<P> United States antitrust law is a collection of federal and state government laws that regulates the conduct and organization of business corporations , generally to promote fair competition for the benefit of consumers . ( The concept is called competition law in other English - speaking countries . ) The main statutes are the Sherman Act of 1890 , the Clayton Act of 1914 and the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 . These Acts , first , restrict the formation of cartels and prohibit other collusive practices regarded as being in restraint of trade . Second , they restrict the mergers and acquisitions of organizations that could substantially lessen competition . Third , they prohibit the creation of a monopoly and the abuse of monopoly power . </P>
<P> United States antitrust law is a collection of federal and state government laws that regulates the conduct and organization of business corporations , generally to promote fair competition for the benefit of consumers . ( The concept is called competition law in other English - speaking countries . ) The main statutes are the Sherman Act of 1890 , the Clayton Act of 1914 and the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914 . These Acts , first , restrict the formation of cartels and prohibit other collusive practices regarded as being in restraint of trade . Second , they restrict the mergers and acquisitions of organizations that could substantially lessen competition . Third , they prohibit the creation of a monopoly and the abuse of monopoly power . </P>
the reason that the united states government passed antitrust legislation was
the reason that the united states government passed antitrust legislation was
promote fair competition
promote fair competition