Opinion
C21-5613JLR
03-17-2022
DAVID ANGEL SIFUENTES, III, Plaintiff, v. NAUTILUS, INC., Defendant.
ORDER
JAMES L. ROBART, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
I. INTRODUCTION
Before the court are: (1) pro se Plaintiff David Angel Sifuentes, III's motion to transfer venue to Michigan (Transfer Mot. (Dkt. # 29); Transfer Reply (Dkt. # 35); Supp. Transfer Reply (Dkt. # 36)); and (2) Mr. Sifuentes's motion for judgment on the pleadings (MJOP (Dkt. # 28); MJOP Reply (Dkt. # 34)). Defendant Nautilus, Inc. (“Nautilus”) opposes both of Mr. Sifuentes's motions. (Transfer Resp. (Dkt. # 32); MJOP Resp. (Dkt. # 30).) The court has considered the motions, the parties' submissions in support of and in opposition to the motions, the relevant portions of the record, and the applicable law. Being fully advised, the court DENIES Mr. Sifuentes's motion to transfer venue and DENIES Mr. Sifuentes's motion for judgment on the pleadings.
Mr. Sifuentes's motion for judgment on the pleadings appears on pages 4-5 of the pleading titled “[Plaintiff's] response to [Defendant's] answer and request for judgment on the pleadings of the breach of warranty claim.” (See generally MJOP (capitalization omitted).)
Neither party has requested oral argument (see MJOP at 4-5; Transfer Mot. at 1; Transfer Resp. at 1; MJOP Resp. at 1), and the court has determined that oral argument would not be helpful to its disposition of the motions, see Local Rules W.D. Wash. LCR 7(b)(4).
II. BACKGROUND
Mr. Sifuentes's claims revolve around a Bowflex Treadclimber TC 200 (“Treadclimber”) that he purchased from Nautilus in November 2017. (See SAC (Dkt. # 8) at 2-4.) The Treadclimber came with a three-year warranty. (Id. at 2; see also id., Ex. A (“3-Year Warranty”).) Mr. Sifuentes claims that throughout the three-year warranty period the Treadclimber “would consistently break down, ” its computer malfunctioned, and its railing broke off. (Id. at 2 (asserting that he fell off the Treadclimber when the railing broke off).) He allegedly filed several claims with Nautilus yet went weeks without an operational Treadclimber while he waited for technicians to come out and repair the machine. (Id.) Sometime in the fall of 2020, Mr. Sifuentes purchased an “additional extended warranty ‘protection plan' that extends [the Treadclimber's warranty] for about another 2 years.” (Id. (stating that he purchased the extended warranty in November 2020); see also Answer (Dkt. # 26) at 2 (noting that Mr. Sifuentes purchased the extended warranty from Nautilus in September 2020 and that the extended warranty “was fulfilled by a third party”).) However, the Treadclimber allegedly “smoked, ” “crashed, ” and then “stopped working” a few months later. (SAC at 2 (alleging that he was concerned about “how dangerous” the machine had become).) Mr. Sifuentes “immediately” notified Nautilus, but Nautilus allegedly transferred the matter to the third party responsible for the extended warranty. (Id.) He claims that the Treadclimber “still has not been repaired.” (Id.)
Mr. Sifuentes initiated the instant suit on August 25, 2021. (See IFP Mot. (Dkt. # 1).) He brings claims for: (1) breach of express and implied warranties under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (“MMWA”), 15 U.S.C. §§ 2301-2312, and Michigan state law (SAC at 2-3); (2) product liability under Michigan state law (id. at 3-4); and (3) intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”) under Michigan state law (id. at 4). After initiating this action, Mr. Sifuentes filed two motions for default judgment and one for entry of default, all of which the court denied. (See 1st MDJ (Dkt. # 15); 2d MDJ (Dkt. # 17); MED (Dkt. # 19); 11/29/21 Order (Dkt. # 16); 12/6/21 Order (Dkt. # 18); 12/13/21 Order (Dkt. # 20).) In its order denying Mr. Sifuentes's motion for entry of default, the court alerted him to the fact that he had not yet served Nautilus in a manner authorized by Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4. (12/13/21 Order at 3 & n.2.) Mr. Sifuentes then filed a motion asking the court to order the U.S. Marshals to serve Nautilus with a copy of the summons and his second amended complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(d) and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(c)(3), which the court granted because Mr. Sifuentes is proceeding in forma pauperis (“IFP”). (See Service Mot. (Dkt. # 21); 12/21/21 Order (Dkt. # 22).)
