Review Ethics Case 10.7 on page 199 of the textbook. Answer the following questions:
a. What does the adage "A contract is a contract is a contract" mean?
b. Does Saban owe an ethical duty to pay Dees more money now that the Power Rangers is a successful brand?
c. Is Dees bound by the contract?
ETHICS CASES 10.6 Ethics Case Raymond P. Wirth signed a pledge agreement that stated that in consideration of his interest in education, and I"intending to be legally bound,\" he irrevocably pledged and Promised to pay Drexel University the sum of $150,000. The pledge agreement provided that an endowed scholarship would be created in Wirth's name. Wirth died two months after signing the pledge but before any money had been paid to Drexel. \"then the estate of Wirth refused to honor the pledge, Drexel sued the estate to collect the $150,000. The administrators of the estate alleged that the pledge was unenforceable because of lack of consideration. The surrogate court denied Drexel's motion for summary judgment and dismissed Drexel's claim against the estate. Drexel appealed. Did the administrators of the estate ofWirth act ethically by reising to honor lWr. Wirth's pledge? Was the pledge agreement supported by consideration and therefore enforceable against the estate ofWirth? In the Matter of Wirtb, 14 A.D.3d 572, 739 N.Y.S.2d 69, Web 2005 N.Y. App. Div. Lexis 434 (Supreme Court of New York,Appellate Division} 10.7 Ethics Case Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers was a phenomenal success as a television series.The Power Rangers battled to save the universe from all sorts of diabolical plots and bad guys. They were also featured in a protable line of toys and garments bearing the Power Rangers logo. The name and logo of the Power Rangers are known to millions of children and their parents worldwideThe claim of ownership of the logo for the Power Rangers ended up in a battle in a courtroom. David Dees is a designer who works as d.b.a. David Dees Illustration. Saban Entertainment, Inc. (Saban), which owns the copyright and trademark to Power Rangers figures and the name \"Power Ranger,\" hired Dees as an independent con- tractor to design a logo for the Power Rangers. The contract signed by the parties was titled \"Work-forHirefIndependent Contractor Agreement.\" The contract was drafted by Saban with the help of its attorneys; Dees signed the agreement without the representation of legal counsel. Dees designed the logo currently used for the Power Rangers and was paid $250 to transfer his copyright owner- ship in the logo. Subsequently, Dees sued Saban to recover damages for copyright and trademark infringement. Saban defended, arguing that Dees was bound by the agreement he had signed. What does the adage "A contract is a contract is a contract" mean? Does the doctrine of equity save Dees from his contract? Does Saban owe an ethical duty to pay Dees more money now that the Power Rangers is a successful brand? Is Dees bound by the contract? Deer, d/b/a DmidDeer Illustration w. Saba}! Entertainment Inc, 131 F.3d 146, Web 1997 U.S. App. Lexis 39173 [United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit)
