Consumer & Competition Issues

All companies are subject to extensive consumer and competition laws and regulations that govern their interactions with customers and other companies (primarily, suppliers and competitors). Consumer protection laws operate to protect consumers from unfair business practices, misleading information, and defective products. Enforcement is provided by both the federal (primarily under the Federal Trade Commission) and state governments (in California, for example, the Department of Consumer Affairs). For sellers of goods, it is important to understand that all companies in the product chain from the manufacturer to the ultimate consumer seller are potentially liable for defective products. We assist companies with legal advice in regard to product claims, advertising, product labelling, branding, and significant customer complaints. Competition laws promote fair markets by preventing anti-competitive practices, including such areas as monopolies, cartels, predatory pricing, price fixing, and bid-rigging. They can also arise during mergers and acquisitions. Companies need to stay vigilant in their interactions with all clients, suppliers, and competitors to ensure they avoid potential legal issues while retaining a competitive edge in their market.