This site is best viewed by Microsoft IE5.0 and up. By John H. Shenefield and Irwin M. Stelzer Reprinted with the permission of the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research , Washington DC . Nevertheless, counting on the intelligence of our readers and the availability to them of counsel, we offer a few guidelines. Do not discuss prices with your competitors. The enforcement authorities can be counted on to bring a criminal prosecution if they learn that you have met with your competitors to fix prices or any other terms of sale.
Jail time is increasingly common.
Do not agree with your competitor to stay out of each other's markets. It may be tempting to seek freedom of action in one part of the country by agreeing with a competitor not to go west if he will not come east. Avoid that temptation. The consequences of the discovery of such behavior by the enforcement authorities are likely to be the same as the unearthing of a price-fixing conspiracy. Feel Free to join trade associations and to participate in activities that do not affect the vigor of your competition with your fellow members.