CopyWatch’s work
product, [Red Cross] had been able to drive down its cost-per-copy rate to 2.7 cents.” Am.
Compl. ¶ 56. Red Cross argues that this conversation merely speaks to Red Cross’s “separate
negotiation with its vendor” and that the cost savings were not necessarily “due either to
CopyWatch or to the contents of its report.” Def.’s Reply at 5-6. But the employee’s alleged
statement—that Red Cross had reduced its costs “since having CopyWatch’s work product”—
clearly supports an inference that Red Cross had won those savings by using CopyWatch’s report
and other confidential advice.
Finally, Red Cross argues, CopyWatch has not adequately pleaded damages caused by
the breach. Def.’s Br. at 10-11. In Red Cross’s view, because the NDA disclaimed “any
expectation of a business relationship,” CopyWatch has no right to the profits that it expected to
earn from a future business relationship as damages. See id. The Court concludes that this
argument does not warrant dismissal of CopyWatch’s claim at this stage.
“The damages recoverable in a breach of contract action include those damages which
‘arise directly from the breach itself, or could reasonably have been in contemplation of both
parties when they made the contract.’” Mercer Mgmt. Consulting, Inc. v. Wilde, 920 F. Supp.
219, 238 (D.D.C. 1996) (quoting Howard Univ. v. Baten, 632 A.2d 389, 392 (D.C. 1993)).
When all inferences are drawn in CopyWatch’s favor, the Amended Complaint adequately
11
alleges that CopyWatch’s lost income constituted damages within the contemplation of the
parties. The NDA allowed the parties to use each other’s confidential information only “to the
extent necessary” to “explore business opportunities of mutual interest.” Wright Decl. App. 1, at
5. And CopyWatch’s business model, which it allegedly explained in advance of its first
meeting with Red Cross, is to provide its advice and assistance in exchange for payment. See
Am. Compl. ¶¶ 11-17, 27. The agreement can therefore be plausibly read to reflect an
understanding that Red Cross would not use CopyWatch’s confidential information for its own
benefit without first securing CopyWatch’s consent by agreeing to pay, and that damages for
breach would include some form of compensation for unauthorized use. In an analogous
situation, the Seventh Circuit has suggested that the plaintiff might be able to recover “the
amount an unauthorized user of proprietary information would have agreed to pay if negotiating
in good faith.” Vojdani v. Pharmsan Labs, Inc., 741 F.3d 777, 786 (7th Cir. 2013) (applying
Wisconsin law). But see Document Sec. Sys., Inc. v. Coupons.com, Inc., 55 F. Supp. 3d 485,
496-97 & n.35 (W.D.N.Y. 2014) (concluding that the type of damages discussed by the Vojdani
court is unavailable under New York law unless the contract specifically provides for it).
Regardless of whether CopyWatch can ultimately make out such a theory, “[e]ven where
monetary damages cannot be proved, a plaintiff who can establish a breach of contract is entitled
to an award of nominal damages.” Wright v. Howard Univ., 60 A.3d 749, 753 (D.C. 2013); see
Alston v. Flagstar Bank, FSB, 609 F. App’x 2, 3 (D.C. Cir. 2015). For these reasons,
CopyWatch has plausibly alleged damages and the other elements of its claim for breach of the
NDA.
C. Count II: Breach of Implied-in-Fact Contract
An implied-in-fact contract, as is alleged in Count II, “is a true contract that contains all
the required elements of a binding agreement.” See New Econ. Capital, LLC v. New Markets
12
Capital Grp., 881 A.2d 1087, 1095 (D.C. 2005) (quoting Fred Ezra Co. v. Pedas, 682 A.2d 173,
176 (D.C. 1996)). That is, “all the necessary elements of an express contract—including offer,
acceptance, and consideration—must be shown in order to establish the existence of an implied-
in-fact contract.” Paul v. Howard Univ., 754 A.2d 297, 311 (D.C. 2000). In addition, the
following must be established:
(1) valuable services being rendered; (2) for the person sought to
be charged; (3) which services were accepted by the person sought
to be charged, used and enjoyed by him or her; and (4) under such
circumstances as reasonably notified the person sought to be
charged that the [person rendering the services] expected to be paid
by him or her.
Jordan Keys & Jessamy, LLP v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 870 A.2d 58, 62 (D.C. 2005)
(alteration in original) (quoting Vereen v. Clayborne, 623 A.2d 1190, 1193 (D.C. 1993)); accord
Berry Law PLLC v. Kraft Foods Grp., Inc., 777 F.3d 505, 508 (D.C. Cir. 2015).
