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Articles 1 - 30 of 57
Full-Text Articles in Law
The Accession Insight And Patent Infringement Remedies, Peter Lee
The Accession Insight And Patent Infringement Remedies, Peter Lee
Michigan Law Review
What is the appropriate allocation of rights and obligations when one party, without authorization, substantially improves the property of another? According to the doctrine of accession, a good faith improver may take title to such improved property, subject to compensating the original owner for the value of the source materials. While shifting title to a converter seems like a remarkable remedy, this outcome merely underscores the equitable nature of accession, which aims for fair allocation of property rights and compensation between two parties who both have plausible claims to an improved asset. This Article draws upon accession-a physical property doctrine …
Let Us Never Blame A Contract Breaker, Richard A. Posner
Let Us Never Blame A Contract Breaker, Richard A. Posner
Michigan Law Review
Holmes famously proposed a "no fault" theory of contract law: a contract is an option to perform or pay, and a "breach" is therefore not a wrongful act, but merely triggers the duty to pay liquidated or other damages. I elaborate the Holmesian theory, arguing that fault terminology in contract law, such as "good faith," should be given pragmatic economic interpretations, rather than be conceived of in moral terms. I further argue that contract doctrines should normally be alterable only on the basis of empirical investigations.
Fault In Contract Law, Eric A. Posner
Fault In Contract Law, Eric A. Posner
Michigan Law Review
A promisor is strictly liable for breaching a contract, according to the standard account. However, a negligence-based system of contract law can be given an economic interpretation, and this Article shows that such a system is in some respects more attractive than the strict-liability system. This may explain why, as a brief discussion of cases shows, negligence ideas continue to play a role in contract decisions.
There Is Always A Need: The "Necessity Doctrine" And Class Certification Against Government Agencies, Daniel Tenny
There Is Always A Need: The "Necessity Doctrine" And Class Certification Against Government Agencies, Daniel Tenny
Michigan Law Review
On its face, Rule 23(b)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure seems tailor-made for lawsuits against government. Rule 23(b)(2) allows a class action when "the party opposing the class has acted or refused to act on grounds generally applicable to the class, thereby making appropriate final injunctive relief or corresponding declaratory relief with respect to the class as a whole." This situation arises frequently in people's dealings with government agencies: recipients of public benefits and consumers using public utilities, for example, constitute large groups of people all subject to identical government policies who might seek injunctive relief. Litigants attempting …
We Can Do This The Easy Way Or The Hard Way: The Use Of Deceit To Induce Consent Searches, Rebecca Strauss
We Can Do This The Easy Way Or The Hard Way: The Use Of Deceit To Induce Consent Searches, Rebecca Strauss
Michigan Law Review
In October of 1995, Aaron Salvo was studying and living at Ashland College. College officials informed local FBI agents that they suspected Salvo of possible child molestation and related conduct based on incriminating electronic mail. FBI agents approached Salvo at his dormitory, asked to speak with him in private about the suspicious mail, and suggested they speak in Salvo's dorm room. Salvo agreed to speak with the officers, but declined to do so in his room because his roommate was there, and he did not want to get anyone else involved in the embarrassing nature of the upcoming conversation. Salvo …
Should The Law Ignore Commercial Norms? A Comment On The Bernstein Conjuncture And Its Relevance For Contract Law Theory And Reform, Jason Scott Johnston
Should The Law Ignore Commercial Norms? A Comment On The Bernstein Conjuncture And Its Relevance For Contract Law Theory And Reform, Jason Scott Johnston
Michigan Law Review
Professor Bernstein's study of the interaction between private law and norms in the cotton industry is the latest installment in her ongoing investigation into the relationship between law and norms in trades ranging from the diamond market to grain and feed markets. Her incredibly detailed and thorough exploration of private lawmaking and commercial norms - and their interaction - stands as one of the most significant contributions to contract and commercial law scholarship made in the last half-century. The cotton industry study upon which I focus in this Comment not only reports fascinating findings about dispute resolution practices, but also …
Employer Postcertification Polls To Determine Union Support, James D. Dasso
Employer Postcertification Polls To Determine Union Support, James D. Dasso
Michigan Law Review
This Note evaluates these competing standards in light of the two major policy objectives of the NLRA: industrial stability and employee free choice. It concludes that the courts of appeals properly apply a less stringent standard. Part I considers employer polling in the larger context of the general law of employer interrogation. This section concludes that the Board's standard for postcertification polling deviates significantly from the general law of employer interrogation as well as the more specific rules established for precertification polling. The remainder of this Note demonstrates that the Board's distinctions between pre- and postcertification polling do not justify …
The Judicial Treatment Of The Automobile Dealer Franchise Act, J. Patrick Martin
The Judicial Treatment Of The Automobile Dealer Franchise Act, J. Patrick Martin
Michigan Law Review
The representatives of the auto industry initially viewed the act with a jaundiced eye and warned that this special class legislation6 would radically change the existing case law by allowing the dealer to win where formerly he would have lost. However, the court decisions under the act have not borne out such dire predictions. This discussion will examine what has, in fact, been the judicial interpretation and treatment of the act.
