{"id":5112,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:57","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/liability-and-insurance\/tortious-interference.html"},"modified":"2024-05-23T02:29:49","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T07:29:49","slug":"tortious-interference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/liability-and-insurance\/tortious-interference.html","title":{"rendered":"Tortious Interference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Tortious Interference<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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

Operating a small business is tough work. Sometimes, it seems as though your competitors are out to get you. But what if they are? What happens if you learn that your competitors have intentionally taken customers or your vendors away from you?<\/p>\r\n

Letting the market decide is an old economic policy; most of the time, it works. However, pushing the market by interfering with the competition’s business contracts or contractual relations is a basis for legal action. It’s called tortious interference and is a cause of action<\/a> in court. This article explains what that is and how you can fight it.<\/p>\r\n

What is Tortious Interference?<\/h2>\r\n

The Third Restatement of Torts<\/a> codifies common law that handles contract disputes. The Third Restatement covers two types of tortious interference, depending on the defendant’s conduct and the kind of relationship they attack.<\/p>\r\n