Viamedia Says 7th Circuit Comcast Decision 'Good ... for Competition'

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' reversal of a lower court's dismissal of antitrust claims against Comcast (see 1808210001) was "a good day ... for competition in our industry," Viamedia said Wednesday. It said with the advertising sales complaint remanded for discovery and trial, it will ask a jury for both damages and "remedies that will restore Interconnects as the inclusive marketplaces they were intended to be.” Appellate Judges David Hamilton and William Bauer, in an opinion (docket 18-2852) this week written by Hamilton, said Viamedia had shown sufficient evidence to support claims that should be presented to a jury. Judge Michael Brennan concurred on Viamedia's being entitled to reversal and remand on its refusal-to-deal claim but dissented on reversal of summary judgment on a tying claim, saying there wasn't evidence of an illegal tie. Comcast didn't comment Wednesday