antitrust laws
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Antitrust laws
Legislation established by the federal government to prevent the formation of monopolies and to regulate trade.
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Antitrust Law
Any law opposing trusts, monopolies, and other organizations or practices deemed to be anti-competitive. Antitrust laws especially refer to laws forbidding price-fixing contracts, price discrimination, and tying. Proponents of antitrust laws believe they increase competition, while opponents, notably Ayn Rand, argue that they encourage economic inefficiency and punish success. See also: Sherman Act, Clayton Act.
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antitrust laws
Federal and state statutes designed to promote competition among businesses. Antitrust laws in the United States originated from the laissez-faire excesses that took place in the early 1900s. Effectiveness of antitrust laws is heavily dependent upon enforcement by the powers in charge—primarily the U.S. Justice Department. Thus, the success of antitrust laws has varied. See also Celler-Kefauver Antimerger Act, Clayton Act, Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, Sherman Antitrust Act.
Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms for Today's Investor by David L. Scott. Copyright © 2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.
antitrust laws
State and federal laws designed to encourage competition and discourage or prohibit monopolies.Relevant in the real estate context because of the somewhat monopolistic power of local real estate boards, their ability to admit or exclude members, the possibility of de facto (informal) price fixing relative to real estate commissions, and their control of the Multiple Listing Service® database of properties offered for sale. This is an exceptionally complex area of law. (For more information, visit the Department of Justice Web site at www.usdoj.gov/atr/overview.html and the National Association of REALTORS® antitrust pages at www.realtor.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg704.)
The Complete Real Estate Encyclopedia by Denise L. Evans, JD & O. William Evans, JD. Copyright © 2007 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.