American Column & Lumber Co. v. United States
United States Supreme Court
257 U.S. 377 (1921)
Relevant factsFree
365 hardwood lumber manufacturers (defendants) joined an "open-competition plan" run through their trade association, exchanging detailed sales, inventory, and price data along with market-analysis letters and holding meetings where members openly discussed the benefits of restricting production to raise prices; shortly after the plan's adoption, hardwood lumber prices rose significantly, and the government (plaintiff) sued for an injunction.
IssueFree
Whether competitors organized in a trade association violate the Sherman Act by sharing and analyzing competitive information if the purpose and effect of the activities are to restrict competition.
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