Arvin, Inc. v. Sony Corp. of America

Arvin, Incorporated (Arvin), is here on appeal from a decree of the court below which found Arvin guilty of civil contempt, and awarded complainant, Sony Corporation of America (Sony), $1,750 attorneys’ fees. Arvin does not complain of the chancellor’s finding that it was in contempt. It contends, however, (1) that it was improper for the court to award attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party in a civil contempt of court proceeding, and (2) that, even if such an award is permissible, the court cannot do so absent competent evidence upon which to base such a fee.

The evidence shows that on…