Opinion ID: 1714155
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: When May Chapter 133 Reach Interstate Commerce?

Text: ¶ 84. Having determined that Wisconsin's antitrust law may apply to interstate commerce under some circumstances, we are confronted with the question of what those circumstances are. ¶ 85. A civil plaintiff filing an action under Wisconsin's antitrust act must allege that (1) actionable conduct, such as the formation of a combination or conspiracy, occurred within this state, even if its effects are felt primarily outside Wisconsin; or (2) the conduct complained of substantially affects the people of Wisconsin and has impacts in this state, even if the illegal activity resulting in those impacts occurred predominantly or exclusively outside this state. Allied Chemical, 9 Wis. 2d at 295. Operating with lesser standards would jeopardize the action, undermine the validity of our antitrust statute, and create the spectacle of Lilliputian harassment in Wisconsin courts. Questions of provincialism, favoritism, and undue burden on interstate commerce should be determined by resort to contemporary federal commerce clause jurisprudence. To say more is beyond the scope of this opinion. By the Court. The order of the circuit court is reversed and the cause is remanded. ¶ 86. SHIRLEY S. ABRAHAMSON, C.J., and ANN WALSH BRADLEY, J., did not participate.