A Michigan circuit court has awarded Valassis US$300 million for compensatory damages in its lawsuit against News America Marketing (NAM), a subsidiary of News Corp. A jury verdict agreed with Valassis’ claim of unfair competition and tortious interference by NAM.
Valassis is a media buyer delivering over 10-billion impressions annually, as well as a large direct-mail printer and a provider of newspaper polybags. “We are pleased with the jury’s verdict, and we look forward to moving ahead with our two other cases, including the antitrust case in the Eastern District of Michigan where any compensatory damages will be trebled,” said Alan Schultz, Valassis Chairman, President and CEO. “Furthermore, I am very proud of the efforts of our employees who have been competing on this uneven playing field for nearly a decade.”
Valassis has additional lawsuits pending against NAM in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, asserting violations of the Sherman Act, and in the Supreme Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles raising claims under California’s Cartwright, Unfair Competition and Unfair Practices Acts.
The Eastern District of Michigan case and the California case have not reached a trail stage.
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