Microsignal, Corp. v. Microsignal Corp.
Opinion of the Court
OPINION OF THE COURT
This is an appeal of a grant of declaratory and injunctive relief by the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. For the following reasons, we affirm.
I. Facts
The District Court made factual findings during a two-day bench trial. We shall recount only those facts pertinent to our holding. Appellant MieroSignal PA (“MS-PA”), a Pennsylvania corporation, claims as its principal asset a technology designed by its founder, Jeffrey D. Taft, Ph.D. This technology, “SLICESO,” improves the quality and efficiency of magnetic resonance imaging systems through use of a novel algorithm. Appellant George Parks was a 10% shareholder in MS-PA, and served as its sole director. Sometime in June, 2002, MS-PA commenced negotiations concerning a potential reverse merger transaction with Pro Glass Technologies, Inc. (“Pro Glass”), a Nevada corporation. On June 27, 2002, Appellant Parks (as President of MS-PA) signed a Letter of Intent (later amended on July 3, 2002) concerning a “business combination” between MS-PA and Pro Glass, described as an asset-for-stock transaction.
On August 1, 2002, a special meeting of the shareholders of MS-PA was noticed for August 9, 2002. That notice stated that a special meeting was being held to “consider and approve the business combination between [MS-PA] and Pro Glass Technologies, Inc. [ ] in exchange for shares of [Pro Glass].” District Court Memorandum at 9. The Shareholder Proxy set forth in great detail the terms of the proposed transaction. At the meeting, a majority of the shareholders voted in favor of the transaction.
On August 11, 2002, counsel for Pro Glass sent a letter to counsel for MS-PA that disclosed that the transaction would now be a stock-for-stock transaction. On or about August 22, 2002, Appellant Parks signed the Agreement of Purchase and Sale, which provided for the sale of assets in connection with the reverse merger of MS-PA into Pro Glass.
On or about September 23, 2002, the Articles of Merger were filed with the Nevada Secretary of State’s office. A day later, Appellant Parks was introduced to approximately fifty potential investors as a director of the new company, MicroSignal NV (“MS-NV”). A registration statement, signed by Appellant Parks, was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 2, 2002. MS-NV thereafter was traded publicly.
Some time in either late October or November, 2002, Appellant Parks began an effort to set aside the transaction, claiming that the reverse merger never took place or that the transaction occurred because of fraud. Despite the fact that more than 95 million shares of MS-NV stock had been distributed to the public,
Appellants filed an action in state court on October 16, 2003, alleging eight causes of action, including a claim under the Lanham Act. It was removed to the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania on October 21, 2003. Both parties agreed to bypass the preliminary injunction hearing and proceed directly to a permanent injunction/declaratory judgment trial. On December 17 and 18, 2003, the trial court heard argument on Appellants’ request that the District Court declare the merger void ab initio, and on Appellees’ request to both declare the merger valid and order the appropriate individuals to file the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The District Court entered a Memorandum and Order granting injunctive and declaratory relief in favor of Appellees on December 22, 2003. This appeal of that Order followed.
II. Jurisdiction and Standard of Review
The District Court had jurisdiction over this case under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1367,
Our review of a district court’s findings of fact is circumscribed: we will reverse a finding only if it is clearly erroneous. Medtronic AVE, Inc. v. Advanced Cardio
III. Discussion
“Except in matters governed by the Federal Constitution or by Acts of Congress, the law to be applied in any case is the law of the State.” Erie R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64, 78, 58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. 1188 (1938). “In so doing, we are not free to impose our own view of what state law should be; we are to apply state law as interpreted by the state’s highest court.... In the absence of guidance from that court we are to refer to decisions of the state’s intermediate appellate courts for assistance in determining how the highest court would rule.” McKenna v. Pacific Rail Service, 32 F.3d 820, 825 (3d Cir. 1994) (citations omitted). We therefore look to the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law and the courts of the Commonwealth for guidance on this matter.
