Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/boundvolumes/524bv.pdf
Page Number: 273.0

524US1

Unit: $U84

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228

AMERICAN TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH CO.
v. CENTRAL OFFICE TELEPHONE, INC.
Rehnquist, C. J., concurring

right, the continued existence of which would be absolutely
In other words,
inconsistent with the provisions of the act.
the act cannot be held to destroy itself.” Texas & Paciﬁc R.
Co. v. Abilene Cotton Oil Co., 204 U. S. 426, 446 (1907).

Finally, we reject respondent’s argument that, even if the
tariff exclusively governs the parties’ relationship, the relief
awarded is consistent with the tariff, since AT&T Tariff
FCC No. 1, § 2.3.1 provides that petitioner’s “liability, if any,
for its willful misconduct is not limited by this tariff.” Re-
spondent reasons that, because the jury found that peti-
tioner engaged in willful misconduct, the verdict does not
conﬂict with the tariff. Section 2.3.1, however, cannot be
It
construed to do what the parties have no power to do.
removes only those limitations upon liability imposed by the
tariff, not those imposed by law.
It is the Communications
Act that renders the promise of preferences unenforce-
able. The tariff can no more exempt the broken promise
of preference that is willful than it can the broken prom-
(In fact, perversely
ise of preference that is unintentional.
enough, the willful breach displays a greater,
if belated,
attempt to comply with the law.)

*

*

*

Because respondent’s state-law claims are barred by the
ﬁled rate doctrine, we reverse the judgment of the Ninth
Circuit.

It is so ordered.

Justice O(cid:146)Connor took no part in the consideration or

decision of this case.

Chief Justice Rehnquist, concurring.
The Court concludes that respondent’s tortious interfer-
ence claim is “wholly derivative of the contract claim” and
therefore barred by the ﬁled rate doctrine. The Court ac-
cepts the Magistrate Judge’s ﬁnding to that effect, ante, at
226, and I agree: The acts of tortious interference asserted