Opinion ID: 791984
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Could Plaintiffs come within a general co-conspirator exception?

Text: 89 If there is a general co-conspirator exception, it would only apply if the middlemen were barred from bringing a claim against their former co-conspirator—the manufacturer—because their involvement in the conspiracy was truly complete. However, in our case, Plaintiffs could not qualify for such an exception because the District Court concluded, and Plaintiffs have conceded, that the dealers' involvement in the alleged conspiracy with Dentsply was not truly complete. The District Court concluded that there was no way to construe the facts alleged such that the dental dealers could be considered `substantially equal' participants in the alleged conspiracy ... or that their participation was `voluntary in any meaningful sense.' Dist Ct. Mem. Op. at 20-21 (Dec. 19, 2001) (citation omitted). Further, Plaintiffs acknowledged in their brief that they have not based any part of [their] appeal on any argument that the dealers' involvement was `substantially equal' to Dentsply's. Appellants' Reply Br. at 23 n.16. Thus, Plaintiffs may not recover damages caused by the exclusive-dealing conspiracy under a general co-conspirator exception to Illinois Brick.