US: Uber seeks to dismiss Philly-based antitrust lawsuit

Uber Technologies, filed a motion in federal court to dismiss an antitrust lawsuit filed against it, for failure to state claims.

Defense counsel’s response stated the plaintiff, the Philadelphia Taxi Association (PTA), was “unhappy with market forces” and “have sued Uber in the hopes that a lawsuit can insulate them from the competition that has resulted from Uber’s entry into Philadelphia.”

However, defense counsel added Uber’s entry into the local market “has enhanced competition, benefiting consumers by increasing output, choice and innovation, which is precisely what the antitrust laws are designed to protect.”

Uber’s attorneys argued their increased competition had not caused the plaintiffs harm, and is not evidence of a monopoly.

“Plaintiffs have not suffered harm that the antitrust laws are designed to prevent. Indeed, plaintiffs allege that Uber increased output, which is antithetical to any claim of antitrust injury,” the defense motion read.

Moreover, the defense believed the plaintiffs’ tortious interference claim failed because “they have not alleged with specificity the ‘contractual relations’ with which Uber allegedly interfered”, and that they similarly failed to argue Uber’s alleged conduct was done to harm the plaintiffs, as oppose to further its own legitimate business interests.

Full Content: Penn Record

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