Vermont Jury Instruction — 3.3.2 Section 1, Per Se Violation Tying Agreement — Defense of Justification The Vermont State Court uses specific jury instructions to guide the jury in understanding the laws and principles relevant to a given case. One such instruction is Section 1 of Jury Instruction 3.3.2, which addresses the defense of justification in a per se violation tying agreement case. A tying agreement occurs when a party with substantial market power in one product or service forces their customers to also purchase a second product or service, amounting to an unfair practice that could harm competition. This type of agreement is considered a per se violation of antitrust laws, which means that the practice is presumed illegal regardless of its actual effects on the market. However, the Defense of Justification can potentially provide a legal defense for the defendant accused of engaging in a tying agreement, under certain circumstances. This defense argues that the tying of the two products or services is reasonable and necessary to achieve legitimate business objectives, outweighing any potential anticompetitive effects. This instruction serves to explain to the jury the elements and considerations involved when analyzing the Defense of Justification for a per se violation tying agreement case in Vermont. Relevant keywords to understand this instruction include: 1. Per Se Violation: This term refers to a violation of the law that is inherently illegal without requiring further examination of its potential effects. In a tying agreement case, the court presumes the agreement is illegal under the per se rule. 2. Tying Agreement: A tying agreement is a contractual arrangement where one party conditions the sale or purchase of a desired product (the tying product) on the agreement to purchase or sell another product or service (the tied product). This practice is typically used by dominant firms to leverage their market power. 3. Defense of Justification: This defense asserts that the tying agreement is reasonable and necessary to achieve legitimate business objectives. It requires the defendant to prove that the tied product is necessary for the functioning or quality of the tying product, and that there are no less restrictive alternatives available. Different types or variations of Vermont Jury Instruction — 3.3.2 Section 1, Per Se Violation Tying Agreement — Defense of Justification may include specific elements or factors the jury should consider when evaluating the defense. These could be related to the identification of the relevant market, the defendant's market power, the impact on competition, or the proffered justifications for the tying agreement. However, without specific details regarding additional types or variations of this particular instruction, it is difficult to provide more precise information. It is important to consult the official Vermont State Court instructions or legal resources for complete and up-to-date information on the topic.