Federal Trade Commission Act

“Unfair methods of competition in or affecting commerce, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce, are hereby declared unlawful”

• Although the Sherman Act helped to establish antitrust laws, the public was dissatisfied with its implementation
• In addition to the lack of clarity in prohibitions, there wasn’t a designated agency to enforce the Sherman Act.
• This led to the creation of the Federal Trade Commission Act
  • Passed on September 26, 1914, the FTC Act established the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• The FTC was given power to discipline unfair business behavior
  • The FTC received power to eliminate monopolies that persisted due to “unfair” practices
  • The FTC Act does not apply to foreign trade