30-14-208. Unfair competition in purchasing. - Montana Statutes

     30-14-208. Unfair competition in purchasing. (1) Any business which, for the purpose of creating a monopoly or destroying the business of a regularly established dealer or preventing the competition of any person who in good faith intends or attempts to become such dealer, discriminates between different persons or localities of this state by purchasing any article of commerce at a higher rate or price in one locality than in another, after making due allowance for the difference in the actual cost of transportation from the point of purchase to the point of manufacture, sale, storage, or distribution and for the difference in the grade and quality of such article, is guilty of unfair discrimination, which is prohibited and unlawful.
     (2) Proof that any person has paid a higher rate or price for any article of commerce in one locality than in another, after making due allowance for the difference in the actual cost of transportation and for the difference in the grade and quality of such article, shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
     (3) The payment of a higher rate or price in one locality than in another, after making such allowance provided above, is not unfair discrimination provided such higher rate or price is paid for the purpose of meeting the rate or price set by a competitor in such locality. The burden of proof of such fact is upon the person charged with unfair discrimination.

     History: En. 51-508 by Sec. 8, Ch. 518, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 51-508.