Boats Group Beats Online Vessel Listings Market Monopoly Claims

Boats Group LLC, a private equity-backed operator of recreational boat sales and marketing platforms, ducked claims it unfairly dominated the market, after a judge concluded that the plaintiff failed to adequately allege the company abused its monopoly power.

Brill Maritime Inc.'s claims that Boats Group gained it monopoly position through strategic acquisitions, exclusionary contracts, and by imposing higher prices were insufficient under the Sherman Act, said Judge Roy K. Altman of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida in a Tuesday order.

The mere possession of monopoly power isn’t unlawful; Section 2 of the Sherman Act requires ...