United States Court of Appeals
`For the First Circuit
`
`
`
`
`No. 19-2001
`
`ANOUSH CAB, INC.; ARAMS, INC.; ARARRAT, INC.; ATLANTIC CAB,
`INC.; BARLOW CAB, INC.; BEDROS CAB, INC.; BOYLSTON CAB, INC.;
`BRIGHAM CAB, INC.; CLEVELAND CAB, INC.; DIAMOND CAB, INC.; ELSIE
`CAB, INC.; FENWAY TAXI,INC.; G&A CAB, INC.; JORDAN CAB, INC.;
`JUBRAN CAB, INC.; KILMARNOCK CAB,INC.; LITTLE ISLAND CAB, INC.;
`LOCUST CAB, INC.; LONGWOOD CAB, INC.; M & AN CAB, INC.; M.P.E.
`CAB, INC.; MARBED CAB, INC.; MASSIS, INC.; MESROB, INC.; N.E.
`CAB, INC.; ORIOLE CAB, INC.; PETERBOROUGH CAB, INC.; QUEENSBURY
`CAB,INC.; SAHAG, INC.; SOVEREIGN CAB, INC.; V & A CAB, INC.;
`VERAS, INC.; VICKYS, INC.; YELLOWBIRD CAB, INC.,
`
`Plaintiffs, Appellants,
`
`GILL & GILL, INC.; NANAK NAAM, INC.; AMRITSAR EXPRESS, INC.;
`SONNY AND BOBBY TRANS., INC.; GILL TRANS., INC.; FINOS TAXI,
`INC.; CHARLENE TAXI, INC.; MYTASHA TAXI, INC.; WYOMING CAB,
`INC.; EDWARD'S TAXI, INC.; CURTIS CAB, INC.; MY FATHER TAXI,
`INC.; MIC-PAUL TAXI, INC.; A. STACY TAXI, INC.; PATTI PIE TAXI,
`INC.; MCGAFF TAXI, INC.; RAWAN TAXI, INC.; SPRING TAXI, INC.;
`SUMMERS TAXI, INC.; AUTUMN TAXI, INC.; WINTERS TAXI, INC.; BOW
`STREET TAXI; BLUE KNIGHT TAXI, INC.; CHELE TAXI, INC.; CHRISTMAS
`TAXI, INC.; GES TAXI, INC.; GRAND SPORT TAXI, INC.; BREENIE
`TAXI, INC.; LIL'S TAXI, INC.; CLAIRE TAXI, INC.; DON-LIL TAXI,
`INC.; ANDY'S CAB, INC.; BOARDMAN CAB, INC.; GROVE CAB, INC.;
`SECRET SQUIRREL TAXI, INC.; NAVJIT CAB, INC.; PREED, INC.;
`NAJJAR ENTERPRISES, INC.; BILGA, INC.; JIMMY 1, INC.; ANJU
`TRANS., INC.; DEEP CAB, INC.; EMATESSE CAB, INC.; CHRISTOPHER
`CAB, INC.; DADOO CAB, INC.; GURU GOBIND CAB, INC.; AUBANEL
`TRANS., INC.; RAMC CAB, INC.; TED D. J. TAXI, INC.; MAKONNEN
`CAB, INC.; YELLOW CAB OF BELMONT, INC.; MAJID, INC.; JOUNE,
`INC.; HARE HARE TRANS., INC.; ANPAUL CAB, INC.; TABIKING
`EXPRESS, INC.; MARCIA AND EVERTON CAB, INC.; RICARDO & JOANNE
`CAB, INC.; PATIENCE TAXI, INC.; TURK TRANS., INC.; NATIVITY CAB,
`INC.; ROSE CAB, INC.; HAAMA TRANS, INC.; TOM'S TAXI, INC.; MERA
`SOAMI, INC.; MUGAL TRANS., INC.; KHAVEERI, INC.; F. EDEL, INC.;
`ANGEREB, INC.; TREMONT STREET TAXI, INC.; GANGA, INC.; NEW
`INVISION, INC.; K. HEYDEN, INC.; BRENT TAXI, INC.; IRAJ, INC.;
`SWAMI JI, INC.; GEOLANGE, INC.; ESPERANTA TAXI, INC.; SINGH CAB,
`INC.; SHIVA JI CAB, INC.; LARROUSE CAB, INC.; JAVE CAB, INC.;
`
`

