CHAPTER 133
TRUSTS AND MONOPOLIES
133.01 Legislative intent.
133.03 Unlawful contracts; conspiracies.
133.04 Price discrimination; intent to destroy competition.
133.05 Secret rebates; unfair trade practices.
133.06 Interlocking directorates.
133.07 Certain organizations and activities not forbidden.
133.08 Working people may organize; injunction not to restrain certain acts.
133.09 Collective bargaining.
133.10 Examination of adverse party.
133.11 Investigatory proceeding.
133.12 Domestic and foreign corporations and limited liability companies; cancellation of charters or certificates of authority for restraining trade; affidavit.
133.14 Illegal contracts void; recovery.
133.15 No privilege from self-accusation.
133.16 Injunction; pleading; practice.
133.18 Treble damages; statute of limitations.
133.01
133.01
Legislative intent. The intent of this chapter is to safeguard the public against the creation or perpetuation of monopolies and to foster and encourage competition by prohibiting unfair and discriminatory business practices which destroy or hamper competition. It is the intent of the legislature that this chapter be interpreted in a manner which gives the most liberal construction to achieve the aim of competition. It is the intent of the legislature to make competition the fundamental economic policy of this state and, to that end, state regulatory agencies shall regard the public interest as requiring the preservation and promotion of the maximum level of competition in any regulated industry consistent with the other public interest goals established by the legislature.
133.01 History
History: 1979 c. 209.
133.01 Annotation
Where defendant's actions were exempt from federal antitrust laws, such labor law exemption also shields defendant from state antitrust laws. Suburban Beverages v. Pabst Brewing, 462 F Supp. 1301 (1978).
133.01 Annotation
Spotting unreasonable restraints of trade without difficulty. Hansen, WBB June 1982.
133.02
133.02
Definitions. In this chapter:
133.02(1)
(1) "Commodity" includes, but is not limited to, goods, merchandise, produce and any other article of commerce. "Commodity" includes services, except as used in
s. 133.04.
133.02(2)
(2) "Knowingly" means that the actor believes that the specified fact exists.
133.02(3)
(3) "Person" includes individuals, the state and all its political subdivisions, all counties, cities, villages, towns, school districts, governmental agencies and bodies politic and corporate, and all corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, associations, companies, firms, joint ventures, joint stock companies, trusts, business trusts, estates and other legal or commercial entities existing under or authorized by the laws of this or any other state, the United States or any of its territories or any foreign country. Nothing in this definition may be construed to affect labor unions or any other association of laborers organized to promote the welfare of its members, nor associations or organizations intended to legitimately promote the interests of trade, commerce or manufacturing in this state, nor associations, corporate or otherwise, of farmers, gardeners or dairy workers or owners, including livestock farmers and fruit growers engaged in making collective sales or marketing for its members or shareholders of farm, orchard or dairy products produced by its members or shareholders if such activities are exempted under
s. 133.07,
133.08 or
133.09 or are otherwise lawful under this chapter.
133.02 History
History: 1979 c. 209;
1993 a. 112.
133.03
133.03
Unlawful contracts; conspiracies. 133.03(1)
(1) Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce is illegal. Every person who makes any contract or engages in any combination or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce may be fined not more than $100,000 if a corporation, or, if any other person, $50,000, or be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.
133.03(2)
(2) Every person who monopolizes, or attempts to monopolize, or combines or conspires with any other person or persons to monopolize any part of trade or commerce may be fined not more than $100,000 if a corporation, or, if any other person, $50,000, or be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.
133.03(3)
(3) As an alternative to the criminal penalties for violation of this section, the department of justice or district attorney may bring an action for a civil forfeiture. In an action for a civil forfeiture under this subsection a corporation may be required to forfeit not more than $100,000 and any other person may be required to forfeit not more than $50,000.
133.03 Annotation
See note to 801.50, citing State ex rel. Nordell v. Kinney, 62 W (2d) 558, 215 NW (2d) 405.
133.03 Annotation
"Rule of reason" and "illegal per se" rules discussed. Grams v. Boss, 97 W (2d) 332, 294 NW (2d) 473 (1980).
133.03 Annotation
Only unreasonable restraints on trade are prohibited. Independent Milk Producers Coop. v. Stoffel, 102 W (2d) 1, 298 NW (2d) 102 (Ct. App. 1980).
133.03 Annotation
See note to art. XI, sec. 3, citing Town of Hallie v. City of Chippewa Falls, 105 W (2d) 533, 314 NW (2d) 321 (1982).
133.03 Annotation
Antitrust law demonstrates legislature's intent to subordinate city's home-rule authority to its provisions; unless legislation at least impliedly authorizes city's anticompetitive action, city has violated antitrust law. Amer. Med. Transp. v. Curtis-Universal, 154 W (2d) 135, 452 NW (2d) 575 (1990).
