Bel-Mar Ford Tractor v. Woods & Copeland Manufacturing, Inc.

This is a diversity action by Bel-Mar Ford Tractor (Bel-Mar) against Woods & Copeland Manufacturing, Inc. (W&C) for breach of an alleged exclusive franchise agreement between W&C and Bel-Mar for the sale of W&C’s heavy duty tractors. Bel-Mar claimed that the agreement was breached when Taylor Machinery Works (Taylor) was given permission to sell the heavy duty tractors in certain parts of Mississippi. The case was tried before a jury. The jury awarded Bel-Mar $19,500 in damages. Subsequently, W&C moved for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict. The Trial Court sustained the motion, holding…