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…Read More

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…Read More

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…Read More

TFWS Case In Maryland Is Officially Over

Well the sordid ten year history of the TFWS case is over.  There will be no appeal to the United States Supreme Court.   In order to save the state money from attorneys fees, the state will not appeal in exchange for not having to pay attorney fees.  In a fee settlement agreement filed with the court the…Read More

Update: US Supreme Court Denies Certiorari in TN Case (Bredesen v. Jelovsek)

UPDATE:  The Supreme Court has denied certiorari in this 6th Circuit matter.  Cert denial can be found here. Update:  TN brief below.   Supreme Court to decide whether to take this the week of September 29, 2009. A pairing of lawyer and wine connoisseur has lead to the U.S. Supreme Court  being asked whether limitations imposed…Read More