133.04
133.04
Price discrimination; intent to destroy competition. 133.04(1)(1) No person may discriminate, either directly or indirectly, in price between different purchasers of commodities of like grade and quality, for the purpose or intent of injuring or destroying competition in any level of competition or any person engaged therein.
133.04(2)
(2) Any person violating this section may be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year or both.
133.04(3)
(3) As an alternative to the criminal penalty for violation of this section, the department of justice or district attorney may bring an action for a civil forfeiture. In an action for a civil forfeiture under this subsection a person who violates this section may be required to forfeit not more than $25,000.
133.04(4)
(4) The provisions of this section as they relate to the business of insurance are superseded by the provisions of
chs. 611,
613 and
628.
133.04 Annotation
Civil violations of this section must be proved to a reasonable certainty by the greater weight of the credible evidence. Carlson & Erickson v. Lampert Yards, 190 W (2d) 651, 529 NW (2d) 905 (Ct. App. 1995).
133.04 Annotation
Promotional price cutting and section 2 (a) of the Robinson-Patman Act. Gifford. 1976 WLR 1045.
133.05
133.05
Secret rebates; unfair trade practices. 133.05(1)
(1) The secret payment or allowance of rebates, refunds, commissions or unearned discounts, whether in the form of money or otherwise, or the secret extension to certain purchasers of special services or privileges not extended to all purchasers purchasing upon like terms and conditions, such payment, allowance or extension injuring or tending to injure a competitor or destroying or tending to destroy competition, is an unfair trade practice and is prohibited.
133.05(2)
(2) No person may induce, solicit or receive anything of value which is prohibited under
sub. (1).
133.05(3)
(3) Any person knowingly violating this section may be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year or both.
133.05(4)
(4) As an alternative to the criminal penalty for violation of this section, the department of justice or district attorney may bring an action for a civil forfeiture. In an action for a civil forfeiture under this subsection a person who violates this section may be required to forfeit not more than $25,000.
133.05(5)
(5) This section does not apply to the insurance business.
133.05 History
History: 1979 c. 209;
1983 a. 215.
133.05 Annotation
Competitive injury is required element under this section, but intent to injure is not. OB-GYN Assoc. of Neenah v. Landig, 129 W (2d) 362, 384 NW (2d) 719 (Ct. App. 1986).
133.05 Annotation
Violation of (1) occurs when a discount, both secret and unearned, tends to injure or injures competition. "Earned" discount defined. Jauquet Lumber v. Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork, 164 W (2d) 689, 476 NW (2d) 305 (Ct. App. 1991).
133.05 Annotation
This section is not unconstitutionally vague. Knowledge is an element of a violation of sub. (2). Carlson & Erickson v. Lampert Yards, 183 W (2d) 220, 515 NW (2d) 305 (Ct. App. 1994).
133.05 Annotation
Civil violations of this section must be proved by clear, satisfactory and convincing evidence. Carlson & Erickson v. Lampert Yards, 190 W (2d) 651 (1995), 529 NW (2d) 905.
133.05 Annotation
Civil violations of this section must be proved by clear, satisfactory and convincing evidence.
133.06
133.06
Interlocking directorates. 133.06(1)
(1) No corporation with its principal place of business in this state may elect or appoint any person as a director or permit any person to serve as a director, if:
133.06(1)(a)
(a) That person was at the same time a director of any other corporation; and
133.06(1)(b)
(b) Either corporation has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating more than $100,000. In this paragraph, the amount shall be determined by the aggregate amount of the capital, surplus and undivided profits, exclusive of dividends declared but not paid to stockholders, at the end of the fiscal year of the corporation next preceding the election of directors; and
133.06(1)(c)
(c) Such corporations are, or have been, by virtue of their business and location of operation, competitors, so that the elimination of competition by agreement between them would violate this chapter.
133.06(2)
(2) If a corporation has lawfully elected or appointed a director, the corporation may permit the director to serve in such capacity for one year thereafter, notwithstanding
sub. (1). This section shall not apply to any corporation chartered by the federal government if its selection of directors is exempt from state law, but a person may be deemed ineligible for the service on the board of any corporation not so exempt because of concurrent service on the board of an exempt corporation.
133.06(3)
(3) Any corporation violating this section may be enjoined from permitting such person to serve as a director and from doing business in this state, so long as such violation continues.
133.06(4)
(4) This section does not apply to the insurance business.
133.06 History
History: 1979 c. 209;
1983 a. 215.
133.07
133.07
Certain organizations and activities not forbidden. 133.07(1)(1) This chapter shall not prohibit the existence and operation of labor, agricultural or horticultural organizations, instituted for the purpose of mutual help, and not having capital stock or conducted for profit, or organizations permitted under
ch. 185; shall not forbid or restrain individual members of such organizations from lawfully carrying out the legitimate objects thereof; and such organizations, or the members thereof, shall not be held or construed to be illegal combinations or conspiracies in restraint of trade, under this chapter. The labor of a human being is not a commodity or article of commerce.
