CCC Film Wins Distribution Verdict; Oral Sales Agency Claim Rejected By Court.

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 5, 1999--

CCC Filmkunst GmbH, the award-winning German producer of "Europa, Europa" and "Bitter Harvest," won a jury verdict in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday against Monarex Hollywood Corp. and its president Chris Nebe over a failed sales agency deal, it was announced today by Steven Mick, an entertainment litigation partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP, who represented CCC Film in the litigation.

After negotiations between CCC Film, Monarex and Trident Releasing for the sales rights to a package of films broke off, Monarex refused to give back the film materials and claimed that an oral sales agency deal had been struck. CCC Film sued to recover its materials, while Monarex claimed damages based on prospective sales of the package.

Judge David Horowitz tossed out the oral sales agency claim during the trial, ruling that the federal copyright act requires a signed written agreement for exclusive deals involving the sale or distribution of copyrighted works. The jury then awarded CCC Film $400,000 in damages for Monarex's refusal to give back the film materials contended to be part of the sales agent's package.

"There's a growing recognition that the copyright act requires signed deals in many cases," commented Mick. "Judges are fond of pointing out that there's no exception in the statute for the entertainment industry."

Artur Brauner, president of CCC Film, praised the jury for restoring CCC Film to its rights. "As a non-American film producer, it was impressive to see the United States court system do such a wonderful job of protecting our rights here."

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