Opinion ID: 2929114
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: October 19, 1994 Letter from Intamin AG

Text: The October 19, 1994 letter from Patrick Spieldiener specified that magnetic brakes could be used on the Hellevator: “Contrary to previous descriptions INTAMIN is planning to have the braking executed by a newly developed magnetic brake unit which does not physically enter in contact with the vehicles.” Nevertheless, a reasonable attorney could have determined that this letter does not constitute “a commercial offer for sale” of magnetic brakes. Pfaff, 525 U.S. at 67. The language in the letter does not require that magnetic brakes be used on the Hellevator. Rather, Patrick Spieldiener states that Intamin is “planning” to use the magnetic brakes, which implies at least some uncertainty. Because the original contract stated that mechanical brakes would be used, the letter suggests only that Intamin would attempt to replace the mechanical brakes with magnetic ones. MAGNETAR TECHS. V. INTAMIN 13 Moreover, an attorney analyzing all the facts could determine that the original contract to provide mechanical brakes had not been modified by the October 19 letter. The parties do not dispute that Kentucky law applies to the contract because Kentucky is the place of performance, and Kentucky Kingdom is located in that state. Under Kentucky law, a modification is subject to the same requirements as the contract itself; namely, offer, acceptance, and consideration. See Energy Home, Div. of S. Energy Homes, Inc. v. Peay, 406 S.W.3d 828, 834 (Ky. 2013). It is unclear whether the contract modification discussed in the letter was complete. “For the terms [of a modification] to be considered complete they must be ‘definite and certain’ and must set forth the ‘promises of performance to be rendered by each party.’” Id. (quoting Kovacs v. Freeman, 957 S.W.2d 251, 254 (Ky. 1997)). Here, the letter does not refer to the original agreement nor does it clearly state that it is meant as an amendment to the original contract. The alleged modification was signed by Patrick Spieldiener, who did not state he was signing on behalf of Intamin Ltd., the party to the original contract. Patrick Spieldiener was also an officer of Intamin AG. In light of these facts, a reasonable attorney could have concluded that the letter did not modify the original contract, and that Intamin had only contracted to sell mechanical brakes to Magnetar.