SECOND DI VI SI ON

M I LLER, P. J.

, DOYLE, P. J.

, and REESE, J.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

Febr uar y 28, 2018



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 7 A2 10 2

. LEGACY ACADEM Y, INC. v

. DOLES-SM ITH ENTERPRISES, INC.

R E E S E

, J u d g e.

Th i s ap p eal ari s es fro m an ad v ers e ru l i n g o n Leg acy Acad em y , I n c

. ’s cl ai m

ag ai n s t i t s fran ch i s ee, Do l es -Sm i t h En t erp ri s es , In c. (“ DSE”), fo r u n p ai d ro y al t y an d

ad v ert i s in g fees

. Th e t ri al co u rt co n d u ct ed a b en ch t ri al an d ru l ed t hat Leg acy ’ s cl ai m

was b arred b y t h e d o ct ri n e o f res ju di cat a. T h i s ap peal fo l l o wed

. Fo r th e reas o n s s et

fo rt h, i nfra, we affi rm

.

Vi ewed i n t h e l ig h t m o s t fav orab l e t o th e t ri al co u rt ’ s fi n d i n g s o f fact

, 1 t h e

ev i d en ce s ho ws t hat Leg acy i s a fran ch i s o r of ch i l d d ay care cen t e r s , an d it en t ered

1 See Rea l t

y Len d er s v. Levi n e , 2 8 6 Ga. Ap p

. 3 26

, 3 26 -3 2 7 (6 4 9 SE2 d 3 3 3 ) (2 0 0 7).i n t o a 2 5 -y ear fran ch i s e ag reem en t wi th DSE i n No v em b er 20 0 6

. 2 In ad d i t i o n t o fu nd s

p ai d u p -fro n t t o Leg acy b y D SE fo r t he fran ch is e, s t art -u p as s is t an ce, et c., t h e

ag r e e m e n t r e q ui red DSE to p ay Leg acy fi v e p ercen t o f D SE’ s g ro s s rev en u e each

m o nt h fo r ro y al ty fees an d o n e p ercen t o f g ro s s rev en u e each m o n t h fo r ad v ert i s i n g

fees t hro u g h o u t t h e 2 5 -y ear t erm o f t h e ag reem en t

.

DSE o p erat ed t h e d ay care cen t er i n At lan t a u n t i l A u g u s t 2 0 1 2, w h en i t s en t a

l et t er t o Leg acy s tat i n g t hat it was t erm i n at i n g it s rel at i on s h i p wi t h Leg acy d u e to

Leg acy ’ s f

r a u d u l en t b eh av i o r, Leg acy ’ s lo ss o f es s en t i al p ers o n n el

, an d Leg acy ’ s

“ d es p i cab l e co n du ct ” i n d eal i n g wi t h i t s fran ch i s ees , al l o f wh i ch DSE cl ai m ed h ad

s eri ou s l y i m

p ai red t h e val u e of t h e Leg acy A cad em y b ran d n am e. D SE s t o p p ed

p ay i n g t h e m o n t h ly

ro y al t y an d ad v ert i s i ng fees an d i nfo rm ed L eg acy t h at i t wo u ld

b e rem o v i n g al l s i g n ag e an d o t h er m ark s affi l i at i n g t h e cen ter wi t h Leg acy b y Au g u s t

1 0

. Leg acy co n ced es t h at t hes e act i o n s co n s t it u t ed DSE’ s rep u d i at i o n o f t h e fran ch i s e

ag reem en t

.

2 Ad d it i on al fact s are di scu s s ed i n a prev i o u s ap peal i n a rel at ed s u i t b et ween

t h e p art ies

, Leg a cy Aca demy v. Do les -S m i t h En t er

p r is es , 3 3 7 Ga. Ap p. 5 7 5 (7 8 9

SE2 d 1 9 4) (2 0 1 6) (“

Do l es -S m i t h En t er

p r i s es ”).

2Th e Fi r s t S u i t

In ad d i t i o n t o s en d i n g t h e l et t er t o Leg acy , DSE fi l ed su i t ag ai n s t Leg acy fo r,

i n t er al i a , n eg l i gen t m i s rep res en t at i o n an d vi ol at i o n of fed eral fran ch i s e ru l es (“ t h e

fi rs t s u i t ”). 3 In res p o n s e t o D SE’ s l et t er an d th e fi rs t s u i t

, Leg acy i m m ed iat el y s t o p p ed

p ro v id i n g t o DSE t h e s erv i ces o u tl i n ed i n Sect i on 5 .2 o f t h e fran ch i s e ag reem en t

, as

wel l as an y o t h er as s i st an ce o r s u p p ort L eg acy h ad been p ro v i d i n g s i n ce t h e ex ecu t i o n

o f t h e ag reem e n t

. 4 Leg acy an s wered t h e l aws u i t an d fi l ed a co u nt ercl ai m as s ert i n g

t h at DSE h ad breac h e d t h e ag reem en t

. As a res u l t of t h i s breach

, Leg acy s o u g ht

u n p ai d ro y al t y an d ad v ert i s i ng f e es “ i n an am ou n t t o b e d et erm i n ed at tri al .” 5 Th e

co u nt ercl ai m al s o st at ed t h a t t h e f ran ch i s e ag reem en t w as effect i v e fo r 25 y ears ,

3 See i d . at 5 7 7 -5 7 8

.

4 It i s u n d i s p u t ed th at

, am o n g o t h er t h i n gs , Leg acy d el et ed i n fo rm at i o n ab o ut

D S E ’s d ay care cen t er fro m t h e fran ch i se’ s m ai n w eb s i t e; s t o p p ed h os t i n g DSE ’s

web si t e; can cel l ed D SE’ s fran ch i s e-p ro v i d e d e-m ai l ad dres s ; s t o p p ed s en d i n g

n ews l et t ers , cu rri cu l u m u p d at es , an d o t h er m an ag em en t in fo rm at i o n t o DSE; s t o p p ed

p erfo rm i n g t each er t rai n i n g ; s t o p p e d n o t i fy i ng DSE o f fran ch i s e m an ag em en t an d

ed u cat i o n al m eet in gs ; a n d s t o p p ed p erfo rm i n g p eri od i c i ns p ect io n s an d q u art erl y

au d it s

.

