FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

A Dallas County jury returned a verdict in favor of V.P.D., IV, Inc. for more than $1.8 million in damages on Wednesday related to debt owed by a large, multi-store Blockbuster franchisee for video DVDs sold by VPD.  The verdict was issued in the second trial of the dispute, the first commencing in May resulted in a mistrial on the second day of trial. The Honorable Judge Mary Murphy presided over both trials.

VPD shipped DVDs to the franchisee stores with payment terms that were not met, leaving VPD with hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.  VPD, a Folsom, California corporation, is one of only two distributors of movies authorized by the major Hollywood studios.  VPD ceased shipping movies to the franchisee stores, prompting Defendant to file claims against VPD for breach of contract and interference to its business. VPD brought suit against the franchisee and its two owners, who were guarantors of the debt. VPD prevailed on all claims and counterclaims at trial.

Cody Towns served as lead trial counsel for VPD at trial.

The case is V.P.D., IV, Inc. v. Sid Mike 99, LLC, et al., Case No. DC-06-05083 in the Dallas County District Court.