In fact, the Justice Department files dozens of complaints against companies, organizations and individuals every year for violations of one or more of the antitrust laws. On the page, Antitrust Filings, the Justice Department provides detailed information on selected cases filed since 1994. U.S. v. Microsoft is certainly on this list, but so is U.S. v. American Bar Association, in which the ABA found itself charged under the Sherman act for illegal practices relating to its associated dealings with American law schools.

Who Gets Hurt by Antitrust Violations?
Unfair business practices -- violations of the antitrust laws -- can happen in any industry or trade and almost always end up harming both competing companies and consumers. The most common violations involve acts of price fixing and bid rigging and are thus the primary target of the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department.

Over recent years alone, the Justice Department as won price fixing and bid rigging convictions in the soft drink, motion picture, trash-hauling, road-building, electrical contracting and dozens of other industries. In addition, Grand Juries across America have considered complaints involving fax paper, display materials, explosives, plumbing supplies, doors, aluminum extrusions, carpet, bread, and milk.

How are violations discovered?
Since bid rigging and price fixing schemes involve conspiracies, the companies involved try hard to keep them secret. As a result, the Justice Department relies heavily on reports from consumers and competitors. According to the Antitrust Division, a very large percentage of all federal investigations results from complaints received from consumers or businessmen by phone, mail or in person.