Taxation-Federal Income Tax-Accrual Of State Property Taxes Paid Under Protest, Robert L. Harmon
Taxation-Federal Income Tax-Accrual Of State Property Taxes Paid Under Protest, Robert L. Harmon
Michigan Law Review
During the years 1946 to 1950 a local tax upon respondent's real property was assessed at one hundred dollars. Respondent paid the full assessment to avoid interest penalties and seizure and sale of the property under tax liens, but contested the assessment in the state court, denying any liability greater than eighty-five dollars. In each of the preceding years, complying with a private ruling directed to it by the Commissioner, respondent had deducted the full one hundred dollars, and, when in 1951 the tax was fixed by the state court at ninety-five dollars, respondent included the five-dollar refund in its …
Labor Law - Collective Bargaining - Union's Unprotected Harassing Activites As A Refusal To Bargain In Good Faith, William Y. Webb
Labor Law - Collective Bargaining - Union's Unprotected Harassing Activites As A Refusal To Bargain In Good Faith, William Y. Webb
Michigan Law Review
While bargaining for a new contract, the union announced that it would engage in a "work-without-contract" program designed to harass the insurance company employer into accepting its demands, in the event that no agreement was reached prior to the expiration of the existing contract. When that contingency occurred, the program was instituted consisting of such activities as refusing to write new business for a period, refusing to do customary duties, engaging in "sit-in mornings," soliciting policyholder support against the company, and mass demonstrations at the company's home office. The union continued to attend bargaining sessions, but it informed its members …
Priorities: Ii, Edgar N. Durfee
Priorities: Ii, Edgar N. Durfee
Michigan Law Review
This is the second part of "Priorities" (also known as "Little Nemo") which was taken from Professor Durfee's teaching materials. The first part was published in the February issue-which was dedicated to the memory of Professor Durfee.
Priorities, Edgar N. Durfee
Priorities, Edgar N. Durfee
Michigan Law Review
Among those of Edgar Durfee's colleagues who were familiar with this paper it came to be known as "Little Nemo," for a reason that will become apparent to the reader. It is taken from his mimeographed Cases on Security, third edition, published in 1938. Possibly it was published earlier but there is a gap in the evidence. It did not appear in the first edition published in 1934 but no copy of the second edition has been located. In a few places its age shows, for example in the reference to Walsh as the author of the most recent …
Labor Law - Collective Bargaining - Duty Of Employer To Substantiate Claim Of Inability To Pay, John Fildew
Labor Law - Collective Bargaining - Duty Of Employer To Substantiate Claim Of Inability To Pay, John Fildew
Michigan Law Review
A union had been recognized by an employer for three years. Pursuant to a reopening clause in the current contract the union asked for a IO-cent wage increase. The company maintained that it was paying above average wages and could not afford more than a 2½-cent hourly raise. When the union asked to be shown the company's books as proof of this claim of inability to pay, the company refused on the ground that the union had no legal right to such information. The National Labor Relations Board found that the company had failed to bargain in good faith with …
Labor Law - Collective Bargaining - Unprotected Activities Of Union As Violation Of Duty To Bargain In Good Faith, Hazen V. Hatch S.Ed.
