Civil Court, City of New York,
Kings County, Special Term, Part I.
Ali El CHAMI d/b/a Everything Store, Plaintiff,
v.
AUTOMATIC BURGLAR ALARM CORP., Defendant.
Dec. 15, 1980.
 Burglary victim brought action against burglar alarm company alleging 
negligence in the installation and maintenance of defective burglar alarm.  The 
Civil Court of the City of New York, County of Kings, Michael Wollin, J., held 
that the exculpatory clause of contract between plaintiff and burglar alarm 
company validly insulated burglar alarm company from liability for negligence.
 Defendant's summary judgment motion granted.
West Headnotes
[1] Contracts  114
95k114 Most Cited Cases
Burglar alarm system was not an "appurtenance" of real property under General 
Obligations Law section providing that agreements exempting building service or 
maintenance contractors from liability for negligence are void and 
unenforceable.  General Obligations Law §  5-323. 
[2] Contracts  114
95k114 Most Cited Cases
Exculpatory clause of contract between burglary victim and burglar alarm company 
validly insulated burglar alarm company from liability for negligence, in view 
of absence of evidence of undue influence, fraud, or duress.
[3] Contracts  114
95k114 Most Cited Cases
Exculpatory agreement which is one of mutual intention will not be invalidated 
unless agreement affects public interest, e. g., a common carrier, public 
utility, or conditions imposed by employment.
 **330 *559 Ann L. Ritter, New York City, for plaintiff.
 Kenneth Kirschenbaum, P. C., Garden City, for defendant.
 MICHAEL WOLLIN, Judge.
 This is a motion for summary judgment by the defendant, Automatic Burglar Alarm 
Corp., (Company) to dismiss the complaint of plaintiff Ali El Chami, (Chami) on 
the ground that the cause of action lacks merit.  (CPLR 3212(b))
 Chami claims to be a recent immigrant, lacking knowledge of the English 
language, engaged in his first business venture and deals with electric 
products.
 The Company is engaged in the business of supplying varied protective security 
services.
 On April 21, 1978, Chami and Company entered into a written agreement for the 
installation and maintenance of a burglar alarm system at the cost of $20 per 
month and if liable for damages, limiting itself to the maximum of six months 
service charges.  The parties agreed that the Company would inspect for any 
defect in the electrical system upon notification in writing or by telephone and 
Chami *560 does not claim notice.  A photo copy of the agreement is attached to 
the motion papers.  It contains an exculpatory clause which proscribed liability 
as follows: 
"In view of the nature of this service and the factors involved in and incident 
to its operation, and in consideration of the service **331 charge set forth 
above, it is mutually agreed that the Company is not an insurer of persons, 
life, limb or property, and that payments hereinbefore named are based solely 
upon the value of the services herein described, and it is not the intention of 
the parties that Company assume responsibility or be liable to anyone whomsoever 
for the death of or injury of any person, or for any loss or damage which may at 
any time be occasioned solely or in part by or because of the improper working 
of any equipment, device or connecting circuit, or by or because of the failure 
of a signal to be received at the Central Station, if such service is contracted 
for or by the malfeasance or misfeasance in the performance of the services 
under this contract or for any loss or damage sustained through burglary, theft, 
robbery, fire or other cause, or by or because of any negligent act or negligent 
failure to act on the party of the Company, its employees or agents or for loss 
or damage by or because of non- performance or delay caused by strikes of the 
company's employees or the employees or others or by or because of other labor 
disturbances, riots, war authority of law, or acts of God or the public enemy, 
(or any liability on the part of Company by virtue of this Agreement or because 
of the relation hereby established.")
 The contract further states as follows: 
"If there shall, notwithstanding the above provisions, at any time be or arise 
any liability on the part of Company by virtue of this Agreement, or because of 
the relation hereby established, whether due to negligence of company, its 
employees or agents or otherwise, such liability is and shall be limited to a 
sum equal in amount to the rental service charge hereunder for a period of 
service not to exceed 6 months which sum will be paid and received as liquidated 
damages.  Such liability as herein set forth is fixed as liquidated damages and 
not as a penalty and this liability shall be complete and exclusive."
 The Company utilized the existing wiring on the premises *561 and its own 
equipment was partially attached to the building wall without relinquishing the 
ownership.
 On July 24, 1980, Chami was burglarized through a wall equipped with sonic 
devices installed by the Company.  The alarm was not released and neither the 
police department nor Chami was alerted.