`

`TALIN CAB,
`INC.; LUNICA,
`INC.; NILE EXPRESS,
`INC.; SMOOTH RIDER,
`TALIN CAB, INC.; LUNICA, INC.; NILE EXPRESS, INC.; SMOOTH RIDER,
`INC.; E. AND ANNE TAXI,
`INC.; ALEN'S CAB,
`INC.; MEGAN CAB,
`INC.;
`INC.; E. AND ANNE TAXI, INC.; ALEN'S CAB, INC.; MEGAN CAB, INC.;
`SAMUEL TRANSPORTATION,
`INC.; PETIT GOAVE CAB,
`INC.; MICHAEL CAB,
`SAMUEL TRANSPORTATION, INC.; PETIT GOAVE CAB, INC.; MICHAEL CAB,
`INC.; ABSOLUTE TAXI OF CAMBRIDGE,
`INC.; ALTA TAXI,
`INC.; TARJAN
`INC.; ABSOLUTE TAXI OF CAMBRIDGE, INC.; ALTA TAXI, INC.; TARJAN
`CAB,
`INC.; ALEXANDRIA TRANS.,
`INC.; KOHSAR,
`INC.; RIVAL CAB,
`CAB, INC.; ALEXANDRIA TRANS., INC.; KOHSAR, INC.; RIVAL CAB,
`INC.; YHWH SABAOTH,
`INC.; PRAISE THE LORD,
`INC.; HARVARD SQUARE
`INC.; YHWH SABAOTH, INC.; PRAISE THE LORD, INC.; HARVARD SQUARE
`CAB,
`INC.; FLYING CARPET CAB,
`INC.; MEHROSE,
`INC.; AMAR TRANS.,
`CAB, INC.; FLYING CARPET CAB, INC.; MEHROSE, INC.; AMAR TRANS.,
`INC.; RB CAB,
`INC.; CROYANCE CAB,
`INC.; P.I. CAB,
`INC.; HOMANO &
`INC.; RB CAB, INC.; CROYANCE CAB, INC.; P.I. CAB, INC.; HOMANO &
`CARL TAXI,
`INC.; FLEDO,
`INC.;
`J.W. CAB INC.; PIDI CAB,
`INC.;
`CARL TAXI, INC.; FLEDO, INC.; J.W. CAB INC.; PIDI CAB, INC.;
`GODAVARI,
`INC.; ST. RICHARD TAXI,
`INC.; RUTH CAB,
`INC.;
`GODAVARI, INC.; ST. RICHARD TAXI, INC.; RUTH CAB, INC.;
`SATKARTAR,
`INC.; ELIOT CAB,
`INC.; WADH BAGH SINGH CAB,
`INC.; MY
`SATKARTAR, INC.; ELIOT CAB, INC.; WADH BAGH SINGH CAB, INC.; MY
`YASMINA CAB,
`INC.; TWO GIRLS TAXI,
`INC.; PAPESO CAB,
`INC.;
`YASMINA CAB, INC.; TWO GIRLS TAXI, INC.; PAPESO CAB, INC.;
`ZAHIDA TRANS.,
`INC.; YVES TAXI,
`INC.; YUNG CAB,
`INC.; PALOMA
`ZAHIDA TRANS., INC.; YVES TAXI, INC.; YUNG CAB, INC.; PALOMA
`TRANSPORTATION,
`INC.; MARTHA'S TRANS.,
`INC.; LA BOULE DE FEU,
`TRANSPORTATION, INC.; MARTHA'S TRANS., INC.; LA BOULE DE FEU,
`INC.; SPLENDIDE CAB,
`INC.; SHOOPITE CAB,
`INC.; GREEN LAND,
`INC.;
`INC.; SPLENDIDE CAB, INC.; SHOOPITE CAB, INC.; GREEN LAND, INC.;
`TR CAB,
`INC.; FEDSEN & TEDSEN,
`INC.; DIEU EST BON,
`INC.; VICEROY
`TR CAB, INC.; FEDSEN & TEDSEN, INC.; DIEU EST BON, INC.; VICEROY
`CAB,
`INC.; NEGES JR., CAB,
`INC.; RADHA SWAMI BIAS,
`INC.; PROMISE
`CAB, INC.; NEGES JR., CAB, INC.; RADHA SWAMI BIAS, INC.; PROMISE
`CAB,
`INC.; G.G.M. CAB,
`INC.; PABLE TAXI,
`INC.; BROTHERS CAB,
`CAB, INC.; G.G.M. CAB, INC.; PABLE TAXI, INC.; BROTHERS CAB,
`INC.; KASSIE CAB,
`INC.;
`JAZZ TAXI,
`INC.; B GOOD CAB,
`INC.; OHM,
`INC.; KASSIE CAB, INC.; JAZZ TAXI, INC.; B GOOD CAB, INC.; OHM,
`SHIVA & GANESH CAB,
`INC.; L'OISEAU TAXI,
`INC.; LYSETTE &
`JARDUS,
`SHIVA & GANESH CAB, INC.; L'OISEAU TAXI, INC.; LYSETTE & JARDUS,
`INC.; FATIMA CAB,
`INC.; SELON DIEU CAB,
`INC.; M.
`& D. BROTHERS,
`INC.; FATIMA CAB, INC.; SELON DIEU CAB, INC.; M. & D. BROTHERS,
`INC.; LA TRINITE,
`INC.; LOVELY ONE,
`INC.; WILVENS CAB,
`INC.;
`INC.; LA TRINITE, INC.; LOVELY ONE, INC.; WILVENS CAB, INC.;
`GOOD TIME CAB,
`INC.; DOU DOU CAB,
`INC.; MGP TAXI,
`INC.; G.
`JOSE
`GOOD TIME CAB, INC.; DOU DOU CAB, INC.; MGP TAXI, INC.; G. JOSE
`CAB,
`INC.;
`JEAHANNA TAXI,
`INC.; NATOU CAB,
`INC.; CLERNA CORP.;
`CAB, INC.; JEAHANNA TAXI, INC.; NATOU CAB, INC.; CLERNA CORP.;
