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price fixing
Antitrust
One of the main reason is to stop state competition (USA) and the other may be to stop monopoly or unfair competition.
The law itself which was designed to protect consumers from collusion and unfair business practices by corporations.
some companies paid them money to ignore these problems
People accused them of using unfair business practices.
Muckrakers
These laws involve various types of business competition, especially with reference to trademarks, price maintenance, and price discrimination.
Unfair trade practice" as per Section 2(r) means a trade practice which, for the purpose of promoting the sale, use or supply of any goods or for the provision of any service, adopts any unfair method or unfair or deceptive practice, while "restrictive trade practice" means a trade practice which tries to manipulate the price or conditions of delivery to affect flow of supplies in the market relating to goods or services in such a manner as to impose on the consumers unjustified costs or restrictions [as per section 2(nnn)].
Anti trust laws keep the consumer safe from unfair business practices such as price setting and monopolies. It keeps the produce honest and providing good business while these laws cannot always break up monopolies they can if proved in court.
Discrimination
Better Business Bureau