Antitrust and Technology

The Need for Balanced Policy Action that Fosters Competition and Innovation

Antitrust law—also known as competition law—exists to benefit consumers by fostering healthy marketplace competition. Competition drives innovation, helps control prices, and provides choice in the marketplace.

Congress passed the nation’s first antitrust law—the Sherman Act—in 1890. The Sherman Act, along with the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Clayton Act (both from 1914), form the foundation of U.S. antitrust law. The FTC and the U.S. Department of Justice are responsible for enforcing these laws.

There is now growing concern worldwide among governments, businesses, and the public about competition in the technology sector. In the U.S., the FTC and DOJ, as well as several states, have filed antitrust lawsuits against several large tech companies, including Amazon, Facebook, and Google. These suits allege that these companies engage in anticompetitive practices that hurt small businesses, consumers, and the economy, and hamper innovation.

Voices for Innovation will keep our members informed about this issue, highlighting both legislative proposals and relevant court cases.

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