After Nautilus appeared and answered Mr. Sifuentes's second amended complaint, Mr. Sifuentes filed a response to its answer and a motion for judgment on the pleadings regarding his breach of warranty claims. (See generally Dkt.; Answer; MJOP.) Mr. Sifuentes also filed a motion to transfer venue, requesting that the court transfer this case to the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. (See generally Transfer Mot.) Nautilus opposes both motions. (See generally MJOP Resp.; Transfer Resp.)
Shortly after filing his motion to transfer venue in this court, Mr. Sifuentes filed two new cases, one in the Western District of Michigan and one in a Michigan state court, involving the same core set of facts and claims as his second amended complaint. (Transfer Resp. at 3-4; see also Lewis Decl. (Dkt. # 33) ¶ 9, Ex. E (Western District of Michigan complaint); id. ¶ 12, Ex. H (Michigan state court complaint).) However, Mr. Sifuentes recently notified the court that: (1) he filed a motion to voluntarily dismiss the case that he filed in the Western District of Michigan; and (2) the complaint that he attempted to file in a Michigan state court “was returned by the clerk” and “has not been refiled.” (Supp. Transfer Reply at 1.) Thus, Mr. Sifuentes asserts that “the only case that will remain pending is this case.” (Id.)
III. ANALYSIS
The court begins by addressing Mr. Sifuentes's motion to transfer venue before turning to his motion for judgment on the pleadings.
A. Motion to Transfer Venue
The court sets forth the relevant legal standard before discussing the merits of Mr. Sifuentes's motion to transfer venue.
1. Legal Standard
“For the convenience of parties and witnesses, in the interest of justice, a district court may transfer any civil action to any other district or division where it might have been brought or to any district or division to which all parties have consented.” 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). The purpose of § 1404(a) is to “prevent the waste ‘of time, energy, and money' and ‘to protect litigants, witnesses and the public against unnecessary inconvenience and expense.'” Van Dusen v. Barrack, 376 U.S. 612, 616 (1964) (quoting Cont'l Grain Co. v. Barge F.B.L.-585, 364 U.S. 19, 26-27 (1960)). To support a motion to transfer under Section 1404(a), the moving party must first show that the transferee court possesses subject matter jurisdiction over the action, venue would have been proper in the transferee court, and the parties would be subject to personal jurisdiction in the transferee court. See Hoffman v. Blaski, 363 U.S. 335, 344 (1960); A.J. Indus., Inc. v. U.S. Dist. Ct. for the Cent. Dist. of Cal., 503 F.2d 384, 386 (9th Cir. 1974).
The court then considers whether the convenience of the parties and witnesses and the interests of justice favor transfer. See 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a). “Under § 1404(a), the district court has discretion to adjudicate motions for transfer according to an ‘individualized, case-by-case consideration of convenience and fairness.'” Jones v. GNC Franchising, Inc., 211 F.3d 495, 498 (9th Cir. 2000) (quoting Stewart Org. v. Ricoh Corp., 487 U.S. 22, 29 (1988)). In Jones v. GNC Franchising, Inc., the Ninth Circuit provided a list of relevant factors for courts to consider in determining whether transfer will promote convenience and fairness, including:
(1) the location where the relevant agreements were negotiated and executed, (2) the state that is most familiar with the governing law, (3) the plaintiff's choice of forum, (4) the respective parties' contacts with the forum, (5) the contacts relating to the plaintiff's cause of action in the chosen forum, (6) the differences in the costs of litigation in the two forums, (7) the availability of compulsory process to compel attendance of unwilling non-party witnesses, and (8) the ease of access to sources of proof.Id. at 498-99 (directing courts to also consider the relevant public policy of the forums, if any); Decker Coal Co. v. Commonwealth Edison Co., 805 F.2d 834, 843 (9th Cir. 1986) (discussing “private and public interest factors affecting the convenience of the forum”). The moving party bears the burden of demonstrating that transfer is appropriate. Commodity Futures Trading Comm'n v. Savage, 611 F.2d 270, 279 (9th Cir. 1979).
