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The University of Texas at Austin School of Law

Antitrust

  • Semester: Fall 2007
  • Course ID: 360K
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Unique: 28820

Course Information

Registration Information

  • Upperclass-only elective

Meeting Times

Day Time Location
MON, TUE, WED 9:30 - 10:20 am TNH 2.123

Evaluation Method

Type Date Time Location
Final exam December 17, 2007 8:30 am A-MC in 2.123
MD-Z in 2.124

Description

The course studies the development, interpretation, and application of the antitrust laws of the United States. These laws are the Sherman Act (1890) prohibiting combinations in "restraint of trade" and "monopolization"; the Clayton Act (1914, 1936, 1950) prohibiting, in some circumstances, price discrimination, exclusive dealing and tie-ins, and mergers; and the Federal Trade Commission Act (1914) prohibiting "unfair methods of competition". The antitrust laws are often said to be America's economic constitution, intended to control private economic power and promote economic efficiency, freedom, and consumer sovereignty. They seek to protect and promote the free enterprise, capitalist system in which basic economic decisions are made by market forces resulting from individual choices, with a minimum of government regulation of markets by preserving free competition as the basic regulator. Antitrust is the granddaddy of law and economics and an excellent introduction to that method of analysis, which now pervades all areas of law. No background in economics is necessary; the very few basic economic (largely common sense) principles involved are explained and discussed by the text and the instructor. The course is an important part of the "liberal arts" training of every lawyer--useful in understanding and criticizing the American economic system and even in simply reading the newspaper on regulation of business issues. The course is also very "practical": antitrust issues arise in connection with many business and consumer concerns, and antitrust practitioners have been among the bar's most prosperous and influential members. Most important, the course is, in the opinion of most students who have taken it, interesting and fun.

Instructors

Headshot of Graglia, Lino A Graglia, Lino A
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