HARRISBURG — A commercial mechanical contractor is suing Viega LLC, a manufacturer, citing alleged restraint of trade under the Clayton Act and monopolization under the Sherman Act.
Enginuity LLC filed a complaint on Jan. 29 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania against Viega LLC, alleging the manufacturer deprived consumers of competitive option.
According to the complaint, defendant engages in wrongful anticompetitive conduct in relevance to selling copper press fittings by monopolizing the market such as forcing wholesaler distributors to purchase their copper press fittings with every purchase of carbon steel press fittings or combined purchase, and by coercing wholesaler distributors not to purchase copper press fitting from competitors or otherwise lose discounts, rebates and other pricing concessions.
Thus, Enginuity allegedly creates barriers to prevent its competitors from entering or expanding their businesses and prevents plaintiff from free choice and competitive prices.
The plaintiff holds Viega LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly hindered contractors such as plaintiff from access to better pricing and other wholesale distributors, and denied competitors access to the relevant market.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against defendant for damages, injunctive relief, attorneys' fees, costs, interest, and further relief as the court deems just. They are represented by Michael Reed of Mette Evans & Woodside in Harrisburg; R. Stephen Berry of Berry Law PLLC in Washington, D.C.; and Lewis LeClair of McKool Smith in Dallas.
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Case No. is 19-cv-00159.