Whether you are an employee, business owner, or a third party, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses caused by a restrictive agreement or practice that is prohibited by the antitrust laws. If you believe that you have been the victim of a monopoly, you may want to contact an antitrust litigation law firm who can help you seek damages from a defendant.
Sherman antitrust actions
During the Gilded Age, the United States Congress passed the Sherman Act, which prohibited certain types of anticompetitive acts. The Federal Trade Commission, an agency of the government, has authority to enforce the act through enforcement actions.
The law is a broad prohibition on anticompetitive agreements and monopolization. It prevents corporations from limiting their production output, controlling prices, or merging to form a monopoly.
The Federal Trade Commission also has the authority to investigate and penalize violations of the Act. The statute is divided into three sections: Section 1, Section 2, and Section 3. Each section deals with a specific kind of conduct that is prohibited.
DOJ can pursue criminal charges for per se violations of section 1 of the Sherman Act
During the first half of 2022, the US Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division made waves by announcing its first ever criminal monopolization case in nearly fifty years. The case involved six former aerospace executives who allegedly conspired to fix prices to lower pay rates for certain employees. The case was also notable for being the first time a defendant had pled guilty to a criminal labor market crime.
The plea agreement marks the first criminal enforcement under the Sherman Act monopolization statute in over forty years. The case was a success for the US Department of Justice, as the defendants entered into a favorable plea deal that avoided the high hurdles of a litigated Section 2 case.
Google is being sued for alleged anti-competitive practices in ad tech markets
Earlier this week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that he will lead a lawsuit against Google. He claims that Google has abused its market power to manipulate the prices of online ads. He also says that Google has used its monopolistic power to oust competitors.
Ten states have joined the suit against Google. They accuse the search giant of colluding with Facebook to rig online advertising auctions. They claim that Google is artificially restricting ads and excludes competing virtual assistants.
The complaint filed by the United States Department of Justice alleges that Google has engaged in “illegal tactics” to maintain its monopoly on the online search market. It says that Google is preventing other companies from competing with Google in the ad tech industry, and it has created obstacles for competitors.
Federal regulation exempts anti-competitive actions from competition laws
Whether a company is subject to anti-competitive conduct can vary depending on the country and legal system. In most cases, the law aims to protect free enterprise systems and ensure a competitive market. This article outlines the major types of agreements and non-competitive practices that can be prohibited by the law. It also offers recommendations for reform.
Anti-competitive agreements are agreements between parties in a commercial transaction that benefit one person or group at the expense of others. These agreements are often referred to as cartels. They are defined as agreements that control the production, pricing, and other aspects of goods.
