The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a judgment against NCSoft in a contract dispute with Richard Garriott. The three-judge panel decision validates an earlier $32 million judgment against NCsoft awarded by a jury, also adding interest and attorney's fees accrued during the trial period.
"NCSoft schemed to avoid its obligations to [Garriott] at the trial court and on appeal, and neither the jury nor the 5th Circuit bought any of it," said Stephen E. Fox, Garriott's lead legal counsel according to Gamasutra. "Contracts have consequences, and as the Court of Appeals explained, the trial court is not a trial run."
The suit between the Ultima designer and NCsoft originated over the distinction between him leaving the company voluntarily or being forced out in late 2008. The difference affected the flexibility of Garriott's stock options with NCsoft; if it was his decision to leave they were valid for only 90 days, but if he was fired they would last until June 2011.
