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Annual Survey Of Virginia Law: Antitrust And Trade Regulation, Michael F. Urbanski

University of Richmond Law Review

Virginia federal courts have shown a reluctance this past year to summarily dismiss plaintiffs' antitrust claims on Rule 12(b)(6) motions where there is no factual record. However, once a sufficient record has been established, the courts have continued their rigorous scrutiny of antitrust claims. While this year's decisions contain few victories for antitrust plaintiffs on the merits, surprisingly, their holdings are mixed and cannot be categorized as decidedly pro-plaintiff or defendant. This past year, the Fourth Circuit has limited plaintiffs' actions by broadening the sweep of the intracorporate conspiracy doctrine established in Copperweld Corp. v. Independence Tube Corp. to include …