Austin Business Lawyer

Antitrust Law

Antitrust law, known more generally as competition law, is often very prominent in America because it can affect very high-profile companies on a large scale. Antitrust law tends to try and regulate competition through three main areas:

• Maintaining free trade and competitive markets
• Outlawing abusive behavior by companies that dominate in a given market
• Monitoring mergers and acquisitions

Maintaining free trade and competitive markets most often manifests itself in the prohibition of cartel-like entities. It is important to keep markets open to new entrants and make it competitive for the businesses already involved.

Antitrust law also has to keep a watchful eye on companies that are dominant in a certain market, as they are in a position to participate in practices like predatory pricing, price gouging, refusal to deal, etc. because of their market position. These laws also make illegal practices that pave the way for a company to put themselves in a very dominant position.

Monitoring mergers and acquisitions is important because some of these transactions, especially between large companies, can easily jeopardize fair business practices and competition. Sometimes there will be a complete blockage of a deal, or stipulations will be put in the terms to maintain the competitive market.

Contact Us

For any and all issues related to commercial law, contact the experienced Austin business attorneys of Slater, Kennon, & Jameson, LLP at 512-472-2431.