Hal Roach Studios, Inc. v. Film Classics, Inc.

68 F. Supp. 563, 69 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 234, 1946 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1959
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. New York
DecidedApril 9, 1946
StatusPublished

This text of 68 F. Supp. 563 (Hal Roach Studios, Inc. v. Film Classics, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Hal Roach Studios, Inc. v. Film Classics, Inc., 68 F. Supp. 563, 69 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 234, 1946 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1959 (S.D.N.Y. 1946).

Opinion

KNOX, District Judge.

Plaintiff is a producer and defendant a distributor of motion picture photoplays. Prior to 1943, plaintiff granted to Loew’s Inc. exclusive rights to the world-wide distribution of certain of its productions, each for a specified term. On August 19, 1943, plaintiff made a contract with defendant, granting it an exclusive license upon specified terms, to distribute for reissue purposes, a large number of the productions that were then in process of distribution by Loew’s Inc. The license so granted, with respect to each photoplay, was to become operative when the same would become available by reason of the expiration of Loew’s Inc.’s rights therein.

Among the films covered by defendant’s license was the picture “Topper.” It, however, was not to be available for defendant’s use before July 16, 1947. Being anxious to obtain the right to distribute “Topper” at an earlier date, defendant requested plaintiff to release Loew’s Inc. from its obligation to commercialize the film, and to have that corporation relinquish its right to do so.

Plaintiff did as defendant requested, and on July 20, 1944, the present litigants entered into a contract that is now the subject matter of this action. Under this agreement, “Topper” was made immediately available for defendant’s use, and the latter paid plaintiff $10,000 as an advance against its share of the gross receipts that would accrue therefrom. The arrangement was that defendant should submit to plaintiff periodical statements of such gross receipts and after defendant had recouped its advance payment of $10,000, it would remit to plaintiff, in monthly installments, 35% of the gross receipts from United States and Canada and 25% of the foreign gross receipts. In the event of defendant’s breach of this provision of the agreement, plaintiff was to have the right to cancel the contract and terminate defendant’s rights thereunder. The contract, by specific provision therein, is to be construed and interpreted in accordance with the law of the State of New York.

Defendant, as agreed, has regularly, since November 25, 1944, furnished plaintiff with monthly statements of its gross receipts, although there is some dispute between the parties as to what “gross receipts,” should comprehend. Defendant, however, has failed to remit moneys admittedly due and owing- to plaintiff since a date in January, 1945, at which time defendant had fully recouped the aforementioned advance of $10,000. The excuse offered for the default in making such payments is that [565]*565plaintiff has not fully complied with its obligations under the agreement of August 1943, and that plaintiff owed defendant certain moneys which were paid to plaintiff by Loew’s Inc., for exhibitions of the “Topper” picture on dates subsequent to Jul/ 20, 1944.

Plaintiff now seeks to terminate the contract of July 20, 1944, and to have judgment for the full amount of the royalties due from “Topper,” together with interest thereon.

Defendant asks that the complaint be dismissed except for plaintiff’s claim for the sum admittedly due it for royalties. Plaintiff’s right to recover interest thereon is denied. Defendant also asks for a ruling to the effect that plaintiff is obligated to pay over the royalties which it has received from Loew’s Inc., on account of the latter’s exhibition of “Topper” on dates subsequent to July 20, 1944. This alleged obligation of plaintiff was originally set up as counterclaim in defendant’s answer. At the time of trial, the exact amount of these royalties due from Loew’s Inc. could not be established. Proof of such amount, after the establishment of normal conditions in Europe, may possibly become available.

As of January 18, 1946, plaintiff claims it was entitled to receive the sum of $35,-848.48. Defendant admits owing $34,835.-80, except for a possible counterclaim of $874.20. The major issue before the court is as to whether the facts will sustain plaintiff’s attempted termination of the contract of July 20, 1944. The dispute between the parties, it would appear, has come about as a result of a clash of personalities. Apparently, it might well have been resolved in conjunction with an arbitration proceeding, now pending between the parties, and which was instituted for the purpose of settling differences that have arisen out of the original contract of August 19, 1943. Be that as it may, those disputes are separate and independent controversies, and so far as this litigation is concerned, are merely incidental.

In my opinion, the issue of cancellation turns upon provisions set forth contained in paragraphs 6(b), 14 and 19 of the contract. They are as follows:

“6(b) The part of the gross receipts payable hereunder to (plaintiff) are hereby irrevocably and unconditionally assigned to (plaintiff) and until the same shall have been paid over to the (plaintiff) shall constitute a trust fund for the sole use and benefit of the (plaintiff).”
“14. If the licensee fails to furnish the licensor with itemized statements required to be furnished hereunder by the licensee, or if the licensee fails to remit to the licens- or any sums of money due to the licensor hereunder, in the manner and at the times in this agreement provided for, and should any such default continue for a period of thirty (30) days after notice demanding such performance is sent by registered mail to the licensee, the licensor may, at its election, cancel or terminate this agreement at any time after the happening of any such event * * * ”

“19. This agreement and its validity, construction and effect shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York, United States of America.”

Since the decision here to be rendered must be in accord with New York law, the construction to be given to the language contained in paragraphs 6(b) and 14 must first be considered.

Plaintiff has established that defendant is in default in remitting accrued royalties, amounting to approximately $35,000, to plaintiff, and further, that such default has continued for more than 30 days since plaintiff, by registered mail, sent notice thereof to defendant, and demanded payment.

A situation much like the present is to be found in the case of Weber v. Mapes, 98 App.Div. 165, 90 N.Y.S. 225, 227, N. Y. Supreme Court, App. Div. First Dept. (not cited by either party).

There, the defendant Mapes, the author of a play, and certain theatrical producers, entered into a contract which gave them the exclusive right to produce Mapes’ play in the United States and Canada, in consideration of the payment to the author of $1,000, plus certain royalties. Mapes and the producers, among other things, agreed as follows:

[566]*566“If the parties of the second part (the producers) shall at any time fail to fulfill any of the conditions set forth in Article Sixth of this agreement (which provides for time and manner in which royalties should be paid), the said party of the first part (Mapes) or his authorized agent, may thereupon by a registered letter addressed to the said parties of the second part to their address, give notice terminating this agreement, and all rights granted or assigned by the said party of the first part to the said parties of the second part shall thereupon revert to the said party of the first part, but without prejudice to any right to compensation or damages, or cause or causes of action that the said party of the first part may or might have in respect to any breach or breaches of this agreement.”

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
68 F. Supp. 563, 69 U.S.P.Q. (BNA) 234, 1946 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1959, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hal-roach-studios-inc-v-film-classics-inc-nysd-1946.