Fury Imports, Inc., Cross v. Shakespeare Company, Cross

LEWIS R. MORGAN, Circuit Judge:

In this diversity suit for tortious inducement to breach a contract, plaintiff Fury Imports, Inc. appeals from a judgment notwithstanding the verdict entered in favor of defendant Shakespeare Company setting aside a jury verdict of $2,946,872.35. Defendant cross-appeals. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

I. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS BELOW.

Although many of the facts and inferences to be drawn from them are hotly disputed, the bare bones of this case are as follows. William Ciaccia designed a new fishing reel called the “Spinmaster” and, in 1969, he incorporated…