MGM v. Scheider

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MGM v. Scheider
Court New York Court of Appeals
Citation 360 N.E.2d 930
Date decided December 28, 1976

Facts

  • Roy Scheider (1932-2008) = star of the Jaws movies, famous actor = defendant
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. = MGM = major movie studio = plaintiff
  • The 2 parties signed a contract to complete a pilot movie & a related television series.
  • Not all the details were spelled out in the contract. For example, MGM hadn't provided a starting date for the TV series.

Procedural History

  • MGM sued Scheider in New York Supreme Court (trial court) for not completing a movie series.
  • The trial court found that a contract existed between MGM & Scheider.
  • MGM won in the trial court & Appellate Division.

Issues

Where parties have

  • agreed to the essential terms of a contract &
  • begun performance of a contract in good faith,
does an enforceable contract exist?

Holding

Yes. If parties have agreed to the essential terms & begun performance, & an objective method for deciding remaining terms exists, the contract is valid & enforceable.

Judgment

Affirmed

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