“While it is unusual for a plaintiff to move to transfer venue, a plaintiff may seek a transfer pursuant to Section 1404(a) for the convenience of parties and witnesses and in the interest of justice.” See Cox v. Ashcroft, No. CVF05-149OWW/GSA, 2008 WL 802314, at *1 (E.D. Cal. Mar. 25, 2008). However, district courts in the Ninth Circuit “routinely” require a plaintiff to show that there has been a change of circumstances since the case was filed that warrants transfer “where a plaintiff attempts a transfer away from its initial venue selection.” See Green Aire for Air Conditioning W.L.L. v. Salem, No. 118CV00873NONESKO, 2020 WL 4734909, at *3 (E.D. Cal. Aug. 14, 2020) (quoting B&G Foods North America, Inc. v. Embry, No. 2:20-cv-00526-KJM-DB, 2020 WL 3605070, at *2 (E.D. Cal. July 2, 2020) (collecting cases)). “This is because, if courts did not require a plaintiff to show changed circumstances, ‘a motion to transfer venue could become an unchecked tool for the plaintiff to shop among forums and between judges.'” Id. (quoting Bobosky v. Adidas AG, No. CV 10-630-PK, 2010 WL 48532945, at *6 (D. Or. Oct. 8, 2010), report and recommendation adopted, No. CIV 10-630-PK, 2010 WL 4828392 (D. Or. Nov. 18, 2010)).
The Ninth Circuit has not explicitly addressed this issue or adopted a standard stating that a plaintiff must show changed circumstances. See, e.g., Howard v. CVS Caremark Corp., No. CV 13-04748 SJO (PJWx), 2013 WL 12164627, at *2 n.4 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 22, 2013).
2. Merits of Mr. Sifuentes's Motion
Mr. Sifuentes asks that the case be transferred to the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. (See generally Transfer Mot.) He argues that transfer is appropriate because the Western District of Michigan courthouse is close to his home and he might be “the only witness called to the stand”; the Treadclimber is in Michigan and alleged issues with the Treadclimber occurred in Michigan; and he “does not have the resources to travel to Washington” for hearings or trial. (See Transfer Mot. at 1; Transfer Reply at 1-3.) Nautilus, on the other hand, contends that transfer is inappropriate because it would be “significantly prejudiced by a change of venue” and the convenience of the parties and witnesses and the interests of justice favor keeping this case in the Western District of Washington. (See Transfer Resp. at 6-10.)
The parties do not dispute whether the threshold requirements for transfer of venue are met (see generally Transfer Mot.; Transfer Resp.; Transfer Reply), and the court concludes that they are. Because this case could have been brought in the Western District of Michigan, the decision to transfer turns on whether Mr. Sifuentes has shown a change of circumstances that warrants transfer and whether the “convenience of parties and witnesses” and “interest of justice” favor transfer. The court addresses each of those considerations in turn.
a. Change of Circumstances
Mr. Sifuentes does not argue that the Western District of Michigan is more convenient for him because his circumstances have changed since filing this action. (See generally Transfer Mot.; Transfer Reply.) Instead, he merely alleges that he did not originally sue Nautilus in the Western District of Michigan because he thought “he had to file in a corporation[']s jurisdiction, ” but now knows that he could have filed this action in a Michigan state or federal court. (See Transfer Reply at 3.) The court, however, concludes that such an allegation is insufficient to establish a change of circumstances that justifies transfer of this case to the Western District of Michigan. Compare Green Aire, 2020 WL 4734909, at *3-4 (finding sufficient changed circumstances where the plaintiff learned during discovery that the defendant had moved its headquarters to Arizona after she filed the complaint, meaning that many of the documents and witnesses at issue in the case were located in Arizona), with Aljindi v. Northcentral Univ., No. 217CV01990JAMKJNPS, 2018 WL 1071202, at *3 (E.D. Cal. Feb. 23, 2018) (concluding that “[w]hile plaintiff maintains that he only brought this case in the Eastern District because he had temporarily relocated to Northern California at the time, ” plaintiff failed to demonstrate sufficient changed circumstances because “he was not prevented from bringing this case in the Central District in the first instance”).
b. Convenience of the Parties and Witnesses and the Interests of Justice
Even if Mr. Sifuentes had shown a sufficient change of circumstance, he has not carried his burden to show that the Jones factors weigh in favor of transferring this case to the Western District of Michigan. The court addresses each factor in turn.
