Hearst Communications, Inc. v. Seattle Times Co.

*495¶1 We are asked to interpret the Joint Operating Agreement between the two daily metropolitan newspapers serving the greater Seattle area. We are told that our decision could lead to the closing of one of these newspapers. The advantages of having two great newspapers in our state’s largest city, each with an independent editorial and reportorial voice, are numerous and we do not address our task lightly. Our duty, however, is to interpret and apply the law.

Chambers, J.

¶2 The law of contracts is the same whether the parties are two publishing giants fighting for market control or two…