Trial Date Set in Package-Pricing Lawsuit

AFMS LLC, a parcel shipping consultant, will have to wait until June 2013 for a jury in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles to hear its allegations that UPS Inc. and FedEx Corp. conspired to fix prices for package shipments and exclude competitors.

Both UPS and FedEx have repeatedly denied the allegations. The two separately filed detailed responses last week in which they again denied all claims by AFMS.

AFMS, Portland, Ore., sued the two largest package companies in 2010 and has since filed amended complaints. The suit alleges that the two tried to eliminate competition by stating in 2009 that it would no longer deal with third-party consultants such as AFMS.

Both sides on Jan. 6 asked Judge Margaret Morrow, who is hearing the case, for the trial date and a schedule that begins with discovery in September.