5 Becau s e t he o n l y p art o f t h e fi rs t s u i t t h at i s rel ev an t t o t h e i ns t an t cas e i s t h e

co u nt ercl ai m fo r u np ai d fees

, t h ere i s n o n eed t o ad d res s t h e rem ai n d er o f t h e

co m p l ai n t o r co u n tercl ai m i n t h e fi rs t s u i t

, t h e c o u rt ’ s ju d g m en t t h ereo n, o r t h i s Co u rt ’ s ru l i n g o n t h o se i s su es o n ap p eal

.

3b eg in n i n g i n No v em b er 2 00 6

, an d t h at it w as seek i n g a n award o f “ al l s u m s o wed

u n d er t h e Fran ch i se Ag reem en t

, i n cl u d i n g al l un p ai d Ro y al ty an d [Ad v ert i s i n g ]

Fees [.] ”

Su b s eq uen t l y , i n a res p o n s e t o a m o t i o n t o co m p el fi l e d b y DSE, Leg acy

as s ert ed t h at t h e i n fo rm at i o n s o ug h t b y D SE was o n l y rel ev an t t o “ Leg acy ’ s cl ai m fo r

f u t u r e d a ma g es

, wh i ch wi l l o n l

y b e an is s u e wh en a nd i

f t h i s ma t t er g o es t o t r i a l

. ” 6

An d

, i n a p ro p o s ed p re-t ri al o rd er, Leg acy cl ari fi ed t h e d a m a g es it was s eek i n g,

s t at i n g t h at

, as a res u l t o f DSE’ s d efau l t an d b reach of t h e fran ch i s e ag reem en t

, “ DSE

o w e s t o L e g acy Acad em y an am o u n t t o be p ro v en at t ri al (fo r b o t h ro y al t y an d

ad v ert i s in g fees ) b o t h t o d a t e a n d t h r o ug h t h e t er m o

f t h e Ag reemen t [.] ” 7

On No v em

b er 2 0

, 2 0 14

, h o wev er, aft er t h e fi l i ng o f Leg acy ’ s co u n t ercl ai m in

t h e fi rs t s ui t

, bu t b efo re t he ju ry t ri al

, t h i s Co u rt i s s u ed an o pi ni o n i n Leg acy

Aca demy, In c. v. JLK, In c ., 8 a sep arat e, b u t s i m i l ar, b reach -o f-co n t ract cas e i nv o l v i n g

Leg acy an d a di fferen t fran ch is ee. As i n t h e i n s t an t cas e, t h e fran ch i s ee, J L K, s en t

6 (Em p h as i s s u p pl i ed .)

7 (Em p h as i s s u pp l i ed

. ) Fo r reas o n s th at are n o t ap p aren t

, n ei t h er p art y fi l ed t h e

p ro p os ed p re-t ri al o rd er i n t h e t ri al co u rt

.

8 3 3 0 Ga. Ap p . 3 9 7 (7 6 5 SE2 d 4 7 2 ) (2 0 1 4 ).

4Leg acy a l et t er s t at in g t h at JLK was term i n at i ng t h e fran ch i s e ag reem e n t

. 9 I n

res p o n s e, Leg acy

s t o p ped co m

m u n i cat i n g wi t h o r p ro v i d i n g s erv ices t o J LK, an d i t

s u ed J LK fo r un p ai d ro y al t y an d ad v ert i s i n g fees fo r p rev io u s m o n t h s , as wel l a s

u n a ccru ed fees t hat wo u l d hav e b een d u e fro m J LK in t he fu tu re, i .e, fo r t h e

rem ai n d er o f t h e 2 0 -y ear ag reem en t

. 1 0 Fo l lo wi n g a b en ch t ri al

, t h e co urt en t ered

ju d g m en t fo r $ 9

, 7 2 9 i n fav o r o f Leg acy fo r pas t u n p ai d ro y al t y fees (p lu s i n t eres t an d

at t o rn ey fees ), b u t n o t h i n g o n t h e cl ai m s fo r t h e fu tu re, u n accru ed ro y al t y an d

ad v ert i s in g fees

. 1 1 On ap peal

, t h i s C o u r t ru l ed t h at

, ev en th o u g h Leg acy was

au t h o ri zed t o p u rs u e it s cl ai m fo r t h e fu t u re ro y al ty an d ad v ert i s i n g fees i n t h at s u i t

, 1 2

Leg acy had fai led t o p res en t s u ffi ci en t co m p et en t ev i d en ce at t ri al t o p ro v e t h e v al u e

o f t h e ro y al t y fees

. 1 3 Co ns eq u en t l y , u n der t h e do ct ri n e o f res ju d i cat a, 1 4 Leg acy was

p erm an en t l y p recl u d ed fro m reco v eri n g t h e fu t u re, u n accru ed ro y al t y fees

.

9 Id . at 3 9 8

.

1 0 Id . at 39 7 -3 9 8

.

1 1 Id

.

1 2 Id . at 39 8 -4 0 2 (1 ), 4 0 6 (3 ).

1 3 Id

. at 4 0 2 -4 0 5 (2 ). Th i s Co u rt rem an ded th e cl ai m fo r fu t u re ad v ert i s i n g fees

b ack to t h e t ri al co u rt . Id . at 4 0 6 (3 ).

1 4 See g en eral l y

Di v i si o n 2 , i n fra.

5Th en , i n Feb ru ary 2 0 1 5

, ab o u t t h ree m o n t h s aft er t h i s d eci s i o n was i s s u ed

, t h e

ju ry t ri al o n t h e fi rs t s u it i n th e i n s t an t cas e co m m en ced

. On t h e fi rs t d ay o f t ri al

,

Leg acy ab ru p t ly ab an d o ned i t s cl ai m ag ai n s t DSE fo r t h e ro y al t y an d ad v ert i s i n g fees

t h at wo ul d hav e b eco m e d u e u n d er t h e fran ch i s e ag reem en t fro m J a n u ary 2 0 1 5

t h ro u g h No v em

b er 2 03 1 (h erei n aft er, “ fu t u re fees ”). Leg acy an n o u n ced fo r t h e fi rs t

t i m e t hat i t was n o t s eek i n g t h o s e fu t u r e f ees b u t

, i n s t ead

, w as o n l y seek i n g u n p ai d

fees fro m Au g u s t 2 0 12 t h ro u g h Decem b er 2 01 4

. Leg acy ’ s co u n s el a d d e d : “ I ju s t

wan ted t o m a k e s u r e [t h i s d eci s i o n ] was on t h e reco rd b ecau se i t m ay s erv e [s i c]

i m p o rt an t l at er.”

