Final answer:
The question involves an antitrust violation where real estate brokers conspire to fix their fees or commissions, which is illegal under U.S. antitrust laws. These laws, enforced by the FTC and DOJ, prevent anti-competitive practices like price fixing, bid rigging, and market sharing to ensure a competitive market.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns an antitrust violation known as price fixing, where real estate brokers unlawfully agree to set their fees or commission rates at a certain level. This practice is a form of collusion, typically orchestrated directly or through trade associations, and is considered anti-competitive as it mimics the control over pricing that a monopoly would have.
U.S. antitrust laws, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), strictly prohibit such agreements. The laws also target other practices such as bid rigging, market sharing, and customer allocation that are aimed at reducing competition. The intention is to foster a competitive market environment, prevent monopolistic behavior, and protect consumers from artificial price inflation.
To regulate such anticompetitive behavior, the FTC and DOJ actively investigate and pursue cases against firms and trade associations that violate these laws, including imposing fines or other penalties. The ultimate goal is to ensure a fair and competitive real estate market that benefits both consumers and ethical businesses.