Red Cross argues that Count II runs afoul of the principle that “a plaintiff may not obtain
extra-contractual remedies through equitable claims when an actual contract governs the subject
matter of a dispute.” Def.’s Br. at 12 (emphasis omitted). Red Cross further argues that
CopyWatch has failed to plead the elements required to prove an implied-in-fact contract. See
id. at 14-17. The Court will consider each argument in turn.
1. Effect of Written Contracts
According to Red Cross, two written contracts preclude Count II of the complaint: the
NDA and the MOU. As an initial matter, a written agreement does not always preclude the
formation of an implied-in-fact contract. Cases are legion holding that “where the parties have a
contract governing an aspect of the relation between themselves, a court will not displace the
terms of that contract and impose some other duties not chosen by the parties.” Emerine v.
Yancey, 680 A.2d 1380, 1384 (D.C. 1996). But that principle relates to extra-contractual duties
13
imposed under an equitable theory of unjust enrichment. See id. at 1383. An implied-in-fact
contract is, by contrast, a true contract between the parties. See id. Under the right
circumstances, the terms of a written contract can be supplemented with terms implied from the
parties’ conduct. See id at 1384.
Even if it applies, the principle that Red Cross invokes here does not preclude Count II.
It is generally true that “a claim for quantum meruit cannot stand where there is an express
written agreement between the parties,” but only if the agreement concerns “the same subject
matter.” Cobell v. Jewell, 234 F. Supp. 3d 126, 159 (D.D.C. 2017). The NDA does not appear
to concern the same subject matter as the contract alleged in Count II. That written agreement
does not directly address the key aspect of this claim: CopyWatch’s compensation. Rather, the
NDA was expressly intended to protect the parties while they negotiated a separate agreement
that would govern payment for CopyWatch’s services. See Wright Decl. App. 1, at 5 (explaining
that the parties “wish to explore business opportunities of mutual interest”); Def.’s Br. at 11
(“[T]he NDA itself expressly disclaimed that it created a business relationship, or any
expectation of a business relationship, between Red Cross and CopyWatch.”). According to
CopyWatch, the implied-in-fact contract underlying Count II is that separate agreement.
If CopyWatch is able to prove damages for breaches of both the NDA and the alleged
implied-in-fact contract, those damages may overlap to some extent—but not necessarily
completely. For example, CopyWatch alleges that it prepared “a draft lease buyout letter for
[Red Cross] to send to its current vendor,” and provided contact information for the vendor’s
“Vice President of Sales.” Am. Compl. ¶ 44. If CopyWatch in fact authorized Red Cross to
send the agreement to the vendor, as one could infer from the facts alleged in the Amended
Complaint, then it presumably would not have constituted confidential information within the
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scope of the NDA. Nonetheless, CopyWatch’s work on the letter could potentially constitute
services compensable under Count II. As that example shows, “without the benefit of discovery,
it is not yet clear whether the activities at issue in the [implied-in-fact contract and] unjust
enrichment claim[s] against [Red Cross] overlap entirely with the breach of contract claim” in
Count I. Dist. Title v. Warren, No. 14-cv-1808 (ABJ), 2015 WL 12964657, at *10 (D.D.C. June
1, 2015). Therefore, the Court declines to dismiss Count II on this ground.
Red Cross also invokes the MOU as a written agreement barring Count II. As explained
above, the MOU is not properly before the Court on this motion to dismiss. Moreover, even if it
were before the Court, Red Cross’s argument would have no purchase because it is not at all
clear that the MOU is an agreement. This is so because the document, on its face, does not
unambiguously evince a key element of contract formation: “intention of the parties to be bound”
by at least some of its terms. United House of Prayer for All People v. Therrien Waddell, Inc.,
112 A.3d 330, 337-38 (D.C. 2015) (quoting Georgetown Entm’t Corp. v. District of Columbia,
496 A.2d 587, 590 (D.C. 1985)). Rather, the document is internally inconsistent on this point.
At times it appears to provide for a binding obligation: “[n]o offer, commitment, estoppel,
undertaking or obligation of any nature whatsoever shall be implied in fact, law or equity until
. . . final written agreements have been executed and delivered.” Wright Decl. App. 2, at 9
(emphasis added). Elsewhere, however, the MOU states that none of its terms, apparently
including the foregoing, are binding. See id. at 8, 9, 10. In an analogous case—where one party
attempted to enforce a right of first refusal contained in a nonbinding letter of intent—another
court concluded that the document was ambiguous, requiring the court to “go beyond the four
corners” of the document to determine whether the right of first refusal was binding. See Space
Imaging Europe, Ltd. v. Space Imaging L.P., 38 F. Supp. 2d 326, 335 (S.D.N.Y. 1999) (Chin, J.).
