Legal Cases Involving Breach of Contract
Breach of contract is the failure of one party to fulfill the obligations agreed upon in a legally binding contract. When this happens, the other party can take legal action to seek compensation or to enforce the terms of the contract. In this article, we will discuss some notable legal cases involving breach of contract.
1. Microsoft Corp. vs. Motorola Inc.
This case involved a dispute over patents related to technology used in Xbox gaming consoles. Microsoft claimed that Motorola had breached its contract by charging unreasonable fees for the use of these patents. The court ruled in Microsoft`s favor, awarding the company $14.5 million in damages.
2. Apple vs. Qualcomm
In this case, Apple sued Qualcomm for breach of contract and antitrust violations related to Qualcomm`s licensing practices. Apple claimed that Qualcomm overcharged for its patents and that it engaged in monopolistic practices. The case was settled out of court in 2019, with Qualcomm agreeing to pay Apple an undisclosed amount.
3. Tiny Harris vs. Zonnique Pullins
This case involved a breach of contract dispute between two members of the musical group Xscape. Tiny Harris sued Zonnique Pullins for breach of contract, claiming that Pullins had failed to pay her for services rendered. The case was settled out of court, with Pullins agreeing to pay Harris an undisclosed amount.
4. Sycamore Partners vs. L Brands
This case involved a dispute over the sale of Victoria`s Secret to Sycamore Partners. Sycamore claimed that L Brands had breached its contract by not closing all of its stores during the COVID-19 pandemic. The case was settled out of court, with Sycamore agreeing to purchase a 55% stake in Victoria`s Secret for $525 million.
5. Viacom vs. YouTube
In this case, Viacom sued YouTube for copyright infringement and breach of contract. Viacom claimed that YouTube had allowed copyrighted content to be posted on its platform without permission. The case was settled out of court in 2014, with YouTube agreeing to pay Viacom an undisclosed amount.
Conclusion
Breach of contract can result in costly legal battles and damage to business relationships. It is important for all parties to carefully review and understand the terms of any contract before agreeing to it. If a breach does occur, it is important to seek legal counsel to protect your interests.