`ANTONIO & FRANCO,
`INC.; GURU TEGH BHADUR CAB,
`INC.; MONA CAB,
`ANTONIO & FRANCO, INC.; GURU TEGH BHADUR CAB, INC.; MONA CAB,
`INC.; ERIC & MARIA CAB,
`INC.; CHRIS AND JUNIOR,
`INC.; SURPRISE
`INC.; ERIC & MARIA CAB, INC.; CHRIS AND JUNIOR, INC.; SURPRISE
`CAB,
`INC.; CHENAL CAB,
`INC.; ANH CAB,
`INC.; AUGUST CAB,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; CHENAL CAB, INC.; ANH CAB, INC.; AUGUST CAB, INC.;
`ELZIRA &
`KARTAR CAB,
`INC.; NIMRAH TRANS.,
`INC.;
`JELUS CAB,
`INC.;
`KARTAR CAB, INC.; NIMRAH TRANS., INC.; JELUS CAB, INC.; ELZIRA &
`LUC CAB,
`INC.; BKMB,
`INC.; ONLY BELIEVE TAXI,
`INC.; NADA,
`INC.;
`LUC CAB, INC.; BKMB, INC.; ONLY BELIEVE TAXI, INC.; NADA, INC.;
`MANOR CAB,
`INC.; GALEHAD TAXI,
`INC.; A. TAMMY CAB,
`INC.;
`MANOR CAB, INC.; GALEHAD TAXI, INC.; A. TAMMY CAB, INC.;
`GARVEN'S CAB,
`INC.; ARNOLD COURT TAXI,
`INC.; BBJ CAB,
`INC.;
`GARVEN'S CAB, INC.; ARNOLD COURT TAXI, INC.; BBJ CAB, INC.;
`SILVA CAB,
`INC.; GUMAT CAB,
`INC.; BRIOL CAB,
`INC.; BEST IS BEST
`SILVA CAB, INC.; GUMAT CAB, INC.; BRIOL CAB, INC.; BEST IS BEST
`CAB,
`INC.; MJ TAXI CAB,
`INC.; SAMI'S TAXI,
`INC.; C.T.P. I,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; MJ TAXI CAB, INC.; SAMI'S TAXI, INC.; C.T.P. I, INC.;
`ERA ET LABORA,
`INC.; MUNNY TRANS.,
`INC.; HARSH CAB,
`INC.; SOEG
`ERA ET LABORA, INC.; MUNNY TRANS., INC.; HARSH CAB, INC.; SOEG
`CAB,
`INC.; ALDINE CAB,
`INC.; TIVY,
`INC.;
`ISAIH MATHEW,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; ALDINE CAB, INC.; TIVY, INC.; ISAIH MATHEW, INC.;
`ADVANTAGE TAXI OF CAMBRIDGE,
`INC.; BANWAIT TRANS.,
`INC.; CAYES
`ADVANTAGE TAXI OF CAMBRIDGE, INC.; BANWAIT TRANS., INC.; CAYES
`II CAB,
`INC.;
`JACQUET CAB,
`INC.; EBEN-EZER TAXI CAB,
`INC.; YOLY-
`II CAB, INC.; JACQUET CAB, INC.; EBEN-EZER TAXI CAB, INC.; YOLY-
`CARVENS,
`INC.; SHEIKH TRANS.,
`INC.; MY NATHALIE CAB,
`INC.; RED
`CARVENS, INC.; SHEIKH TRANS., INC.; MY NATHALIE CAB, INC.; RED
`FISH CAB,
`INC.; AZIN TAXI,
`INC.; MEKLIT CAB,
`INC.; P & S TAXI
`FISH CAB, INC.; AZIN TAXI, INC.; MEKLIT CAB, INC.; P & S TAXI
`CORP.; ROBENSON TAXI,
`INC.; RP EXCELSIOR,
`INC.; MILLENNIUM TAXI,
`CORP.; ROBENSON TAXI, INC.; RP EXCELSIOR, INC.; MILLENNIUM TAXI,
`INC.; BB TAXI EXPRESS,
`INC.; TEJA TRANS.,
`INC.; ROL & G.,
`INC.;
`INC.; BB TAXI EXPRESS, INC.; TEJA TRANS., INC.; ROL & G., INC.;
`LOVE CAB,
`INC.; LES GENS DU NORD,
`INC., BHARGO INC., H & L CAB,
`LOVE CAB, INC.; LES GENS DU NORD, INC., BHARGO INC., H & L CAB,
`INC.; DELIVRANCE CAB,
`INC.; TOWN TAXI OF CAPE COD,
`INC.; KURALA
`INC.; DELIVRANCE CAB, INC.; TOWN TAXI OF CAPE COD, INC.; KURALA
`TRANS.,
`INC.; TINA & NINA TRANS.,
`INC.; MAVA TAXI,
`INC.;
`TRANS., INC.; TINA & NINA TRANS., INC.; MAVA TAXI, INC.;
`CAMBRIDGE CAB CONNECTION,
`INC.; HERNANDEZ TRANSPORTATION,
`INC.;
`CAMBRIDGE CAB CONNECTION, INC.; HERNANDEZ TRANSPORTATION, INC.;
`RIL-TUL CAB,
`INC.; KHALSA CAB,
`INC.; ALPHA OMEGA CAB,
`INC.; T &
`RIL-TUL CAB, INC.; KHALSA CAB, INC.; ALPHA OMEGA CAB, INC.; T &
`J CAB,
`INC.; MT. EVEREST,
`INC.; U &
`I CORP.;
`JFL CAB,
`INC.;
`J CAB, INC.; MT. EVEREST, INC.; U & I CORP.; JFL CAB, INC.;
`
`-2-
`
`