F o l l o wi n g t h e ju ry t ri al o n t h e fi rs t s ui t

, t h e co u rt i s s u ed a ju d g m en t i n f a v o r

o f DSE o n i t s m i s rep res en t at io n an d n eg l i g en ce cl ai m s an d i n fav o r o f Leg acy o n i t s

co u nt ercl ai m

. 1 5 Leg acy ap p eal ed th e ju dg m en t to t h i s Co u rt

, an d DSE cro s s

ap p eal ed

. 1 6

Th e S eco n d S ui t

In M ay 2 0 1 5

, w h i le t ho s e ap p eal s were s ti l l pen d in g , Leg acy fi l ed th e i n s t an t

s u i t ag ai n s t DSE (“ th e s eco nd s u i t”), cl ai m i n g t h at DSE h ad b reach ed t he fran ch i s e

1 5 Do l es -S mi t h En t er

p

. , 3 3 7 Ga. Ap p . at 5 7 5

.

1 6 Id . at 57 5 -5 7 6

.

6ag reem en t by fai l i n g t o p ay ro y al t y an d ad vert i s in g fees fo r t wo m o n th s , J an u ary an d

Feb ru ary 2 0 1 5

, an d s eek i n g t h o se fees

, p l u s 1 8 percen t i n t eres t

, a $ 2 0 0 ad m in i s t rat i v e

fee, an d at t o rn ey fees

. In res p o ns e, DSE arg u ed

, i n t er al ia, th at t h e cl ai m w as b arred

b y res ju d i cat a. Fu rt h er, in a m o t i on fo r p art i al su m m ary ju d g m en t, DSE arg u ed t h at

Leg acy ’ s cl ai m fo r b reach o f t h e Fran ch i s e Ag reem en t i n t h i s act i o n wi l l

i n ev it ab l y b e b arred by res ju d i cat a. DSE an t i ci p at o ri l y rep u d i a t e d th e

Fran ch i se A greem en t

. Le g a c y res p o n ded b y el ect i ng t o treat t hat

rep u di at i o n as an i m m e d i at e b reach t h at s u s p en d ed i t s reci pro cal

p erfo rm an ce ob l i g at i on s and a c c e l e r a te d D S E ’ s futu r e ob l i g at i on s t o p ay

ro y al t y an d a d v e r t i s i n g fees t o Leg acy

. In deed

, L eg acy s u ed DSE fo r

s u ch fu t u r e dam ag es i n t h e [fi rs t s u i t]

. W h i l e Leg acy a b a n d o n e d i t s

p raye r fo r t h o se [fu t ure] d am ag es t h e m orn i n g o f t h e t ri al in th e [fi rs t

s u i t ]

, th is i s s u e p l ai nl y co u l d h av e b een l i t i g at ed in t h e [fi rs t s u it ]

. A s a

res u lt

, o nce th e p en d in g ap p eal s are d eci d ed

– n o m at t er th e o u tco m e

–

res ju d i cat a wi l l at t ach an d b ar Leg acy ’ s cl ai m fo r u n p ai d ro y al t y an d

ad v ert i s i n g fees i n t h i s act i o n

. 1 7

Th e t ri al co u rt d en i ed DSE’ s m o t i o n fo r p art i al su m m ary ju dg m en t

, h o wev er, ru l i n g

t h at “ [t ] h ere ex i s t s a q u es t i o n o f m at eri al fact as t o [Leg acy ’ s ] ch o ice o f rem ed y wh en

[DSE] an t i ci p at ori l y

rep u d i at ed t h e [fran ch i s e ag reem en t ]

. ”

1 7 (Em p has is i n o ri g i n al .)

7In M arch 2 01 7

, th e co u rt co nd u ct ed a b en ch t ri al o n Leg acy ’ s s u i t fo r u n p ai d

fees fro m J an u ary an d Feb ru ary 2 0 1 5

. At t h e co n cl u s i on o f t he t ri al

, t h e co u rt fo u n d

t h at DSE’ s 2 0 1 2 act i o n s in n o t i fy i n g L eg acy t h at i t w a s t e r m i n at i n g t he co n t ract

,

rem o v in g Leg acy s i g n ag e, et c., an d t hen fi l i n g s u i t ag ai n st Leg acy co n st it u t ed DSE’ s

a n t i c i p at ory rep u d i at i o n o f t h e fran ch i s e ag reem en t

. Th e co u rt al s o fo u n d t h at

, i n

res p o n s e t o DSE’ s act i o n s, Leg acy s t o p p ed p ro v i di n g DSE wi t h an y s erv i ces u n d er

t h e ag reem en t an d co n cl u d ed t hat

, u n d er th e t o t al i t y o f t h e ci rcu m s t an ces , Leg acy h ad

accep t ed D S E’s a ct i o n s as a b reach o f t h e en t i re 2 5 -y ear co nt ract

. Co n s eq u en t l y ,

acco rd i n g t o t he co u rt

, wh en Leg acy fi l ed a co u n t ercl ai m f o r d a m a g e s fro m t h at

b reach i n t h e fi rs t s u i t

, t h at co u nt ercl ai m was fo r a b reach o f t h e en t ire ag reem en t an d

t h ere was “ n o t h i n g l eft aft er t h at l aws u it t o s u e u n d er.” As a res u lt

, t he co u rt ru l ed

t h at Leg acy ’ s cl ai m i n t h e s eco n d s ui t was barred b y t h e d o ct ri ne o f res j u d icat a. Th i s

ap p eal fo l l o w ed

.

“ Ap p eal s fro m b en ch t ri al s , wh ere t h e t ri al ju d g e si t s as t h e t ri er o f fact an d h as

t h e o p p o rt u n i t y t o as s es s t h e cred i b i l i ty o f t h e wi tn es s es , are rev i ewed u n d er t h e

cl earl y erro n eo u s s t an d ard

. An d we wi l l no t d is t urb a t ri al co u rt ’ s fi n d i n g s i f t h ere i s

8an y ev i d en ce t o su p po rt th em .” 1 8 W i t h t h es e g u i d i ng p ri n ci p l es i n m i n d

, we t u rn n o w

t o Leg acy ’ s s p eci fi c cl ai m s o f erro r.