 Chami sustained an alleged loss of $10,000 of electric equipment.
 The indorsed complaint alleges the negligence in the installation and 
maintenance of a defective burglar alarm.  Encapsulized, the answer denies the 
allegations and interposes an affirmative defense of release and restricted 
liability.
 (1) Chami relies strongly on General Obligations Law, section 5-323 effective 
September 27, 1964, which reads as follows: 
Agreements exempting building service or maintenance contractors from liability 
for negligence void and unenforceable 
Every covenant, agreement or understanding in or in connection with a collateral 
to any contract or agreement affecting real property made or entered into, 
whereby or whereunder a contractor exempts himself from liability for injuries 
to person or property caused by or resulting from the negligence of such 
contractor, his agent, servants or employees, as a result of work performed or 
services rendered in connection with the construction, maintenance, and repair 
of real property or its appurtenances, shall be deemed to be void as against 
public policy and wholly unenforceable.
 It is further contended that the leading cases on the subject would have been 
determined otherwise if the statute was in effect and that later cases 
misapplied the law.
 The Court believes that counsel's confidence is misplaced and the statute is 
clear and inappropriate in the instant proceeding.  A burglar alarm system which 
is leased to Chami, is no more an appurtenance of real property than a 
telephone, both serving diverse purposes.  Admittedly, subsequent **332 
decisions are consistent with their precursors.
 *562 Equally significant are companion statutes of the General Obligations Law, 
e. g.: Sections 5-322, 5-322.1, 5-324, 5-325, which were passed to shield the 
public from abuse.  Each statute serves particular needs for those least able to 
effectively fend for themselves but it demonstrably limits their respective 
protective purposes.  Neither cases nor statutes sustain the contention of Chami 
but are per contra.
 Likewise, the argument of the Company that it is not in the insurance business 
does not appeal to this Court.  If this rationale was real, an offender could 
insulate itself from all liability including tort, malpractice, and product 
liability by exculpatory clauses.
 (2) But it cannot be gainsaid, that the Company, as well as Chami, could have 
obtained insurance to protect themselves from the contingencies of negligence 
and burglary respectively.  This Court is not unmindful that the costs of the 
product and service would be appreciably increased, but having chosen a field 
with a present societal risk; wisdom compels coverage to contain catastrophe.
 The Court is also concerned with the lament of the Company, that it has 
thousands of accounts, since many of them may have entered into a contract which 
offers little comfort excluding liability and limiting it at best to six months 
service charges.
 Unfortunately, this Court is restricted by the uniformity of decisions.  In  
Ciofalo et al. v. Vic Tanney Gyms Inc., 10 N.Y.2d 294, 220 N.Y.S.2d 962, 177 
N.E.2d 925 (1961) Justice Froessel, writing for the court stated: 
"The wording of the contract in the instant case expresses as clearly as 
language can the intention of the parties to completely insulate the defendant 
from liability for injuries sustained by plaintiff by reason of defendant's own 
negligence and in the face of the allegations of the complaint charging merely 
ordinary negligence, such agreement is valid."
 (3) Unless the agreement affects a public interest, e. g.: a common carrier, 
public utility, conditions imposed by employment, the Court will not invalidate 
one of mutual intention.
 As long as public policy is not contravened, the Courts have upheld immunized 
agreements absent public interest, *563 undue influence, fraud or duress. In 
Kirshenbaum v. General Outdoor Adv. Co., 258 N.Y. 489, 180 N.E. 245, the Court 
said: 
"We think it clear that public policy does not condemn the immunity clause 
voluntarily agreed upon by the parties."
 In H. G. Metals v. Wells Fargo Services, 45 A.D.2d 490, 359 N.Y.S.2d 797  
(1974), in a similar burglar alarm agreement the court held: 
"Lastly, the contract between the parties contained a clause limiting 
defendant's liability in case of breach.  This is a matter of defense and the 
effect of this clause is, therefore, not before us at this time.  The question 
was, however, briefed and argued before us and we can see no reason why the 
clause should not be given effect."
 Finally, in Saint Vincent et al. v. Iorio et al., 78 Misc.2d 968, 358 N.Y.S.2d 
993, the Court in interpreting a burglar alarm agreement stated: 
"Finally, the Court finds abhorrent the situation in which a party proffers a 
contract containing a provision, clear and unequivocal on its face, and later, 
having brought action seeking affirmative relief, argues that the provision is 
void and unenforceable."
