Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More

Case Citation
Legal Case Name

BAYWAY REFINING CO. v. OXYGENATED MARKETING AND TRADING A.G. Case Brief

United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit2000
215 F.3d 219

Why Top Law Students (And Those Aspiring to Be) Use LSD+ Briefs

Let's be real, law school is a marathon. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full case system is designed by Harvard Law School and MIT grads to match your pace: Quick summaries when you're slammed, detailed analysis when you need to go deep. Only LSD+ offers this kind of flexibility to genuinely fit your study flow.

Adaptive Case Views

Toggle between Flash, Standard, and Expanded. Get what you need, when you need it.

Exam-Ready IRAC Format

We deliver the precise structure professors look for in exam answers.

Complex Cases, Clarified

We break down dense legal reasoning into something digestible, helping you grasp core concepts.

Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis

General Brief
3 min read

tl;dr: A buyer refused to pay an excise tax, arguing the seller’s tax-shifting clause, added in an acceptance form, was a material alteration under UCC § 2-207. The court held the clause was not a material alteration due to industry custom and placed the tax burden on the buyer.

Legal Significance: Establishes that the party opposing an additional term under UCC § 2-207(2)(b) bears the burden of proving material alteration, and that established industry custom can defeat a claim of objective surprise.

BAYWAY REFINING CO. v. OXYGENATED MARKETING AND TRADING A.G. Law School Study Guide

Use this case brief structure for your own legal analysis. Focus on the IRAC methodology to excel in law school exams and cold calls.

Case Facts & Court Holding

Key Facts & Case Background

Bayway Refining Co. (Bayway), a seller of petroleum products, contracted to sell MTBE to Oxygenated Marketing and Trading A.G. (OMT). OMT sent a purchase offer via fax. Bayway responded with a confirmation fax that acted as an acceptance under UCC § 2-207(1). Bayway’s acceptance stated it incorporated its “General Terms and Conditions,” which included a “Tax Clause” shifting liability for any excise taxes to the buyer. Bayway did not attach the terms, and OMT did not object. After the sale, a federal excise tax of $464,035.12 was levied because OMT was not registered for a tax exemption. Bayway paid the tax and invoiced OMT for reimbursement pursuant to the Tax Clause. OMT refused to pay, contending the clause was a material alteration of their agreement and thus not part of the contract under UCC § 2-207(2)(b). The district court granted summary judgment for Bayway.

Court Holding & Legal Precedent

Issue: Under UCC § 2-207(2), does an additional term in a seller’s acceptance, which allocates excise tax liability to the buyer, become part of the contract when the buyer fails to prove the term constitutes a material alteration through surprise or hardship?

Yes. The Tax Clause became part of the contract because OMT, the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate ve

Master Every Case Faster

Unlock premium legal analysis that helps you quickly understand complex cases, designed by Harvard Law and MIT graduates. It's about working smarter, not just harder.

Start 14-Day Free Trial

Thousands of students are already saving time and gaining clarity. Why not you?

IRAC Legal Analysis

Premium Feature Unlock

Complete IRAC Analysis for Higher Grades

IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.

Legal Issue

Under UCC § 2-207(2), does an additional term in a seller’s acceptance, which allocates excise tax liability to the buyer, become part of the contract when the buyer fails to prove the term constitutes a material alteration through surprise or hardship?

Conclusion

This case clarifies the application of UCC § 2-207(2)(b), confirming the burden Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitati

Legal Rule

Between merchants, an additional term in an acceptance becomes part of the Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla

Legal Analysis

The court applied the "battle of the forms" framework under N.Y. U.C.C. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est

Flash-to-Full Case Opinions

Flash Summary

  • Under U.C.C. § 2-207(2), the party opposing an additional term bears
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat

Master Every Case Faster

Unlock premium legal analysis that helps you quickly understand complex cases, designed by Harvard Law and MIT graduates. It's about working smarter, not just harder.

Start 14-Day Free Trial

Thousands of students are already saving time and gaining clarity. Why not you?

Hate ads? Verify for LSD+ → Learn More