Oral Argument Set for September 20th in the 10th Circuit Appeal of USAIR Case

The oral argument of US Air’s appeal is set for September 20th in Denver before the 10th Circuit.   In a twist, the US Government has pushed to be allowed to participate in the oral argument and has been granted time. The motion the federal government filed to participate in oral argument is here.
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5th Circuit Rejects Rehearing; Texas Wins; Supreme Court Next?

The 5th Circuit has wasted little time rejecting this third bite at the apple.  In the order, no judge on the 5th Circuit asked to hear and review this case.   Like the 2nd Circuit case, the 5th Circuit noted that Granholm dealt with wineries, not retailers.  The Granholm court’s holding that the three tier system is [...]

Puerto Rico Seeks to Dismiss Coors Lawsuit Challaenging Small Brewer Tax Rate

In a new filing, the government of Puerto Rico has sought to dismiss the Coors lawsuit against Puerto Rico.   In its lawsuit Coors Brewing seeks to eliminate the lower tax rate on small brewers.   Coors claims that it does not seek to lower the taxes Coors pays, just  eliminate the tax break small brewers have [...]

No National Contract. Michigan Court Rules on MillerCoors Proposed Contract

The Michigan courts have clearly held that anyone wanting to sell alcohol in Michigan has to abide by Michigan law.
In a very strongly worded opinion, a Michigan State Court has upheld the decisions of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission finding that the proposed MillerCoors contract violated several aspects of Michigan alcohol law.   In his opinion, [...]

Updates in ABI Litigation against Illinois; Oral Argument on MSJ 6/16

The court issued a ruling today setting oral argument for ABI’s Motion for Summary Judgement for June 16.  It the decision it denied the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of Illinois attempt to intervene in the lawsuit.  However it agreed to consider the arguments made by WSWI as well as those by the Associated Beer Distributors of [...]

Legislation to Support State Alcohol Laws Introduced in Congress

H.R. 5034, “The Comprehensive Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness Act of 2010” or “CARE Act,” was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC), Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT).
The CARE Act aims to clarify congressional intent that states have primary authority to regulate alcohol; prevent [...]

9th Circuit Rules for Arizona in Volume Cap and In Person Challenge

UPDATE…….. ARIZONA WINS
The 9th Circuit has issued a ruling. The state of Arizona wins, volume caps and face to face purchase requirements are permissible. Read the ruling here.
(OLDER POST)
On September 15th, the 9th Circuit heard oral arguments of a wineries appeal of an Arizona district court’s decision upholding the state’s winery laws.   Click here if you would like  to hear the oral argument while [...]

National Conference of State Legislatures clarifies their official view of direct shipping

Update:
Since the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) continues to have its position on direct shipping interpreted wrongly across the country, they have sought to clarify it.  Recently, they have written to one attorney  asking for clarity to avoid stating that the the full NCSL had endorsed a wine model shipping legislation.  Click here for the letter.
 
SUPREME COURT [...]

California Attorney General Warns Suppliers and Importers: Do Not Control Other Licensees

In a very forceful advisory, the California Attorney General has made it clear that California law does not allow suppliers to micromanage and control distributor licensees.  This guidance apparently went to over 600 importers and suppliers. 
The staff of the attorney general actually  spent time reviewing the proposed supplier contracts to state law and were very concerned about [...]

Motions for Summary Judgement Filed in Indiana Retailer Case

A motion for summary judgement was filed by the plaintiffs in the Cap’n Cork case.   Recently Indiana  filed its cross motion for summary judgement.  The recent Wine Country 5th Circuit case as well as the Buy-Rite case from New York in the 2nd Circuit and the other Indiana case, Baude  at the 7th Circuit all heavily [...]