Reeves v. Alyeska Pipeline Service Co.

OPINION

BRYNER, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

John Reeves developed an idea to build a visitor center at a turnout overlooking the Trans-Alaska Pipeline near Fairbanks. He described his idea to Alyeska's Fairbanks manager, Keith Burke, in return for Burke's promise not to use the idea without allowing Reeves to participate in its implementation. Yet Alyeska subsequently ceased dealing with Reeves and proceeded to build the visitor center on its own. Reeves sued Alyeska, and a jury awarded him damages under various alternative contract and tort theories. The questions presented here center on the…