Price Discrimination Handbook

Price Discrimination Handbook ISBN 9781614388357

The circumstances under which sellers may charge different prices to different customers—and the corresponding acceptance of those prices by buyers—continue to present significant compliance challenges and generate litigation under the federal Robinson-Patman Act, various U.S. state statutes, and increasingly, under competition laws in jurisdictions around the world. The Price Discrimination Handbook is the first major publication dedicated solely to price discrimination issues in over 20 years.

This authoritative handbook provides an in-depth review of federal and state price discrimination laws in the United States, along with an overview of regulations in the European Union, selected EU member states, China, India, Brazil, and other international jurisdictions. Designed for both specialists and general practitioners, the book serves as a comprehensive reference for evaluating pricing programs and policies that affect U.S. interstate commerce, apply within a single state, or raise potential issues in foreign jurisdictions.

The handbook is organized into four chapters:

• Chapter I: Introduces the theory and objectives of price discrimination laws. It defines various forms of price discrimination and explores the ongoing debate over whether such laws align with the economic and legal principles underlying other antitrust regulations.

• Chapter II: Provides a detailed examination of the Robinson-Patman Act (RPA), the principal federal price discrimination statute. The chapter explains the Act, its relationship to other antitrust doctrines such as predatory pricing, the elements of an RPA claim, and the defenses available to parties accused of unlawful price discrimination.

• Chapter III: Surveys state-level approaches to price discrimination law, highlighting variations in scope and focus. This chapter also examines industry-specific state laws affecting motor vehicles, motor fuels, dairy and agricultural products, and alcoholic beverages, while identifying the authorities responsible for enforcement.

• Chapter IV: Offers a global perspective on price discrimination laws across the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Africa. It is designed for practitioners counseling multinational businesses, providing insight into how different jurisdictions balance market efficiency with broader social objectives.

The Price Discrimination Handbook is an indispensable resource for lawyers and business advisors seeking practical guidance on compliance, risk management, and litigation strategies in both domestic and international contexts.

Price Discrimination Handbook ISBN 9781614388357, 978-1614388357 & 978-16143-88357