i. Location Where Agreement was Negotiated and Executed
The first Jones factor favors venue in the location where the agreement was negotiated and executed. Jones, 211 F.3d at 498-99. This factor is neutral when the parties negotiate and execute a contract in multiple locations, or the events underlying the parties' claims largely occur over the internet. See Silver Valley Partners, LLC. v. De Motte, No. C05-5590RBL, 2006 WL 2711764, at *6 (W.D. Wash. Sept. 21, 2006); Jinni Tech Ltd. v. Red.com, Inc., No. C17-0217JLR, 2017 WL 4758761, at *11 (W.D. Wash. Oct. 20, 2017). Here, Mr. Sifuentes's claims revolve around a Treadclimber that he purchased online, seemingly from his home in Michigan, from Washington-based Nautilus. (See SAC at 2, 4.) Thus, this factor weighs in favor of neither location.
ii. State Most Familiar with the Governing Law
Where a plaintiff's claims for relief are based on federal law, two different federal courts “are presumably equally familiar with the governing law.” Fontaine v. Washington Mut. Bank, Inc., No. CV 08-5659 PSG, 2009 WL 1202886, at *4 (C.D. Cal. Apr. 30, 2009). Moreover, federal courts are equally equipped to apply state law when the applicable law is not complex. See, e.g., Burns v. Gerber Prods. Co., 922 F.Supp.2d 1168, 1172 (E.D. Wash. Feb. 12, 2013) (finding courts in the Eastern District of Washington and the District of New Jersey equally competent at applying state law when the state law was not complex or specialized); Barnstormers, Inc. v. Wing Walkers, LLC, No. 09CV2367 BEN (RBB), 2010 WL 2754249, at *3 (S.D. Cal. July 9, 2010) (finding this factor neutral because a federal court in Texas would be equally adept at applying California law related to unfair competition claims). Mr. Sifuentes brings breach of warranty claims under federal law and Michigan law, as well as product liability and IIED claims under Michigan law. (See SAC at 3-4.) While the Western District of Michigan is likely more familiar with Michigan breach of warranty, product liability, and IIED law, such law is not complex or specialized and this court is equally equipped to apply it. Therefore, the court concludes that this factor is neutral.
iii. Plaintiff's Choice of Forum
While a plaintiff's choice of forum is generally entitled to substantial deference, see Decker Coal Co., 805 F.2d at 843, “such deference is not warranted for a plaintiff's second choice of venue.” See Qurio Holdings, Inc. v. DISH Network Corp., No. 15-CV-00930-HSG, 2015 WL 4148962, at *4 (N.D. Cal. July 9, 2015); see also Bobosky, 2010 WL 4853295, at *6 (“[A]lthough a plaintiff's first choice of venue is strongly favored, subsequent venue choices are not given the same deference because, if they were, a motion to transfer venue could become an unchecked tool for the plaintiff to shop among forums and between judges.”); Tiffany v. Hometown Buffet, Inc., No. 06-cv-02524-SBA, 2006 WL 2792868, at *2 (N.D. Cal. Sept. 28, 2006) (declining to give any “presumption of deference for the [p]laintiffs' second choice of forum”). Because Mr. Sifuentes no longer prefers his first-choice forum and his new choice of forum in the Western District of Michigan is not entitled to substantial deference, the court concludes that this factor is neutral.
iv. Parties' Contacts with the Forum
This factor focuses on the parties' contacts with the current and proposed forum. See Nw. Adm'rs, Inc. v. Mission Trail Waste Sys., Inc., No. C14-0709JLR, 2014 WL 12774813, at *3 (W.D. Wash. July 16, 2014) (stating that this factor favors transfer if the proposed forum is more connected with the parties than the original forum). In this case, Nautilus has strong contacts with Washington. Nautilus is incorporated in Washington (Compl. (Dkt. # 4) at 3; Transfer Resp. at 9-10), its principal place of business is in Vancouver, Washington (Corp. Disc. (Dkt. # 27)), and its employees are located in Washington (Transfer Resp. at 9-10). (See also id. (alleging that this forum is the most convenient for Nautilus, its witnesses and employees, and its counsel).) Mr. Sifuentes, on the other hand, has strong contacts with Michigan given that he is a citizen of Michigan and works and resides in Michigan. (See IFP Mot. at 1; Compl. at 1-3; Transfer Reply at 1-3 (alleging that the Michigan forum is more convenient for him); see also SAC at 3-4 (bringing claims under Michigan law).) Neither party asserts that Nautilus has any notable contacts with Michigan beyond the events underlying this case, nor do they assert that Mr. Sifuentes has any significant contacts with Washington beyond this litigation. (See generally Transfer Resp.; Transfer Mot.; Transfer Reply.) Accordingly, the court concludes that this factor is neutral.