`

`DADY-PHONE,
`INC.; R. CANDY TAXI,
`INC.; VICTORIA CAB,
`INC.; SELAM
`DADY-PHONE, INC.; R. CANDY TAXI, INC.; VICTORIA CAB, INC.; SELAM
`TRANSPORTATION,
`INC.; PRO-CAB,
`INC.; YOTILLE CAB,
`INC.; ABCD
`TRANSPORTATION, INC.; PRO-CAB, INC.; YOTILLE CAB, INC.; ABCD
`TAXI,
`INC.; NKB CAB,
`INC.; MARCUS CAB,
`INC.; ELPOORAG,
`INC.;
`TAXI, INC.; NKB CAB, INC.; MARCUS CAB, INC.; ELPOORAG, INC.;
`KENDRA CORPORATION; BRITNEY CAB,
`INC.; ELAN CAB,
`INC.;
`JAI
`KENDRA CORPORATION; BRITNEY CAB, INC.; ELAN CAB, INC.; JAI
`GURUDEV CORPORATION; DOPHY TAXI,
`INC.; DREAMERS CAB,
`INC.;
`GURUDEV CORPORATION; DOPHY TAXI, INC.; DREAMERS CAB, INC.;
`WALGER,
`INC.; DESDUNES UNITED,
`INC.; PATRICK TAXI,
`INC.; DOUCEUR
`WALGER, INC.; DESDUNES UNITED, INC.; PATRICK TAXI, INC.; DOUCEUR
`CAB,
`INC.;
`JE CROIS EN DIEU,
`INC.; MT. CARMELLE TAXI,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; JE CROIS EN DIEU, INC.; MT. CARMELLE TAXI, INC.;
`ABBED CAB,
`INC.; ADDIS CAB,
`INC.; ARIEL &
`JAPHETH,
`INC.; BETHEL
`ABBED CAB, INC.; ADDIS CAB, INC.; ARIEL & JAPHETH, INC.; BETHEL
`CAB,
`INC.; CHARLIE CAB,
`INC.; CORETTA,
`INC.; CYRILO CAB,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; CHARLIE CAB, INC.; CORETTA, INC.; CYRILO CAB, INC.;
`DALESHA TAXI,
`INC.; DESDUNES CAB,
`INC.; ELYSSE CORPORATION;
`DALESHA TAXI, INC.; DESDUNES CAB, INC.; ELYSSE CORPORATION;
`FIRST STREET CAB,
`INC.; G & E. CAB,
`INC.; GL CAB,
`INC.; GOH CAB,
`FIRST STREET CAB, INC.; G & E. CAB, INC.; GL CAB, INC.; GOH CAB,
`INC.; GAGAN TAXI,
`INC.;
`JACQUELINE CAB,
`INC.;
`JEREMIE TAXI,
`INC.; GAGAN TAXI, INC.; JACQUELINE CAB, INC.; JEREMIE TAXI,
`INC.; LOUINE CAB,
`INC.; M. ANGELO CAB,
`INC.; NAHAR SINGH CAB,
`INC.; LOUINE CAB, INC.; M. ANGELO CAB, INC.; NAHAR SINGH CAB,
`INC.; NEK FAB,
`INC.; O.D.J. TAXI,
`INC.; ONKAR CAB,
`INC.; PH &
`INC.; NEK FAB, INC.; O.D.J. TAXI, INC.; ONKAR CAB, INC.; PH &
`KN,
`INC.; RADHA TRANS.,
`INC.; RANDAH CAB,
`INC.;
`S & J INC.; TWO
`KN, INC.; RADHA TRANS., INC.; RANDAH CAB, INC.; S & J INC.; TWO
`BOYS CAB,
`INC.; VIRGINIA CAB,
`INC.; WINDSOR CAB,
`INC.; ZANDO
`BOYS CAB, INC.; VIRGINIA CAB, INC.; WINDSOR CAB, INC.; ZANDO
`CAB,
`INC.; AHRAM CAB,
`INC.; AN YIN PA TA,
`INC.; ANDERSON &
`CAB, INC.; AHRAM CAB, INC.; AN YIN PA TA, INC.; ANDERSON &
`JOSHUA CAB,
`INC.; ANNA CAB,
`INC.; ARISTOCRATS AMBIANCE TAXI,
`JOSHUA CAB, INC.; ANNA CAB, INC.; ARISTOCRATS AMBIANCE TAXI,
`INC.; BAINET CAB,
`INC.; BAY CITY TAXI,
`INC.; BIBI'S CAB,
`INC.;
`INC.; BAINET CAB, INC.; BAY CITY TAXI, INC.; BIBI'S CAB, INC.;
`C.E.F. CAB,
`INC.; CAMBRIDGE CLASSIC CAB,
`INC.; CAYES CAB,
`INC.;
`C.E.F. CAB, INC.; CAMBRIDGE CLASSIC CAB, INC.; CAYES CAB, INC.;
`CENTRAL SQUARE, CAB,
`INC.; CLEO TAXI,
`INC.; DEMOSTERNE,
`INC.;
`CENTRAL SQUARE, CAB, INC.; CLEO TAXI, INC.; DEMOSTERNE, INC.;
`EAGLE TAXI,
`INC.; EL CHALDAY,
`INC.; ELIZABETH CAB,
`INC.;
`EAGLE TAXI, INC.; EL CHALDAY, INC.; ELIZABETH CAB, INC.;
`ENCHANTE TAXI,
`INC.; EUREKA CAB,
`INC.; FARB,
`INC.; G & J CAB
`ENCHANTE TAXI, INC.; EUREKA CAB, INC.; FARB, INC.; G & J CAB
`INC.; GIORGIO'S CAB,
`INC.; GOLDEN TEMPLE TRANS.,
`INC.; GREEN
`INC.; GIORGIO'S CAB, INC.; GOLDEN TEMPLE TRANS., INC.; GREEN
`STRIPE CAB,
`INC.; GURU TRANS.,
`INC.; HAWELTI CAB,
`INC., HOSANA
`STRIPE CAB, INC.; GURU TRANS., INC.; HAWELTI CAB, INC., HOSANA
`TAXI,
`INC.,
`ITA CAB,
`INC.;
`IMPECCABLE TRANS,
`INC.;
`JMF CAB,
`TAXI, INC., ITA CAB, INC.; IMPECCABLE TRANS, INC.; JMF CAB,
`INC.;
`JV TAXI,
`INC.;
`JEZIL CAB,
`INC.;
`JOYSE CAB,
`INC.; KARIM
`INC.; JV TAXI, INC.; JEZIL CAB, INC.; JOYSE CAB, INC.; KARIM
`CAB,
`INC.; KESHIA CAB,
`INC.; KEVIN TAXI,
`INC.; KRISHANA TRANS.,
`CAB, INC.; KESHIA CAB, INC.; KEVIN TAXI, INC.; KRISHANA TRANS.,
`INC.; KRISHNA KRISHNA TRANS.,
`INC.; LARRIEUX CAB,
`INC.; LELE
`INC.; KRISHNA KRISHNA TRANS., INC.; LARRIEUX CAB, INC.; LELE
`CAB,
`INC.; LEXINGTON TAXI,
`INC.; MIT CAB,
`INC.; MARK & S,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; LEXINGTON TAXI, INC.; MIT CAB, INC.; MARK & S, INC.;
`MAS TAXI,
`INC.; MELCHISEDEK CAB,
`INC.; MIRKA,
`INC.; MOGADISHU
`MAS TAXI, INC.; MELCHISEDEK CAB, INC.; MIRKA, INC.; MOGADISHU
`CAB,
`INC.; NAJU,
`INC.; NELCHERI CAB,
`INC.; NO NO CAB,
`INC.; P &
`CAB, INC.; NAJU, INC.; NELCHERI CAB, INC.; NO NO CAB, INC.; P &
`G CAB,
`INC.; P & P DUMERANT CORP.; PAFOU CAB,
`INC.; PAPU,
`INC.;
`G CAB, INC.; P & P DUMERANT CORP.; PAFOU CAB, INC.; PAPU, INC.;
`PAUL CAB,
`INC.; QUEEN JESSICA CAB,
`INC.; RAAVI TRANS.,
`INC.; RAI
`PAUL CAB, INC.; QUEEN JESSICA CAB, INC.; RAAVI TRANS., INC.; RAI
`TRANSPORTATION,
`INC.; RED CAB OF WORCESTER,
`INC.; RENEE TAXI,
`TRANSPORTATION, INC.; RED CAB OF WORCESTER, INC.; RENEE TAXI,
`INC.; RENETTE & FRANCKLYN,
`INC.; RIOS GON CAB,
`INC.; ROCK SOLID
`INC.; RENETTE & FRANCKLYN, INC.; RIOS GON CAB, INC.; ROCK SOLID
`& MOMONE,
`INC.; ROLY CAB,
`INC.; SASUN CAB,
`INC.; SATNUM CAB,
`& MOMONE, INC.; ROLY CAB, INC.; SASUN CAB, INC.; SATNUM CAB,
`INC.; SEA WALL TAXI,
`INC.; SHANI TAXI,
`INC.; SUNSET CAB,
`INC.;
`INC.; SEA WALL TAXI, INC.; SHANI TAXI, INC.; SUNSET CAB, INC.;
`SYMPHONY TAXI,
`INC.; TT,
`INC.; TAXI TECHNOLOGY,
`INC.; TAYLOR
`SYMPHONY TAXI, INC.; TT, INC.; TAXI TECHNOLOGY, INC.; TAYLOR
`TAXI,
`INC.; TELFORT CAB,
`INC.; ULYSSE TRANS. HOLDING, CORP.;
`TAXI, INC.; TELFORT CAB, INC.; ULYSSE TRANS. HOLDING, CORP.;
`ULYSSE'S CAB,
`INC.; YO YO CAB,
`INC.; YOU TOO CAB,
`INC.; ZICKY
`ULYSSE'S CAB, INC.; YO YO CAB, INC.; YOU TOO CAB, INC.; ZICKY
`CAB,
`INC.; 116 CAB,
`INC.; HANEF TRANS.,
`INC.; TRISTAN & VANESSA
`CAB, INC.; 116 CAB, INC.; HANEF TRANS., INC.; TRISTAN & VANESSA
`CAB,
`INC.; BINYAMIN CAB,
`INC.; CATHUL,
`INC.; CHRISTOPHER'S CAB,
`CAB, INC.; BINYAMIN CAB, INC.; CATHUL, INC.; CHRISTOPHER'S CAB,
`INC.; DILLONS TRANS.,
`INC.; MARZENEB,
`INC.; MESHUALEKIA,
`INC.;
`INC.; DILLONS TRANS., INC.; MARZENEB, INC.; MESHUALEKIA, INC.;
`PHATRICKSEY CAB,
`INC.; YOU AND I CAB,
`INC.; BENITO & ROSELINE
`PHATRICKSEY CAB, INC.; YOU AND I CAB, INC.; BENITO & ROSELINE
`CAB,
`INC.; DE LEREBOURS,
`INC.; LARACINE,
`INC.; LEYNA CAB,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; DE LEREBOURS, INC.; LARACINE, INC.; LEYNA CAB, INC.;
`MOBARAK CAB,
`INC.; REHAM CAB,
`INC.; ROSAMELIA INC.; SJP TAXI,
`MOBARAK CAB, INC.; REHAM CAB, INC.; ROSAMELIA INC.; SJP TAXI,
`
`-3-
`
`

