The U.S. Supreme Court vacated a $79 million antitrust award against Weyerhaeuser Company in a 9-0 ruling issued on February 20. The court remanded the case to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals for further proceedings.
Weyerhaeuser's appeal to the Supreme Court was supported by various companies including Dow Chemical Company, Verizon Communications Inc., Coca-Cola Company and Microsoft Corporation. In addition, the U.S. Solicitor General filed a brief supporting Weyerhaeuser's position.
"We are gratified by today's ruling because it fully supports our position all along that our conduct was lawful and consistent with the guidelines for competitive conduct as set by the Supreme Court," said Sandy D. McDade, Weyerhaeuser senior vice president and general counsel. "We are still studying the decision, but the court's unanimous ruling sets a clear standard that permits companies to bid competitively for raw materials without risk of violating antitrust laws. This position was supported by many companies, industry organizations and the
Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world's largest integrated forest products companies, was incorporated in 1900. In 2006, sales were $21.9 billion. It has offices or operations in 18 countries, with customers worldwide. Weyerhaeuser is principally engaged in the growing and harvesting of timber; the manufacture, distribution and sale of forest products; and real estate construction, development and related activities.