v. Contacts Relating to the Plaintiff's Cause of Action in the Chosen Forum
The fifth Jones factor focuses on the contacts between Mr. Sifuentes's breach of warranty, product liability, and IIED claims and the chosen forum. Jones, 211 F.3d at 498-99; see also Nw. Adm'rs, 2014 WL 12774813, at *3 (concluding that this “factor does not plainly favor one party's position over the other's because there were events related to Northwest's cause of action in both Washington and California”). The events related to Mr. Sifuentes's claims took place in both Washington and Michigan. (See generally SAC at 2-4; Transfer Resp. at 9.) Nautilus created both the product that Mr. Sifuentes alleges was defective and the warranty that he alleges was breached in Washington. (See Transfer Resp. at 9; SAC at 2-4; Answer at 2.) However, the Treadclimber allegedly malfunctioned, and Mr. Sifuentes was allegedly injured, in Michigan. (See SAC at 2-4; Transfer Mot. at 1.) Thus, this factor does not favor one forum more than the other.
vi. Differences in the Costs of Litigation in the Two Forums
For this factor, courts perform a relative cost analysis, determining whether litigation costs will be significantly reduced by transferring to an alternative forum. See Ahead, LLC v. KASC, Inc., No. C13-0187JLR, 2013 WL 1747765, at *12 (W.D. Wash. Apr. 23, 2013). The relative cost analysis focuses primarily on the venue's proximity to witnesses. See Nordquist v. Blackham, No. C06-5433FDB, 2006 WL 2597931, at *4 (W.D. Wash. Sept. 11, 2006) (“[L]itigation costs are reduced when venue is located near most of the witnesses expected to testify or be deposed.”). “When considering the difference in cost between two forums, courts disfavor transferring venue when litigation costs are not significantly reduced.” Ahead, 2013 WL 1747765, at *12. Specifically, “the transfer must be ‘to a more convenient forum, not to a forum likely to prove equally convenient or inconvenient.'” Wang v. Lb Int'l Inc., No. C04-2475JLR, 2005 WL 2090672, at *3 (W.D. Wash. Aug. 29, 2005) (quoting Van Dusen, 376 U.S at 645-46). Courts refuse to transfer venue when “transfer would merely shift rather than eliminate” costs and inconvenience. Decker Coal, 805 F.2d at 843; see also T-Mobile USA, Inc. v. Selective Ins. Co. of Am., No. C15-1739JLR, 2016 WL 1464468, at *7 (W.D. Wash. Apr. 14, 2016) (concluding that this factor weighed against transfer where “transfer would at best shift costs to T-Mobile without reducing costs overall”).
Mr. Sifuentes identified only himself as a witness and contends that he does not have the resources to travel to Washington to testify at hearings and trial. (Lewis Decl. ¶ 5, Ex. A (“Pl. Initial Disclosures”); Transfer Mot. at 1; Transfer Reply at 3.) In addition to identifying Mr. Sifuentes as a witness, Nautilus identified relevant witnesses in Washington and New York, including its customer service representatives who communicated with Mr. Sifuentes and Go Configure's technicians who serviced Mr. Sifuentes's Treadclimber or communicated with him about the Treadclimber. (Lewis Decl. ¶ 6, Ex. B (“Def. Initial Disclosures”).) Nautilus argues that transferring this case to the Western District of Michigan will be more costly and burdensome because it “will need its employees to travel to Michigan to testify” and it will have to obtain new counsel in Michigan. (Transfer Resp. at 6 (changing venue would require Nautilus to “essentially start over, expending time, resources, and money, retaining a new counsel and redoing work that already was done”); Id. at 9-10 (“This is a much greater burden than plaintiff's only burden, which would be his need to travel to Washington for trial.”).)
Go Configure is a third-party company whose corporate address is in New York. (See Transfer Resp. at 3; Def. Initial Disclosures.) The technicians who worked on Mr. Sifuentes's Treadclimber at his home in Michigan or communicated with Mr. Sifuentes about the machine are employed by Go Configure. (See Answer at 2; SAC at 2; Def. Initial Disclosures.) Mr. Sifuentes does not identify potential witnesses employed by Go Configure who are physically located in Michigan. (See generally Transfer Mot.; Transfer Reply; Pl. Initial Disclosures.)
