The Federal Trade Commission believes that free and open markets are the foundation of a vibrant economy. Aggressive competition among sellers in an open marketplace gives consumers—both individuals and businesses—the benefits of lower prices, higher quality products and services, more choices, and greater innovation. The FTC's competition mission is to enforce the rules of the competitive marketplace—the antitrust laws. These laws promote vigorous competition and protect consumers from anticompetitive mergers and business practices. The FTC's Bureau of Competition, working in tandem with the Bureau of Economics, enforces the antitrust laws for the benefit of consumers.
In Texas, as in all states, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces federal antitrust laws to promote vigorous competition and protect consumers from anticompetitive mergers and business practices. The FTC's Bureau of Competition, along with the Bureau of Economics, works to ensure that markets remain open and competitive by preventing anticompetitive conduct, such as monopolistic practices, price-fixing, and unlawful mergers that could harm consumers by leading to higher prices, lower quality, fewer choices, and reduced innovation. Texas also has its own antitrust statutes, primarily governed by the Texas Free Enterprise and Antitrust Act of 1983, which parallels federal law and is enforced by the Texas Attorney General's Office. This state law prohibits monopolies and anticompetitive agreements that could restrain trade within Texas. The state attorney general has the authority to investigate and prosecute antitrust violations under both state and federal laws, ensuring that the markets within Texas remain competitive and fair for consumers.
