United States v. Standard Oil Co.

United States v. Standard Oil Co. was a 1911 Supreme Court case that addressed whether Standard Oil’s business practices violated antitrust laws. The government argued that Standard Oil used unfair tactics—such as predatory pricing and exclusive agreements—to dominate the oil industry and eliminate competition. The Court found that Standard Oil monopolized the market through these practices and ordered its breakup into smaller, independent companies. This case set a precedent for antitrust enforcement, emphasizing that businesses cannot use illegal means to stifle competition and maintain a monopoly.