Maine Jury Instruction — 3.3.1 Section 1, Per Se Violation Conspiracy To Fix Prices — Includes Alternative Rule of Reason Instruction is a legal instruction that guides the jury in cases involving alleged conspiracy to fix prices. In antitrust law, a per se violation refers to a violation that is considered illegal on its face, without the need for further analysis or proof. This instruction explains the concept of per se violation and how it applies to conspiracy to fix prices. The instruction also includes an alternative rule of reason instruction. Under the rule of reason analysis, the jury evaluates whether the alleged conspiracy to fix prices has anti-competitive effects outweighing any pro-competitive benefits. This alternative instruction provides a different approach to assessing the violation, offering the jury more flexibility in their decision-making process. There may be different types of Maine Jury Instruction — 3.3.1 Section 1, Per Se Violation Conspiracy To Fix Prices — Includes Alternative Rule of Reason Instruction based on specific case circumstances, legal precedents, or the judge's discretion. Some potential variations could incorporate elements such as: 1. Circumstantial Evidence: The instruction may outline the criteria for considering circumstantial evidence that supports the existence of a conspiracy to fix prices. It could include factors such as parallel behavior, evidence of communication between defendants, and evidence of anticompetitive conduct. 2. Concerted Action: This variation of the instruction may provide guidance on how to determine if defendants engaged in concerted action, emphasizing that mere parallel conduct is not sufficient evidence of a price-fixing conspiracy. The instruction may include factors such as direct or indirect evidence of communication, explicit agreements, or implicit understandings. 3. Pro-competitive Justifications: This type of instruction might focus on analyzing potential pro-competitive justifications for the alleged conspiracy to fix prices. It could guide the jury in evaluating whether the benefits of the conduct outweigh the potential harm to competition. 4. Industry-specific applications: Depending on the context of the case and the relevant industry, variations of this instruction may exist to address unique considerations. For example, specific instructions tailored to price-fixing allegations in the pharmaceutical, construction, or technology sectors may be developed. These variations aim to provide specific guidance to juries, ensuring they have a clear understanding of the legal principles relevant to the conspiracy to fix prices. Ultimately, the specific Maine Jury Instruction — 3.3.1 Section 1, Per Se Violation Conspiracy To Fix Prices — Includes Alternative Rule of Reason Instruction used will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of the case.