{"id":374337,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:43","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-antitrust-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2016-06-20T05:00:00","slug":"mississippi-antitrust-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/mississippi-law\/mississippi-antitrust-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Mississippi Antitrust Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mississippi Antitrust Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

The American economy is based on capitalism, a system that requires business competition. Restraining free trade can disrupt that economic model. Therefore, federal and state antitrust<\/a> laws have been developed to protect consumers<\/a> and prevent businesses from obtaining an unfair advantage in the marketplace. These antitrust laws prohibit the creation of monopolies and agreements between companies that reduce competition.<\/p>\r\n

How to Make an Antitrust Violation Complaint in Mississippi<\/h2>\r\n

In Mississippi, the state agency that investigates and enforces the antitrust laws<\/a> is the Office of the Attorney General. If you want, you can file a complaint about a business online<\/a>. For more information, call the Attorney General\u2019s Office at 601-359-4230.<\/p>\r\n

The chart below details the antitrust laws<\/a> in Mississippi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Code Sections<\/b><\/td>\r\nMississippi Code Title 75, Chapter 21: Trusts and Combines in Restraint or Hindrance of Trade<\/a><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
What is Prohibited?<\/b><\/td>\r\nCorporations and individuals in trade can\u2019t enter into a contract or agreement of any kind which would in effect do any of the following:
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Penalties<\/b><\/td>\r\nTrusts or conspiracies as described above are penalized by a fine of $100 to $5,000 for the first offense and a fine of $200 to $10,000 for the second or subsequent offense. Each month can be a separate violation.
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\r\nAdditional penalties include:
Private Lawsuits<\/b><\/td>\r\nWhile the attorney general or an authorized district attorney can enforce civil and criminal antitrust laws, private persons and individuals can also sue for any damages<\/a> or financial losses they suffered due to the violation of these laws. In addition to the damages, a penalty of $500 can be awarded. One or more parties to the trust, including officers and representatives, can be sued.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>
Attorney Fees<\/b><\/td>\r\nYes, attorney fees, to cover the Attorney General\u2019s expenses in bringing an antitrust violation lawsuit<\/a> are permissible. Also, if the state contracts with an attorney to provide legal services to it, they may have to pay<\/a> for that service. However, an individual\u2019s personal attorney fees to recover damages aren\u2019t statutorily required to be covered.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

Antitrust laws are complicated. If you believe you were wronged by a business violating these antitrust laws, you should consult with an experienced Mississippi antitrust lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Note:<\/i><\/b> State laws are regularly revised, so it\u2019s best to contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify these state laws.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\r\n