The Sherman antitrust act was passed in 1890. It has two substantive provisions, which are deceptively simple:

Antitrust and economic theory: an uneasy friendship, “Yale law journal volume 87, number 7, June 1978, p. 1525.

Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, 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….

Every person who shall monopolize, or attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other persons, to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several sates, or with foreign nations, shall be deemed guilty of a felony…