Opinion ID: 426248
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Tortious Interference with Business Relationships

Text: 56 XSC asserted at trial that Royal's competition in the Miami area tortiously interfered with XSC's business relationships. Under Florida law, the elements of tortious interference include: (1) the existence of an advantageous business relationship under which the plaintiff has legal rights; (2) an intentional and unjustified interference with that relationship; and (3) damage to the plaintiff. R.C. Hilton Associates, Inc. v. Stan Musial and Biggie's, Inc., 702 F.2d 907, 908-09 (11th Cir.1983); Ahern v. Boeing Co., 701 F.2d 142, 143-44 (11th Cir.1983); Unistar Corp. v. Child, 415 So.2d 733, 734 (Fla.App.1982); Wakenhut Corp. v. Maimone, 389 So.2d 656 (Fla.App.1980); Smith v. Ocean State Bank, 335 So.2d 641, 644 (Fla.App.1976). Florida law recognizes the right of competitors to compete for customers. Wakenhut Corp. v. Maimone, 389 So.2d at 658. 57 XSC bases its intentional interference claim on Royal's efforts to solicit business in the Miami area. XSC urges that the jury could have reasonably found that its loss of Southeast Bank as a customer resulted from tortious interference. We disagree. Royal's solicitations in the Miami area did not constitute an unjustified interference with XSC's business relationships. Competition for business does not constitute tortious interference with a business relationship. See id. XSC has not presented any evidence that this competition was unjustified. XSC's claim that this action violated ... Royal's promise to Ted Mark that it would not compete with XSC, Appellees' Brief at 44, establishes a cause of action for breach of the alleged contract or, perhaps, for fraud, not for tortious interference.