`

`INC.; THOMAS FAMILY,
`INC.; GADL CAB,
`INC., LIDETA CAB,
`INC.; KBS
`INC.; THOMAS FAMILY, INC.; GADL CAB, INC., LIDETA CAB, INC.; KBS
`CAB,
`INC.; MSW TAXI,
`INC.; MAHNOOR TRANS.,
`INC.; PAL TAXI,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; MSW TAXI, INC.; MAHNOOR TRANS., INC.; PAL TAXI, INC.;
`ROODY'S CAB,
`INC.; C & G LEASING,
`INC.; LA DILIGENCE,
`INC.; HARE
`ROODY'S CAB, INC.; C & G LEASING, INC.; LA DILIGENCE, INC.; HARE
`KRISHNA TRANS.,
`INC.;
`JOJO E.M. CAB,
`INC.;
`JANE MARY CAB,
`INC.;
`KRISHNA TRANS., INC.; JOJO E.M. CAB, INC.; JANE MARY CAB, INC.;
`JEFFREY & TANISHA,
`INC.;
`JEHOVAH JUREH,
`INC.; KALKAT CAB,
`INC.;
`JEFFREY & TANISHA, INC.; JEHOVAH JUREH, INC.; KALKAT CAB, INC.;
`HIRAM'S TAXI,
`INC.; STEFAN TUROLSKI; DEFER CAB,
`INC.; SHREE
`HIRAM'S TAXI, INC.; STEFAN TUROLSKI; DEFER CAB, INC.; SHREE
`GANESH CAB,
`INC.; CADOUX TAXI,
`INC.; DERUKA TAXI,
`INC.; FAFOU
`GANESH CAB, INC.; CADOUX TAXI, INC.; DERUKA TAXI, INC.; FAFOU
`CAB,
`INC.; M AND J CAB,
`INC.; N M R CAB,
`INC.; NOOR CAB,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; M AND J CAB, INC.; N M R CAB, INC.; NOOR CAB, INC.;
`PAUL PARAS; PUNJAB TRANS.,
`INC.; SWEET ROSE TRANS.,
`INC.; TAJ
`PAUL PARAS; PUNJAB TRANS., INC.; SWEET ROSE TRANS., INC.; TAJ
`TRANS.,
`INC.; TAKE IT EZ CAB,
`INC.; YOUSSEF,
`INC.; BETRU AMI
`TRANS., INC.; TAKE IT EZ CAB, INC.; YOUSSEF, INC.; BETRU AMI
`CORP.; CROSSROAD TRANS.
`INC.; HATTIE CAB,
`INC.; HIMALAYA,
`INC.;
`CORP.; CROSSROAD TRANS. INC.; HATTIE CAB, INC.; HIMALAYA, INC.;
`IQRA ENTERPRISE,
`INC.;
`JASON CAB,
`INC.; MCG CAB,
`INC.; MANHAR,
`IQRA ENTERPRISE, INC.; JASON CAB, INC.; MCG CAB, INC.; MANHAR,
`INC.; MICASTA CAB,
`INC.; NEXT CAB,
`INC.; PARVATI CAB,
`INC.;
`INC.; MICASTA CAB, INC.; NEXT CAB, INC.; PARVATI CAB, INC.;
`RODNEY CAB,
`INC.; SJ CAB,
`INC.; SATLOUJ,
`INC.; SEVEN HILLS TAXI,
`RODNEY CAB, INC.; SJ CAB, INC.; SATLOUJ, INC.; SEVEN HILLS TAXI,
`INC.; TI LOU LOU CAB,
`INC.; DALUL,
`INC.; FRANKLIN TAXI,
`INC.;
`INC.; TI LOU LOU CAB, INC.; DALUL, INC.; FRANKLIN TAXI, INC.;
`LES-MAR TAXI,
`INC.; BERN.
`& Y. CAB,
`INC.; DEBRA CAB,
`INC.;
`LES-MAR TAXI, INC.; BERN. & Y. CAB, INC.; DEBRA CAB, INC.;
`EDWARD NOEL,
`INC.; GOD IS GOOD,
`INC.;
`JUDE CAB,
`INC.; YAHWEH
`EDWARD NOEL, INC.; GOD IS GOOD, INC.; JUDE CAB, INC.; YAHWEH
`CAB,
`INC.; BABA NANAK CAB,
`INC.; CARLON TRANS.,
`INC.; MATELOTS,
`CAB, INC.; BABA NANAK CAB, INC.; CARLON TRANS., INC.; MATELOTS,
`INC.; MEW CAB,
`INC.; NANCY CAB,
`INC.; ON Y VA TAXI,
`INC.; BENBEN
`INC.; MEW CAB, INC.; NANCY CAB, INC.; ON Y VA TAXI, INC.; BENBEN
`CAB,
`INC.; BENO CAB,
`INC.; C.T.P. II,
`INC.; D Q DONNE CAB,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; BENO CAB, INC.; C.T.P. II, INC.; D Q DONNE CAB, INC.;
`KRIPALU TRANS.,
`INC.; NOMA CAB,
`INC.; OROW,
`INC.; RADHA SOAMI,
`KRIPALU TRANS., INC.; NOMA CAB, INC.; OROW, INC.; RADHA SOAMI,
`INC.; REBECCA CAB,
`INC.; BARAN TRANS.,
`INC.; CAMBRIDGE TAXI,
`INC.; REBECCA CAB, INC.; BARAN TRANS., INC.; CAMBRIDGE TAXI,
`INC.; J & J TRANSPORTATION,
`INC.; LE BON BERGER,
`INC.; NICKY
`INC.; J & J TRANSPORTATION, INC.; LE BON BERGER, INC.; NICKY
`TRANS,
`INC.; SAMYR CAB,
