Bell Atlantic Vs Twomby Case Study

BELL ATLANTIC CORP. v. TWOMBLY

Keani Aabel

Copyright 2016 Keani Aabel

Introduction

Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly was a 2007 American antitrust case that proceeded all the way to the United States Supreme Court. This case began as a class-action lawsuit, which eventually was heard by the Supreme Court through a writ of certiorari from the United States Court of Appeals of the Second Circuit (Bell Atlantic v. Twombly, 1). The lawsuit issued by William Twombly and Lawrence Marcus claimed that Bell Atlantic Corp. was in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act; a statute passed to protect consumers from monopolies (Bell Atlantic v. Twombly, 1). To further understand the allegations brought against Bell Atlantic; and to thoroughly
(now Verizon; and a break off AT&T) is brought to court through a class action lawsuit claiming that the business is in violation of §1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act law by not competing with other telecommunications companies and allowing each company to monopolize their own market. The District Court dismissed the case on the basis that the plaintiff did not have enough evidence to prove that Bell Atlantic Corp. was “conspiring” to restrain competition and the plaintiffs needed more evidence that the company was acting in its own self-interest. The Second Court reversed that decision stating that it was enough just that there was no competition, and it was the company’s responsibility to bring forth evidence that they were not conspiring to do so. The case was then brought to the Supreme Court through a writ of
It was exciting to learn about the Bell System monopoly; and how they operated unchallenged for over a hundred years. One reason this case is really important is because it is a responsibility of the government to protect the people of the United States by ensuring corporations are acting fairly, and that they do not become too powerful or manipulative. This case was unique because instead of one person suing a large corporation for personal gains this was a class-action suite from customers and people trying to protect the consumers and small phone companies. Bell Atlantic v. Twombly gives insight on monopolies in America; and how some could be operating even without the people or the government knowing. One of the benefits of having this case brought to the Supreme Court is that consumers and small businesses could have their voice heard. It can be intimidating going head to head in the courtroom with powerful corporations that have millions of disposable income to spend on legal fees. Another reason this case is important is because it set a precedent and upheld the law. Justice Souter said in his opinion that the plaintiffs just did not have sufficient evidence; and if the court grants them the hearing than any person could start accusing several businesses of violating the antitrust laws without presenting any evidence. This is a good example of how in our justice system, even if you