Leg acy co n t en d s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred in fi n d i n g as a m at t er o f fact t h at i t

h ad accep t ed DSE’ s rep u d i at i o n o f t h e fran ch is e ag reem en t an d t h at i t h ad el ect ed to

t reat t he rep u d iat i o n as a b reach o f th e en ti re ag reem en t. It arg ues t h at

, as a res u l t

, t h e

co u rt erred in d en y i n g i t s m ot i o n fo r a d i rect ed v erd i ct 1 9 as t o DSE’ s res j u d i cat a

d efen s e.

1

. “ Th e an t ici p at ory rep u d i at i o n o f a co n t ract o ccu rs wh en o n e p art y t h eret o

rep u d i at es h i s co n t ract u al o b li gat i o n t o p erfo rm p ri or t o t h e t i m e su ch p erfo rm an ce

1 8 Al l en v. S

a n t a n a , 3 0 3 Ga. Ap p

. 8 4 4

, 8 4 5 (6 95 SE2 d 3 1 4) (2 0 1 0 ) (p u n ct u at i o n

an d fo ot n o t e o m i tt ed ).

1 9 In i t s b ri ef, Leg acy refers t o i t s m o t i o n fo r a d i rect ed v erd i ct as a “ req u es t fo r i n v o l u n t ary

d i s m i s sal ,” ci ti ng Ma g n u s Ho mes v. DeRo s a , 2 48 Ga. Ap p

. 31 (1 ), n . 2 (5 4 5 SE2 d 1 66 ) (2 0 0 1 ) (“ In a b en ch t ri al

, wh ere t h ere is n o v erd i ct b y a ju ry , a m o t i o n fo r d i rect ed v erd i ct i s t reat ed as a req u es t fo r in v o l u n t ary d i s m i s s a l u n d er OCGA §

9 -1 1 -4 1 (b ).”) (ci t at i o n o m i tt ed ). In Ma gn u s Ho m e s , h o wev er, th e m o van t fo r a d i rect ed v erd i ct was t h e d efen d an t

, wh o s o u g h t ju d g m en t as a m a t t e r of l aw o n t h e

p l ai n t i ff’ s cl ai m s ag ai n s t i t

. Id

. at 3 1 (1 ). Th u s, a d i rect ed v erd i ct i n fav or o f t h e d efen d an t w o u l d h av e h ad es s en t i al l y t h e s am e effect as an i nv o l u n t ary di s m i s s al o f

t h e pl ai n t i ff’ s cl ai m s

. In c o n t r a s t

, i n t h is cas e, Leg acy w as t h e p lai n ti ff s eek i n g a d i rect ed v erd i ct o n i t s cl ai m s ag ai n s t DSE

– n o t t h e i n v o l u n t ary d i s m i s s al o f i t s cl ai m s

.

9i s req u i red un d er t h e t erm s o f t he co n t ract .” 2 0 Th e rep u d i at i on m u st ap p l y t o t h e en t i re

co n tract an d m

u s t i n cl u d e an u n q u al i fi ed refu s al t o fu l fi l l an y fu tu re o b l ig at io n s u n d er

t h e co n t ract

. 2 1 “ It i s o rd i nari l y a q u es t i o n fo r t h e t ri er o f fact as t o wh et h er a p art y to

a co n t ract en g ag ed i n co n d uct s u ffi ci en t t o g i v e ri se t o a rep u d i at i on o f t h e co n t ract

an d am ou n t to an an t i ci p at o ry b reach .” 2 2 Here, as Leg acy co n ced es , t h ere was m o re

t h an s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t o su p po rt t h e co u rt ’ s fi n d in g th at DSE’ s act i o n s i n Au g u s t

2 0 1 2 co n s ti t u t ed an u n q u al ifi ed an t i ci p at o ry rep ud i at i o n o f th e en t i re fran ch i s e

ag reem en t

.

W h en p r e s e n t e d wi t h DSE’ s rep ud i at io n o f t h e ag reem en t

, Leg acy h ad to

ch o os e fro m th ree o p t i o n s as t o h o w i t was g oi n g t o res po n d

. It co ul d (1 ) res ci n d t h e

co n tract al t o g et h er an d

, i f i t h ad al read y ren d ered an y p erfo rm an ce u nd er t h e co n t ract

,

reco v er i t s v al u e o n p ri n ci pl es o f q u as i -co n t ract ; (2 ) treat t h e rep ud i at i o n as a b reach

o f t h e en t i re ag reem en t an d b ri ng an act i on fo r d am ag es ; o r (3 ) co n t i nu e t o fu l fi l l i t s

o b l i g at i o ns u n der t h e ag reem en t wh i l e wai t i n g fo r th e t i m e fo r p erfo r m a n c e o f t h e

2 0 La yer v. Cl i p p er Pet r o leu m , 3 19 Ga. Ap p

. 41 0

, 41 6 (2 ) (7 35 SE2 d 6 5 ) (2 0 1 2 ) (ci t at i o n an d p u nct u at io n o m i t ted ).

2 1 See i d

.

2 2 Id . at 41 6 -4 1 7 (2 ) (ci t at i o n o m i t t ed ).

10c o n t r act an d t h en b ri n g s ui t aft er t h e t i m e h as arri v ed

. 2 3 If Leg acy ch o s e ei t h e r t h e

fi rs t o r s eco n d o p ti o n , i t w o u l d h av e b een rel iev ed o f i t s o b l i g at i o n t o co n t i n u e

p erfo rm i n g u nd er t h e fran ch i s e ag reem en t , b u t i f i t ch os e t h e t h i rd o p t i o n , i t wo u l d

b e req ui red t o c o n t i n u e p erfo rm i n g u n d er t he ag reem en t, reg ard les s wh et h er DSE

fu l fi l l ed i t s o b l i gat i o n s

. 2 4

As s h o wn ab o v e, i t i s u nd i s pu t ed th at Leg acy d i d n o t s e e k r e s c i s s i o n o f t h e

ag reem en t u nd er t h e fi rs t o p t i o n

. It i s al s o u n d i s p u t ed t h at

, aft er recei v i n g DSE’ s

2 3 Pi ed mo n t Li f e In s

. Co

. v. Bel l

, 1 0 3 Ga. Ap p

. 2 2 5

, 23 4 -2 35 (3 ) (1 1 9 SE2 d 6 3 ) (1 9 6 1).

