Burger King Case Study

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The case of Burger King Corporation v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 105 S. Ct. 2174, 85 L. Ed. 2d 528 (1985) addressed the issue of personal jurisdiction and whether or not it violates the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The plaintiff, Burger King, is a Florida corporation whose principal offices are located in Miami. The defendant, John Rudzewicz, was a resident of Michigan and a principal of a Michigan franchise. Rudzewicz, as a franchisee owner, had been given a license to use Burger King’s name and logo (trademarks) to operate a Burger King in Michigan. The contract between the franchisor and franchisee stated that the franchisor relationship (contract) is under the control of Florida. Other provisions of the contract include required monthly payments of fees and royalties to Miami headquarters, and all major decisions and problems had to be communicated with headquarters. In addition, the franchisee had to conduct business at a leased restaurant facility for 20 years. However, the defendant failed to fulfill franchisee obligations by not keeping up with his monthly payments of fees and royalties that he owed to Burger King in Florida. As a result, Burger King sued for a diversity suit against Rudzewicz in an effort to get back the money that they were owed. Burger King claimed a breach of contract, specifically the “Franchise Agreement”, between Burger King (the franchisor) and Rudzewicz (the franchisee). The case eventually made it all the way to the United States Supreme Court (Case Briefs). The first party involved in this case was the plaintiff, Burger King Corporation. The headquarters of Burger King is located in Miami, Florida and is constituted under Florida’s laws and regulations. In 1978, Burger King C... ... middle of paper ... ... law protects individuals’ rights and liberties from the government of states. It can also protect businesses’ property rights and the rights of their employees. In conclusion, the case of Burger King Corporation v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 105 S. Ct. 2174, 85 L. Ed. 2d 528 (1985) addressed the issue of personal jurisdiction. The District Court of Florida ruled that the defendant was under the jurisdiction of the District Court. Rudzewicz appealed to the Court of Appeals and it found that the due process clause was violated. The case made its way to the Supreme Court where it ultimately ruled that the contacts was enough to extend personal jurisdiction and that there was no violation of the Due Process Clause. This case was essential in determining whether states have the authority over individual during legal matters without violating personal liberties.

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