William Inglis & Sons Baking Co., a Corporation v. Itt Continental Baking Co., Inc.

In 1971 William Inglis & Sons Baking Co. (Inglis) and four other wholesale baking companies filed this antitrust action against various competitors within relevant geographic markets in Washington, Oregon, and California. The complaint charged violations of §§ 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1 and 2; § 2(a) of the Robinson-Patman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 13 (a); §§ 3 and 7 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 14 and 18; and applicable state laws, including § 17000 et seq. of the California Unfair Practices Act (UPA), Cal.Bus. & Prof. Code § 17000 et seq.

In 1974 Inglis moved for a preliminary injunction in the Northern California market against five of the defendants: ITT Continental Baking Co., Inc., American Bakeries Company, Rainbo Baking Co. of Sacramento Valley, Kilpatrick’s Bakeries, Inc., and San Joaquin Bakeries, Inc. The latter three defendants are subsidiaries of defendant Campbell Taggart, Inc. The preliminary injunction sought involved only alleged violations of § 2(a) of the Robinson-Patman Act and § 17000 et seq. of the California UPA.

The district court conducted extensive hearings on the motion, reviewed voluminous briefs submitted by the parties, and…