COSTCO APPEALS CASE GRANTS BREATHING ROOM

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments last week between Costco and Washington Beer & Wine Wholesalers on whether the court should extend a stay issued by Judge Pechman. Judge Pechman’s stay would have required the Washington legislature to rewrite the state alcohol beverage laws by May 1 after a lower court found the law unconstitutional last year.

Much to the relief of the wholesalers, the appeals court ruled that “the stay of the district court’s judgment is continued in effect until further order of this court or until issuance of the mandate.”

The extension gives everyone a little more time, but the result of the appeals case has yet to be determined.