Opinion ID: 1280738
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: count four antitrust

Text: Count four alleges antitrust violations of I.C. §§ 48-101, 48-102, and 48-104, on the part of Simplot. Specifically, ATI alleges that Simplot conspired and combined for the purpose of restraining ATI's trade in Triticale and further acted so as to drive ATI out of business ... and that Simplot attempted and intended and conspired to monopolize the production and marketing of Triticale grain in Idaho and elsewhere in the United States. ATI argues that these violations arose out of the same transaction and occurrence as the plaintiff farmers' original complaint concerning the 1975 sale of grain. ATI further argues that Simplot defined the action to include antitrust violations when it claimed a set-off against ATI, thereby drawing into question all transactions between ATI and Simplot. The district court dismissed this count under I.R.C.P. 13(g), ruling that it did not possess a logical relationship to the original cause of action, as required by the rule. We affirm that decision. The plaintiffs' complaint for breach of contract for the sale of grain does not give rise to a claim for antitrust violations. If that were not so, every contract action would be subject to broad, sweeping claims of every imaginable type of allegation. Antitrust violations raise issues of fact and law not contemplated by the original action concerning Simplot's refusal to pay. The mere fact that ATI and Simplot are both parties to this suit does not automatically bring into question each and every transaction between the parties as well as the defendant's business practices and motives. The relevant part of I.R.C.P. 13(g) states: A pleading may state as a cross-claim any claim by one party against a co-party arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter either of the original action or of a counterclaim therein... . (Emphasis added.) The federal courts construe this test as asking whether the cross-claim bears a logical relationship to the main action; that is, whether the cross-claim involves many of the same factual and legal issues present in the main action. See C. Wright & A. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 1432, p. 244 (1990). That test is not met here.