Plastic-View International, Inc. v. Eastman Chemical Co.

MEMORANDUM ** Plastic-View International, Inc. and Plastic View ATC, Inc. (collectively “Plastic View”) appeal the district court’s order dismissing their second amended complaint pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and review the district court’s order de novo. Lloyd v. CVB Fin. Corp., 811 F.3d 1200, 1205 (9th Cir. 2016). We affirm. 1. In order to show that a contract existed between the parties, a plaintiff must plead “some basis for concluding that the parties engaged in a process of offer and acceptance, rather than inconclusive negotiations.” Steiner v. Mobil Oil Corp., 20 Cal.3d 90, 141 Cal.Rptr. 157, 569 P.2d 751, 760 (1977). At most, Eastman’s alleged emails amounted to an invitation for Plastic View to make an offer by ordering specific quantities of products. Price lists “are not ordinarily intended or understood as offers to sell.” Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 26 (Am. Law Inst. 1981). Because Plastic View fails to plead “[cjonduct by both parties which recognizes the existence of a contract,” Cal. Com. Code § 2207(3), the district court properly dismissed its breach of contract claim. 2. Plastic View alleges that Eastman promised to supply window film and shade products, which Plastic View would resell to its customers, based on the parties’ business relationship of over fifty years. Even assuming that this history gave rise to' an implied distribution agreement, its terms would be “determined by the parties’ course of conduct.” Varni Bros. Corp. v. Wine World, Inc., 35 Cal.App.4th 880, 41 Cal.Rptr.2d 740, 745 (1995). Because the parties’ conduct did not suggest otherwise, any such implied agreement was terminable at will by either party. See Cal. Com. Code § 2309(2); Unterberger v. Red Bull N.A., Inc., 162 Cal.App.4th 414, 75 Cal.Rptr.3d 368, 373 (2008). 3. The district court properly dismissed Plastic View’s claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing because the second amended complaint does not plead facts that establish “a contractual relationship between the parties.” Smith v. City & Cty. of S.F., 225 Cal.App.3d 38, 275 Cal.Rptr. 17, 23 (1990). 4.Plastic View’s claim for declaratory relief also fails because there is no “actual controversy” related to either • party’s rights under a contract. 28 U.S.C.A. § 2201. AFFIRMED. Footnotes [**] This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.