Labor Law - Collective Bargaining - Unprotected Activities Of Union As Violation Of Duty To Bargain In Good Faith, Hazen V. Hatch S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
During negotiations for a new contract, the union engaged in harassing action against the employer by promoting an organized refusal to work overtime, extending rest periods without authorization, directing employees to refuse to work special hours, encouraging slow-downs and unannounced walkouts, and inducing employees of a subcontractor not to work for their employer. There was no specific demand which the activity was designed to enforce. The National Labor Relations Board found that this activity was evidence of a failure on the part of the union to bargain in good faith, and was, therefore, a violation of section 8 (b) (3) …
Labor Law - Collective Bargaining - Contract Ratification And Strike Authorization Clauses As Statutory Proposals, Arne Hovdesoen S.Ed.
Labor Law - Collective Bargaining - Contract Ratification And Strike Authorization Clauses As Statutory Proposals, Arne Hovdesoen S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
After continued employer demands to discuss contract ratification and strike authorization clauses, the union discontinued contract negotiations on the ground that such proposals constituted interference with its internal affairs and as such were not within the scope of mandatory collective bargaining as defined by sections 8 (d) and 9 (a) of the amended National Labor Relations Act. The National Labor Relations Board found the union's action to be the result of the employer's refusal to bargain in compliance with section 8 (d) and issued an appropriate order directing the company to cease and desist from insisting upon these proposals to …
Corporations - De Facto Existence - Necessity Of Good Faith Attempt To Incorporate Under And Of Colorable Compliance With Incorporation Statute, Richard R. Dailey
Corporations - De Facto Existence - Necessity Of Good Faith Attempt To Incorporate Under And Of Colorable Compliance With Incorporation Statute, Richard R. Dailey
Michigan Law Review
Defendant, a purported holding corporation, was organized in 1922 before the enactment of a state statute authorizing such corporations. The articles of incorporation stated that the purpose of the corporation was "to acquire, own and hold" shares of stock in a realty company. There was actual user of corporate power by the defendant under this attempted incorporation until the time of this suit in 1954. The legislature in 1941 amended the incorporation statute to authorize incorporation of a holding company, but no action was taken by the defendant pursuant to this amended statute. In an action for a declaratory judgment, …
Real Property-Torrens System-Preservation Of Equitable Easements, Paul Campbell
Real Property-Torrens System-Preservation Of Equitable Easements, Paul Campbell
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff sued to have certain lots declared free and clear of a restrictive covenant. The land was registered under a Torrens statute, but the restrictive covenant was not noted on the certificate of title. However, it was noted on a plat of the land which was referred to in the certificate of title for the purpose of identifying the location of the land. The lower court denied relief and enjoined violation of the restrictions. Held, reversed, plaintiff as a good faith purchaser for value of registered land, obtains the land free and clear of a restrictive covenant not noted …
Corporations-Officers And Directors-Effect Of Statutes On Contracts Between Corporations With Common Directors, William K. Davenport S.Ed.
Corporations-Officers And Directors-Effect Of Statutes On Contracts Between Corporations With Common Directors, William K. Davenport S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Legislative policy-making on the subject of contracts between corporations having interlocking directorates has required a balancing of the interest of corporate enterprise in the flexibility of business relations against the interest of minority shareholders in protection against self-dealing by corporate managers.
Constitutional Law-Fifth Amendment Due Process-Vague And Indefinite Statute-Right To Trial On Question Of Illegal Presence In United States, Marcus A. Rowden S.Ed.
