Maryland Jury Instruction — 3.3.2 Section 1: Per Se Violation Tying Agreement — Defense Of Justification The Maryland Jury Instruction — 3.3.2 Section 1 relates to the concept of per se violation tying agreement defense of justification in legal cases within the state of Maryland. This instruction provides guidance to the jury regarding the defense raised by the accused party involved in a tying agreement, which is considered a per se violation under antitrust laws. A tying agreement, specifically a per se violation, occurs when a party having the economic power in a particular market forces its customers to purchase another product or service in addition to the desired one. This practice is generally considered anti-competitive and illegal under antitrust laws. However, this Maryland jury instruction, 3.3.2 Section 1, addresses the defense of justification that the accused party may raise. The defense argues that there is a legitimate and pro competitive justification for the tying arrangement, thereby challenging the notion of a per se violation. It is essential to note that there might be different subtypes or variations of the defense of justification within this Maryland jury instruction, depending on the specifics of the case. These subtypes may include: 1. Efficiency defense: The accused party could argue that the tying arrangement promotes economic efficiency and consumer welfare by offering cost-saving benefits, improved product quality, or innovation. The defense seeks to demonstrate that the arrangement benefits both the market and consumers. 2. Market response defense: This defense suggests that the tying agreement was initiated in response to market conditions or actions by competitors. The accused party may argue that they were forced to implement the tying arrangement to protect or maintain their market position, preventing unfair competition or market manipulation. 3. Consumer choice defense: The defense could assert that consumers have the freedom to choose whether to participate in the tying arrangement, and that the accused party is not coercing or forcing them into the additional purchase. This defense aims to demonstrate that consumers have sufficient alternatives and are not unreasonably restricted in their choices. Overall, Maryland Jury Instruction — 3.3.2 Section 1, Per Se Violation Tying Agreement — Defense Of Justification, provides guidelines for the jury to evaluate the validity of the defense of justification raised by the accused party in a tying agreement case. The instruction assists the jury in analyzing the arguments made by both the prosecution and the defense in order to reach a fair and informed verdict.