Appellants contend that the merger was never properly effectuated, and challenge it on three fronts: (a) the shareholder notice was defective; (b) the shareholders did not approve of the transaction; and (c) the Articles of Merger were not filed with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State. The facts underlying these challenges are undisputed. Therefore, we must determine whether or not any of these points are sufficient bases on which to void the merger.
A. Shareholder Notice.
Appellants first contend that the merger is void ab initio because the shareholder notice of August 1, 2002 was defective.
It is the aggrieved shareholder, and not the corporate violator of the law, who has the option of asking a court to rescind a transaction or declare a merger void. To permit a culpable defendant to prevent the victim from recovering based on the violator’s own errors would be inequitable.
13 Summ. Pa. Jur.2d Business Relationships § 10:23 (citations omitted) (emphasis added); see also First Union Nat’l Bank v. Quality Carriers Inc., 48 Pa. D. & C.4th 1, 11, 2000 WL 33199269 (2000) (stating that, because the Business Corporation Law exists primarily for the protection of corporate shareholders, corporate personnel responsible for any deficiencies under that chapter cannot claim them as a de
Appellant Parks, while in the position to complain about defects in the notice process as a shareholder that he created as a corporate officer, fares no better when we consider the policy of shareholder protection underlying the Business Corporation Law. Having attended the shareholders meeting, he has waived any objection to insufficient notice. 15 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 1705(b) (West 2005). Furthermore, he was fully aware of the matter to be discussed.
B. Shareholder approval of the merger
Appellants next contend that the shareholders of MS-PA never approved the merger with Pro Glass. Specifically, they argue that what was submitted for shareholder approval was an asset-for-stock transaction. We must therefore determine what the MS-PA shareholders approved at the two shareholders meetings.
Nearly fifty years ago, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that “it is no longer helpful to consider an individual transaction in the abstract and solely by reference to the various elements therein determine whether it is a ‘merger’ or a ‘sale.’ Instead, to determine properly the nature of a corporate transaction, we must refer not only to all the provisions of the agreement, but also to the consequences of the transaction and to the purposes of the provisions of the corporation law said to be applicable.” Farris v. Glen Alden Corp., 393 Pa. 427, 143 A.2d 25, 28 (1958). “Merger” is not defined in the Business Corporation Law, but has been defined by the courts as the uniting of two or more corporations by the transfer of property to one of them, which continues in existence, the others being merged into it. E.g., Seven Springs Farm, Inc. v. Croker, 748 A.2d 740, 746-47 (2000). Merger is a corporate act that, by operation of law, results in extinction of the constituent corporation’s stock, id., and is distinct from an asset sale. 13 Summ. Pa. Jur.2d Business Relationships § 10:22.
The shareholders notice described the proposed transaction as one where MS-PA
We agree with the District Court’s conclusion that the transaction approved by MS-PA’s shareholders was a merger, in substance if not in name. While the initial plan does not call for the dissolution of MS-PA (as is usually the case in a merger), it does call for the transfer of all assets and operations to a new public entity. This new entity would be predominantly owned by the shareholders of MS-PA, which itself would be acquired by Pro Glass as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Our holding is also consonant with the Business Corporation Law’s view on equitable relief with regard to fundamental business transactions. While it is clear that the Commonwealth has by statute expressly abolished the doctrine of defacto merger
c. Failure to file the Articles of Merger
Finally, we conclude that the failure to file the Articles of Merger with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State, a purely ministerial act, is an insufficient ground on which to void this merger:
[a] merger that fails to comply with the Business Corporation Law is deemed voidable, not void. This approach allows a court to evaluate the significance of the defects in the merger process and to weigh the seriousness of any harm done to the aggrieved parties before declaring the merger invalid. It also allows for a determination of whether the errors were made in good faith and what additional damage the injured party may suffer if the merger is voided. Furthermore, the practical interests of third parties are protected by this position.
