Regency Entertainment etc. v. Worldview Entertainment etc. CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

A film distributor sought to hold a film investment fund and its alleged corporate alter egos liable on a guaranty contract to reimburse the distributor for an advance of distribution costs. After a bench trial, the trial court found the various entity defendants were all alter egos of each other, operating as a “single enterprise,” and concluded that the entire enterprise was liable on the guaranty contract. The alleged alter ego parties appeal the trial court’s judgment and order imposing alter ego liability on them for the guaranty. We conclude substantial evidence supports the trial court’s alter ego finding and affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

A. The Parties and Worldview Entities Plaintiff and respondent Regency Entertainment (USA), Inc. (collectively, with Monarchy Enterprises S.A.R.L, “Regency”) is a film distributor. Defendant and appellant Worldview Entertainment Partners IX, LLC (“Worldview IX”) is a special purpose “film fund” controlled by affiliated entities sharing the “Worldview” name. In addition to Worldview IX, there are three other named Worldview entity defendants and appellants: Worldview Entertainment Holdings LLC (“Worldview LLC”),…