`INC.; SOSTHENE,
`INC.; W.L.E.J.,
`INC.;
`TRANS, INC.; SAMYR CAB, INC.; SOSTHENE, INC.; W.L.E.J., INC.;
`WILLKY-MEDGENE,
`INC.; DAPHNE TAXI,
`INC.; ET CAB,
`INC.; FERN,
`WILLKY-MEDGENE, INC.; DAPHNE TAXI, INC.; ET CAB, INC.; FERN,
`INC.; FOUR J'S CAB,
`INC.; GRAND CANYON,
`INC.; HARE RAM TRANS.,
`INC.; FOUR J'S CAB, INC.; GRAND CANYON, INC.; HARE RAM TRANS.,
`INC.;
`INMAN CAB,
`INC.; MITACHAL CAB,
`INC.; NEL & SON,
`INC.; P.B.
`INC.; INMAN CAB, INC.; MITACHAL CAB, INC.; NEL & SON, INC.; P.B.
`CAB,
`INC.; RIPERT CAB,
`INC.; SOUTH SUDAN CORP.; THE 32 SUMMER
`CAB, INC.; RIPERT CAB, INC.; SOUTH SUDAN CORP.; THE 32 SUMMER
`ST. CORP.; YAMUNA,
`INC.; ZUBIR,
`INC.; EMILY & KELLY CAB,
`INC.;
`ST. CORP.; YAMUNA, INC.; ZUBIR, INC.; EMILY & KELLY CAB, INC.;
`GABRIELLE CAB,
`INC.; KETTERLE CAB,
`INC.; LOREN CAB,
`INC.; TWINS
`GABRIELLE CAB, INC.; KETTERLE CAB, INC.; LOREN CAB, INC.; TWINS
`BROTHERS TRANSPORTATION,
`INC.; VETTE TAXI,
`INC.; YILMA TRANS.,
`BROTHERS TRANSPORTATION, INC.; VETTE TAXI, INC.; YILMA TRANS.,
`INC.; ALICE'S CAB,
`INC.; G & V & R CAB,
`INC.; GEORGE'S CAB,
`INC.; ALICE'S CAB, INC.; G & V & R CAB, INC.; GEORGE'S CAB,
`INC.; M & F TRANS,
`INC.; METAXIA MOTOR,
`INC.; TUNG'S CAB,
`INC.;
`INC.; M & F TRANS, INC.; METAXIA MOTOR, INC.; TUNG'S CAB, INC.;
`TUTUN CAB,
`INC.; CAF TAXI,
`INC.; EMILY'S TAXI,
`INC.; GCF TAXI,
`TUTUN CAB, INC.; CAF TAXI, INC.; EMILY'S TAXI, INC.; GCF TAXI,
`INC.; LEGENDS TRANS,
`INC.; MATTHEW'S TAXI,
`INC.; WARSAI,
`INC.;
`INC.; LEGENDS TRANS, INC.; MATTHEW'S TAXI, INC.; WARSAI, INC.;
`HEMENWAY TAXI,
`INC.;
`IN-TOWN TAXI,
`INC.; LEANA'S CAB,
`INC.; MGF
`HEMENWAY TAXI, INC.; IN-TOWN TAXI, INC.; LEANA'S CAB, INC.; MGF
`TAXI,
`INC.; MILA CAB,
`INC.; OMF TAXI,
`INC.; OLIVIA'S TAXI,
`INC.;
`TAXI, INC.; MILA CAB, INC.; OMF TAXI, INC.; OLIVIA'S TAXI, INC.;
`REEL CAB,
`INC.; YURY TAXI,
`INC.; BRISTOL CAB,
`INC.; DORCAR CAB,
`REEL CAB, INC.; YURY TAXI, INC.; BRISTOL CAB, INC.; DORCAR CAB,
`INC.; ERITREA TRANS,
`INC.;
`JESSICA T,
`INC.; MALVINA TAXI,
`INC.;
`INC.; ERITREA TRANS, INC.; JESSICA T, INC.; MALVINA TAXI, INC.;
`WOODSIDE TAXI,
`INC.; BRENDA TAXI,
`INC.; CYNTHIA CAB,
`INC.; FARES
`WOODSIDE TAXI, INC.; BRENDA TAXI, INC.; CYNTHIA CAB, INC.; FARES
`CAB,
`INC.;
`J&D TAXI,
`INC.; LUBA CAB,
`INC.; SHAHIN TAXI,
`INC.;
`CAB, INC.; J&D TAXI, INC.; LUBA CAB, INC.; SHAHIN TAXI, INC.;
`CARLY CAB,
`INC.; DEPENDABLE DISPATCH,
`INC.; NU-CHECKER,
`INC.;
`CARLY CAB, INC.; DEPENDABLE DISPATCH, INC.; NU-CHECKER, INC.;
`CECILARD TRANSPORTATION,
`INC.; TARA TRANSPORTATION,
`INC.; AAA
`CECILARD TRANSPORTATION, INC.; TARA TRANSPORTATION, INC.; AAA
`CAB,
`INC.; ABBAS CAB,
`INC.; E.D.R. CAB,
`INC.; CAMBRIDGE
`CAB, INC.; ABBAS CAB, INC.; E.D.R. CAB, INC.; CAMBRIDGE
`TRANSPORTATION SERVICES,
`INC.; FILLETTE CAB,
`INC.; SYCOONE TAXI,
`TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC.; FILLETTE CAB, INC.; SYCOONE TAXI,
`INC.; TAXI MANAGEMENT,
`INC.;
`JEFF & NAYAMA,
`INC.; MYRA,
`INC.;
`INC.; TAXI MANAGEMENT, INC.; JEFF & NAYAMA, INC.; MYRA, INC.;
`SAINT,
`INC.; STEP BY STEP CAB,
`INC.; ANGE & MICHELLE,
`INC.;
`SAINT, INC.; STEP BY STEP CAB, INC.; ANGE & MICHELLE, INC.;
`
`-4-
`
`

