Schaller Telephone Co. v. Golden Sky Systems, Inc.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER REGARDING DEFENDANTS’ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT

BENNETT, Chief Judge.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION.1074

A. Factual Background.1074

B. Procedural Background.1076

II. LEGAL ANALYSIS.1078

A. Standards For Summary Judgment.1078

B. Schaller’s Breach-Of-Contract Claim.1079

1. Applicable principles of Iowa contract law.1080

a. Existence and terms of an oral contract.1080

b. Negotiations and reduction to writing.1081

i. The Faught decision.1081

ii. Faught’s precursors.1088

2. Did these negotiations ripen into an oral contract?.1085

a. Golden Sky’s intent not to be bound except by…