Opinion
08 Civ. 00392 (MGC).
March 20, 2009
LEWIS BRISBOIS BISGAARED SMITH, LLP, Attorneys for Plaintiffs-Counterclaim Defendants, New York, NY, By: Joseph Uvino, Esq.
LICHTER GLIEDMAN OFFENKRANTZ PC, Attorneys for Defendants-Counterclaim Plaintiffs, New York, New York, By: Ronald J. Offenkrantz, Esq.
ROSENBERG FELDMAN SMITH, LLP, Attorneys for Defendants-Counterclaim Plaintiffs, New York, New York, By: Michael H. Smith, Esq.
OPINION
Harry Nieberg and Harry Nieberg Funeral Home Inc. move under Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) to dismiss the third and fourth counterclaims of Nieberg Midwood Chapel Inc. and Midwood Memorial Chapel Inc. ("Midwood Parties"). The third counterclaim alleges breach of an implied covenant against competition and/or use of the name "Harry Nieberg" or "Nieberg." The fourth counterclaim is a "cause of action for damages." For the reasons that follow, the motion to dismiss is granted.
DISCUSSION
I. The Third Counterclaim Is Dismissed Because a Covenant Against Competition May Only Arise Out of An Express Agreement
The Midwood Parties' third counterclaim is for "breach of implied covenant against competition and/or use of the name `Harry Nieberg' or `Nieberg.'" The Midwood Parties allege that Harry Nieberg "impliedly covenanted not to compete with defendants in the area of funeral services" by selling his one-third interest in defendants. However, a duty to refrain from competing with the purchaser of a business "may only arise out of an express agreement." Mohawk Maintenance Co., Inc. v. Kessler, 52 N.Y.2d 276, 283 (1981). Therefore, "it is clear that no relief could be granted under any set of facts that could be proved consistent with the . . . allegation[]" of breach of an implied covenant against competition. Olkey v. Hyperion 1999 Term Trust, Inc., 98 F.3d 2, 5 (2d Cir. 1996) (internal quotation omitted).
The Midwood Parties' third counterclaim also alleges breach of an implied covenant not to use the names "Nieberg" or "Harry Nieberg." New York law provides that the right to use one's own name may be enjoined to prevent unfair competition where such use threatens to induce confusion in the public mind. Brasscrafters, Inc. v. Ehrlich, 486 N.Y.S.2d 42, 43 (N.Y.App.Div. 2d Dep't 1985) (citing David B. Findlay, Inc. v Findlay, 18 N.Y.2d 12 (1966), cert. denied, 385 U.S. 930 (1966)). However, the parties have provided no authority, nor has the Court found any authority, indicating that New York law recognizes implied agreements not to use a name. Moreover, the Midwood Parties have separately counterclaimed for unfair competition, which subsumes their claim for an implied covenant not to use a name.
Therefore, the motion to dismiss the third counterclaim is granted.
II. Cause of Action for Damages
The Midwood Parties' fourth counterclaim is an "action for damages" alleging that counterclaim defendants are liable in damages by virtue of acts and conduct complained of in the Midwood Parties' counterclaims. This is not a cause of action, but rather a demand for damages. The Midwood Parties repeat their demand for damages at the end of their counterclaims, making this counterclaim repetitive as well as incorrectly identified as a claim. Therefore, the motion to dismiss the fourth counterclaim is granted.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons set forth above, Harry Nieberg and Harry Nieberg Funeral Home Inc.'s motion dismiss the third and fourth counterclaims of Nieberg Midwood Chapel Inc. and Midwood Memorial Chapel Inc. is granted.
SO ORDERED.