Jury Returns $6.31 Million Verdict, Subject to Trebling, in Favor of Cox Communication’s Oklahoma City Area Cable Subscribers in Antitrust Suit
Oklahoma City, OK, November 2, 2015 – After deliberating for three full days, an Oklahoma City jury has returned a verdict against Cox Communications, Inc. for violations of antitrust laws totaling $6.31 million. Under those laws, the award could be trebled to nearly $19 million, plus costs and attorneys’ fees. The plaintiffs intend to request injunctive relief as well.
The plaintiffs, subscribers to Cox’s cable services represented by the firms Kanner & Whiteley LLC, Whatley Kallas, LLP, Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky Wotkyns, LLP, alleged that Cox had violated the law by tying digital cable services to set-top box rentals.
Allan Kanner of Kanner & Whiteley commented: “We appreciate Judge Cauthron’s management of this MDL and the jury’s careful deliberations.”
Todd Schneider from the Schneider Wallace firm stated, “With this verdict the people of Oklahoma have scored a victory for fair competition which leads to lower prices and more innovation, which benefits everyone.”
Joe R. Whatley, Jr., of the Whatley Kallas firm, added, “The jury obviously gave all the evidence careful consideration. We appreciate the time they devoted to this important case.”
This case is a bellwether for a number of similar lawsuits around the country that will be handled by other federal courts. The complaint in this case alleged violations of the federal Sherman Act and Oklahoma antitrust laws.
The case is In re: Cox Enterprises Inc. Set-Top Cable Television Box Antitrust Litigation, case number 5:12-ml-02048, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.