133.07(2)
(2) This chapter does not prohibit activities of any public utility, as defined in
s. 196.01 (5), or telecommunications carrier, as defined in
s. 196.01 (8m), which are required by
ch. 196 or rules or orders under
ch. 196, activities necessary to comply with that chapter or those rules or orders or activities that are actively supervised by the public service commission. This subsection does not apply to activities of a public utility or telecommunications carrier that are exempt from public service commission regulation under
s. 196.195,
196.196,
196.202,
196.203,
196.219 or
196.499 or by other action by the commission.
133.07 History
History: 1979 c. 209;
1993 a. 496.
133.07 Annotation
Antitrust—Labor law. 1976 WLR 271.
133.08
133.08
Working people may organize; injunction not to restrain certain acts. 133.08(1)
(1) Working people may organize themselves into or carry on labor unions and other associations or organizations to aid their members to become more skillful and efficient workers, the promotion of their general intelligence, the elevation of their character, the regulation of their wages and their hours and conditions of labor, the protection of their individual rights in the prosecution of their trade or trades, the raising of funds for the benefit of sick, disabled, or unemployed members, or the families of deceased members, or for such other object or objects for which working people may lawfully combine, having in view their mutual protection or benefit.
133.08(2)
(2) No restraining order or injunction may be granted by any court of this state, in any case between an employer and employes, between employers and employes, between employes or between persons employed and persons seeking employment, involving or growing out of any dispute whatsoever concerning employment, unless necessary to prevent irreparable injury to property or to a property right of the party making the application, for which injury there is no adequate remedy at law, and the property or property right must be described with particularity in the application, which must be in writing and sworn to by the applicant, or by the applicant's agent or attorney. No such restraining order or injunction may be granted except by the circuit court, and then only upon such reasonable notice of application therefor as the court directs by order to show cause, but in no case less than 48 hours, which shall be served upon the party or parties sought to be restrained or enjoined as shall be specified in the order to show cause.
133.08(3)
(3) No such restraining order or injunction may prohibit any person or persons, whether singly or in concert, from terminating any relation of employment, or from ceasing to perform any work or labor, or from recommending, advising, or persuading others by peaceful means so to do; or from attending at any place where any such person or persons may lawfully be, for the purpose of peacefully obtaining or communicating information, or from peacefully persuading any person to work or to abstain from working; or from ceasing to patronize or to employ any party to such dispute, or from recommending, advising, or persuading others by peaceful and lawful means so to do; or from paying or giving to, or withholding from, any person engaged in such dispute, any strike benefits or other moneys or things of value; or from peaceably assembling in a lawful manner, and for lawful purposes; or from doing any act or thing which might lawfully be done in the absence of such dispute by any party thereto. Any of the acts specified in this paragraph shall not be considered or held to be violations of any laws of this state.
133.08(4)
(4) Whenever in any matter relating to the violation of any such restraining order or injunction an issue of fact shall arise, such issue, whether presented in a civil or a criminal proceeding, shall be tried by a jury, in the same manner as provided for the trial of other cases. All contempt proceedings brought for the alleged violation of any such restraining order or injunction, are independent, original and special proceedings, and shall require a unanimous finding of the jury. The requirement for trial by jury shall not apply to direct contempts committed in the immediate presence of the court.
133.08 History
History: 1977 c. 449;
1979 c. 209,
355.
133.09
133.09
Collective bargaining. This chapter shall be so construed as to permit collective bargaining by associations of producers of agricultural products, by organizations permitted under
ch. 185 and by associations of employes when such bargaining is actually and expressly done for the individual benefit of the separate members of each such association making such collective bargain.
133.09 History
History: 1979 c. 209.
133.10
133.10
Examination of adverse party. 133.10(1)
(1) The examination of any party, or if a corporation or limited liability company be a party, of the president, secretary, other principal officer or the general managing agent thereof, or of the person who was such president, secretary, officer or agent at the time of the occurrence of the facts made the subject of the examination, or of any person acting for another or for a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, other than as a witness on a trial, may be taken by deposition at the instance of the department of justice in any such action or proceeding at any time between the commencement thereof and final judgment. Such deposition shall be taken within the state before a judge at chambers or a court commissioner on previous notice to such party and any other adverse party or the attorney thereof of at least 5 days, and may be taken without the state.
133.10(2)
(2) The attendance of the party to be examined may be compelled by subpoena, without prepayment of witness fees, and the examination is subject to the same rules as govern that of other witnesses; but such party shall not be compelled to disclose anything not relevant to the controversy.
133.10(3)
(3) The examination may not be compelled in any other county than that of the party's residence except in the county of Dane; but the deposition of a defendant who is a nonresident of the state may be taken as in other cases.
133.10 History
History: 1979 c. 209;
1993 a. 112.
