An agreement between a buyer and a supplier requiring the buyer to purchase all or almost all of a particular product or service from the supplier for a set period of time. An exclusive dealing agreement prevents a buyer from using or reselling the products of a competing supplier. Exclusive dealing arrangements are usually considered procompetitive. However, they may violate antitrust laws if they harm competition (for example, by foreclosing a substantial portion of competing suppliers' distribution channels).

Exclusive dealing can be challenged under several antitrust statutes, including:

Both governmental agencies and private parties may bring exclusive dealing claims. Exclusive dealing arrangements are generally analyzed under the rule of reason.

For more information, see Practice Note, Exclusive Dealing Arrangements.