Constitutional Law-Fifth Amendment Due Process-Vague And Indefinite Statute-Right To Trial On Question Of Illegal Presence In United States, Marcus A. Rowden S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Defendant, an alien, against whom an order of deportation had been entered in 1930 by reason of his advocacy of the overthrow of the government by force and violence, was indicted for violation of section 20(c) of the Immigration Act of 1917 as amended, which made it a felony for an alien against whom such an order is outstanding to "willfully fail or refuse to make timely application in good faith for travel or other documents necessary to his departure." The lower court dismissed the indictment on the ground that the statute in question was unconstitutionally vague and indefinite for …
Agency-Imputation Of Agent's Knowledge To Principal-Insurance Contracts, Robert B. Krueger S.Ed.
Agency-Imputation Of Agent's Knowledge To Principal-Insurance Contracts, Robert B. Krueger S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Defendant insurance company's soliciting agent falsified applicant's warranted answers to material questions in an application for automobile casualty insurance. The applicant signed, not knowing of the nature of the answers. On the basis of these answers, defendant issued a casualty policy on applicant's automobile, containing a clause prohibiting waiver or estoppel as to any of the terms of the contract because of the agent's knowledge. As a result of a subsequent accident, plaintiffs recovered judgments against applicant which applicant failed to satisfy. In an action by plaintiffs against defendant, on supplemental petition, defendant admitted recovery against applicant, but claimed no …
Torts-Defamation-Libel By Silence, J. G. Castel
Torts-Defamation-Libel By Silence, J. G. Castel
Michigan Law Review
In an almanac published in 1939, Professor Turpain of the University of Poitiers, France, purported to name the inventors of radio. He failed to include the name of E. Branly. In 1940 Branly brought suit in the lower civil court of Poiters against Professor Turpain, alleging that he had been ''libelled" by silence. The court agreed with him. The court of appeals of Poitiers reversed the decision of the lower court and dismissed the case. Following Branly's death, his heirs questioned the validity of the decision of the court of appeals in the court of Cassation. The court held, …
Property-Mechanics' Lien-Validity Against Non-Contracting Co-Owner, Howard Van Antwerp S.Ed.
Property-Mechanics' Lien-Validity Against Non-Contracting Co-Owner, Howard Van Antwerp S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
A and B were tenants in common of a tract of land. Plaintiff contracted with A to build a house thereon, B not being a party. Plaintiff sued A and B to enforce a mechanics' lien for money due on the contract, and was successful against both in the lower court. On appeal, held, reversed. Only A, who contracted to have the house built, was subject to a mechanics' lien. Dente v. Bullis, (Md. 1950) 76 A. (2d) 158.
Corporations-Liability Of Transfer Agent For Wrongful Refusal To Transfer Shares, Howard Van Antwerp S.Ed.
Corporations-Liability Of Transfer Agent For Wrongful Refusal To Transfer Shares, Howard Van Antwerp S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Plaintiff, stockholder in a mining company, sued a transfer agent of the company in conversion for its refusal to transfer plaintiff's stock into block shares. The lower court found for plaintiff. On appeal, held, reversed. There is no direct liability of a transfer agent to the stockholder for wrongful nonfeasance in delaying or refusing to transfer stock. Mears v. Crocker First Nat. Bank of San Francisco, (Cal. App. 1950) 218 P. (2d) 91.
Torts-Malpractice-Duty Of Drugless Healer To Refrain From Or Discontinue Treatment, Morton L. Simons
Torts-Malpractice-Duty Of Drugless Healer To Refrain From Or Discontinue Treatment, Morton L. Simons
Michigan Law Review
Defendant, a drugless healer licensed under statute as a sanipractor, undertook to treat plaintiff for what both parties realized was diabetes. Defendant followed standard sanipractic procedure, prescribing diets and baths. The treatment was unsuccessful, and plaintiff's health deteriorated greatly. Apparently on the theory that a sanipractor incurs no liability if he follows the accepted methods of his school, the trial court, notwithstanding jury's verdict for plaintiff, rendered judgment for defendant. On appeal, held, reversed and remanded, with directions to enter judgment on the verdict Where a drugless healer knows or should know that his method of treatment is not …
Patents-Exclusive Licenses-Licensor And Licensee Relationship- Llicensee's Obligations, Gordon W. Hueschen S. Ed.
