La jurisprudencia USA sobre la fijación de precios a la luz del antitrust: análisis de la sentencia del caso Leegin

Abstract

The main purpose of this thesis is to show a complete view of the changes in the price fixing agreements jurisprudence of the United States, by analyzing the case of Leegin Creative Leather Products, Inc. v. PSKS, Inc. Dba Klosets Kay's, Kay's Shoes, 2007 S.Ct. 1835892, hereinafter Leegin. On June 28, 2007, the United States Supreme Court decided Leegin, by changing the markets pricing arrangements policy and allowing the vertical price fixing agreements. In other words, those agreements are not always going to be prohibited by the Sherman Antitrust Act law, unlike what happened in 1890. Earlier, in order to ensure the free formation of prices the “Sherman Antitrust Act”, 15 USCA § 1 stated that every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared to be illegal. Moreover, section 2 declared that every person who shall monopolize, or attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other person or persons, to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, should be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction thereof. Similarly, in Puerto Rico, the legislation concerning the Competition Law is Law No. 77 of June 25, 1964, as amended, known as the “Act to Prohibit Monopolistic Practices and Protecting Fair and Free Competition Business and Trade “. (Ley Núm. 77 de 25 de junio de 1964, según enmendada, y conocida como la “Ley Para Prohibir las Prácticas Monopolísticas y Proteger la Justa y Libre Competencia en los Negocios y el Comercio”)...