13 Summ. Pa. Jur.2d Business Relationships § 10:23 (citations omitted). In First Union, the Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia County held that if concerns of equity or impracticality counseled against voiding a voidable merger, a court could refrain from extolling form over substance and validate an otherwise improper merger. See First Union Nat’l Bank, 48 Pa. D. & C.4th at 20-27. Although this decision was rendered by a lower state court, we find its discussion and holding persuasive in the matter before us.
The District Court made the following findings of fact: (1) the newly formed MS-NV filed a registration statement and Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission;
While it is correct that the Articles of Merger were never filed with the Pennsylvania Secretary of State, it would be far
For these reasons, we affirm the decision of the District Court.
. The District Court noted that "[a]lthough the transaction eventually changed to a stock for stock transaction, the nature and amount of consideration ... to be received by the MSC-PA shareholders remained unchanged.” District Court Memorandum and Order at 6 ("District Court Memorandum”).
. Apparently, a second meeting was held on August 19, 2002 to discuss the same transaction after notice was properly sent at least ten days in advance of the meeting.
. The final Merger Agreement provides for the same consideration to the shareholders of MS-PA as set forth in the earlier drafts of the merger documents, and contains substantially the same representations, warranties and conditions to closing as contemplated by the earlier documents. District Court Memorandum at 12.
. Approximately 48 million of those shares are freely traded on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board. District Court Memorandum at 15.
. The original complaint, filed in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, alleged eight causes of action, one of which claimed a violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), a section of the Lanham Act. The remaining seven causes of action arise from the same factual nucleus so as to "form part of the same case or controversy under Article III of the United States Constitution.” 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a); see also United Mine Workers of America v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715, 725, 86 S.Ct. 1130, 16 L.Ed.2d 218 (1966).
. Appellants make no assertions that the second notice sent on August 9, 2002 was defective, and we therefore do not discuss what impact this second notice may have on Appellants’ argument.
. It is unclear from the record whether or not Appellant Parks actually knew of the rights provided to dissenters under section 1571(d), which is one of the claimed defects in the notice. It is clear, however, that as the sole member of MS-PA’s board, he recommended that the transaction be approved. He certainly was not a dissenter. Equity again counsels against allowing him to use a technical defect in the notice process to support his claim.
. One of the key requirements for a merger under traditional corporation law doctrine is continuity of shareholders, which is found where the purchaser corporation exchanges its own stock as consideration for the seller corporation's assets so that the shareholders of the seller corporation become a constituent part of the purchaser corporation. See, e.g., Dayton v. Peck, Stow and Wilcox Co. (Pexto), 739 F.2d 690, 693 (1st Cir. 1984) (applying Massachusetts law). Such continuity is present here.
. The abolished "de facto merger” doctrine must be distinguished from the judge-made device for avoiding patent injustice that might befall a party simply because a merger has been called something else.
. Section 1105’s Committee Comment explains that section 1904 was "intended to make Pennsylvania an attractive situs for business organization by assuring the incorporators that the Pennsylvania courts will not be authorized to recharacterize a transaction on a form-over-substance basis. The goal of the Business Corporation law was to reject as emphatically as possible that practice of the 1940's and 1950’s, which gave Pennsylvania law a reputation of unpredictability and which was incompatible with modern business and financial practices.”
. The District Court found that Appellant Parks signed the SEC registration statement that was filed on October 2, 2002. We consider this act of signing the statement to have waived any argument Appellants may have had concerning their power to terminate the merger under the agreement.
. Indeed, with respect to the shareholders, a particularly strong argument can be made that the failure to file the Articles of Merger should be overlooked because of the fundamental unfairness to the shareholders that would result if the merger were now voided.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- MICROSIGNAL, CORP, a Pennsylvania Corporation and George Parks v. MICROSIGNAL CORP, a Nevada Corporation, f/k/a Pro Glass Tech Matthew McConaghy Chris Puleo Sherri Yavelak Natahn Blumberg, M.D.
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published