In Ilshin Investment Co. Ltd. v. Buena Vista Home Entertainment Inc., 2011 DJDAR 6917 (2011), the California Second District Court of Appeal reversed an award of attorney fees. The court ruled that the award was not proper where it lacked the requisite statutory support.

In 1993 an investment company (“Ilshin”) loaned money to a movie producer (“Patriot, Inc.”) to create a film. After completion of the project, Patriot was not able to repay the loan. Subsequently, Patriot entered into an exclusive agreement for the film’s home video distribution with Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. (“Buena Vista”).