Consumer Action

It is generally left up to consumers to identify unsanctioned monopolies and anti-competitive practices that hurt their freedom of choice and report them to the relevant authorities.

US Sherman Antitrust Act


15 U.S.C. § 1
Every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, is declared to be illegal.
Every person who shall monopolize, or attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other person or persons, to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations, shall be deemed guilty of a felony.

 

US antitrust contacts


Department of Justice, State of Oregon, Antitrust Division
consumer.hotline@doj.state.or.us
 

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Competition
antitrust@ftc.gov
 

United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division
antitrust.complaints@usdoj.gov
 

Software freedom activists:
 

Electronic Frountier Foundation
information@eff.org
 

Free Software Foundation
info@fsf.org


EU Article 82 of the Treaty Establishing the European Community


Article 82:

Any abuse by one or more undertakings of a dominant position within the common market or in a substantial part of it shall be prohibited as incompatible with the common market insofar as it may affect trade between Member States.
(a) directly or indirectly imposing unfair purchase or selling prices or other unfair trading conditions; (b) limiting production, markets or technical development to the prejudice of consumers; (c) applying dissimilar conditions to equivalent transactions with other trading parties, thereby placing them at a competitive disadvantage; (d) making the conclusion of contracts subject to acceptance by the other parties of supplementary obligations which, by their nature or according to commercial usage, have no connection with the subject of such contracts.

EU antitrust contacts


The European Commission
comp-greffe-antitrust@ec.europa.eu


Office of Fair Trading
enquiries@oft.gsi.gov.uk


False marking - patent law


35 U.S.C 292:
Whoever marks upon, or affixes to, or uses in advertising in connection with any unpatented article the word "patent" or any word or number importing the same is patented, for the purpose of deceiving the public; or Whoever marks upon, or affixes to, or uses in advertising in connection with any article the words "patent applied for," "patent pending," or any word importing that an application for patent has been made, when no application for patent has been made, or if made, is not pending, for the purpose of deceiving the public - Shall be fined not more than $500 for every such offense.
(b) Any person may sue for the penalty, in which event one-half shall go to the person suing and the other to the use of the United States.
A recent precedent has made the maximum $500 penalty applicable for every unit sold with false marking.