Background
The Antitrust laws of the United States were enacted to prevent companies, or groups of companies, from engaging in unfair trade practices. One aspect of these laws deals with companies working together to restrict competition (collusion). Industry associations, by nature, call for companies to work together on various issues. It is not illegal for competitors to work together, unless in doing so they are restricting competition within a given industry. Because of this, various government bodies that are charged with enforcing the antitrust laws keep careful watch over industry organizations such as AIAG.

Antitrust Policy
As stated in our bylaws, AIAG complies fully with federal antitrust laws and neither AIAG nor its facilities or systems may be used by any member for any improper or unlawful purpose.

Those participating in AIAG activities at all levels, including Work Groups, Project Team, Steering Committees, etc., need to proceed with caution to ensure against inadvertent violations of federal and state antitrust laws.

Minutes or other records of all meetings must be kept on file at AIAG to document the topics discussed and agreements reached. The following topics should be strictly avoided in all discussions at AIAG:

Regarding your company's and/or your competitors' product and services:

• Do not discuss current or future prices.
• Do not discuss any increase or decrease in price.
• Do not discuss pricing procedures.
• Do not discuss standardizing or stabilizing prices.
• Do not discuss controlling sales or allocating markets for any product.
• Do not discuss future design or marketing strategies.

Regarding your company's and/or your competitors' selection of their supplier companies:

• Do not discuss refusing to deal with a company because of its pricing or distribution practices.
• Do not discuss strategies or plans to award business or remove business from a specific company.

Regarding your company's and/or competitors' trade secrets:

• Do not discuss trade secrets or confidential information of your company or any other member.

REMEMBER: Both your company and you as an individual can be prosecuted for violations of antitrust laws.

Antitrust Policy (pdf)