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v3.3.1.900

Contingencies (Narratives) (Details) $ in Millions | 9 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Litigation And Legal Matters |
Name of Plaintiff | PODS Enterprises, Inc
Lawsuit filing date | Jul. 03, 2012
Damages sought by plaintiff | $ 70.0
Damages awarded to plaintiff | 45.0
Damages awarded, alleged profits | 15.7
Loss contingency, loss in period | $ 60.7
Allegations by plaintiff | (1) Federal Trademark Infringement under Section 32 of the Lanham Act, (2) Federal Unfair Competition under Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, (3) Federal Trademark dilution by blurring in violation of Section 43(c) of the Lanham Act, (4) common law trademark infringement under Florida law, (5) violation of the Florida Dilution; Injury to Business Reputation statute, (6) unfair competition and trade practices, false advertising and passing off under Florida common law, (7) violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and (8) unjust enrichment under Florida law. The claims arose from U-Haul’s use of the word “pod” and “pods” as a generic term for its U-Box moving and storage product. PEI alleged that such use is an inappropriate use of its PODS mark. Under the claims alleged in its Complaint, PEI sought a Court Order permanently enjoining U-Haul from: (1) the use of the PODS mark, or any other trade name or trademark confusingly similar to the mark; and (2) the use of any false descriptions or representations or committing any acts of unfair competition by using the PODS mark or any trade name or trademark confusingly similar to the mark.
Loss contingency, actions taken by defendent | On April 6, 2015, U-Haul filed, with PEI’s consent, a motion to stay execution of the Judgment, pending the trial court’s rulings on U-Haul’s post-Judgment motions. That motion was supported by a supersedeas bond in the amount of $60.9 million, which represents 100% of the Judgment plus post-Judgment interest at the rate of 0.25% per year for 18 months. PEI and U-Haul both reserved the right to modify the amount of the bond in the event the Judgment is modified by the Court’s rulings on the parties’ post-Judgment motions (described below). On April 7, 2015, the Court granted U-Haul’s motion on consent, staying the Judgment pending rulings on U-Haul’s post-Judgment motions. On April 8, 2015, U-Haul filed its Renewed Motion for Judgment As Matter of Law, or in the Alternative, Motion for New Trial, or to Alter the Judgment. U-Haul argued that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law because even when all evidence is viewed in PEI’s favor, it was legally insufficient for the jury to find for PEI. Alternatively, U-Haul argued that it is entitled to a new trial because the verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Alternatively, U-Haul argued that the Court should reduce the damages and profits award under principles of equity. On April, 27, 2015, PEI filed its opposition brief. On April 9, 2015, U-Haul filed a protective Notice of Appeal. We expect that this notice of appeal will be automatically stayed and will become effective upon the disposition of (1) U-Haul’s renewed motion for judgment or a new trial or alteration of the Judgment or (2) PEI’s motion to alter or amend the Judgment, whichever comes later. On September 4, 2015, U-Haul filed in the trial court its (i) amended notice of appeal, (ii) motion on consent of PEI to approve the bond and stay execution of the judgment pending appeal, and (iii) motion to stay or modify the injunction.
Loss contingency, actions taken by plaintiff | On March 25, 2015, PEI filed a motion for an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses in the amount of $6.5 million. On April 27, 2015, U-Haul filed its opposition brief to that motion. On March 25, 2015, PEI filed a Proposed Bill of Costs in the amount of $186,411. On April 14, 2015, U-Haul filed an opposition to PEI’s proposed bill of costs. On May 1, 2015, PEI filed an amended bill of costs, in the amount of $196,133. On April 8, 2015, PEI filed a Motion to Amend the Judgment pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 59(e), in which it asked that the Judgment be amended to include (i) the entry of a permanent injunction; (ii) an award of pre-Judgment interest in the amount of $4.9 million; (iii) an award of post-Judgment interest in the amount of $11,441 and continuing to accrue at the rate of 0.25% while the case proceeds; (iv) doubling of the damages award to $121.4 million; and (v) the entry of an order directing the Patent and Trademark Office to dismiss the cancellation proceedings that U-Haul filed, which sought cancellation of the PODS trademarks. On April 27, 2015, U-Haul filed its opposition brief arguing, among other things, that (1) PEI is not entitled to recover double the windfall the jury incorrectly awarded it; (2) PEI is not entitled to the overreaching injunction it seeks; (3) PEI is not entitled to pre-judgment interest; (4) PEI has overstated the amount of post-Judgment interest to which it is entitled; and (5) PEI’s request that the Court order the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to dismiss U-Haul’s cancellation proceeding is premature.
Actions taken by the court | On October 1, 2014, the Court ordered briefing on U-Haul’s oral motion for directed verdict on its genericness defense, the motion on which the Court had deferred ruling during trial. Pursuant to the Court’s order, the parties’ briefing on that motion was completed by October 21, 2014. On March 11, 2015, the Court denied U-Haul’s Renewed Motion for Directed Verdict, For Judgment as a Matter of Law, Or in the Alternative, Motion for a New Trial. Also on March 11, 2015, the Court entered Judgment on the jury verdict in favor of PEI and against U-Haul in the amount of $60.7 million. On August 24, 2015, the trial court entered two orders resolving the parties' post-trial motions. In short, U-Haul’s efforts at setting aside the judgment, getting a new trial or reducing the amount of the jury award were denied, PEI’s motions to enhance (e.g., double) the jury award and get attorneys’ fees were denied, but the Court entered a permanent injunction, and awarded PEI $4.9 million in pre-judgment interest, $82,727.12 in costs, and post-judgment interest at the rate of 0.25%, beginning March 11, 2015, computed daily and compounded annually. On September 8, 2015, the trial court entered an Order granting U-Haul’s Motion on Consent to Approve Bond and Stay Execution of Judgment. The Judgment, as amended by the trial court’s orders adding an award of costs and pre-judgment interest, is stayed pending resolution of appeals. On October 15, 2015, the trial court denied U-Haul’s motion to modify or stay the injunction pending appeal. But in the process, the Court clarified that (i) the reach of the injunction is limited to “advertising, promoting, marketing, or describing any products or services” and (ii) use of the terms “pod” and “pods” in comparative advertising is not prohibited, thereby allowing “nominative fair use" and truthful communications in customer dialogue and making clear that “nothing in the injunction mandates censorship with respect to consumer comments”.

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