FTC v. Sperry & Hutchinson Trading Stamp Co.
| Federal Trade Commission v. Sperry & Hutchinson Trading Stamp Co. | |
|---|---|
| Argued November 15, 1971 Decided March 1, 1972 | |
| Full case name | Federal Trade Commission v. Sperry & Hutchinson Trading Stamp Co. |
| Citations | 405 U.S. 233 (more) |
| Holding | |
| The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may act against a company’s “unfair” business practices even though the practice is none of the following: an antitrust violation, an incipient antitrust violation, a violation of the “spirit” of the antitrust laws, or a deceptive practice. This legal theory is termed the "unfairness doctrine." | |
| Court membership | |
| |
| Case opinion | |
| Majority | White, joined by Burger, Douglas, Brennan, Stewart, Marshall, Blackmun |
| Powell and Rehnquist took no part in the consideration or decision of the case. | |
Federal Trade Commission v. Sperry & Hutchinson Trading Stamp Co., 405 U.S. 233 (1972), is a decision of the United States Supreme Court holding that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may act against a company's “unfair” business practices even though the practice is none of the following: an antitrust violation, an incipient antitrust violation, a violation of the “spirit” of the antitrust laws, or a deceptive practice. This legal theory is termed the "unfairness doctrine."