The witnesses located in New York do not affect the relative costs of litigation in this case because they would need to travel regardless. See Ahead, 2013 WL 1747765, at *12. Removing them from consideration, there is nothing compelling in the record to suggest that transferring this case to Michigan would do anything to reduce costs. Rather, the record suggests that a transfer would shift litigation costs from Mr. Sifuentes to Nautilus. See Decker Coal, 805 F.2d at 843. On balance, Mr. Sifuentes has failed to meet his burden to show that the cost of litigating in Michigan would be less than litigating in Washington. Therefore, the court concludes that this factor weighs against transfer. See Lifelast, Inc. v. Charter Oak Fire Ins. Co., No. C14-1031JLR, 2014 WL 4925493, at *7 (W.D. Wash. Sept. 29, 2014) (finding that this factor weighed against transfer because “transferring venue to Utah would, at best, shift litigation costs from Travelers to LifeLast, not reduce them overall”).
vii. Availability of Compulsory Process to Compel Attendance of Unwilling Non-Party Witnesses
The availability of compulsory process only favors transfer if Michigan has the ability to subpoena more non-party witnesses than Washington, and the non-party witnesses within Michigan are likely to refuse to testify. See Silver Valley Partners, 2006 WL 2711764, at *12 (comparing the Washington and Idaho-based non-party witnesses to evaluate the availability of compulsory process in each venue); see also Lifelast, 2014 WL 4925493, at *7 (concluding that this factor weighed against transfer because the moving party failed to identify non-party witnesses in the proposed forum who would be unwilling to testify at trial in Washington).
In this case, Nautilus identified non-party witnesses located in Washington, but those potential witnesses are employees of Nautilus who are unlikely to refuse to testify. (See Def. Initial Disclosures); Reynolds v. Centimark Corp., No. C12-0488RSM, 2012 WL 5914870, at *3 (W.D. Wash. Nov. 16, 2012) (stating that “it is generally assumed that witnesses within the control of the party calling them, such as employees, will appear voluntarily” (quoting FUL Inc. v. Unified Sch. Dist. No. 204, 839 F.Supp. 1307, 1311 (N.D. Ill. 1993)). Mr. Sifuentes listed only himself as a witness and neither this court nor the Western District of Michigan need to compel his testimony because he is the plaintiff in this matter and plans to testify on his own behalf. (See Transfer Reply at 2-3; Transfer Mot. at 1; Pl. Initial Disclosures.) Thus, Mr. Sifuentes has failed to “specifically identify a single non-party witness in [Michigan] who is unwilling to testify at trial in Washington.” Lifelast, 2014 WL 4925493, at *7; (see also Transfer Mot.; Transfer Reply; Pl. Initial Disclosures). Accordingly, the court concludes that Mr. Sifuentes has failed to carry his burden on this factor, and that this factor therefore weighs against transfer. See Lifelast, 2014 WL 4925493, at *7; T-Mobile, 2016 WL 1464468, at *7.
As discussed above, Mr. Sifuentes does not identify potential witnesses employed by Go Configure-namely, any technicians who worked on his Treadclimber-who are physically located in Michigan. (See generally Transfer Mot.; Transfer Reply; Pl. Initial Disclosures.)
viii. Ease of Access to Sources of Proof
The eighth Jones factor focuses on access to sources of proof-more specifically the location of “the relevant witnesses and other sources of proof.” Jones, 211 F.3d at 499. Besides witnesses, this analysis focuses on the location of the assets of the sale and documentary evidence. See Nordquist, 2006 WL 2597931, at *4 (finding that the location of assets supported transferring venue); Silver Valley Partners, 2006 WL 2711764, at *4 (finding that the location of documentary evidence supported transferring venue). Where documentary evidence can be produced electronically, absent some unique difficulty, this factor does not support transfer. Lifelast, 2014 WL 4925493, at *8 (citing Burns, 922 F.Supp.2d at 1173). The focus here is on the materiality and importance of the evidence in question. T-Mobile, 2016 WL 1464468, at *7 (citing Lueck v. Sundstrand Corp., 236 F.3d 1137, 1146 (9th Cir. 2001)).
Although Mr. Sifuentes, who lives in Michigan, has testimony that is central to this action, the other witnesses who are likely to have relevant testimony-i.e., Nautilus's customer service representatives and other employees and Go Configure's technicians- are in Washington and New York. (See Def. Initial Disclosures; Pl. Initial Disclosures; see also Transfer Resp. at 10; Transfer Reply at 3; SAC at 2-4.) It seems possible that a Go Configure technician who worked on Mr. Sifuentes's Treadclimber is in Michigan, but Mr. Sifuentes has not identified any potential witnesses employed by Go Configure who are physically located in Michigan. (See generally Transfer Mot.; Transfer Reply; Pl. Initial Disclosures.)
