What is antitrust law?

Antitrust law in the United States refers to the group of state and federal laws that regulate the conduct of businesses.

Antitrust litigation is legal action taken against businesses for unfair business practices.  Parties may sue under the U.S. antitrust laws any businesses who attempt to restrict competition by building monopolies.

Some of the most common types cases of antitrust litigation and disputes include:

• Monopolization
• Unfair Competition
• Price Fixing
• Refusals to Deal

Antitrust laws are in place to promote competition among businesses in the marketplace. If competitors were to work together or merge to undermine competition, then not only do the competition suffer, but so do the general public. This is because monopolies restrict consumers’ access to supply. These monopolies can price their products how they want because they have no competition bringing the price down to a fair market price.

When can a lawsuit be brought?

An antitrust lawsuit must be brought after a business has already violated an antitrust law. The business must have committed illegal conduct, otherwise the antitrust laws cannot forbid businesses from committing antitrust conduct.

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice can both bring lawsuits against businesses and corporations who violate U.S. antitrust laws. These lawsuits can seek damages, injunctions, fines, and in some cases incarceration for criminal antitrust conduct.

Antitrust litigation is a complex field. For questions pertaining to your specific case, consult with a knowledgeable and experienced attorney in your area.