Is it true that one company cannot pay a supplier to withhold its product from a competitor?

Is it true that one company cannot pay a supplier to withhold its product from a competitor?

I believe one of the worlds largest organisations is paying a supplier to withhold a product from a competitor. It is an electronic product (software) and you pay to download it but the large organisation is paying to have it given to their customers before it is released to their competitor. Would this be legal under US Antitrust and European fair trade laws? As far as I was aware a manufacturer can freely choose to sell their product to whomever they choose but they are not allowed to accept money from business rivals to withhold the product from a competitor.

Asked on February 20, 2012 under Business Law, California

Answers:

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