Clayton Antitrust Act

The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, codified at 15 U.S.C. 12-27 , is one of the primary pieces of antitrust legislation in the United States. This act was designed to bolster the Sherman antitrust Act and outlaws the following conduct:

Each of these prohibitions is designed to prevent monopolistic conduct, particularly by companies attempting to purchase their competition. Penalties for violating the Clayton Act are strictly civil . Individuals harmed by the above anti-competitive actions can sue for triple damages and an injunction .

Notably, unlike the Sherman Act, labor unions are explicitly excluded from needing to comply with the Clayton Antitrust Act.

[Last reviewed in July of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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