As the FTC judgment pointed out in its somewhat defensive explanations, American antitrust law is designed to protect competition, not competitors.

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The insanity of our securities laws, and even our tax laws, is nothing compared with the sand thrown into capitalism's gears by American antitrust law.

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In return, the sole flag carrier of the small country at the other end is allowed to collude on fares and capacity with its chosen American partner, without being clobbered by antitrust law.

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Long story short, American Needle Inc. argued that the NFL violated antitrust law because all 32 NFL teams worked together to freeze it out of the NFL-licensed-brand-hat-making business when they gave that exclusive right to Reebok for ten years.

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