In the context of business and commerce, a trust is a large entity such as a corporation, a combination of such interests, or an agreement among businesses that is intended to suppress the competition and unfairly restrict trade. Beating the competition is just business as usual, but it ventures into trust activity when such entities actively seek an unfair advantage as defined by state and federal antitrust laws. When the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) determines that a business entity is an illegal trust, the agency typically breaks it up into smaller companies. State courts primarily handle antitrust cases that are contained within state boundaries.
New Hampshire Antitrust Law at a Glance
New Hampshire antitrust law is similar to antitrust statutes in other states in that it focuses on the prevention of monopolies and conspiracies to restrain trade. Additional details of New Hampshire's antitrust law are listed in the following chart.
| Antitrust Code Section | 356:1, et seq. |
| Prohibited Acts | Every contract, combination, or conspiracy in restraint of trade; or which has the effect or purpose of:
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| Classifications and Penalties | A person who knowingly and willfully engages in conduct prohibited by this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if a natural person, or guilty of a felony if any other person. When the offense consists of a combination to control the price or supply, or to prevent competition in the sale, of foodstuffs or fuel, the person thus engaged shall be guilty of a class B felony if a natural person, or guilty of a felony if any other person. Each day's violation of any provision of RSA 356 shall constitute a separate offense. |
| Is a Private Lawsuit Possible? | Yes; Dept. of Justice power to enforce |
| Time Limit to Bring Claim | 4 yrs. |
| Can a Successful Plaintiff Recover Attorneys' Fees? | Yes |
Note: State laws are always subject to change at any time through the decisions of higher courts, enactment of newly signed legislation, and other mean. You should contact a New Hampshire antitrust attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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New Hampshire Antitrust Laws: Related Resources
