Breach letters have been heavily litigated in many states, but up until now, Alabama has generally stayed out of the fray. Not any longer. In September 2017, the Supreme Court of Alabama found that failure to strictly comply with the requirements of the mortgage invalidates a foreclosure sale. Ex Parte Turner, __ Ala__ (2017). In this case, after the borrowers defaulted on their loan, the loan servicer sent a letter notifying them of its intent to foreclose on the property (the “Default Letter”).

This week we present for your consideration two cases: (a) an Eleventh Circuit decision upholding a copyright infringement award against a venue operator for playing five copyrighted songs without a license; and (b) an Alabama Supreme Court decision reversing damages awarded to a farmer for a claim of conversion against a foreclosing bank that took possession of harvested crops.