Connecticut Attorney General's Office
Antitrust Department
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the antitrust laws do?
Antitrust laws are designed to promote fair competition and level the playing field in our marketplace.
What is price fixing?
Price fixing occurs when two competitors agree on a price at which their respective products are then sold. Additionally, price fixing occurs where a supplier reaches an agreement with its reselling dealer or as to the price at which the dealer will resell.
What is an unlawful tying arrangement?
Generally, unlawful tying occurs when a seller conditions the sale of one item upon the buyer’s agreement to purchase a separate item. By way of example, for the most part it would be unlawful for a seller of a specific prescription drug to require a buyer to purchase a separate product, such as vitamins.
Is it unlawful for competitors to agree to divide territories?
Yes, it is unlawful for competitors to agree to divide market areas or even agree upon the particular customers they will serve.
When is a merger unlawful?
Generally, while most mergers are lawful, if the resulting company acquires an undue level of market power, the merger may be found to be unlawful.
I am the owner of a small business and wish to expand my product line, yet a potential supplier has refused to deal with me. Isn’t this a restraint of trade?
While this is technically a restraint of trade in that the supplier is refusing to Deal with you, it is not necessarily an “unlawful” restraint of trade. The antitrust laws prohibit unlawful restraints of trade. Generally, a supplier has the unilateral right to decide upon the customers with whom it will deal. There may be a situation where a refusal to deal is unlawful, such as where two or more of your competitors agree with the supplier to exclude your business.
If I believe an antitrust violation has occurred, whom do I contact?
Contact the Attorney General’s Office, Antitrust Department, at 55 Elm Street, 4th Floor, Hartford, CT 06106 – Telephone (860) 808-5040, Fax (860) 808-5033.
If I am involved in a legal action based at least in part on a state antitrust claim, do I need to inform the Attorney General's Office?
Yes, Section 35-37 of the Connecticut General Statutes provides:
Any person filing a complaint, counterclaim, or answer, for any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall, simultaneously with the returning of the same to Superior Court, or in the case of pendent state law claims, to federal court, mail a copy of the complaint, counterclaim, or answer, to the Attorney General.
You may also satisfy this requirement by sending the pleading via electronic mail in a pdf format to: michael.cole@po.state.ct.us