The court reminds Mr. Sifuentes that he has a continuing obligation to update his Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a) witness disclosures as this case progresses. See Murray v. S. Route Mar., S.A., No. C12-1854RSL, 2014 WL 12029284, at *1 (W.D. Wash. Oct. 3, 2014); Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a), (e)(1).
The allegedly defective Treadclimber, which is the basis of Mr. Sifuentes's claims, is in Michigan, however, and would be difficult to transport to Washington for discovery. (See SAC at 2-4.) Evidence regarding the production of the Treadclimber and the creation of the warranty, all of which is highly relevant to Mr. Sifuentes's claims, is in Washington. (See SAC at 2-4; Transfer Resp. at 10.) However, to the extent that any of the relevant evidence is documentary, such evidence can generally be produced electronically absent some unique difficulty and is not likely to create a greater or lesser burden depending on whether this matter proceeds in Washington or Michigan. See Burns, 922 F.Supp.2d at 1168. In sum, the court is not persuaded that either forum would be more convenient in the aggregate in terms of access to sources of proof. See Nw. Adm'rs, Inc., 2014 WL 12774813, at *6. Thus, this factor is neutral.
In sum, each of the Jones factors is either neutral or weighs against transfer.Based on the record before it, the court concludes that Mr. Sifuentes has not met his burden to demonstrate that the convenience of the parties and witnesses and the interests of justice favor transfer. See Commodity Futures, 611 F.2d at 279. Thus, the court DENIES Mr. Sifuentes's motion to transfer venue.
Because neither party argues why Washington or Michigan has a greater interest in this case (see generally Transfer Mot.; Transfer Resp.; Transfer Reply), and because the events underlying this action occurred in Washington and Michigan, see supra Section III.A.2.b.iv, the court concludes that public policy considerations do not weigh heavily for or against transfer. See Nordquist, 2006 WL 2597931, at *4; Reynolds, 2012 WL 5914870, at *4.
B. Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings
The court sets forth the relevant legal standard before discussing the merits of Mr. Sifuentes's motion for judgment on the pleadings.
1. Legal Standard
Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c), “[a]fter the pleadings are closed- but early enough not to delay trial-a party may move for judgment on the pleadings.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(c). “Judgment on the pleadings is proper when the moving party clearly establishes on the face of the pleadings that no material issue of fact remains to be resolved and that [they are] entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Hal Roach Studios, Inc. v. Richard Feiner and Co., Inc., 896 F.2d 1542, 1550 (9th Cir. 1990). The standard applied on a motion for judgment on the pleadings under Rule 12(c) is essentially the same as that applied on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion for failure to state a claim: “the allegations of the non-moving party must be accepted as true, while the allegations of the moving party which have been denied are assumed to be false.” Id.; see also Jackson v. East Bay Hosp., 980 F.Supp. 1341, 1345 (N.D. Cal. 1997) (stating that the court “must construe all inferences drawn” from the facts alleged by the nonmoving party in favor of that party).
In evaluating a Rule 12(c) motion, the court “is not required to accept as true legal conclusions or formulaic recitations of the elements of a cause of action unsupported by alleged facts.” QOTD Film Inv., Ltd. v. Wilson, No. C16-0371RSL, 2017 WL 841669, at *1 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 3, 2017) (citing Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009)). When considering a motion for judgment on the pleadings, a court may consider material which is properly submitted as part of the complaint without converting the motion into a motion for summary judgment. See Lee v. City of Los Angeles, 250 F.3d 668, 688 (9th Cir. 2001).
2. Merits of Mr. Sifuentes's Motion
Mr. Sifuentes argues that his second amended complaint sets forth factual allegations that are sufficient to establish claims for breach of express and implied warranties, and thus, the court should enter judgment as a matter of law in his favor on those claims. (See MJOP at 5; MJOP Reply at 1-2; see also SAC at 2-3.) His motion reiterates the allegations in his second amended complaint regarding the existence of warranties for his Treadclimber, the numerous times that the machine has broken down, his communications with Nautilus's customer service representatives, and the defective/dangerous nature of the machine. (See MJOP Reply at 1-2; see also SAC 2-3.) However, as the moving party, it is not his pleadings, but Nautilus's, which receive the benefit of the doubt at this stage in the proceedings. See Hal Roach Studios, 896 F.2d at 1550. Applying this standard, the court concludes that Mr. Sifuentes is not entitled to judgment on the pleadings on his breach of warranty claims.