 The Court fails to find relief in the cited statute or in case law to deny the 
motion.
 Since both parties must lay bare their evidence, the Court finds the agreement 
without infirmities and the absence of liability of the Company.
 Motion granted.
434 N.Y.S.2d 330, 106 Misc.2d 559
END OF DOCUMENT
Civil Court, City of New York,Kings County, Special Term, Part I.
Ali El CHAMI d/b/a Everything Store, Plaintiff,v.AUTOMATIC BURGLAR ALARM CORP., Defendant.

Dec. 15, 1980.

 Burglary victim brought action against burglar alarm company alleging negligence in the installation and maintenance of defective burglar alarm.  The Civil Court of the City of New York, County of Kings, Michael Wollin, J., held that the exculpatory clause of contract between plaintiff and burglar alarm company validly insulated burglar alarm company from liability for negligence.
 Defendant's summary judgment motion granted.

West Headnotes
[1] Contracts  11495k114 Most Cited Cases
Burglar alarm system was not an "appurtenance" of real property under General Obligations Law section providing that agreements exempting building service or maintenance contractors from liability for negligence are void and unenforceable.  General Obligations Law §  5-323. 
[2] Contracts  11495k114 Most Cited Cases
Exculpatory clause of contract between burglary victim and burglar alarm company validly insulated burglar alarm company from liability for negligence, in view of absence of evidence of undue influence, fraud, or duress.
[3] Contracts  11495k114 Most Cited Cases
Exculpatory agreement which is one of mutual intention will not be invalidated unless agreement affects public interest, e. g., a common carrier, public utility, or conditions imposed by employment. **330 *559 Ann L. Ritter, New York City, for plaintiff.
 Kenneth Kirschenbaum, P. C., Garden City, for defendant.


 MICHAEL WOLLIN, Judge.
 This is a motion for summary judgment by the defendant, Automatic Burglar Alarm Corp., (Company) to dismiss the complaint of plaintiff Ali El Chami, (Chami) on the ground that the cause of action lacks merit.  (CPLR 3212(b))
 Chami claims to be a recent immigrant, lacking knowledge of the English language, engaged in his first business venture and deals with electric products.
 The Company is engaged in the business of supplying varied protective security services.
 On April 21, 1978, Chami and Company entered into a written agreement for the installation and maintenance of a burglar alarm system at the cost of $20 per month and if liable for damages, limiting itself to the maximum of six months service charges.  The parties agreed that the Company would inspect for any defect in the electrical system upon notification in writing or by telephone and Chami *560 does not claim notice.  A photo copy of the agreement is attached to the motion papers.  It contains an exculpatory clause which proscribed liability as follows: "In view of the nature of this service and the factors involved in and incident to its operation, and in consideration of the service **331 charge set forth above, it is mutually agreed that the Company is not an insurer of persons, life, limb or property, and that payments hereinbefore named are based solely upon the value of the services herein described, and it is not the intention of the parties that Company assume responsibility or be liable to anyone whomsoever for the death of or injury of any person, or for any loss or damage which may at any time be occasioned solely or in part by or because of the improper working of any equipment, device or connecting circuit, or by or because of the failure of a signal to be received at the Central Station, if such service is contracted for or by the malfeasance or misfeasance in the performance of the services under this contract or for any loss or damage sustained through burglary, theft, robbery, fire or other cause, or by or because of any negligent act or negligent failure to act on the party of the Company, its employees or agents or for loss or damage by or because of non- performance or delay caused by strikes of the company's employees or the employees or others or by or because of other labor disturbances, riots, war authority of law, or acts of God or the public enemy, (or any liability on the part of Company by virtue of this Agreement or because of the relation hereby established.")
 The contract further states as follows: "If there shall, notwithstanding the above provisions, at any time be or arise any liability on the part of Company by virtue of this Agreement, or because of the relation hereby established, whether due to negligence of company, its employees or agents or otherwise, such liability is and shall be limited to a sum equal in amount to the rental service charge hereunder for a period of service not to exceed 6 months which sum will be paid and received as liquidated damages.  Such liability as herein set forth is fixed as liquidated damages and not as a penalty and this liability shall be complete and exclusive."
 The Company utilized the existing wiring on the premises *561 and its own equipment was partially attached to the building wall without relinquishing the ownership.
 On July 24, 1980, Chami was burglarized through a wall equipped with sonic devices installed by the Company.  The alarm was not released and neither the police department nor Chami was alerted.
