What is unfair competition law?

Unfair competition law is a legal concept that is designed to protect businesses from dishonest or unethical business practices. This type of law applies to both large and small businesses alike, and prohibits companies from acting in ways that unfairly disadvantage their competitors. In North Carolina, unfair competition law is found primarily in Chapter 75 of the North Carolina General Statutes and is designed to prevent companies from engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the course of business. Such acts may include false advertising, false representations about the quality of a product or service, using a competitor’s name or trademark without permission, or even spreading or creating false rumors in order to discredit a competing business. Because unfair competition law is usually focused on deceptive business practices, the legal concept is considered a form of consumer protection. That way, consumers can feel confident that the products and services they are buying are of the highest quality and that the businesses they are buying from are acting ethically and responsibly. Unfair competition law is an important concept for businesses big and small, and it is important that businesses in North Carolina understand and abide by the law to ensure that their business is being conducted fairly and in compliance with the law.

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