Opinion ID: 382054
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: conclusion

Text: 121 There are, in our universe of antitrust precedent, fewer lines of symmetry than we might wish. Nevertheless, with sextant in hand and competition as our lodestar, we have in this case attempted to chart a course that neither sacrifices efficiency nor unduly neglects the commerce that, while waiting upon the shore, looks for an outlet to the sea. Our looks thus commercing with the skies, we have endeavored to make free the channels of commerce here below. 122 We have concluded that the district court erred in granting summary judgment to RML. Assuming that RML possesses the requisite degree of economic power in its market, we have concluded that its present membership criteria on their face create restraints on commerce that are not justified by RML's competitive needs. Moreover, we have concluded that the questions presented by the restrictive practices which RML abandoned under threat of suit are not moot and that the district court should have addressed the question of their legality. Still, we cannot grant the Government's request to order the district court to enter summary judgment in its favor. In the first place, the district court did not consider, and the parties have not briefed in this court, the question whether RML's activities have sufficient connection to interstate commerce to invoke Sherman Act jurisdiction. See McLain v. Real Estate Board of New Orleans, Inc., 444 U.S. 232, 100 S.Ct. 502, 62 L.Ed.2d 441 (1980). In addition, we are not prepared to hold, on the basis of the record and briefs before us, that RML has the degree of economic power in the relevant market which we have shown to be necessary to allow facial review of its membership criteria. Although the existence of such power is a reasonable inference from the record, we think it appropriate to allow the parties to define this issue more clearly on remand in light of our decision. Should the Government choose then to renew its motion for summary judgment, it is free to do so. 123 Accordingly, the district court's judgment in this case is REVERSED and the case is REMANDED for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion. 124 REVERSED AND REMANDED.