What antitrust laws are specific to the US?

Antitrust laws specify the rules of competition within the United States. They ensure that businesses compete fairly to promote economic growth and consumer choice. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 is the first major federal law regulating monopolies and other restrictive business practices. This law protects against unfair business practices such as price fixing, market division, and product tying. The Sherman Act outlaws contracts and conspiracies that unreasonably restrain trade, and it prohibits single entities from possessing monopolies. The Clayton Act of 1914 is another major federal antitrust law. It expands upon the Sherman Act to prevent anticompetitive practices. It outlaws mergers and acquisitions that lessen competition, prohibits discrimination in price and services for certain customers, and forbids exclusive dealing contracts that lessen competition. The Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 established the Federal Trade Commission and gave it the power to enforce antitrust laws. In addition to these federal laws, individual states also have their own antitrust laws. For example, Mississippi has the Mississippi Antitrust Act, which generally mirrors the FTC Act. This act provides for private antitrust actions, and states a claim for injunctive relief can be brought in state court. Overall, the Sherman Antitrust Act, Clayton Act, and the Federal Trade Commission Act are the main federal antitrust laws. These laws help protect consumers by preventing unfair business practices and promoting competition.

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