Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Courthouse Steps

By ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |
February 28, 2006

CASE CAPTION: Sean Gallagher v. Granada Entertainment USA Inc., ITV Plc, Paul Jackson, Jane Turton, Ivan Garel-Jones, Andrew Baker, Simon Walshaw, and Stephen Davis, L.A. Superior Court # BC347170.

CAUSES OF ACTION: Wrongful demotion and termination in violation of public policy; violation of Calif. Labor Code Sec. 1102.5; breach of contract; unfair business practices; in-tentional infliction of emotional distress; fraud; and conversion.

COMPLAINT ALLEGATIONS: The plaintiff was promoted to vice president of business and legal affairs of Granada Entertainment in Oct. 2001. Two years later, Granada and Carlton Communications merged and formed ITV Plc. At the end of Nov. 2003, the plaintiff raised concerns about alleged illegal and unethical corporate, financial, tax and legal matters, including false representations made to third parties. He complained to various government agencies, including OSHA and the SEC. In Feb. 2004, shortly after expressing more concerns about possible fraud and well before his employment contract expired, he was escorted out of his office and in-formed that he had been fired. The defendants have refused to give the plaintiff his stock options for the years 2002 and 2003 and have kept computer equipment, notebooks and other personal items that were in his office.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

The Stranger to the Deed Rule Image

In 1987, a unanimous Court of Appeals reaffirmed the vitality of the "stranger to the deed" rule, which holds that if a grantor executes a deed to a grantee purporting to create an easement in a third party, the easement is invalid. Daniello v. Wagner, decided by the Second Department on November 29th, makes it clear that not all grantors (or their lawyers) have received the Court of Appeals' message, suggesting that the rule needs re-examination.

Legal Possession: What Does It Mean? Image

Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.