Minneapolis Unfair Business Practices Attorney

Unfair Business Practices

Unfair business practices include fraud, misrepresentation, and oppressive or questionable practices, often against consumers or smaller competitors. The law, particularly antitrust or competition laws, prohibits unfair business practices in many countries, including the United States. Antitrust laws prevent companies from conspiring to restrain or control trade in the market.

Several examples of unfair business practices include price fixing, price discrimination, conspiring to boycott, conspiring to allocate markets or customers, and monopolization. Price fixing is described as discussion of prices with competitors, leading to a general consensus about the price of goods or services. This is particularly unfair in a small market, where alternative choices might be scarce. Price discrimination is the selective distribution of prices, usually with larger, more powerful companies having access to lower costs and an unfair profit advantage. Alliances of businesses to boycott another competitor are a violation of antitrust laws. Agreements between businesses to divide up markets or customers are also illegal. The market must remain open, with customers able to freely choose their providers of goods and services. Finally, monopolization, or complete domination, of a particular market is illegal.

In the United States, antitrust laws exist at both the state and federal levels. The federal government, through the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, can pursue both civil and criminal litigation against violating businesses. On the state level, the District Attorney also has power to fight unfair business practices. Finally, private suits can be brought at both the state and federal levels.

If you are concerned about unfair business practices, contact the experienced business lawyers of Skjold Barthel at 612.746.2560 to discuss your legal options.