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Similarly, this Court could not determine on a motion to dismiss whether the parties intended to
be bound by any of the MOU’s terms, even if the MOU were before the Court.
Therefore, at this stage the Court cannot conclude that any written agreement between the
parties compels dismissal of Count II of the Amended Complaint. For the same reasons, this
argument must be rejected as to Count III as well.
2. Formation of an Implied-in-Fact Contract
Because no written agreement requires dismissal of Count II, the Court turns to consider
whether CopyWatch has properly pleaded the existence of an implied-in-fact contract.
According to Red Cross, CopyWatch has failed to plausibly allege three elements of an implied-
in-fact contract: that CopyWatch rendered “valuable services”; that the Red Cross “accepted,”
“used” and “enjoyed” those services; and that Red Cross did so “under such circumstances as
reasonably notified [Red Cross] that [CopyWatch] expected to be paid.” Jordan Keys, 870 A.2d
at 62; see Def.’s Br. at 14-15.
Red Cross’s argument, however, is largely grounded in the MOU. If that document were
in fact within the pleadings, it might very well compel the dismissal of Count II. That is because
the MOU, even if not a binding contract, clearly states that Red Cross did not intend to be bound
to compensate CopyWatch for its work until the parties executed a final agreement. See Wright
Decl. App. 3, at 9; Berry Law, 777 F.3d at 508 (holding there was no reasonable expectation of
payment where the defendant clearly communicated that the work in question was preliminary
and would not be compensated); Arcadian Phosphates, Inc. v. Arcadian Corp., 884 F.2d 69, 71-
73 (2d Cir. 1989) (holding that, despite “considerable partial performance,” there was no contract
where the parties had clearly manifested an intent not to be bound absent a final written
agreement); Nat’l Gear & Piston, Inc. v. Cummins Power Sys., LLC, 861 F. Supp. 2d 344, 359
(S.D.N.Y. 2012) (“A contract may not be implied in fact from the conduct of the parties where it
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appears that they intended to be bound only by a formal written agreement.” (quoting Valentino
v. Davis, 703 N.Y.S.2d 609, 612 (App. Div. 2000)). But the MOU is not before the Court, and
so this argument cannot prevail.
Rather, the Amended Complaint plausibly alleges that Red Cross accepted CopyWatch’s
services with the understanding that it would have to pay for them. CopyWatch alleges that,
starting in June 2015 when the parties first met, Red Cross understood that CopyWatch expected
to be paid, although the parties had not yet agreed on “potential payment structures.” Am.
Compl. ¶ 31. Macon allegedly sent correspondence to CopyWatch reflecting that understanding.
Id. ¶ 32. Moreover, just when CopyWatch was about to “finalize payment terms” with Macon, it
discovered that Macon had mysteriously left Red Cross—from which CopyWatch infers that Red
Cross had sought to avoid its commitments to pay CopyWatch by firing the person in the
organization who had most clearly expressed those commitments. Id. ¶¶ 48-50. CopyWatch
then reached out to other Red Cross employees, who allegedly “continued to seek and accept
CopyWatch’s services while stringing CopyWatch along with respect to payment terms.” Id.
¶ 53. That alleged course of dealing makes this case similar to others in which the defendant
provided “‘verbal assurances’ that [the plaintiff] would be compensated for consulting services.”
New Econ. Capital, 881 A.2d at 1098. The Amended Complaint thus pleads sufficient facts to
plausibly allege that Red Cross was on notice that CopyWatch expected to be paid at the time it
accepted and used CopyWatch’s work.
Red Cross points to the Macon email dated July 6, 2015, which it has attached to its
motion to dismiss, as evidence that the Amended Complaint does not sufficiently allege that
CopyWatch ever reasonably expected payment. Wright Decl. App. 3, at 12. In particular, it
argues that the document suggests that Red Cross did not accept CopyWatch’s customary 30%
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fee and wanted to “discuss different payment structures.” Id. But other statements in the email
are ambiguous. Macon also appears to memorialize an agreement “that the process could start
under a MOU, while the parties discuss the contract terms.” Id. That is plausibly consistent with
CopyWatch’s account, according to which Red Cross had not yet agreed to particular payment
terms, but nonetheless understood that it would eventually have to pay. See Am. Compl. ¶ 31.
