Opinion ID: 757350
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Tortious Interference with Contract and Prospective

Text: Economic Relations 25 To prevail on the state law claim of tortious interference with contractual relations, Mark VII must prove that: (1) a contract existed; (2) the alleged wrongdoer (Guinness) had knowledge of the contract; (3) the alleged wrongdoer intentionally interfered with the contract; (4) the alleged wrongdoer's actions were not justified; and (5) damages were sustained as a result. Sip-Top, Inc. v. Ekco Group, Inc., 86 F.3d 827, 832 (8th Cir.1996) (applying Minnesota law). To prevail on a claim of interference with prospective economic relations, Mark VII must prove Guinness intentionally committed a wrongful act that improperly interfered with Mark VII's prospective business. Id. at 832. 26 There is no evidence that Mark VII had a contract with D & G that Guinness knew about or put asunder. The lack of a contract between Mark VII and D & G is dispositive of the tortious interference claim. 27 There is likewise no evidence that Guinness intentionally committed a wrongful act as to Mark VII. When Guinness obtained the right to distribute the Jamaican beer, it simply continued to deal with its Minnesota distributor as it had in the past. Thus, there is no evidence to indicate that Guinness interfered with Mark VII's prospective economic relations.