`

`ANDREW J. CAB, INC.; ADDIS ABABA, INC.; ALGANES CAB, INC.;
`MALDEN TRANSPORTATION, INC.; PEGM TRANSPORTATION, LLC; MEDFORD
`TRANS., INC.; EVERETT CAR SERVICE, INC.; TALKD TRANSP., INC.;
`ARGON CAB, INC.; CEDAR CAB, INC.; COBALT CAB, INC.; EVERGREEN
`CAB, INC.; HARVEST CAB, INC.; MONUMENT LEASING, INC.; MYSTIC
`LEASING, INC.; PEARL CAB, INC.; SAM'S CAB, INC.; TRITON CAB,
`INC.; UNION CAB, INC.; VEITA CAB, INC.; WEST END LEASING, INC.;
`GREEN CAB CO., INC.; FLEET LEASING, INC.; GREENWAY LEASING,
`INC.; HARBOR LEASING, INC.; HARVEST CAB, INC.; GREEN AUTOMOTIVE,
`INC.; COUNTRY CLUB TRANS., INC.; LOCHMERE TAXI, INC.; MT.
`PLEASANT TAXI, INC.; CINEMA TAXI, INC.; GREEN & YELLOW TNC;
`ALEWIFE TRANS. CO., INC.; EASTERN TRANS., INC.; SILCOR TRANS.
`CO., INC.; ORMOND TRANS. CO., INC.; SOMERVILLE TRANS. CO., INC.;
`BABS CAB, INC.; TAXI MAINTENANCE, INC.; MAYBERRY TAXI, INC.,
`
`
`
`Plaintiffs,
`
`v.
`
`UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; RASIER, LLC,
`
`Defendants, Appellees,
`
`TRAVIS KALANICK; GOVERNOR CHARLES BAKER; COMMONWEALTH OF
`MASSACHUSETTS; GARRETT CAMP,
`
`Defendants.
`
`
`APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
`
`[Hon. Nathaniel M. Gorton, U.S. District Judge]
`
`
`
`Before
`
`Howard, Chief Judge,
`Thompson, Circuit Judge,
`and Katzmann, Judge.*
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Michelle H. Blauner, with whom Edward F. Haber, Ian J.
`McLoughlin, Adam M. Stewart, Patrick J. Vallely, and Shapiro Haber
`
`
`* Of the United States Court of International Trade, sitting by
`designation.
`
`-5-
`
`

`

`& Urmy LLP were on brief, for appellants.
`Karen L. Dunn, with whom Adam S. Gershenson, Timothy W. Cook,
`Elizabeth B. Prelogar, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
`LLP and Cooley LLP were on brief, for appellees.
`
`
`
`
`
`August 6, 2021
`
`
`-6-
`
`

`

`KATZMANN, Judge. Once upon a time, indeed, not all that
`
`long ago, the short route transportation market in Boston, as well
`
`as in many other cities, was dominated by taxicabs, which typically
`
`would be hailed on the street by riders. In Boston, in a highly
`
`regulated system, taxicab operators are required to possess a
`
`license known as a "taxicab medallion," maintain a properly
`
`equipped and functioning taxicab, display a carriage license at
`
`all times, belong to an approved dispatch service or "radio
`
`association," and refrain from cell phone use while operating a
`
`taxicab. Beginning in 2013, in Boston and surrounding communities
`
`as well as many other cities, this traditional taxicab business
`
`model was upended and the short route transportation industry
`
`radically transformed, with the entrance of transportation network
`
`companies ("TNCs") such as Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar. The TNCs
`
`provide a digital tool for requesting private vehicle-for-hire by
`
`users who download a free mobile software application ("app").
`
`Users who open the app on their mobile phones are shown a map of
`
`their location or designated pick-up point and the available
`
`affiliated vehicles in that vicinity. These phone- and app-based
`
`for-hire transportation services, relying on drivers who provide
`
`pre-arranged transportation services in their own private
`
`vehicles, quickly overtook taxicabs in popularity. The TNCs did
`
`not operate in accord with the rules governing taxicabs, and they
`
`did not incur the concomitant licensing and operating costs borne
`
`-7-
`
`

`

`by taxi medallion holders and duly licensed fleet owners. In
`
`Boston in 2013, there were no citywide regulations specifically
`
`addressing TNCs. It would not be until August 5, 2016, that the
`
`Massachusetts legislature authorized the operations of TNCs like
`
`Uber and also preempted municipalities from regulating TNCs
`
`through local regulation.
`
`This case focuses on the period between June 4, 2013
`
`(when UberX began operating) and August 5, 2016, a time of
`
`regulatory uncertainty and uncertain legal status for Uber and
`
`other TNCs. It involves a dispute brought in United States
`
`District Court in Boston by the plaintiffs, owners of the companies
`
`who dispatch, lease and maintain taxicab vehicles and own the taxi
`
`medallions (collectively "Anoush Cab"), against defendant Uber
`
`Technologies, Inc. (collectively, with its wholly-owned subsidiary
`
`Rasier LLC, "Uber"), a corporation that, as noted, has run a
`
`competing car service connecting drivers and travelers through its
`
`mobile phone application. Anoush Cab alleged that Uber competed
`
`unlawfully in the on-demand, ride-hail ground transportation
`
`market in and around Boston. Claiming damages of more than $122
`
`million, Anoush Cab alleged that in violation of Boston
`
`regulations, Uber caused asset devaluation by (1) competing
`
`unfairly under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 93A ("Chapter
`
`93A"); (2) violating the common law for unfair competition; and
`
`(3) aiding and abetting a conspiracy to engage in unfair
`
`-8-
`
`

`

`competition. After a bench trial, the district court issued final
`
`judgment against the plaintiffs on all their claims. Some now
`
`appeal. In considering that appeal, our charge is not to determine
`
`or opine on whether the introduction of TNCs like Uber was a good
`
`thing for the broader transportation industry or for the public at
`
`large. We are not called upon to determine whether Uber was
`
`virtuous in its conduct. Our responsibility is more narrow -- to
`
`determine whether Uber competed unfairly in violation of statutory
`
`and common law prohibitions governing the commercial marketplace.
`
`We conclude that the district court's judgment should be sustained.
`
`I.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`A.
`
`Facts
`
`We recite the facts as found by the district court, after
`
`considering the evidence presented at the bench trial, in a
`
`thorough Memorandum of Decision ("Decision"), Malden Transp., Inc.
`
`v. Uber Techs., Inc., 404 F. Supp. 3d 404 (D. Mass. 2019) ("Malden
`
`III").
`
`The Anoush plaintiffs-appellants ("plaintiffs") are
`
`thirty-four corporations in the business of leasing City of Boston
`
`taxicabs (and medallions that authorize their use) to independent
`
`drivers. All thirty-four corporations are owned and operated by
`
`the Tutunjian family which collectively controls 362 medallions.
`
`The plaintiffs' taxicabs are branded under the name "Boston Cab."
`
`-9-
`
`

