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Competitive Bidding Assistance Programs Do Not Violate Robinson-Patman Act

By Suzanne E. Wachsstock
February 06, 2006

On Jan. 10, 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its first decision in over a decade interpreting the federal price discrimination statute, known as the Robinson-Patman Act (the “RPA”). In a 7-2 decision, the Court in Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. v. Reeder-Simco GMC, Inc. (04-905), held that a heavy-duty truck manufacturer's unequal price concessions to its dealers bidding for special order jobs do not violate the RPA unless they discriminate between dealers competing for the same retail customer.

Background

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