2 4 S e e C o n cr et e Ma t er i a l s o f Ga

. v. S mi t h & Pl a s t er Co

. , 1 2 7 Ga. Ap p

. 8 1 7,

8 2 5 (5 ) (1 9 5 SE2 d 2 1 9 ) (1 9 7 3) (“ [W ] here, i n a co nt i n u i ng co n t ract

, on e s i d e refu s es

t o p erfo rm , t h e o t h e r m a y a c cep t t h e t en d er o f t h e b reach of co n tract

, refu s e to

p erfo rm fu rt h er an d s u e fo r d am ag es , b u t if h e d o es n o t d o so t h e co n t ract co n t i n u es i n effect as t o t h e o b l i g at i o n s o f b o t h p art i es .”) (ci t at io n o m it t ed ).

To t h e ex t e n t L e g a c y rel i es o n d i ct a fro m t h i s Co u rt ’ s ru l i n g i n Ni ka s v. Hi n dl ey , 9 8 Ga. Ap p

. 4 3 7

, 4 4 1 (1 0 6 SE2 d 3 3 5 ) (1 95 8 ), fo r th e p ro p o s i t i o n t h at i t was

co m p l et el y ex cu s ed fro m p erfo rm i n g o n ce DSE rep u d i at ed t h e ag reem en t

, t h e reco rd

s h o ws t h at Leg acy fai l ed t o rai s e t h i s arg um en t o r ci t e to th i s au t h o ri t y i n t h e t ri al

co u rt

. Co n s eq u en t l y , p ret erm i t t i n g w het h er t h e arg um en t h ad m eri t

, i t was wai v ed

. See Ci t y of Da l t o n v. S

mi t h

, 2 1 0 Ga. Ap p

. 8 5 8

, 8 5 9 (1 ) (4 3 7 SE2 d 8 2 7 ) (1 9 9 3 ) (“ [O] n

ap p eal o n l y i s s u es p ro p erl y rai s ed b efo re t h e t r i a l co u rt wi l l b e co ns i d ered .”) (ci t at i o n s an d pu n ct u at io n om i tt ed ); s ee al s o Ma gn u s Ho mes , 2 4 8 Ga. A p p

. at 3 3 (2 ) (“ A m o ti o n fo r d i rect ed v erd i ct s h al l s t at e th e s p eci fi c g ro u nd s t h erefo r. By t h e g reat
wei g h t o f au th o ri t y , o n e ap p eal i n g th e d en i al of a m o t i o n fo r di rect ed v erd i ct m ay n ot
rai s e fo r t h e fi rs t ti m e o n ap p eal a g ro u n d n o t s p eci fi ca l l y r a i s e d i n t h e o ri g i n al

m o ti o n

. ”) (p u n ct u at i on an d fo o t n o t es o m i t t ed ).

11Au g u s t 2 0 1 2 rep u d i at i o n let t er, Leg acy to o k n u m ero u s affi rm at i v e act i on s t o s ev er

t i es wi t h DSE, s u ch as rem o v i n g DSE’s i n f o rm at io n fro m t h e fran ch is e web s i t e,

can cel l i ng D SE’ s web s i t e an d e-m ai l ad d res s , an d d i s co n t i n u i n g req u i red i n s p ect i on s

an d s t aff t rai n i n g; i n fact

, Leg acy s t op p ed co m m u n i cat i n g wi th DSE co m

p let el y aft er

Au g u s t 20 12

. T h u s , Leg acy ’ s co m p l et e fai lu re t o p erfo rm u nd er th e ag reem en t aft er

Au g u s t 2 0 1 2 fo recl os es Leg acy ’ s arg u m en t t h at i t ch o se t h e t h ird o p t io n

.

Reg ard i n g t h e s e c o n d o p t i o n , Leg acy arg u es t h at t h ere was n o ev i d en ce to

s u p p ort t he co u rt ’ s fi n d i n g th at i t h ad accep ted DSE’ s rep u d i at io n o f t h e ag reem en t

.

Acco rd in g t o L e g a c y , i n o rd er t o fi n d t h at i t accep t ed DSE’ s rep u d i at i on o f t h e

ag reem en t

, i t was req u i red t o d o s o m e affi rm at i v e act i o n m an i fes ti n g s uch ch o i ce, fo r

e x a m p l e , n o t ify i ng DSE o f it s d eci s i on

. 2 5 Al t h o u g h Leg acy cl ai m s it t o o k n o

affi rm at i v e act io n s i n res po n s e to DSE’ s A u g u s t 2 0 1 2 let t er an d laws u i t

, t h e ev i d en ce

ci t ed ab o v e d em o n s t rat es t h at t h i s arg u m en t l ack s m eri t

.

2 5 See, e.g ., Tr u ma n L. Fl a t t & c

. v

. S c h u p f

, 6 49 NE2 d 9 9 0

, 9 9 6 (Il l

. Ct

. Ap p. 1 9 9 5 ) (“ [W ] h ere t h e ag g ri ev ed p art y h as n o t ot h erwi s e u n derg o n e a m at eri al ch an g e i n p o s i t i o n , t h e ag g ri ev ed p art y m u s t i n d i ca t e to t h e o t h er pa r ty i t i s el ect i n g t o t reat

t h e co n t ract as res ci n d ed

. Th is can b e acco m p l i s hed ei t h er b y b r i n g in g s u i t

, by

n o t i fy i n g t h e rep u d iat i n g p art y , o r b y i n s o m e o t h er way m a n i f e s t i n g an el ect i o n to

t reat t h e co n t ract as res ci n d ed .”) (em p h as is i n o ri g i n al ).

