FEDERAL WAY, Wash., June 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court will consider an appeal by Weyerhaeuser Co. of a jury verdict in an antitrust case involving the so-called alder sawlog market.
The review involves a $79 million antitrust judgment won by Ross Simmons Hardwood Lumber Co., which argued that Weyerhaeuser purchased or paid more than necessary for alder sawlogs and deprived its competitors an opportunity to buy alder sawlogs at a "fair price."
Weyerhaeuser appealed, arguing that the Ross Simmons claim did not meet objective standards set by previous Supreme Court rulings. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that argument and affirmed the judgment.
Weyerhaeuser said Monday it has already taken an after-tax charge for the judgment.
Industry representatives, businesses, and timber owners filed briefs with the Supreme Court supporting Weyerhaeuser's denial of "predatory buying." Also, the U.S. Solicitor General, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission recommended that the Supreme Court grant review.
