1333.34 Enforcement of moldbuilder's lien. - Ohio Statutes

1333.34 Enforcement of moldbuilder's lien.

(A) To enforce a moldbuilder’s lien attached pursuant to section 1333.33 of the Revised Code, the moldbuilder shall give written notice to the customer and molder stating that a lien is claimed; the amount that the moldbuilder claims is owed for fabrication, repair, or modification of the mold; and a demand for payment. The written notice described in this division shall be given by hand delivery or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the customer and to the last known address of the molder.

(B) If the moldbuilder has not been paid the amount claimed in the notice described in division (A) of this section within ninety days after that notice is received by the customer and by the molder, the moldbuilder has a right to possession of the mold and may do the following:

(1) Enforce the right to possession of the mold by judgment, foreclosure, or any available judicial procedure;

(2) Commence a civil action described in division (D) of this section in a court of common pleas to enforce the lien, including by obtaining a judgment for the amounts owed that are described in division (A) of this section and a judgment permitting the mold to be sold at an execution sale;

(3) One or more of the following:

(a) Take possession of the mold, if possession without judicial process can be done without breach of the peace;

(b) Sell the mold in a public auction.

(C) A sale pursuant to this section shall not be made or possession shall not be obtained pursuant to division (B) of this section, if it violates a right of the customer or molder under federal patent, bankruptcy, or copyright laws.

(D) A moldbuilder that suffers damages because of a violation of sections 1333.32 to 1333.34 of the Revised Code may obtain appropriate legal and equitable relief, including damages, in a civil action.

(E) In any action by a moldbuilder to enforce a perfected lien described in section 1333.33 of the Revised Code, the court shall award the moldbuilder that is the prevailing party reasonable attorney fees, court costs, and expenses related to enforcement of the lien.

Effective Date: 06-09-2004