Richard Davis won his lawsuit!
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'Flip This House' creator wins lawsuit
Davis awarded $4 million from A&E
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A federal jury in Charleston, S.C., has awarded "Flip This House" creator Richard C. Davis $4 million in damages in his suit against cabler A&E.
Davis contended that he had an oral agreement with the net that guaranteed him a 50-50 split of the revenue from the real estate-based reality show.
A&E said in a statement that the company was "deeply disappointed" in the jury's decision and intended to "follow the appropriate procedures to have the verdict reversed."
The jury found in favor of Davis and his Trademark Properties banner on Wednesday after five hours of deliberations. The dollar amount represents half of the skein's first-season coin.
"Flip" is now in its fourth year, though Davis ended his involvement with the show after the first season. Davis now produces and hosts a similar skein, "The Real Estate Pros," for cabler TLC.
"I feel personally vindicated by the jury's verdict finding that I have always had an agreement with A&E," said Davis.
Davis' lawyer, Brian Wolf of Lavely & Singer, added that the jury's decision "reaffirms the enforceability of oral contracts in the television industry."
Meanwhile, America deals with its worst recession since the 1930s.
Why in the world does anyone care about a Hollywood v. Hollywood fight?
Because while technically this guy is not "the average Joe," and he makes good money, and isn't necessarily affected by recession like you might be, he is still a small fish in a big pond when trying to deal with a big network. As such, this win is important, because it sends the message that we're tired of networks and other big corporations trying to do whatever they want without consequences, and possibly at the expense of others.
So, that's why people care about this fight and the resulting verdict.