United States Sixth Circuit

In a case brought by wholesalers, who are also direct distributors for defendant-tobacco company, alleging illegal price discrimination in violation of Section 2(a) of the Clayton Act, summary judgment for defendant is affirmed where the undisputed material facts demonstrated that the tobacco company's best discount under a "Wholesale Partners Program" was functionally available to plaintiffs on an equal basis, thus affirmatively disproving the element of discrimination in price.

Appellate Information

• Decided 02/27/2007
• Published 02/27/2007

Judges

• Before MOORE, GRIFFIN, and CUDAHY, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  Kyle M. Keegan, Roy, Kiesel, Keegan & DeNicola, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for Appellants.  Thomas Demitrack, Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, Cleveland, Ohio, for Appellee.   ON BRIEF:  Kyle M. Keegan, Chris D. Kiesel, Roy, Kiesel, Keegan & DeNicola, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Earl R. Booze, Herrin, Booze, Rambo, Jenkins & Wheeler, Johnson City, Tennessee, for Appellants.  Thomas Demitrack, Robert S. Walker, Michelle K. Fischer, Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, Cleveland, Ohio, William C. Bovender, Hunter, Smith & Davis, Kingsport, Tennessee, Eric P. Berlin, Jones Day, Chicago, Illinois, for Appellee.