In a recent important decision, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals held that a trademark licensor could not use its bankruptcy to deny the rights of a licensee to use the trademark pursuant to a pre-bankruptcy agreement. (Sunbeam Products, Inc. v. Chicago American Manufacturing, LLC, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 11-3920, decided July 9, 2012) This decision creates a conflict among the federal circuits, which often means the U.S. Supreme Court must eventually decide the issue.

San Bernardino County is now considering a plan to use eminent domain to restructure mortgages that are underwater. If the proposed plan is enforced, many investors could face significant losses if their loans are seized. Michael A. Sweet discussed San Bernardino County’s financial situation with American Banker..

Congratulations!  You just successfully negotiated a prepackaged chapter 11 plan of reorganization for a multi-billion dollar enterprise which leaves general unsecured creditors unimpaired and has been unanimously approved by the debtors' creditors.  It's smooth sailing from here, right?

On June 22, 2012, Judge Robert E. Gerber of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York granted the U.S. Trustee’s motion to transfer the chapter 11 cases of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company and its affiliates to a different venue, notwithstanding the fact that the debtor’s prepackaged plan had been confirmed with unanimous support from its creditors, the cases were projected to conclude within 30 days of filing, and the debtors’ primary creditor constituencies supported venue in New York.

Chapter 11 creditors’ committees and debtors continue to challenge lenders’ prepayment premiums, commitment fees and post-bankruptcy interest claims in reorganization cases. Nevertheless, courts regularly reject these challenges in well-reasoned decisions.

Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company and American Manufacturers Mutual Insurance Company (part of the Lumbermens Mutual Group and formerly known as Kemper) (“Lumbermens”), after years of struggling financially under the supervision of the Illinois Department of Insurance, recently entered rehabilitation proceedings. Policyholders who purchased workers’ compensation and other types of insurance from Lumbermens should be aware that many opportunities for recovery remain.

David Rubin and Henry Lan; administrators of Capitol Films v Cobalt Pictures and 24 others [2010] EWHC 3223 (Ch). 

On July 9, 2012, Judge Peter J. Walsh of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware issued a memorandum opinion (the "Opinion"), in the Blitz U.S.A. bankruptcy proceeding addressing whether an employee bonus plan is a transaction made in the ordinary course of business under 11 U.S.C.

In June, Northstar Aerospace and various related entities (collectively, "Northstar") filed chapter 11 petitions for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.  Northstar describes itself as a supplier of "components and assemblies for the commercial and military aerospace markets."  The company also provides machining, repair and overhaul services for the aerospace industry.  See Northstar's Declaration in Support of First Day Motions

Earlier this month, GameTech International, Inc., and various related entities (collectively, "GameTech"), filed chapter 11 petitions for bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. According to GameTech's Declaration in Support of its Chapter 11 Petitions (the "Decl."), the company entered the electronic bingo business in 1994  and the video lottery terminal ("VLT") and slot machine business in 2007.  Decl.