Comcast Gets U.S. High Court Hearing on Consumer Lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether customers can pursue an $875 million consumer lawsuit alleging that Comcast Corp., (CMCSA) the nation’s largest cable television operator, monopolized the Philadelphia market.

The justices today agreed to review a federal appeals court ruling that said the case could proceed as a class action on behalf of as many as 2 million area customers.

A federal judge in April cleared the suit to go to trial on some claims, including allegations that Comcast swapped territories and subscribers with its competitors to ensure it could control the Philadelphia market and charge higher prices. Comcast has denied the allegations.

The justices will consider whether a federal judge can certify the case as a class-action lawsuit without first resolving whether proof of damages can be determined for the plaintiffs as a group.

The case is Comcast v. Behrend, 11-864.

To contact the reporter on this story: Greg Stohr in Washington at gstohr@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Steven Komarow at skomarow1@bloomberg.net