OPINION OF STINSON MORRISON HECKER LLP
Published on May 4, 2007
Exhibit 8.1
May 3, 2007
Entertainment Properties Trust
30 West Pershing Road, Suite 201
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
30 West Pershing Road, Suite 201
Kansas City, Missouri 64108
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
(As representative to the Several Underwriters)
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
(As representative to the Several Underwriters)
Re: Entertainment Properties Trust: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Entertainment Properties Trust, a Maryland real estate investment
trust (the “Company”), in connection with the issuance of
up to 4,600,000 shares of Series D Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Shares of beneficial interest, which includes
600,000 shares to cover over-allotments, if any (collectively, the “Securities”), pursuant to a
registration statement on Form S-3, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the
Securities and Exchange commission on February 28, 2007, File No. 333-140978 (as amended and
supplemented from time to time, the “Registration Statement”), and the prospectus dated February
27, 2007 (the “Prospectus”) and prospectus supplement dated May 3, 2007 (the “Prospectus
Supplement’). The Company is a real estate investment trust organized under the laws of the State
of Maryland primarily for the purpose of acquiring and leasing certain real estate.
You have requested our opinion as to (i) the qualification of the Company as a real estate
investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “REIT”) under the provisions of Sections
856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); (ii) the federal
income tax status of the Company’s Partnerships (as defined in the attached Officers’ Certificate
dated May 3, 2007); and (iii) the accuracy of the discussion of U.S. federal income tax
consequences contained under the caption “U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the Prospectus,
as amended and supplemented by the “Additional U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the
Prospectus Supplement.
Entertainment Properties Trust
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
May 3, 2007
Page 2
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
May 3, 2007
Page 2
In connection with rendering this opinion, we have reviewed such documents and made such
inquiries as we have deemed appropriate for purposes of rendering this opinion. The Company has
delivered certain representations to us as set forth in an Officers’ Certificate dated May 3, 2007
(the “Officer’s Certificate”), and, with the Company’s permission, we have relied upon such
representations in giving this opinion. In rendering this opinion, we have assumed, with your
consent, that (i) the statements and representations set forth in the Officers’ Certificate are
true and correct, and (ii) the Officer Certificate has been executed by appropriate and authorized
officers of the Company. Although we have not independently investigated the representations to us
set forth in the Officers’ Certificate, nothing has come to our attention that would lead us to
question the accuracy of any representation contained in the Officers’ Certificate.
Based on the foregoing and in reliance thereon and subject thereto and on an analysis of the
Code, Treasury Regulations thereunder, judicial authority and current administrative rulings and
such other laws and facts as we have deemed relevant and necessary, it is our opinion that (i)
beginning with its taxable year ended December 31, 1997, the Company has been organized and
operated in conformity with the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, and its current and proposed method of operation (as represented in
the Officers’ Certificate, the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement) will enable the Company to
continue to meet the requirements for qualification and taxation as a REIT for subsequent taxable
years; (ii) the Company’s current method of operation (as represented in the Officers’ Certificate,
the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement) will enable the Partnerships (as defined in the
Officers’ Certificate) to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as partnerships (or
disregarded entities) and not as associations taxable as corporations or as publicly-traded
partnerships; and (iii) the statements in the Prospectus under the caption “U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences,” as amended and supplemented by the statements in the Prospectus Supplement under the
caption “Additional U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” to the extent that they describe
matters of law or legal conclusions, are correct in all material respects.
Any variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the Officers’ Certificate may
affect the conclusions stated herein. Moreover, the Company’s qualification and taxation as a REIT
depend upon the Company’s ability to meet, through actual annual operating results, distribution
levels and diversity of share ownership and the various qualification tests imposed under the Code,
the results of which have not been and will not be reviewed by us. Accordingly, no assurance can
be given that the actual results of the Company’s operations for any taxable year will satisfy such
requirements.
We confirm the accuracy of the discussion under the captions “U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences” and “Legal Opinions” in the Registration Statement and
Entertainment Properties Trust
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
May 3, 2007
Page 3
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
May 3, 2007
Page 3
Prospectus and the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus Supplement and we consent to the
reference to our firm in the Prospectus Supplement and the attachment of this opinion as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement.
This opinion represents our legal judgment, but it has no binding effect or official status of
any kind, and no assurance can be given that contrary positions may not be taken by the Internal
Revenue Service or a court shall not be construed as or deemed to be a guarantee or insuring
agreement. We disclaim any obligation to update this opinion for developments which may occur
subsequent to the date hereof.
| Very truly yours, | ||||
| STINSON MORRISON HECKER LLP | ||||
| /s/ Stinson Morrison Hecker LLP |