Classic Tool Design, Inc. v. Castrol Industrial North America, Inc.

MEMORANDUM DECISION AND ORDER GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AND DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SANCTIONS

McMAHON, District Judge.

Plaintiff in this action seeks $5 million in damages for defendant’s alleged breach of a distributorship agreement. Before me is a motion by defendant to dismiss the complaint on the ground that it is barred by collateral estoppel and/or res judicata.

The matter comes before this Court in an interesting posture. In 1995, Castrol (defendant here) sued Classic (plaintiff here) in the Supreme Court, Orange County, for breach of contract, seeking…