Maintenance of Resale Prices by Manufacturers

Abstract

I. Legal background of resale price maintenance, 454.—Present status of price maintenance, 455.—II. Quasi-monopolistic position of “differentiated” product producers, 455.—The effect of “fair trade” legislation on retail prices of contract items, 457.—III. Underlying factors making possible an artificial price structure, 458.—IV. Comparison of nationally advertised drug prices with non-nationally advertised comparable items, 460.—Relative ignorance of consumers regarding substitute products, 462.—V. Effect of price maintenance legislation in California, 462.—VI. Evaluation of “fair trade” in contrast to “loss leader” legislation, 463.—Education of the consumer as an essential element for breaking “fixed prices,” 464.