Viamedia Drops Comcast Antitrust Theory Despite Win on Appeal

Viamedia Inc., which has been locked for years in antitrust litigation over Comcast Corp.'s role in the TV ad placement market, said it would drop its headline legal theory despite winning an appeal that landed at the U.S. Supreme Court’s doorstep, according to a federal court filing in Chicago.

Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Finnegan indicated in a docket entry late Monday that Viamedia had withdrawn its claim that Comcast violated the antitrust “duty to deal” doctrine by abruptly cutting off Viamedia’s access to a regional clearinghouse for TV advertising spots.

The doctrine imposes liability for ending a profitable commercial relationship ...