12M o reo v er, t h e fact t h at Leg acy g av e n o t ice o n t h e fi rs t d ay o f t ri al in t h e fi rs t

s u i t t h at i t was n o t g o i n g t o p u rs u e t h e fu t u re fees d o es n o t m ean t h at Leg acy co u ld

rev ers e o r d i s reg ard i t s co m pl et e fai lu re t o p erfo rm u n der t h e ag reem en t b et we en

Au g u s t 2 0 1 2 an d t h e Feb ru ary 20 1 5 t ri al

. Hav i n g ch o s en t h e o p t io n o f t reat i n g DSE’ s

l et t er as a rep u d i at io n o f t h e en t i re ag reem en t an d a c t i n g acco rd i n g l y fo r t wo -an d

o n e-h al f y ears , L e g a c y was n o t en t i t l ed t o s u d d en l y rev ers e co u rs e an d el ect a

d i fferen t o p t i o n i m

m ed i at el y p ri o r t o t ri al wh en i t b ecam e ap p aren t th at i t m i g h t n ot

b e ab le t o p ro v e i t s cl ai m fo r t h e fu t u re fees at t ri al

. 2 6

2 6 See g en eral ly G a

. Po wer Co

. v. Fo u n ta i n , 2 07 G a. 3 6 1

, 3 6 5 (6 1 SE2 d 4 5 4 ) (1 9 5 0) (“ Es t o p p el by el ect i on res u l t s w h e r e a ch o i ce is ex erci s ed b et ween i n co n s i s t en t rem ed ies

. Th e el ect i o n an d p ro s ecu t i on o f an av ai l ab l e rem ed y i s a b ar

t o t he p u rs u i t l at er of an i n co n s is t en t o n e.”) (ci t at i o ns o m it t ed ); Pet er so n v. Lo t t

, 2 0 0

G a

. 3 90

, 3 9 3-3 9 4 (2 ) (3 7 SE2 d 3 5 8 ) (1 9 4 6 ) (“ W ai v er b y el ect i o n res u l t s w h e r e a ch o ice is ex erci s ed b et ween i n co n s i s t en t rem ed i es ; an d i n s u ch a cas e an y d eci s i v e

act o f affi rm an ce o r d i s affi rm an ce, d o n e w i t h k n o wl ed ge o f t h e fact s , d et erm i n es t h e ri gh t o f t h e p a r t y o n ce an d fo r al l.

. . . It has b een sai d t h at t h e s o -cal l ed

‘ in co n s i st en cy

o f rem ed i es ’ i s i n real i t y n o t an i n co n s i s t en cy b e t w e e n t h e rem ed i es

t h em s el v es , b u t m

u s t b e t ak en t o m ean t h at a cert ai n s t at e o f fact s , rel ie d o n a s t h e b as i s o f a cert ai n rem ed y , i s i nco n s i s t en t wi th an d rep u g n an t t o an o t her st at e o f fact s rel i ed o n as t h e b as i s o f an o t h er rem ed y

. If a p art y , t h erefo re, i n v o k es a rem ed y

ap p ro p ri at e t o a cert ai n s t at e o f f a c t s , an d an o t h er rem ed y ex i st s ap p ro p ri at e t o a d i fferen t s t at e o f fact s , h is in v o cat i o n o f t he fi rs t rem ed y is an el ect io n

. Two rem ed i es

are in co ns is t en t

, if t he as sert i o n o f on e i n v o l v es th e neg at i o n o r rep u d i at i o n o f t h e

o t h er.”) (ci t at i o n s o m i t t ed ).

13Co n seq u en t l y , g i v en t h e u n d i s p u t ed ev i d en ce o f Leg acy ’ s act i o n s aft er

r e c e iving DSE’ s Au g u s t 2 01 2 l et t er, co m b i n ed wi t h ev i d en ce t

ha t L e ga c y c onsiste ntly

s o u g ht bo t h p as t an d fu t u re ro y al t y an d ad v ert i s i n g fees i n t h e fi rs t s u i t u p u n t i l t h e

fi rs t day o f t ri al

, th e t ri al co u rt ’ s fi n d in g t h at Leg acy ch o s e t h e s eco nd o p t i o n , i

. e.,

el ect in g t o t reat DSE’ s rep u d iat i o n as a b reach o f t he en ti re fran ch i s e ag reem en t , i s

n o t cl earl y erro n eo u s

. 2 7 It fo l l o ws t h at

, h av i n g accep t ed DSE’ s an t i ci p at o ry b reach o f

t h e en t i re ag re e m e n t

, L e g acy w as ab l e t o i m m ed i at el y su e to reco v er d am ag es fo r

s u ch breach , i n cl u d i n g t h e p res en t v al u e o f t h e fu t u re fees

. 2 8

2

. L eg acy arg u es , h o wev er, th at i t d i d n o t ex p l ici t l y s eek t o reco v er t h e fu t u re

fees i n i t s co un t ercl ai m t o th e fi rs t s u i t, so t h e t ri al co urt erred i n fi n d i n g t h at t h e

cl ai m s i n t h e s eco n d s u i t were b arred b y t h e d o ct ri n e o f res ju d i cat a. W e d i s ag ree.

Th e d o ct ri n e o f res ju d i c a t a is co d ifi ed i n OCGA § 9 -1 2 -4 0

, wh i ch p ro v i des t h at “ [a] ju d gm en t o f a co u rt o f co m p et en t ju ri s d i ct i o n

2 7 See Al l en , 3 0 3 Ga. Ap p . at 8 4 5 (A t ri al co u rt ’ s fi n d i n g s o f fact fo l l o wi n g a b en ch t ri al wi l l b e affi rm ed i f t h ey are s u p po rt ed b y

an y ev i d en ce.).

2 8 See JLK

, 3 3 0 Ga. Ap p . at 4 02 (1 ) (fi nd i ng t h at Leg acy was en t i t l ed t o s eek

reco v ery o f l o s t fu t u re ro y al t ies t h at i t wo u l d h av e recei v ed i f J LK’ s b reach h ad n ot

p ro m p t ed Leg acy ’ s t erm i n at i o n o f t h e fran ch is e ag reem en t p ri or t o t h e co m p l et i o n o f

t h e ag reem en t ’ s o ri g i n al 2 0 -y ear t erm ); s ee al s o Text i l e Ru b b er & c. v. Th er mo -Fl ex Tech

. , 3 0 8 Ga. A p p

. 8 9

, 9 4 (1 ) (a) (7 0 6 SE2 d 72 8 ) (2 01 1 ); Pa r ker v. Ki ng , 6 8 Ga. Ap p . 6 7 2 , 6 7 5 (2 3 SE2 d 5 7 5 ) (1 9 4 2 ).

