Larin Corporation v. Gwen Mueller

MEMORANDUM

This trademark infringement suit between Larin Corp. (“Larin”) and Alltrade Inc., Alltrade LLC and Andre Livian (“All-trade”) presents three issues on appeal. First, we consider whether the district court abused its discretion in granting All-trade’s motion for summary judgment on judicial estoppel grounds. Second, we consider whether the district court erred in denying Larin’s motion to add a claim of false advertising to the pretrial order. Finally, we consider whether the district court abused its discretion in dismissing as duplicative Larin’s separate suit against former Alltrade employee Gwen Mueller.

We review de novo the district court’s grant of summary judgment, San Pedro Hotel Co. v. City of Los Angeles, 159 F.3d 470, 477 (9th Cir.1998), but review the application of judicial estoppel to the facts of the case for abuse of discretion. Williams v. Boeing Co., 517 F.3d 1120, 1134 (9th Cir.2008). We review the district court’s dismissal of the suit against Gwen Mueller for abuse of discretion. Adams v. Cal. Dep’t of Health Servs., 487 F.3d 684 , 688 (9th Cir.2007).

I. Trade Dress Infringement

Both parties sell hydraulic-lift stools styled like motorcycle…