The Robinson–Patman Act of 1936 (or Anti-Price Discrimination Act, Pub. L. No. 74-692, 49 Stat. 1526 (codified at )) is a United States federal law that prohibits anticompetitive practices by producers, specifically price discrimination. Co-sponsored by Senator Joseph T. Robinson (Democrat of Arkansas) and Representative Wright Patman (Democrat of Texas), it was designed to protect small retail shops against competition from chain stores by fixing a minimum price for retail products. Specifically, the law prevents suppliers, wholesalers, or manufacturers from supplying goods to “preferred customers“ at a reduced price. It also prevents coercing suppliers into restrictions as to who they can and can't sell goods The law grew out of practices in which chain stores were allowed to purchase goods at lower prices than other retailers. The amendment to the Clayton Antitrust Act prevented unfair price discrimination for the first time by requiring a seller to offer
La Ley Robinson-Patman de 1936 (o Anti-Price Discrimination Act, Pub. L. No. 74-692, 49 Stat. 1526 (codificado en ) es una ley federal de los Estados Unidos que prohíbe las prácticas anticompetitivas por parte de los productores, específicamente la discriminación de precios. Co-sponsorizada por el Senador Joseph T. Robinson (Demócrata de Arkansas) y el Representante Wright Patman (Demócrata de Texas), fue diseñada para proteger a las tiendas minoristas contra la competencia de las tiendas de cadena mediante la fijación de un precio mínimo para los productos minoristas. En concreto, la ley impide que los proveedores, los minoristas o los fabricantes suministren bienes a los “clientes preferidos” a un precio reducido. También impide que los proveedores se vean obligados a restringir a quienes pueden y no pueden vender bienes.