Famous Breach of Contract Cases with Judgement

Breach of contract is a legal concept that refers to the violation of any term or condition specified in a legally binding agreement or contract between two or more parties. Breach of contract cases are not uncommon in modern-day businesses and industries, and they often result in litigation and legal judgments.

In this article, we will be discussing some of the most famous breach of contract cases with judgments in history.

1. Marvel Entertainment vs. Gary Friedrich (2010)

Gary Friedrich was a comic book creator who worked with Marvel Entertainment to create the famous character Ghost Rider. When Marvel Entertainment decided to make a movie based on the character, Friedrich sued the company for breach of contract, claiming that he owned the copyright to Ghost Rider. The court found that Friedrich had signed away his rights to the character in a contract with Marvel, and ruled in favor of the company.

2. ProCD vs. Zeidenberg (1996)

In 1996, ProCD, a software company, sued Matthew Zeidenberg for breach of contract after he resold a software program that was labeled „not for resale.“ The court found that the label was a valid restriction on the use and distribution of the software, and ruled in favor of ProCD.

3. Apple Inc. vs. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (2013)

This famous breach of contract case involved the use of patents in the smartphone industry. Apple sued Samsung for using its patented design elements and software in Samsung`s own smartphones. The court ruled in favor of Apple, awarding the company over $1 billion in damages.

4. Lucasfilm vs. Marcaida (2013)

Lucasfilm sued Renowned Filipino martial arts expert Roland A. Dantes Marcaida for breach of contract after he produced a lightsaber training DVD that allegedly used copyrighted music and video footage from Star Wars movies without permission. The court found that Marcaida had breached his contract with Lucasfilm and issued an injunction to prevent him from selling the DVD.

5. EMI Group plc vs. Elio Motors, Inc. (2016)

EMI Group plc, a music company, sued Elio Motors, Inc. for breach of contract after the car manufacturer used a copyrighted song in a commercial without permission. The court found that Elio Motors had breached its contract with EMI and awarded the music company $100,000 in damages.

Conclusion

In conclusion, breach of contract cases can have significant legal and financial consequences for businesses and individuals alike. The above cases demonstrate the importance of complying with the terms and conditions of a legally binding agreement or contract, as well as the potential consequences of failing to do so. As such, it is critical for individuals and companies to carefully review and understand any contracts they enter into in order to avoid legal disputes and potential litigation.