Robert Redford's Sundance Partners Sued for Breach of Contract

Hype Creative Agency says it lost its party space after using a small image of Redford in promotional materials.

The lawsuit comes from the Hype Creative Agency, which says it has been doing Sundance festival events for the past five years, has worked with such clients as Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Motorola, and AT&T, and takes credit for bringing Microsoft's Bill Gates to the festival in 2011.

Hype says it had a deal with Sundance Partners, and that as part of the deal, it got to use Zoom as an event space and put in its marketing materials the phrase, "Zoom Restaurant, A Sundance Restaurant owned by Robert Redford."

But using a picture of Redford, who founded the Sundance Film Festival, has caused some troubles. Sundance Partners terminated its contract as a result, and now Hype is suing for significantly harming its marketing business.

Hype alleges in a complaint filed in Salt Lake County court that in September, 2011, it entered into an agreement to use the Zoom restaurant during the 2012 festival, with options to use the space again in 2013 and 2014.

As part of the agreement, Hype says it got "Redford's interest in Zoom as part of Hype Creative's promotional materials."

Hype says that Sundance used the appearance of the image "as a pretext to attempt to renegotiate the Agreement and impose significantly more unfavorable terms on Hype Creative," allegedly wanting to restrict use of Zoom only to 2012 and limit their signage and branding.

Hype is now suing for breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and interference with contractual relations. The marketing company is now seeking $1.5 million in lost profits.

Read More: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/robert-redfords-sundance-partners-sued-413100