U.S. v. Standard Oil: Monopolization of the Oil Markets

Case Study

Although antitrust laws were established earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1911 decision in Standard Oil Co. v. United States set a precedent that has influenced the interpretation and application of antitrust laws in the U.S. and beyond. This landmark ruling introduces the concept of a “rule of reason” for evaluating antitrust harm, providing flexibility in the enforcement of these laws.