United States v. Trenton Potteries Co., 273 U.S. 392 (1927) (No. 27)

Case name: United States v. Trenton Potteries Co. Opinion filed: 1927-02-21 Docket No.: 27 Citations: • 273 U.S. 392 • 47 S. Ct. 377 • 71 L. Ed. 700 • 1927 U.S. LEXIS 975 Case holding summaries: • which had held this kind of rate fixing to be a per se violation of the Sherman Act • observing that "[t]he reasonable price fixed today may through economic and business changes become the unreasonable price of tomorrow" • horizontal agreements to fix prices • reasonableness of price is not a defense to a price fixing charge • "Agreements which create such potential power [to fix prices] may well be held to be in themselves unreasonable or unlawful restraints...." (emphasis added) • stating that the reasonableness of a fixed price is not relevant, for the only question is whether there was an agreement to fix the price • agreement by manufacturers of 82% of all lavatory fixtures to fix prices and limit sales • distinguishing Chicago Bd. of Trade on the ground that it did not involve "a price agreement among competitors in an open market" • manufacturers and distributors of 82% of certain vitreous pottery fixtures agreed to sell at uniform prices