What is considered an antitrust violation among competitors?

The concept of antitrust violations pertains to actions taken by competitors that hinder competition, often resulting in higher prices or reduced services for consumers. Among these activities, a group boycott is deemed an antitrust violation because it involves competitors agreeing not to do business with a particular company or individual. This coordinated effort to exclude someone from the market disrupts competition, creating an environment where choices for consumers are limited and prices can artificially increase due to the lack of competition.

While other practices also violate antitrust laws, such as price fixing, market division, and exclusive dealing, a group boycott is particularly impactful because it demonstrates a clear intent among competitors to restrict trade and manipulate market conditions collectively. This type of coordination is critical to understanding how antitrust laws aim to preserve healthy competition in the marketplace, ensuring consumers benefit from fair pricing and a variety of choices.