Patents-Exclusive Licenses-Licensor And Licensee Relationship- Llicensee's Obligations, Gordon W. Hueschen S. Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Patent licensing is today, as always, a very significant part of patent law. Since royalty licenses allow a patentee to realize pecuniary benefits from his invention without yielding ownership, as he would by an assignment, they are especially attractive to an inventor who anticipates considerable commercial success for his contribution, and who does not desire to lose all control of the invention for a lump sum, the adequacy of which must be, at best, speculative. From the licensee's standpoint, it is usually advantageous to be free of competition from others also operating under the same patent monopoly, at least within …
Federal Courts-Substitution Of Parties By Amendment Under The Federal Rules To Correct A Jurisdictional Defect, Rex Eames S.Ed.
Federal Courts-Substitution Of Parties By Amendment Under The Federal Rules To Correct A Jurisdictional Defect, Rex Eames S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
The plaintiffs, local officers of a union, sued to enjoin the national officers of the union from interfering with plaintiffs' union duties. Because the original complaint failed to show diversity of citizenship as a basis for federal jurisdiction, plaintiffs sought by amendment to substitute five nonresident members of the union as parties plaintiff and to change the action to a class suit. Held, the court had the power to permit such an amendment but, in the exercise of its discretion, it would not do so here. National Maritime Union of America v. Curran, (D.C. N.Y. 1949) 87 F. …
The Intent Element In Contempt Of Injunctions, Decrees And Court Orders, Edward W. Rothe S.Ed.
The Intent Element In Contempt Of Injunctions, Decrees And Court Orders, Edward W. Rothe S.Ed.
Michigan Law Review
Recent years have seen increasing effort on the part of courts to distinguish between civil and criminal contempts. This effort has been engendered by an awareness of the different procedural and substantive aspects of the two classifications. A discussion of these aspects, as well as of the tests used to distinguish civil and criminal contempts, is beyond the scope of this paper. Suffice it to say that those tests which have been applied leave much to be desired. The lack of clarity, so evident in prevailing tests, is in part a legacy from early decisions which permitted the two types …
Coming Into Equity With Clean Hands, Zechariah Chafee, Jr.
Coming Into Equity With Clean Hands, Zechariah Chafee, Jr.
Michigan Law Review
The most amusing maxim of equity is "He who comes into Equity must come with clean hands." It has given rise ,to many interesting cases and poor jokes. The maxim has been regarded as an especially significant manifestation of the ethical attitude of equity as contrasted with the common law. Pomeroy, for instance, argues that the principle involved in this maxim is "merely the expression of one of the elementary and fundamental conceptions of equity jurisprudence." Pomeroy's theory is that chancery has power to force a defendant to comply with the dictates of conscience as to matters outside the strict …
Future Interests - Powers-Fraud On A Special Power, Bernard L. Trott S. Ed.
Future Interests - Powers-Fraud On A Special Power, Bernard L. Trott S. Ed.
Michigan Law Review
H was co-trustee under a trust agreement executed by his father which provided for payment of a specified monthly sum to H for life and after his death to his wife W. The trust was to terminate upon the death of the survivor of H and W, and thereupon the other trustee was to deliver 20% of the corpus to each of three named persons, A, B, and C. The trust instrument further provided that H was to have absolute power, with approval of the co-trustee, to prescribe that the distribution of this 60% of the …
Evidence--Criminal Law--Cross-Examination Of Accused's Character Witness Concerning Accused's Prior Arrest, C. C. Grunewald S. Ed.
Evidence--Criminal Law--Cross-Examination Of Accused's Character Witness Concerning Accused's Prior Arrest, C. C. Grunewald S. Ed.
Michigan Law Review
On trial in a district court for bribing a federal revenue agent, defendant called five witnesses to testify to his good reputation. During cross-examination by the district attorney, the character witnesses were asked: ''Did you ever hear that on October 11, 1920, the defendant was arrested for receiving stolen goods?" The trial judge overruled the objection to the question, and the witnesses answered in the negative. The prosecutor exhibited a paper record of this arrest to the court. The judge instructed the jury that the question was to test the standard of the character evidence only, not to establish the …