John Metzler
Partner
Ph.D. Candidate in Economics, University of Michigan
B.A. in Economics, Indiana University at South Bend
734.214.2214
John Metzler has been engaged in antitrust consulting since 1994. He has supported testifying experts and legal teams in many trials and numerous matters that settled before trial. His work focuses on antitrust liability and patent damages. His consulting experience covers a wide range of industries, from computers, software, Internet access, and telecoms to various automotive and electro-mechanical systems. Prior to his consulting work, John directed computer-aided design and engineering in a manufacturing firm.
Consulting Experience
Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade v. City of New York
On just eight days’ notice, applEcon presented a study at an evidentiary hearing that formed the basis for a judge’s conclusion that new taxi lease rate regulations created a mandate to buy hybrid vehicles and presented superior alternatives to the new taxi lease regulations. The City of New York wanted to create an incentive for…
Ray Fladeboe Lincoln Mercury, Inc. v. Ford Dealer Computer Services, Inc.
Antitrust Liability for Defendant
Fladeboe alleged that Dealer Computer Services, Inc. (DCSI) exercised monopoly power to engage in illegal tying. According to Fladeboe, starting in 1995 DCSI obligated Ford dealerships to enter contracts to purchase a Computerized Publication Display (CPD) system from DCSI in order to have the ability to purchase Ford parts and accessories. The CPD system was…
Valassis v. News America
Antitrust Liability for Plaintiff
applEcon presented trial and deposition testimony that made a comprehensive, clear, and convincing case for liability for anticompetitive conduct, tortious interference, and unfair business practices, helping Valassis to a $300 million jury-decided victory at the first of three scheduled trials and to a final settlement of $500 million prior to trial on applEcon’s home ground,…
Image Technical Services (ITS) v. Kodak
Antitrust Liability for Plaintiffs
Plaintiffs included 17 small independent service organizations who alleged Kodak had illegally monopolized the aftermarket for maintenance services on Kodak high volume copiers and micrographics (microfilm) equipment. Plaintiffs alleged Kodak used its control of repair parts to harm competition in the aftermarket for maintenance services. The plaintiffs were all competitors to Kodak in the provision…
Compuware Corporation v. International Business Machines Corporation
Antitrust Liability for Plaintiff
Compuware alleged that IBM illegally used its monopoly power over mainframe hardware and certain types of mainframe software to harm competition in other mainframe software markets. Compuware had long sold software “tools” for developing, testing and managing mainframe applications or environments. In about 2000, IBM entered these markets with its own products. According to Compuware,…
Opposition to MDL Settlement of All U.S. Microsoft Antitrust Claims
Antitrust, Liability, Causation, Damages, Class Certification for Plaintiffs
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland applEcon was finishing a damages study for class action plaintiffs in an antitrust suit against Microsoft in California state court when an attempt was made to highjack the case. Microsoft and multi-district litigation (MDL) plaintiffs’ attorneys proposed a settlement of all U.S. antitrust claims in federal court. …
IBM v. Platform Solutions and t3 Technologies
Antitrust, Intellectual Property
Southern District of New York t3 Technologies (t3) alleged IBM misused intellectual property rights and tied operating systems licenses to hardware, thereby maintaining its monopoly over mainframe hardware. applEcon, working in close coordination with t3’s lawyers, provided evidence and analyses that were key to getting both the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice…
In re: TFT-LCD (Flat Panel) Antitrust Litigation
Antitrust, Damages Analysis, Class Certification
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California applEcon helped a class of U.S. consumers to obtain settlements totaling $1.082 billion from a cartel of manufacturers of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels. LCD panels are flat video displays used in computer monitors, laptop computers, and televisions. The nine manufacturers that comprised the cartel supplied…
CRT Class Certification
Antitrust, Damages Analysis, Class Certification
U.S. Northern District of California Testimony from Dr. Janet Netz of applEcon assisted purchasers of cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and computer monitors in obtaining a recommendation for class certification from the Interim Special Master who wrote: “Having undertaken a rigorous analysis of plaintiffs’ evidence (particularly, the reports of Dr. Netz), the Interim Special Master…
Dial Corp. et al. v. News Corp. et al. (1)
Antitrust, Monopolization, Damages Analysis, Class Certification
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Testimony by Professor Jeffrey MacKie-Mason of applEcon assisted packaged goods manufacturers to obtain class certification in a lawsuit alleging monopolization of the market for third party in-store promotions by News America Marketing (“News”). News buys exclusive access to at-shelf space from retailers, and sells at-shelf…
In re: Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Antitrust Litigation
Antitrust, Damages Analysis, Class Certification
U.S. Northern District of California Testimony from Dr. Janet Netz of applEcon assisted purchasers of cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and computer monitors to obtain cash settlements totaling $563 million from seven CRT manufacturers. applEcon supported class counsel throughout the legal process, submitting nine expert reports related to class certification, antitrust liability, damages, and other…
Collins Inkjet Corporation v. Eastman Kodak Company
Antitrust, Tying, Bundled Pricing
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Western Division Consultation with applEcon economists helped Collins Inkjet to demonstrate that their claim met a precedent-setting new standard for tying, and defeat the defendant’s appeal of a preliminary injunction in Collins Inkjet Co. v. Eastman Kodak. The plaintiff, Collins Inkjet claimed that Kodak tied its printer…
Class Action Cases Against Microsoft
Antitrust, Liability, Causation, Damages, Class Certification for Plaintiffs
U.S. vs. Microsoft concluded that Microsoft had exercised power over PC operating system prices, but awarded no damages to consumers. Consumers in seven states received over $1.6 billion in settlements from Microsoft from antitrust suits that relied on applEcon for its liability and damages expertise. applEcon’s first and largest state case on behalf of consumers…
Red Lion Medical Safety, Inc. et al. v. General Electric Company
Antitrust, Liability, Damages Analysis
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Seventeen companies sued General Electric (“GE”), alleging that GE engaged in anticompetitive conduct in the sale of refurbished anesthesia machines and the servicing of all GE anesthesia machines. Following a seven-day trial, a unanimous jury awarded plaintiffs damages of $43,083,344, finding that GE violated Sections 1…