`

`Defendant-appellee Uber is a Delaware corporation with
`
`its principal offices in San Francisco, California. It is a
`
`technology company that, inter alia, uses an app to match up
`
`potential riders with drivers seeking customers for prearranged
`
`transportation. Uber began providing transportation services in
`
`Massachusetts in 2011, well before the launch of its disputed
`
`ridesharing or peer-to-peer ("P2P") service, UberX P2P. As has
`
`been noted, defendant-appellee Rasier is a wholly owned subsidiary
`
`of Uber. References to "Uber" operating as a TNC apply equally to
`
`Rasier.
`
`1.
`
`Regulatory Framework
`
`Historically, the City of Boston has regulated taxis
`
`under a set of municipal rules, ordinances and regulations ("Taxi
`
`Rules") and the Boston Police Commissioner ("the Commissioner")
`
`has the authority to regulate hackney carriages and stands. The
`
`Commissioner may delegate his authority to the Inspector of
`
`Carriages, who is the Commander of the Hackney Carriage Unit ("HCU"
`
`or "Hackney Unit"). The Hackney Unit has approximately twelve
`
`assigned police officers but typically only two of those officers
`
`serve on the street during any one shift.
`
`In 2008, the Commissioner issued the Hackney Carriage
`
`Rules and Flat Rate Handbook ("Rule 403"), which regulates hackney
`
`carriage fares, medallions and hackney licenses, among other
`
`things. Rule 403 defines a "hackney carriage" as "[a] vehicle
`
`-10-
`
`

`

`used or designed to be used for the conveyance of persons for hire
`
`from place to place within the city of Boston . . . . Also known
`
`as a taxicab or taxi."
`
`Rule 403 sets forth leasing and shift rates and taximeter
`
`rates. It establishes various vehicle and driver requirements for
`
`hackney carriages, including that each vehicle have a taxi
`
`medallion, be driven by a licensed hackney carriage driver and
`
`bear evidence of membership in a radio dispatch association. Rule
`
`403 also recognizes Boston's Vehicle for Hire Ordinance ("the
`
`Boston Ordinance") which provides, in relevant part: "no person,
`
`firm, or corporation driving or having charge of a taxicab or other
`
`private vehicle shall offer the vehicle for hire for the purposes
`
`of transporting, soliciting and/or picking up a passenger or
`
`passengers unless said person is licensed as a hackney driver and
`
`said vehicle is licensed as a hackney carriage by the Police
`
`Commissioner." Boston, Mass. Mun. Code ch. 16 § 15.05(a) (2021).
`
`From 2007 to 2008, the Hackney Unit issued tickets to
`
`unlicensed vehicles engaged in street hails (in violation of the
`
`Boston Ordinance), but not to vehicles conducting prearranged
`
`rides, regardless of whether the vehicles had livery plates.
`
`Indeed, the Commander of the Hackney Unit informed the Boston
`
`Police Commissioner and the Civilian Director of Hackney Licensing
`
`of the Hackney Unit's policy of not enforcing Rule 403 with respect
`
`to prearranged livery rides. The Commander of the Hackney Unit,
`
`-11-
`
`

`

`from January 2013 to May 2014, instructed his officers not to
`
`ticket ridesharing vehicles unless they were involved in street
`
`hails.
`
`2.
`
`Nelson\Nygaard Report
`
`In 2013, the Boston Globe ran a series of articles on
`
`the Boston taxi industry. Following that publication, Mayor Thomas
`
`Menino ("Mayor Menino") commissioned the Nelson\Nygaard Boston
`
`Taxi Consultant Report ("the Report").
`
`Although Uber declined to participate in the preparation
`
`of the Report, the Commander of the Hackney Unit asked the drafters
`
`of the Report to address how the Hackney Unit should regulate
`
`ridesharing services such as those provided by TNCs. The Report,
`
`which was published in October 2013 (four months after Uber
`
`launched UberX P2P), concludes that TNCs and livery vehicles are
`
`not regulated and do not have a regulatory body providing
`
`oversight. It further recommended that the Mayor establish an
`
`independent Taxi Advisory Committee ("TAC").
`
`Senior management at Uber read the Report when it was
`
`issued in October 2013 and concluded that it affirmed Uber's
`
`understanding that the Taxi Rules did not apply to ridesharing.
`
`3.
`
`Ridesharing Competitors and UberX P2P
`
`In March 2013, Sidecar, a competitor to Uber, began the
`
`first P2P ridesharing program in Boston. Uber's General Manager
`
`in Boston reported to the company's Head of Global Public Policy
`
`-12-
`
`

`

`that the Civilian Director of the Hackney Unit had purportedly
`
`stated that there was "almost no chance" that the Taxi Rules would
`
`be enforced against Sidecar. That led senior Uber executives in
`
`Boston to believe that the Taxi Rules would not likely be enforced
`
`against Uber.
`
`In April 2013, Uber publicly issued its national
`
`corporate policy ("the White Paper") with respect to P2P
`
`ridesharing in cities where regulatory enforcement was ambiguous.
`
`In the White Paper, Uber's then-CEO stated that "Uber will
`
`aggressively roll out ridesharing on its existing platform in any
`
`market where the regulators have given tacit approval. . . . If
`
`a competitor is operating for 30 days without direct enforcement
`
`against transportation providers, then Uber will interpret that as
`
`'tacit approval' of ridesharing activity."
`
`In May 2013, Lyft, another Uber competitor began its P2P
`
`ridesharing service in Boston. Following Lyft's entry into the
`
`Boston market, Uber accelerated its plan to launch its own P2P
`
`service, UberX P2P, which is the disputed conduct at issue in this
`
`case. At that time, Uber's Boston General Manager was familiar
`
`with the Boston Ordinance and was specifically aware of the fact
`
`that violations could result in $500 fines.
`
`On May 30, 2013, Uber's Head of Global Public Policy
`
`emailed Mayor Menino's Chief of Staff a letter which stated that
`
`Uber was "eager to participate in this innovative model" but only
`
`-13-
`
`

`

`"as long as regulators allow this type of transportation." He
`
`requested that the City keep Uber informed of any "changes to
`
`Boston's current policy of non-enforcement." That same day Uber's
`
`Head of Global Public Policy, having spoken with the Mayor's Chief
`
`of Staff, reported back to his Uber colleagues that the Chief of
`
`Staff said, "just launch." The following day, Uber's Head of
`
`Global policy asked the Chief of Sta