Final answer:
P&G was accused of violating legal doctrines related to antitrust regulations when they engaged in price-fixing activities as part of an international cartel of vitamin manufacturers. This violation falls under the area of antitrust law, which aims to promote fair competition and prevent monopolistic practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the case Boatright and Smith, P&G (Procter and Gamble) was accused of violating legal doctrines related to antitrust regulations. Specifically, P&G was part of an international cartel of vitamin manufacturers that engaged in price-fixing activities. They colluded with other firms, such as Hoffman-La Roche, BASF, and Rhone-Poulenc, to control the production, pricing, and customer allocation of vitamins.
As a result of their illegal activities, P&G and the other firms were prosecuted by antitrust regulators. Hoffman-La Roche, one of the firms involved in the cartel, pleaded guilty and agreed to pay a fine of $500 million, while one of its top executives served four months of jail time.
This violation falls under the area of antitrust law, which aims to promote fair competition and prevent monopolistic practices.