What type of activities does the Robinson-Patman Act make illegal?

The Robinson-Patman Act specifically addresses issues of price discrimination, particularly in the context of sales to wholesalers and retailers. It makes it illegal for sellers to discriminate in price between different purchasers of goods of like grade and quality if this discrimination harms competition. This act was established to promote fair competition by ensuring that larger companies cannot gain an unfair advantage over smaller competitors simply through the manipulation of pricing strategies.

While price fixing, monopolistic agreements, and unfair competition practices are indeed covered under other laws, such as the Sherman Antitrust Act or the Federal Trade Commission Act, they do not fall under the purview of the Robinson-Patman Act. This specific legislation focuses solely on the nuances of price discrimination and its implications in business transactions, making the understanding of this context crucial for recognizing and applying the correct legal principles in business practices.