Opinion ID: 414319
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: ALP's Liability

Text: 72 Defendant ALP argues that it should be absolved from liability because it was in no way responsible for the events which resulted in RBLC's heavy losses at Muddy River No. 3. This contention rests on the flawed logic that RBLC's damages were solely a product of the actions of KPC at Muddy River. 73 An injured plaintiff seeking damages is not required to show privity or any manner of direct dealing with the defendant. Mandeville Islands Farms, Inc. v. American Crystal Sugar Co., 334 U.S. 219, 236, 68 S.Ct. 996, 92 L.Ed. 1328 (1948); South Carolina Counsel of Milk Producers, Inc. v. Newton, 360 F.2d 414, 417 (4th Cir.1966). A party that participates in a conspiracy must ... share responsibility for the resulting damage, including that occasioned by activities in which it did not directly participate, or from which it did not directly benefit. Twentieth-Century Fox Film Corp. v. Goldwin, 328 F.2d 190, 212 (9th Cir.1964); see also Karseal Corp. v. Richfield Oil Corp., 221 F.2d 358, 361 (9th Cir.1965). 74 In and of itself, KPC's behavior at Muddy River No. 3 did not create a cause of action for RBLC under Sec. 4 of the Clayton Act. 15 U.S.C.A. Sec. 15. The harm suffered by RBLC was actionable because of its causal connection to the conspiracy between the defendants. KPC's actions were not only a manifestation of the conspiracy, but were made possible only by the prior destruction of competition and the continuing cooperation between KPC and ALP. In these circumstances, ALP must share the blame for the damages to RBLC.