Antitrust

Antitrust refers to a set of laws and regulations designed to promote competition and prevent monopolistic practices in the marketplace. The primary objective of antitrust legislation is to protect consumers and ensure fair competition among businesses. This involves preventing practices that could lead to market dominance by a single company or a small group of companies, such as price-fixing, collusion, and mergers that substantially lessen competition. Key antitrust laws include the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act in the United States. Antitrust enforcement is carried out by government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), which investigate and act against anti-competitive behaviors. Overall, antitrust is essential for maintaining a free market economy that offers consumers choices and fair prices.