Thus, the email does not undermine CopyWatch’s claims. Nor does the Court agree that,
because CopyWatch failed to send an invoice until May 2016, Red Cross could not have been on
notice earlier that it was expected to pay. See Def.’s Br. at 17 (citing Wright Decl. App. 5, at 16-
17).
Red Cross suggests, in its reply, that the “agreement” to provide audit services in June
2015 failed to include the amount of compensation, a material term of a contract. See Def.’s
Reply at 4. That argument is of no moment because CopyWatch does not allege that an oral
contract formed at the June 2015 meeting, or ever. Rather, CopyWatch alleges that the meeting
put Red Cross on notice that it would have to pay for CopyWatch’s services, and that an implied-
in-fact contract formed later when Red Cross actually accepted and benefitted from
CopyWatch’s services. CopyWatch will, however, ultimately have to show that discussions of
payment terms were sufficiently advanced by then that Red Cross can be considered to have
agreed to definite terms of compensation. See Queen v. Schultz, 747 F.3d 879, 884-86 (D.C. Cir.
2014).
Red Cross also misses the mark when it argues that CopyWatch has failed to plausibly
allege that it provided “valuable services.” Def.’s Br. at 17. Red Cross relies primarily on the
Audit Report, which it characterizes as “sales pitch efforts . . . expended to earn Red Cross’s
eventual business.” Id. But an examination of the Audit Report (filed under seal) does not, at
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this stage of the litigation, compel the conclusion that the parties understood it as nothing more
than a sales pitch. Rather, for purposes of this motion, the Court must accept as true
CopyWatch’s allegation that the audit in fact constituted substantial and valuable work and was
understood as such. See Am. Compl. ¶¶ 28-31, 38. The parties may revisit their dispute over
how to characterize the Audit Report after discovery.
Finally, Red Cross argues that it never used and benefitted from the services that
CopyWatch provided. But for the same reasons explained above in connection with Count I,
CopyWatch plausibly alleges just that. Therefore, Count II survives Red Cross’s motion to
dismiss.
D. Count III: Unjust Enrichment
Red Cross advances essentially the same arguments regarding CopyWatch’s unjust
enrichment claim. It first argues that written agreements preclude the claim. See Def.’s Br. at
11-13. That argument fails for the same reasons set forth above in connection with Count II.
Nor is the Court convinced by Red Cross’s argument that CopyWatch has failed to plead the
elements of unjust enrichment, as explained below.
Count III is based on a theory of “quasi-contract,” which “is not a contract at all” but
rather a “duty thrust under certain conditions upon one party to requite another.” New Econ.
Capital, 881 A.2d at 1095 (quoting Fred Ezra, 682 A.2d at 176). It is necessarily pleaded in the
alternative to Count II, because if an enforceable contract exists (whether express or implied),
then an equitable remedy is neither needed nor warranted. See, e.g., Intelect Corp. v. Cellco
P’ship GP, 160 F. Supp. 3d 157, 190-91 (D.D.C. 2016). “Unjust enrichment occurs when: (1)
the plaintiff conferred a benefit on the defendant; (2) the defendant retains the benefit; and (3)
under the circumstances, the defendant’s retention of the benefit is unjust.” Bregman v. Perles,
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747 F.3d 873, 876 (D.C. Cir. 2014) (quoting Fort Lincoln Civic Ass’n, Inc. v. Fort Lincoln New
Town Corp., 944 A.2d 1055, 1076 (D.C. 2008)).
Count III is properly pleaded for the essentially same reasons as is Count II: CopyWatch
plausibly alleges that it conferred a benefit (its audit report and other services) on Red Cross, that
Red Cross retained that benefit (by using the services to reduce its copying and printing
expenses), and that Red Cross’s retention of the benefit is unjust (because it avoided paying for
CopyWatch’s services despite knowing that CopyWatch expected payment). Red Cross’s
primary arguments for dismissing this claim are that CopyWatch’s audit report was nothing more
than a sales pitch and that Red Cross never actually used the report for its own benefit. See
Def.’s Br. at 18-20. Those arguments have already been discussed, and rejected, above.
Conclusion and Order
For all of the above reasons, it is hereby ORDERED that Red Cross’s Motion to Dismiss
(ECF No. 15) is DENIED.
SO ORDERED.
/s/ Timothy J. Kelly
TIMOTHY J. KELLY
United States District Judge
Date: March 12, 2018
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