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Annotated Contents
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xi
|
|
Acknowledgments
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xxiii
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Introduction
|
1
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|
1. Getting In: Contract Formation
|
11
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|
A. Gifts, Bargains, Reliance: MLK and BU
|
11
|
|
A Charitable Pledge
|
14
|
|
Estopping Aretha Franklin
|
16
|
|
B. Ads or Offers: Pepsi and Harrier Jets
|
16
|
|
“First Come, First Served”
|
19
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|
Orders at the U.S. Mint
|
19
|
|
Jesting
|
20
|
|
C. Frolic or Acceptance: Boasts on “Dateline NBC”
|
21
|
|
The Curious Carbolic Smoke Ball
|
22
|
|
The Hole in One
|
24
|
|
D. Mutual Assent: Spyware and Secret Clauses
|
25
|
|
Two Ships Peerless
|
26
|
|
E. Policies or Pacts: The Cleveland.com Blogger
|
29
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|
Mobil Coal’s Employee Handbook
|
30
|
|
Breaching Promises of Secrecy
|
32
|
|
2. Facing Limits: Unenforceable Bargains
|
35
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|
A. Unconscionability: Gail Waters’s Annuity Swap
|
35
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|
Chasing Alaska Gold
|
36
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|
Escaping Nazi Greece
|
38
|
|
The Christmas Dollar Joke
|
40
|
|
B. Blackmail: Michael Jordan’s Paternity
|
41
|
|
The Blackmail of David Letterman
|
42
|
|
Child Support
|
43
|
|
C. Palimony: The Rapper 50 Cent
|
44
|
|
Lee Marvin’s Lover
|
47
|
|
D. Gambling: Octogenarian Powerball Sisters
|
49
|
|
E. Making Babies: Baby M, Baby Calvert
|
52
|
|
3. Getting Out: Excuses and Termination
|
59
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|
A. Mistake and Warranty: Madoff’s Ponzi Scheme
|
59
|
|
The Forged Dime
|
61
|
|
The Fertile Cow
|
63
|
|
The Fake Stradivarius
|
64
|
|
B. Impossibility and Force Majeure: Donald Trump
|
66
|
|
The Uninsurable Roller Rink
|
68
|
|
C. Infancy: Craig Traylor of “Malcolm in the Middle”
|
70
|
|
D. Outrage: AIG’s Employee Bonuses
|
73
|
|
E. Embarrassment: The New York Mets and Citi Field
|
78
|
|
4. Paying Up: Remedies
|
84
|
|
A. Interests and Limits: Paris Hilton and “Pledge This!”
|
84
|
|
“Clever Endeavor”
|
86
|
|
Vanessa Redgrave’s Losses
|
87
|
|
Jack Dempsey’s Breached Bout
|
89
|
|
Robert Reed’s English Misadventure
|
89
|
|
B. Compensation: Paris Hilton and Hairtech
|
91
|
|
The Hairy Hand
|
92
|
|
The Beatles’ Recordings
|
93
|
|
C. Markets and Mitigation: Redskins Season Tickets
|
94
|
|
The Bridge to Nowhere
|
95
|
|
Lost Volume Sellers
|
96
|
|
Shirley MacLaine’s “Bloomer Girl”
|
98
|
|
D. Stated Remedies: Sprint’s Early Termination Fees
|
99
|
|
The Delayed Mausoleum
|
100
|
|
Vanderbilt’s Traitorous Football Coach
|
101
|
|
E. Specific Performance: Tyson Chickens and IBP Pork
|
104
|
|
A Unique Manhattan Billboard
|
105
|
|
5. Rewinding: Restitution and Unjust Enrichment
|
109
|
|
A. Gratuity or Exchange: Caring for Aunt Frances
|
109
|
|
Bascom’s Folly
|
110
|
|
Emergency Surgery
|
111
|
|
B. Mere Volunteers: Battling Alaskan Beetles
|
113
|
|
The Plagiarism Informant
|
114
|
|
C. Trailing Promises: Lena Saves Lee’s Life
|
116
|
|
The Heroic Lumberman
|
117
|
|
An Escaped Bull
|
118
|
|
D. Novel Ideas: The Making of “The Sopranos”
|
118
|
|
E. Off-Contract Remedies: Rod Stewart at the Rio
|
122
|
|
6. Writing It Down: Interpretation, Parol, Frauds
|
126
|
|
A. Plain Meaning I: Eminem’s Digital Records
|
126
|
|
B. Plain Meaning II: Dan Rather’s Last Broadcast
|
130
|
|
C. Parol Evidence: The Golden Globes
|
132
|
|
D. Scrivener’s Error: Who Owns the L.A. Dodgers?
|
136
|
|
The Fraudulent Architect
|
138
|
|
The Erroneous Deed
|
139
|
|
E. Statute of Frauds: Cliff Dumas’s Phantom Radio Deal
|
141
|
|
Jane Fonda’s Luckless Agent
|
142
|
|
Elizabeth Arden’s Fortunate Hire
|
144
|
|
7. Performing: Duties, Modification, Good Faith
|
148
|
|
A. Implied Terms: Butch Lewis and Maya Angelou
|
148
|
|
Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon
|
150
|
|
B. Express Terms: Clive Cussler’s Movie “Sahara”
|
152
|
|
TSM’s Tom Waits Recordings
|
155
|
|
Lucy, Again
|
156
|
|
C. Unanticipated Circumstances: Deutsche Building
|
157
|
|
Unexpected Industrial Detritus
|
160
|
|
Unexpected Landfill Needs
|
160
|
|
The Salmon Fishermen’s Threat
|
161
|
|
D. Accord and Satisfaction: Lady Gaga
|
162
|
|
The Disputed Home Improvements
|
165
|
|
E. Adjustment: Conan and “The Tonight Show”
|
167
|
|
8. Hedging: Conditions
|
172
|
|
A. Interpretation and Effect: Kevin Costner’s Bison
|
172
|
|
An Aborted Vineyard Sale
|
174
|
|
A Crop Insurance Caper
|
175
|
|
B. Order of Performance: Charlie Sheen and Warner
|
176
|
|
The Country Hotel Sale Bust
|
179
|
|
The Four-Stage Construction
|
180
|
|
C. Partial or Total Breach: Sheen and Warner II
|
181
|
|
An Accidental Bulldozing
|
182
|
|
D. Waiver: Sheen and Warner III
|
183
|
|
The Imbibing Professor
|
184
|
|
E. Substantial Performance: Sandra Bullock’s Lake House
|
186
|
|
The Wrong Plumbing Pipes
|
189
|
|
A Misplaced Living Room Wall
|
189
|
|
The Unrestored Peevyhouse Property
|
190
|
|
The Ungraded Gravel Lot
|
191
|
|
9. Considering Others: Third Parties and Society
|
194
|
|
A. Beneficiaries: Supply Chain Abuse at Wal-Mart
|
194
|
|
A Sweatshop in Brooklyn
|
197
|
|
B. Assignment: JP Morgan’s Cablevisión Loan
|
198
|
|
Sally Beauty
|
200
|
|
Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream
|
202
|
|
C. Interference: New England Patriots and StubHub
|
202
|
|
D. Torts: Katie Janeway’s Tragic Accident
|
206
|
|
Amnesty for Ordinary Negligence
|
207
|
|
A Misleading Authorization
|
209
|
|
Conclusion
|
213
|
|
Notes
|
217
|
|
Table of Cases
|
241
|
|
Index
|
247
|
