USLegal » Legal Definitions Home » C » Cartels Law & Legal Definition

Cartels Law & Legal Definition

A cartel is a united group of industrial corporations which band together for the purpose of restricting trade for their mutual benefit. Cartels may agree to control distribution, set prices, reduce competition, and sometimes share technical expertise. Such companies usually are international and cartels generally exist outside of the United States, since U.S. antitrust laws generally prohibit the formation of cartels.

The most well-known cartel is OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), which represents all of the oil producing countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Venezuela. Some cartels operate secretively, such as illegal drug cartels.





Legal Definitions

Search Definitions

    Search Term(s):
    Exact word match:   

Get a Term Defined


Submit a Definition

  • Submit a Definition Help us build our database. Free listings for attorneys.
  • » Submit a Definition

  • Ask A Lawyer Online!
    An attorney will answer your question - normally within 24 hours.

Help Build USLegal

  • Join our Team and help build USLegal. Many opportunities for participation so Join our Network.
    Build USLegal

Read a Law Digest

  • Need to read the law or find an answer to a legal question? Visit our Law Digest for the largest selection of law digests and answers available.
    Go to Law Digest

Form Packages


Legal Life

Form Drafting

  • Can′t find the form you need, or need a form we offer revised for your situation? Submit your request and our attorneys will review the request and let you know if the form can be provided.
    Submit a drafting request...
Legal Forms Home