In its answer, Nautilus admitted that: (1) Mr. Sifuentes purchased the Treadclimber from Nautilus; (2) the machine came with a three-year warranty; (3) Mr. Sifuentes contacted Nautilus several times regarding the machine; (4) Mr. Sifuentes paid to have a technician come work on the machine; (5) Mr. Sifuentes purchased an extended warranty protection plan for the Treadclimber; and (6) Mr. Sifuentes called Nautilus claiming that “there was visible smoke and a loud sound before the Treadclimber stopped.” (See Answer at 2.) However, it denied many of Mr. Sifuentes's “factual allegations related to breach of warranty, ” denied “any liability for breach of warranty, ” and asserted “multiple affirmative defenses.” (MJOP Resp. at 4 (contending that its defenses, “if taken as true, . . . would lead to a dismissal of plaintiff's claims in their entirety”); see also Answer at 2-5.) For example, Nautilus denied Mr. Sifuentes's allegations that the Treadclimber broke, smoked, crashed, or stopped working and that it is or was defective and dangerous. (Compare Answer at 2, 4, with SAC at 2-3.)
To prevail on a breach of express warranty claim under Michigan law, Mr. Sifuentes must show: “(1) proof of an express warranty, (2) reliance by the plaintiff; (3) the failure of the product to meet the warranty, and (4) damages caused by the failure.” Teal v. Argon Med. Devices, Inc., 533 F.Supp.3d 535, 553 (E.D. Mich. 2021) (citing Mich. Civ. Jury Instruction No. 25.11). And to prevail on a breach of implied warranty claim under Michigan law, he must show: “(1) that the product was defective; (2) that the product was defective when it left the control of the defendant; and (3) that the defective product caused the plaintiff's injuries.” Id. at 543, 551 (quoting Meemic Ins. Co. v. Hewlett-Packard Co., 717 F.Supp.2d 752, 768 (E.D. Mich. 2010)). At this time, the court cannot conclude that Mr. Sifuentes's Treadclimber is or was indeed defective, failed to meet an express warranty, or caused him injury. (See Answer at 2, 4-5 (denying the same); see also MJOP Resp. at 4.) And even if the record did establish that the Treadclimber is or was defective, the court cannot conclude that it was in that condition when it left Nautilus's control. (See Answer at 2, 4-5 (“[T]here was no defect in the subject product at the time it left defendant's control.”).) Moreover, material issues of fact remain regarding Nautilus's relevant affirmative defenses, including its assertion that Mr. Sifuentes's alleged damages were caused solely by his misuse or abuse of the Treadclimber. (See id. at 4.)
In sum, taking as true the facts in Nautilus's answer, Mr. Sifuentes is unable to demonstrate that no material issue of fact remains to be resolved and that he is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on his breach of warranty claims. See Daniel v. Maxsson, No. C08-1451RSM-BAT, 2009 WL 3320596, at *2 (W.D. Wash. Oct. 13, 2009) (treating denials as factual allegations to be taken as true); QOTD Film Inv., 2017 WL 841669, at *1 (same); Gen. Conf. Corp. of Seventh-Day Adventists v. Seventh-Day Adventist Congregational Church, 887 F.2d 228, 230-31 (9th Cir. 1989) (taking the allegations underlying the defendants' affirmative defenses as true and concluding that the defenses precluded judgment on the pleadings in favor of the plaintiff). Accordingly, the court DENIES Mr. Sifuentes's motion for judgment on the pleadings.
Because claims under the MMWA “stand or fall with [the plaintiff's] . . . claims under state law, ” Clemens v. DaimlerChrysler Corp., 534 F.3d 1017, 1022 n.3 (9th Cir. 2008), the court does not find it necessary to address Mr. Sifuentes's breach of warranty claim under the MMWA at this time. (See also 9/8/21 Order (Dkt. # 7) (“[A] plaintiff must first demonstrate liability under a state law before turning to the MMWA.” (citing Leonard v. The Momentum Grp., Inc., No. 1:14-CV-01074- LMM, 2015 WL 11236547, at *6 (N.D.Ga. Dec. 16, 2015))).)
IV. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the court DENIES Mr. Sifuentes's motion to transfer venue (Dkt. # 29) and DENIES Mr. Sifuentes's motion for judgment on the pleadings (Dkt. # 28).