Which of the following is considered NOT a per se violation of federal antitrust laws?

Resale price maintenance agreements are typically evaluated under the “rule of reason” rather than being classified as a per se violation of federal antitrust laws. This means that such agreements are not automatically illegal; rather, they are scrutinized based on their actual effect on competition in the marketplace. The intent behind these agreements can be to stabilize prices and ensure fair competition among retailers, particularly in protecting brand image and maintaining quality.

On the other hand, vertical price maintenance can lead to an analysis of whether the restriction enhances or harms competition. Therefore, while they can be problematic, they require a more nuanced consideration of their impacts rather than an outright ban based on their existence alone.

In contrast, horizontal price fixing, geographic market division, and group boycotts are deemed to be per se violations because they inherently restrict competition and consumer choice, making them harmful to the market without needing extensive analysis of their effects.