Opinion ID: 436172
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Carolinas

Text: 52 Ladsco also asserted that North and South Carolina were a second relevant market in which the alleged Whiffy-Hessco conspiracy imposed an unreasonable restraint on trade. This is an area in which Ladsco and Whiffy had competed directly for shot sales. 15 As with regard to the four-state area, Ladsco introduced no proof on the location of manufacturers and distributors competing for shot sales in the Carolinas. There was no evidence on the relationship of prices in the Carolinas to other areas. 16 53 For the reasons discussed with respect to the four-state area, we conclude that Ladsco did not offer sufficient proof to create a jury question on the definition of the Carolinas as a relevant market. 54 In affirming the district court's directed verdict on the antitrust claims, we are mindful of the principle that relevant market definition is generally a question of fact for the jury. See Heatransfer Corp. v. Volkswagenwerk, A.G., 553 F.2d 964, 979-81 (5th Cir.1977), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 1087, 98 S.Ct. 1282, 55 L.Ed.2d 792 (1978). We are also aware that the definition of a relevant market should be pragmatic, not formal or legalistic. Brown Shoe Co. v. United States, 370 U.S. at 336-37, 82 S.Ct. at 1529-30. Nevertheless, we conclude that Ladsco failed to present sufficient evidence of the commercial realities within the industry to warrant a jury finding that either the four-state area or the Carolinas constitute an economically significant relevant market. 55 Without a well-defined relevant market upon which the defendant's alleged anticompetitive conduct might be judged, there was simply no way for the jury to conduct the rule of reason analysis required in this case. Accordingly, we must affirm the district court's directed verdict on the antitrust claims. 56