What is the Sherman Antitrust Act?
The Sherman Antitrust Act is a federal law passed in 1890 to protect the public from unfair business practices. This act is the most important piece of federal legislation that deals with competition among businesses. The purpose of the act is to promote competition and to forbid monopolies and restraints of trade. It is part of the anti-monopoly legislation that seeks to protect small business owners from larger companies. The text of the act prohibits any “contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States.” This language is broad and open-ended, giving the federal government the power to prosecute any activity which they believe is anti-competitive. In New Hampshire, the Sherman Antitrust Act is enforced by the Office of the Attorney General and the courts. Business owners in the state must abide by the law in order to avoid civil or criminal liability. New Hampshire has also enacted a state antitrust law, which is similar to the federal Sherman Act but with some additional provisions. The Sherman Antitrust Act has been used for over a century to protect the rights of consumers and businesses alike. It is essential that business owners in New Hampshire understand the law and its implications. By doing so, they can ensure that their activities comply with the law and benefit the state’s economy as a whole.
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