# 15 U.S.C. § 1: Trusts, etc., in restraint of trade illegal; penalty

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s1

## Section

- **Citation:** 15 U.S.C. § 1
- **Heading:** Trusts, etc., in restraint of trade illegal; penalty
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 9, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 15—COMMERCE AND TRADE > CHAPTER 1—MONOPOLIES AND COMBINATIONS IN RESTRAINT OF TRADE

## Text

Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared to be illegal. Every person who shall make any contract or engage in any combination or conspiracy hereby declared to be illegal shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by fine not exceeding $100,000,000 if a corporation, or, if any other person, $1,000,000, or by imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, or by both said punishments, in the discretion of the court.

( July 2, 1890, ch. 647, § 1 , 26 Stat. 209 ; Aug. 17, 1937, ch. 690 , title VIII, 50 Stat. 693 ; July 7, 1955, ch. 281 , 69 Stat. 282 ; Pub. L. 93–528, § 3 , Dec. 21, 1974 , 88 Stat. 1708 ; Pub. L. 94–145, § 2 , Dec. 12, 1975 , 89 Stat. 801 ; Pub. L. 101–588, § 4(a) , Nov. 16, 1990 , 104 Stat. 2880 ; Pub. L. 108–237, title II, § 215(a) , June 22, 2004 , 118 Stat. 668 .)

## Nearby sections

- [15 U.S.C. § 1 Trusts, etc., in restraint of trade illegal; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s1.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 15 Suits by persons injured](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s15.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 15c Actions by State attorneys general](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s15c.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 15g Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s15g.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 17 Antitrust laws not applicable to labor organizations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s17.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 20 Repealed. Pub. L. 101–588, § 3 , Nov. 16, 1990 , 104 Stat. 2880](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s20.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 24 Liability of directors and agents of corporation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s24.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 25 Restraining violations; procedure](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s25.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 29 Appeals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s29.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 34 Definitions applicable to sections 34 to 36](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s34.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 35 Recovery of damages, etc., for antitrust violations from any local government, or official or employee thereof acting in an official capacity](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s35.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 37a Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s37a.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 78bb Effect on existing law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s78bb.md)
- [15 U.S.C. § 78c–2 Securities-related derivatives](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s78c%E2%80%932.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t15_s1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.