Markets are based on free trade and competition, which is supposed to benefit (= « profiter à ») consumers. The law guarantees that competition is fair and that consumers are protected.
European antitrust policy is based on two central rules set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (articles 101 and 102).These laws are enforced by the Commission in Brussels.
In the United Kingdom anti-competitive laws ban (= « interdire ») certain types of agreements between business entities. These laws are enforced by the OFT (« Office of Fair Trading »).
In the US, a series of laws passed by the Federal government, namely the Sherman Act of 1890, the Clayton Act of 1914 and the Federal Trade Commission Act prevents companies from developing monopolies. These laws evolve with the market but still aim to ensure that fair competition prevails. They are enforced by the DOJ (« Department of Justice ») and the FTC (« Federal Trade Commission »).
