How is unfair competition defined under federal law?
Under federal law, unfair competition is defined as illegal acts or practices committed in the marketplace that harm or deceive customers and other businesses. This includes activities like false advertising, trademark infringement, misleading promotions, and other deceptive business practices. It also includes activities that harm competitors in an illegal or unethical way, such as price fixing, bid rigging, and the creation of anti-competitive monopolies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the federal agency that enforces unfair competition laws. Under the FTC’s law, the agency may issue administrative orders and civil penalties when a business engages in unfair or deceptive practices. The agency may also initiate court proceedings for injunctive relief when it believes that a business has engaged in an unfair business practice. In addition to federal law, each state in the United States has its own laws that address unfair competition. Washington, for example, has laws that prohibit deceptive practices, restrictive covenants, false advertising, and other activities that could injure the public or other businesses. The Washington Department of Revenue is the agency responsible for enforcing these laws. The department may issue warnings, order corrective actions, or assess penalties for businesses that do not comply with the law.
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