Court Opinion

ID: 9687228
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 16:19:28.468244+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:24.975286
License: Public Domain

O’Hara, J.
(dissenting). I come to a diametrically opposite conclusion in this case than do my colleagues.
To understand the position I take I must quote from the agreement between the parties more fully than does the majority opinion. Firstly, I must include an excerpt from one of the prefatory paragraphs of the agreement:
"Whereas Leslie Green at one time a tank wagon delivery driver for Standard Oil Company, developed a customer route during his tenure with that company * * * .” (Emphasis added.)
Next I quote from the agreement clause proper:
"It Is Therefore Agreed:
"That Campbell Bruce Oil Company will pay Leslie Green the sum of $2,000.00 (Two Thousand Dollars) in compensation for the customer route initially developed and presently being served by him.”
Next I quote from the exception to the involved statute prohibiting agreements in restraint of trade:
"This act sháll not apply to any contract * * * where the only object of the restraint imposed * * * is to *165protect the vendee, or transferee, of a trade pursuit, avocation, profession or business, or the good will thereof, sold and transferred for a valuable consideration in good faith * * *
It seems to me that "developing a customer route” must be at least a "pursuit” if not a "business”. Manifestly, there was good will attached thereto, two thousand dollars worth, which the plaintiff paid and the defendant accepted. Then the defendant did exactly what he contracted not to do by engaging in the same business or pursuit in the same area in competition with the plaintiff. To me it appears, as is sometimes said by one of the ethnic groups of the North Country, "By Gar dare should be some law for dat”. And I think there is. Defendant sold the fruits of his efforts. Plaintiff paid for them. There was no violation of the statute. The facts could hardly be tailored more accurately to fit the quoted statutory exception.
I would reverse and remand to the trial court for entry of the prayed permaiient injunction, and for further proceedings for the computation of plaintiff’s claimed damages.
I would award costs to the plaintiff.