Rhode Island. Statutory Language

Rhode Island Statute 43-29

RHODE ISLAND STATUTE

RHODE ISLAND ANTITRUST ACT

R.I. G

EN

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L

AWS

§§ 6-36-1 to 6-36-26

§ 6-36-1. Short title

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Rhode Island Antitrust

Act.”

§ 6-36-2. Purpose – rules of construction

(a) The purposes of this chapter are:

(1) To complement the laws of the United States governing

monopolistic and restrictive trade practices; and

(2) To promote the unhampered growth of commerce and industry

throughout the state by prohibiting unreasonable restraints of trade and monopolistic

practices, inasmuch as these have the effect of hampering, preventing, or decreasing

competition. It is intended that as a result the prices of goods and services to

consumers will be fairly determined by free market competition in activities affecting

trade or commerce in this state, including the manufacturing, distribution, financing,

and service sectors of the economy, except as otherwise provided by the statutes,

regulations, and judicial decisions of this state. The general assembly intends to fully

exercise its power to affect and regulate commerce in order to effectuate the purpose

of this chapter.

(b) This chapter shall be construed in harmony with judicial interpretations of

comparable federal antitrust statutes insofar as practicable, except where provisions

of this chapter are expressly contrary to applicable federal provisions as construed.

§ 6-36-3. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms defined in the section have the

following meanings:

(1) “Commodity” means any goods, merchandise, wares, produce, chose in

action, article of commerce, or any other tangible or intangible property, real,

personal, or mixed, for use, consumption, enjoyment, or resale;

(2) “Department” means the department of attorney general of this state;

(3) “Documentary material” means any original or copy of any book, record,

memorandum, paper communication, tabulation, map, chart, photograph, mechanical

transcription, or other tangible document or recording;

(4) “Investigative demand” or “demand” means an investigative demand

pursuant to § 6-36-9(b);