14s h al l b e co n cl u s iv e b et ween t he s am e p art i es an d t hei r p ri v i es as t o al l

m at t ers p u t in i s s u e o r w h i ch u n d er t h e ru l es o f l aw m i g h t h av e b een p u t

i n i s s u e i n t he cau s e wh erei n t h e ju dg m en t was ren d ered u n t i l th e ju d g m en t is rev ers ed o r set as i d e.” Res ju d i cat a p rev en t s p l ai n t i ffs fro m

as s ert i ng cl ai m s ari s in g fro m t he s am e t r a n sact io n p i ecem eal o r

p r e s e n t i n g o n l y a p ort io n o f t he g ro un d s o n wh i ch rel i ef i s s o ug h t an d

l eav in g th e res t f

o r a s eco n d s u it i f t h e fi rs t fai l s

. Th ree p rereq u i s i t es

m u s t b e s at i s fi ed b efo re res ju d i cat a ap p l i es -- (1 ) i d en t i t y o f t h e cau s e

o f act i o n , (2 ) i d en t i t y o f t h e part i es o r t h ei r p ri v ies

, an d (3 ) p rev i o u s

ad ju di cat i o n o n t h e m eri t s b y a co u rt o f co m

p et en t ju ri sd i ct i o n

. 2 9

Here, t h e p art i es i n t h e fi rs t s u i t are o b v io us l y t h e s am e as i n t h e seco n d s u i t

,

an d n ei t h er p art y d i sp u t es t h at t h e fi rs t s u it was d eci d ed i n a co u rt o f co m p et en t

ju ri s d i ct i o n

. Th erefo re, t h e o nl y rem ai n i n g i ss u es are wh et h er t h ere i s i d en t i t y o f t h e

cau s e o f act i o n i n b o th cas es , an d wh et h er t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s ju d g m en t i n th e fi rs t s u i t

was a fi n al ad

ju di cat i o n o n t h e m eri ts o f t h e cl ai m s b ro ug h t i n t h at s u i t

.

R e g ard i n g id en t i t y o f th e cau s e o f act i o n , i n t h e s eco n d s u it

, Leg acy s o u g h t

reco v ery o f u n p ai d ro y al ty an d ad v ert i s in g fees t h at h ad been d u e i n J an u ary an d

Feb ru ary 2 0 1 5

. As t h e t ri al co u rt fo u n d

, h o wev er, L eg acy ’ s co u nt ercl ai m i n t h e fi rs t

s u i t was b as ed u p o n DSE’ s b reach o f t h e en t i re ag reem en t

, s o Leg acy co u l d h av e

2 9 At l a n t a J’s v. Ho u s t o n Fo o d s , 2 3 7 Ga. A p p

. 4 1 5 ,4 1 6 -4 1 7 (5 1 4 SE2 d 2 1 6 ) (1 9 9 9) (ci t at i o n s an d p u nct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

15s o u g ht reco v ery o f al l th e fees du e u n d er t h e ag reem en t

– b o th p as t an d fu tu re

– if i t

h ad ch o s en t o d o s o

. 3 0 It fo l l o ws t h at

, becau s e Leg acy co ul d h av e ob t ai n ed a ju d g m en t

o n th es e cl ai m s i n th e fi rs t su i t, 3 1 t here i s an i d en t i t y o f cau s e o f act i o n b et w een t h e

t wo cas es

. 3 2

As t o t h e l as t i s s u e , “ [t ] h e ad ju d i cat io n o n t h e m eri t s m u st co n s t i t u te a fi n al

ju d g m en t u p o n t he m at t er i n q u es t i o n fo r res ju d i cat a to ap p l y

. . . . A ju d g m en t i s fi n al

wh en i t d i s p os es o f t h e en t i re co n t ro v ers y , l eav in g n o t h i n g fo r t h e t ri al co u rt t o d o in

t h e cas e. Th e effect o f a ju d i ci al act an d n ot t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s ch aract eri zat i o n o f i t

d et erm i n es wh et h er i t i s a fi n al ju d g m en t .” 3 3 Ho wev er,

an ad ju d i cat i on on t h e m eri t s do es n o t req u i re t h at t h e l i t ig at i o n s h o u l d

b e d e t erm i n ed o n t h e m eri t s , i n t he m o ral o r ab s tract s en s e o f t h e s e

wo rd s

. It i s s u ffi ci en t t h at t h e s t at u s o f t h e a ct i o n was s u ch t h at th e

3 0 See OCGA § 9-1 2-4 0 (res ju d i cat a ap p l i es t o a fi n al ju d g m en t o n t h e m eri t s

as t o “ al l m at ters p u t i n i s s u e o r wh i ch u n d er th e ru l es o f law m i g h t h av e b een p u t in

i s su e”); s ee al s o Ma

ys v. Ci t y o f Fa i r bu r n , 30 1 Ga. Ap p

. 3 8 6, 3 8 7 (1 ) (6 8 7 SE2 d 5 9 1 ) (2 0 0 9); At l a n t a J’s

, 2 3 7 Ga. Ap p . at 4 1 9 (3 ), (4 ).

3 1 Th i s i s p art icu l arl y t ru e s i n ce, o n t h e f i r s t d a y o f t h e t ri al o n t h e fi rs t s u i t

, Feb ru ary 2 3, 2 01 5

, t h o s e fees were al read y o verd u e u n d er Sect io n s 3 .2 an d 8 .1 o f t h e fran ch i s e ag reem en t an d , t h u s , were n o t “ fu t u re” d am ag es at al l

.

3 2 See At l an t a J’s , 2 3 7 Ga. Ap p . at 4 1 9 (3 ), (4 ).

3 3 Id . at 41 7 , 4 1 8 (2 ) (ci t at i o n an d p un ct u at io n o m it t ed ).

