Cargill Incorporated v. Progressive Dairy Solutions, I

MEMORANDUM

Plaintiffs-appellants Cargill, Incorporated and CAN Technologies, Inc. (collectively, “Cargill”) brought suit against defendants-appellees — three former Cargill employees and their business, Progressive Dairy Solutions — shortly after defendants resigned from Cargill. Cargill asserted numerous claims under California law, including misappropriation of trade secrets under California’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Cal. Civ.Code §§ 3426.1-3426.11. Defendants asserted various counterclaims, including an unfair competition claim under California Business and Professions Code § 17200. A jury trial was held on Cargill’s claims, and defendants’ § 17200 counterclaim was tried simultaneously before the district court. The jury found in favor of defendants on all of Cargill’s claims, and the district court found in favor of Cargill on defendants’ § 17200 counterclaim. The district court entered judgment, and Cargill appealed, arguing that a new trial was required. We affirm.

Cargill first argues, relying on Federal Rules of Evidence 402 and 403, that the district court erred in allowing the jury to hear testimony regarding two lawsuits against Cargill filed by dairy farmers. We…