Hamilton National Bank v. Belt

93 U.S. App. D.C. 168, 210 F.2d 706 (1953)

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Hamilton National Bank v. Belt

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
93 U.S. App. D.C. 168, 210 F.2d 706 (1953)

SH

Facts

Lloyd Belt (plaintiff) developed an idea for a weekly radio program. Each week would feature a different high school’s glee club and orchestra, as well as students in other capacities. He had a specific plan to present it as part of each school’s curriculum, treat it as a class, and hold the performances as assemblies. Specific talent and acts would be selected at each school and could not be scripted ahead of time, but the plan was fairly detailed. It included the format of the programming, the order of events, a lack of commercials, the use of school buildings, and other details. Belt entered into an agreement with Hamilton National Bank (the bank) (defendant) to sponsor the program. After approaching school authorities, Belt could not reach an agreement with them, and his contract with the bank ended. The bank was approached by school authorities for exactly the same program and ended up sponsoring it directly with the school district. Belt filed suit against the bank on the grounds that it had appropriated his idea. The jury found in favor of Belt, and the bank appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Fahy, J.)

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