 Chami sustained an alleged loss of $10,000 of electric equipment.
 The indorsed complaint alleges the negligence in the installation and maintenance of a defective burglar alarm.  Encapsulized, the answer denies the allegations and interposes an affirmative defense of release and restricted liability.
 (1) Chami relies strongly on General Obligations Law, section 5-323 effective September 27, 1964, which reads as follows: Agreements exempting building service or maintenance contractors from liability for negligence void and unenforceable Every covenant, agreement or understanding in or in connection with a collateral to any contract or agreement affecting real property made or entered into, whereby or whereunder a contractor exempts himself from liability for injuries to person or property caused by or resulting from the negligence of such contractor, his agent, servants or employees, as a result of work performed or services rendered in connection with the construction, maintenance, and repair of real property or its appurtenances, shall be deemed to be void as against public policy and wholly unenforceable.
 It is further contended that the leading cases on the subject would have been determined otherwise if the statute was in effect and that later cases misapplied the law.
 The Court believes that counsel's confidence is misplaced and the statute is clear and inappropriate in the instant proceeding.  A burglar alarm system which is leased to Chami, is no more an appurtenance of real property than a telephone, both serving diverse purposes.  Admittedly, subsequent **332 decisions are consistent with their precursors.
 *562 Equally significant are companion statutes of the General Obligations Law, e. g.: Sections 5-322, 5-322.1, 5-324, 5-325, which were passed to shield the public from abuse.  Each statute serves particular needs for those least able to effectively fend for themselves but it demonstrably limits their respective protective purposes.  Neither cases nor statutes sustain the contention of Chami but are per contra.
 Likewise, the argument of the Company that it is not in the insurance business does not appeal to this Court.  If this rationale was real, an offender could insulate itself from all liability including tort, malpractice, and product liability by exculpatory clauses.
 (2) But it cannot be gainsaid, that the Company, as well as Chami, could have obtained insurance to protect themselves from the contingencies of negligence and burglary respectively.  This Court is not unmindful that the costs of the product and service would be appreciably increased, but having chosen a field with a present societal risk; wisdom compels coverage to contain catastrophe.
 The Court is also concerned with the lament of the Company, that it has thousands of accounts, since many of them may have entered into a contract which offers little comfort excluding liability and limiting it at best to six months service charges.
 Unfortunately, this Court is restricted by the uniformity of decisions.  In  Ciofalo et al. v. Vic Tanney Gyms Inc., 10 N.Y.2d 294, 220 N.Y.S.2d 962, 177 N.E.2d 925 (1961) Justice Froessel, writing for the court stated: "The wording of the contract in the instant case expresses as clearly as language can the intention of the parties to completely insulate the defendant from liability for injuries sustained by plaintiff by reason of defendant's own negligence and in the face of the allegations of the complaint charging merely ordinary negligence, such agreement is valid."
 (3) Unless the agreement affects a public interest, e. g.: a common carrier, public utility, conditions imposed by employment, the Court will not invalidate one of mutual intention.
 As long as public policy is not contravened, the Courts have upheld immunized agreements absent public interest, *563 undue influence, fraud or duress. In Kirshenbaum v. General Outdoor Adv. Co., 258 N.Y. 489, 180 N.E. 245, the Court said: "We think it clear that public policy does not condemn the immunity clause voluntarily agreed upon by the parties."
 In H. G. Metals v. Wells Fargo Services, 45 A.D.2d 490, 359 N.Y.S.2d 797  (1974), in a similar burglar alarm agreement the court held: "Lastly, the contract between the parties contained a clause limiting defendant's liability in case of breach.  This is a matter of defense and the effect of this clause is, therefore, not before us at this time.  The question was, however, briefed and argued before us and we can see no reason why the clause should not be given effect."
 Finally, in Saint Vincent et al. v. Iorio et al., 78 Misc.2d 968, 358 N.Y.S.2d 993, the Court in interpreting a burglar alarm agreement stated: "Finally, the Court finds abhorrent the situation in which a party proffers a contract containing a provision, clear and unequivocal on its face, and later, having brought action seeking affirmative relief, argues that the provision is void and unenforceable."
 The Court fails to find relief in the cited statute or in case law to deny the motion.
 Since both parties must lay bare their evidence, the Court finds the agreement without infirmities and the absence of liability of the Company.
 Motion granted.
434 N.Y.S.2d 330, 106 Misc.2d 559
END OF DOCUMENT