Tuttle v. Buck
Minnesota Supreme Court
107 Minn. 145, 119 N.W. 946 (1909)
- Written by Angela Patrick, JD
Facts
Edward Tuttle (plaintiff) owned and operated a financially successful and respected barber shop. Cassius Buck (defendant) was a wealthy and influential banker. Buck threatened to ruin Tuttle’s business and drive Tuttle out of town. Buck set up a competing barber shop for the sole purpose of drawing customers away from Tuttle’s shop. Buck used his influence and connections to pressure potential customers to avoid Tuttle’s shop and to use Buck’s shop. Buck may have also spread false information about Tuttle. Consequently, Tuttle lost a significant amount of business, and he was in danger of going out of business completely. Tuttle sued Buck alleging that Buck’s actions were unlawful because Buck’s motive was not to serve any legitimate business interest but rather solely to injure Tuttle. Buck demurred to Tuttle’s complaint, meaning he sought to have it dismissed for failing to state a valid cause of action. Buck argued that he had a legal right to set up and operate a competing business, regardless of his motives. The trial court denied the dismissal request. Buck appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Elliott, J.)
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