Watch Eisner on Trial for $600

[nickcarraway]

Looks like you can see the dirty laundry for a mere $600. I wonder if they accept Disney Dollars?

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/11/business/media/11disney.html?pagewanted=print&position=

 

[waltdisny]

I couldn't get the link to open. What's it about?

 

[disneymoc]

For $600 a Week, Screen-Side Seats to Lawsuit Involving Disney

</NYT_HEADLINE><NYT_BYLINE type=" " version="1.0">[size=-1]LAURA M. HOLSON[/size]
</NYT_BYLINE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><NYT_TEXT>

he shareholder lawsuit over the $140 million severance package that the Walt Disney Company paid to its former president, Michael S. Ovitz, is sure to be one of the most watched trials in recent Hollywood history.

For those who cannot afford to spend a month in Georgetown, Del., where the trial is set to begin next Monday, Chancellor William B. Chandler III of Delaware Chancery Court has agreed that the proceedings can shown live over the Internet at www.courtroomconnect.com.

But access for business users comes at a price - $600 a week for the audio and video as well as online access to documents and slides presented in court.

Louis Goldberg, president of Courtroom Connect, said that reporters, lawyers and other interested parties would be able to watch live audio and video streaming of the testimony. The witness list includes Michael D. Eisner, the Disney chief executive; George J. Mitchell, the chairman; the dissident former directors Stanley P. Gold and Roy E. Disney, the nephew of the founder; and the former director and actor Sydney Poitier, who starred in "To Sir, With Love."

Mr. Ovitz is expected to be among the first witnesses, and the trial is sure to dredge up old information that is embarrassing to Mr. Eisner. Some communications between Mr. Eisner and the board as well as documents related to Mr. Ovitz's free-spending ways have already made their way around Hollywood.

Some entertainment executives said they would be willing to pay almost any price to see Mr. Ovitz and Mr. Eisner's dirty laundry aired in public. Indeed, one such executive who knows both men (but who insisted on not being identified) said he had already called Courtroom Connect to sign up.

Mr. Goldberg, for his part, seemed almost surprised that the Ovitz trial would generate such fervent interest.

Still, Courtroom Connect, which has already broadcast three other trials in this fashion, said it was also working on a plan to make the proceedings available to the public free of charge, but with restrictions that had not been determined yet.

 

[waltdisny]

Cool! Thanks.

That should be interesting. I'd love to see Mike squirm.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

Is anyone surprised that we're at this point? That ME would get his former buddy a fat check? That someone or some company would then profit from the trial of this fraud? And that some sucker will actually buy this real life soap opera to fill his/her time?

 

[Lynx04]

I saw this on the new the other day. Everybody thought the case would be held in Wilmington, DE. However, the judge hearing the case lives down in lower delaware and wanted it close to his house, so the venue was changed 2 hours from Wilmington. Instead of being in the city it is now out in a rural area, about 3 hours from Philly. Disney's lawyer was on the news saying he was shocked when he had to take a 2 hour train ride to Wilmington only to have to drive another 2 hours to lower DE. The people of the small town were joking about how they wont find any fancy restuarants around there. And that there only hotel was filled up. The mayor was at least happy that this would bring money into the locale economy. Good thing Eisner doesn't have to be there, unless he has to testify. but then again I am sure they will find a small airpoart around there to fly him in on a private jet.

 

[lamarvenoy]

I'm assuming this is a civil lawsuit. I wonder if M.E. could get penalized personally and how they would enforce that and if he looks guilty if this will speed up his retirement. Very interesting stuff, I wonder if a similar case could be brought up against other execs that were hired/fired breaching contracts.

 

[HennieBogan1966]

The hotel is booked up? Uh oh!!!! Should've made those ressies 90 days out or better. One restaurant? Any PS for that one? Looks like problems for the junior mouse if he has to be there.

 

[MicBat]

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm somewhat lost. I'm not all that familiar with the legal system, so.. Why is everyone in court???