context: Closely intertwined with the not-a-stranger principle is the fundamental precept that a nonparty to a contractual relationship who nevertheless has a sufficiently direct economic stake in that relationship has a right to protect its own economic interest.
citation_a.signal: see also
citation_a.parenthetical: stating that "in the absence of prohibition by statute, illegitimate means, or some other unlawful element, a defendant seeking to increase his own business may ... enter into secret negotiations behind the plaintiffs back, refuse to deal with him ... or even refuse to deal with third parties unless they cease dealing with the plaintiff, all without incurring liability"
citation_a.sentence: See Marin Tug, 271 F.3d at 832 (applying the principle under California law that “the tort of interference with prospective economic advantage was not intended broadly to limit individuals or commercial entities in choosing their commercial relationships, whether their motives in doing so might be — unless those motives are independently unlawful”); see also A-Mark Coin v. Gen’l Mills, Inc., 148 Cal.App.3d 312, 324, 195 Cal.Rptr. 859 (1983) (stating that “in the absence of prohibition by statute, illegitimate means, or some other unlawful element, a defendant seeking to increase his own business may ... enter into secret negotiations behind the plaintiffs back, refuse to deal with him ... or even refuse to deal with third parties unless they cease dealing with the plaintiff, all without incurring liability”).
citation_b.signal: see
citation_b.identifier: 271 F.3d 832, 832
citation_b.parenthetical: applying the principle under California law that "the tort of interference with prospective economic advantage was not intended broadly to limit individuals or commercial entities in choosing their commercial relationships, whether their motives in doing so might be -- unless those motives are independently unlawful"
citation_b.sentence: See Marin Tug, 271 F.3d at 832 (applying the principle under California law that “the tort of interference with prospective economic advantage was not intended broadly to limit individuals or commercial entities in choosing their commercial relationships, whether their motives in doing so might be — unless those motives are independently unlawful”); see also A-Mark Coin v. Gen’l Mills, Inc., 148 Cal.App.3d 312, 324, 195 Cal.Rptr. 859 (1983) (stating that “in the absence of prohibition by statute, illegitimate means, or some other unlawful element, a defendant seeking to increase his own business may ... enter into secret negotiations behind the plaintiffs back, refuse to deal with him ... or even refuse to deal with third parties unless they cease dealing with the plaintiff, all without incurring liability”).