16p art i es m ig h t h av e h ad t h ei r s u i t t h u s d i s p o s ed o f, i f t h ey h ad p ro p erl y

p res en t ed an d m an ag ed th ei r res p ect iv e cas es

. Th u s , i t i s o nl y wh ere th e

m eri t s wer e n o t a n d co u l d no t h a ve b een d et er mi n ed u n d er a p r o p e r

p res en t at i on an d m an ag em en t o f t h e cas e t h at res ju d i cat a i s no t a v i ab l e

d efen s e. If, p u rs uan t t o an ap p r o p r i a te h an d l i n g o f t h e cas e, t h e m eri t s

were o r co u l d h av e b een d et erm i n ed

, t h en t h e d efen s e i s v al i d

. 3 4

In t h i s cas e, ev en if Leg acy ’ s b reach -o f-co n t ract co u nt ercl ai m i n t h e fi rs t s u i t

d i d n o t ex p l ic i t l y s e ek d am ag es fo r t h e fu t u re fees

, Leg acy co u l d h a ve so u g h t s u ch

f ees b as ed u po n DSE’ s rep ud i at i o n of th e en t i re co n t ract

. Th u s , wh en t h e t ri al co u rt

i s su ed a fi n al ju d g m en t i n t h e fi rs t s u i t

, th e co urt d i s p os ed o f t he en t ire cas e p res en t ed

t o i t (i n cl u d in g Leg acy ’ s co un t ercl ai m ), leav i n g n o th i n g fu rt h er fo r th e co u rt to

d eci d e. It fo l l o ws t h at s u ch ju dg m en t co n s ti t ut ed a fi n al ad ju di cat i o n o n t h e m eri t s o f

Leg acy ’ s co u n t ercl ai m

. 3 5

3 4 Id . at 41 8 -4 1 9 (3 ) (ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i on o m i t ted ; em p h as is s u p p l i ed ).

3 5 See id

. at 4 1 8 ( 2 ) ( “ T he o n l y rel i ef req u es t ed by p l ai nt i ff in t h e m ag i s t rat e

co u rt was t h e i s s u an ce o f a wri t o f p o s s es s i o n , an d p l ai nt i ff ex p res s ly d ecl i ned t o s eek ju d g m en t fo r an y am o u n ts d u e u n d er t h e l eas e. Acco rd i n gl y , t h e i ss u an ce o f t h e wri t

o f p os s es s i o n d i s p o s ed o f t h e en t i re cas e i n m ag i s t rat e co u rt

, l eav i n g n o t h in g fu rt h er fo r t h e co u rt t o d o. As s u ch

, t h e wri t co n st i t u t ed a fi n al ju d g m en t i n t h e d i s po s s es s o ry

act i on .”) (ci t at i o ns o m i t ted ); see al so Ma ys , 3 0 1 G a. Ap p

. at 3 8 7 (1 ) (“ It i s ax i o m at i c

t h at t h e s am e i s s u e can n o t b e rel i t i g at ed ad i n fi n i t u m .”) (p u n ct u at io n an d fo o t n o t e

o m it t ed ).

17As a res u lt

, t h e t ri al co u rt d id n o t err i n fi n d in g t h at Leg acy ’ s seco n d s u i t was

b arred b y t h e d o ct ri n e o f res ju d i cat a. 3 6

3

. Fi n al l y , L eg acy arg u es t h at i t i s en t i tl ed to s ue fo r t he fu t ure fees as t h ey

co m e d u e ev ery m o nt h t h ro u g h ou t t h e rem ai ni n g t erm o f t h e ag reem en t, rel y in g u p o n

a cas e i n v o l v i n g a l an d lo rd / ten an t d i s p u t e o v er p as t-d u e ren t

, Execu t i ve F i t n es s

, LLC

v. H ea l ey Bl d g., L.P

. 3 7 Su ch rel i an ce is m is p l aced

, h o wev er, b ecau se, u n l ik e i n t h e

i n s t an t cas e, n ei t h er p art y i n Execu t i ve Fi t n es s h ad rep u d i at ed o r t erm i n at ed t h e l eas e

ag reem en t p ri o r t o t he l an dl o rd ’ s fi rs t s u i t ag ai n s t t h e ren t er fo r p as t -d u e ren t

. 3 8

In s t ead

, th e l an d l o rd co n t i n ue d t o a l l o w t h e ren ter t o rem ai n i n po s ses s i o n o f t h e

r en t al p ro p ert y , an d t h e l an d l ord co nt i nu ed t o accep t ren t an d o th erwi se p er f o r m

3 6 See A t l a n t a J’s

, 2 3 7 Ga. A p p

. at 4 20 (5 ) (“ By el ect i n g t o d i v i d e i t s c l a i m s i n t o t wo s ep arat e act i o n s, an d s eek i n g s ep arat e rel ief in each act i o n, p l ai nt i ff ran t h e ri sk t h at a ju dg m en t i n o n e act io n wo u l d o p erat e as a b ar t o t h e o th er act i o n.”).

3 7 2 9 0 Ga. Ap p

. 61 3

, 61 4 (1 ) (6 6 0 SE2 d 2 6 ) (2 0 0 8 ) (“ W here s ui t is bro u g h t o n

a w ri tt en co n t ract fo r ren t p ay ab l e i n i n s t a l l m e n t s , a reco v ery can n o t b e h ad fo r i n s t al l m en t s fal l i n g d ue aft er t he suit i s co m m en ced

. Each i n s t al l m en t u n d er a co n t ract

co n st i t u t es a d i fferen t cau se o f act i o n o n wh ich an act i o n can b e b ro u g h t

, ev en t h o u g h

al l are p ro v i d ed fo r i n t h e s am e co nt ract .”) (fo o t no t es o m it t ed ).

3 8 Id

. (“ [T] h e l eas e w a s s t i l l i n effect at t h e ti m e th e fi rs t s u i t was

co m m en ced [.] ”).

18u n d er t h e l eas e. 3 9 T h u s , wh en t he ren t er ag ai n fai l ed t o t i m el y p ay ren t fo r s u b s eq u en t

m o nt h s , res j u d icat a d i d n o t p rev en t t h e l an d l ord fro m fi l i n g an ot h er s u i t fo r t h o s e

ren t p ay m en t s

. 4 0 In co nt ras t

, D SE rep u d i at ed t h e fran ch i s e ag reem en t at i s s u e i n t h i s

cas e, an d Leg acy accep t ed t h e rep u d i at i o n an d s ued fo r b reach o f t h e en t i re co n t ract

.

Co n s eq u en t l y , b ecau s e t he fran ch i s e ag reem en t ceas ed t o b e i n effect

, th e h o l d i n g in

Execu t i ve Fi t n es s d o es n o t p ro v i d e au t h ori t y fo r Leg acy t o rep ea t e d l y s u e DSE fo r

fees t hat wo u l d h av e o t herwi s e b eco m e d u e o v er t h e n ex t s ev eral y ears

.

Ju d g men t a f f i r m ed . Mi l l er

, P. J., a n d

Do yl e, P. J., co n cu r

.

3 9 Id . at 61 3 -6 1 4

.

4 0 Id . at 61 4 -6 1 5 (1 ).

19