NYT Blog: Clear Channel Scorecard

Fun With Legal Proceedings

With pending motions to dismiss and for summary judgment, claims and counterclaims, interlocutory appeals and the invocation of "direct benefits estoppel," it is getting hard to keep up with the dispute over CLEAR CHANNEL COMMUNICATIONS, blogs STEVEN M. DAVIDOFF in THE NEW YORK TIMES.

Some of his highlights include:

* "The private equity firms have filed a motion to dismiss the counterclaims. This motion was heard TUESDAY before Judge HELEN FREEDMAN, who, according to some reports, looked about to fall asleep during oral argument. Join the club."

* The banks’ response papers to the private equity firms are a fun read -- they invoke "chutzpah" and quote F. SCOTT FITZGERALD. DAVIDOFF notes, "As a colleague mentioned to me, they should have quoted DON CORLEONE: 'This is family business, keep it in the family.'"

* "The claim of tortious interference with contract is being litigated in TEXAS. since this is down in TEXAS, the tone is a little different. Here is one snippet from FRIDAY’s hearing, between the judge and KATHY PATRICK, a lawyer for CC MEDIA:

THE COURT: Contract law applies.

MS. PATRICK: I’m sorry?

THE COURT: Contract law applies.

MS. PATRICK: Yes, contract law applies. I went to too many rock concerts when I was young, Judge, I’m just a little hard of hearing, so I apologize. It was fun, though."

Check out the fun read here.

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