A summary of Southern California-related business litigation developments during the past week.

New World Entertainment Severance: A breach-of-contract suit was filed against New World Entertainment Ltd. by its former president and chief operating officer. The Los Angeles Superior Court suit by Roger A. Burlage says the company violated his employment contract and damaged his reputation by hiring someone into a position equal to his and not paying all severance due when the agreement expired in early 1987. The suit seeks at least $87,000 in severance, representing one-fourth of what had been Burlage’s annual pay, plus at least $300,000 for damages to his reputation. (Filed June 26, 1990. Case No. BC004396)