While everyone has the right to establish a successful business and enjoy a fair playing field, some companies cross the line of unfair competition. The laws prohibiting unfair business practices were designed to promote integrity and equity in the marketplace among commercial competitors, and the misconduct that these laws address may take place in all areas of business operation.
At Hone Law, our seasoned business attorneys are adept in identifying even the most elusive deception in commercial markets across Nevada and beyond. We are as forward-thinking and agile as the clients we serve, and we apply this mindset to every facet of our work. If your company was affected by a competitor’s unlawful business practices, contact our team at (702) 608-3720 today.
What Is Unfair Business Practice?
When a company uses deceptive, unethical, or fraudulent methods to secure business, it can be said that they are engaging in unfair business practices. A wide range of misconduct can fall under this classification. For instance, unlawful business practices may include:
- Misrepresentation
- Deceptive pricing
- Predatory lending
- False advertising
- Noncompliance with manufacturing standards
- Intellectual property infringement
- Product disparagement
- Misuse of confidential business information
- Contract interference
Such practices are considered unlawful under unfair competition laws such as Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act and Chapter 97B of the Nevada Revised Statutes. While a business may go to great lengths to gain an advantage over its competitors, certain legal boundaries cannot be crossed. When a company does cross those legal boundaries, legal action may be taken to stop the misconduct and, in some cases, recover damages for any losses that your business sustained as a result.
How Can My Company Address Unfair Business Practices?
Safeguarding your company against unfair business practices requires a proactive approach. If your business was affected by another company’s misconduct, you may have the right to seek relief by filing a claim in court. To succeed in business litigation, your company must demonstrate that the competitor’s business engaged in unfair practices and that your company suffered damages as a result.
Due to the complexity of unfair competition laws, hiring an experienced attorney in this area can be advantageous. Your attorney will help you determine whether you have legal standing to file a claim, gather all necessary evidence, and advocate for your interests in court. At Hone Law, we have helped return millions in compensatory damages for our clients and forced important changes to countless business practices to prevent further harm to consumers and competing companies alike.
What Evidence Does My Company Need to Win a Lawsuit for Unfair Business Practices?
Lawsuits involving unfair business practices are particularly complex because they are rarely clear-cut. It is not enough to allege that a company has engaged in misconduct; you must provide objective, comprehensive evidence that it used unethical, fraudulent, or otherwise illegal tactics to gain an advantage.
The evidence required to win a lawsuit for unlawful business practices will vary depending on the nature of the claim. If you are suing another business for intellectual property infringement, for instance, your company will need to produce proof that it is the valid holder of a copyright, trademark, or patent. Proof of violation and/or failure to notify your company of their use of the material may also be relevant in these claims.
If the case is rooted in false claims against your company, all evidence related to how the business tried to damage your brand’s reputation will be necessary. This may include any defamatory statements published to third parties, testimonies from witnesses, and proof of economic losses sustained by your company.
Finally, if you are pursuing legal action against a competitor for contract interference or breach of a restrictive covenant, it will be necessary to show the agreement and how the contractual terms or rules were violated. Additional evidence such as statistical data about the market and regional sales may also be important in these claims.
How Can Hone Law Help My Company Fight Back Against Unfair Business Practices?
In today’s competitive business environment, everyone wants an edge. Using dishonest practices to achieve this goal, however, is squarely unlawful. At Hone Law, we leverage our decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of the nuances of state and federal law to protect our clients’ rights, both in and out of court.
No issue is too complex for our team, and through our collaborative approach, we can fight back against the unfair business practices that have harmed your company. To discuss your case with our seasoned business litigation attorneys, contact us at (702) 608-3720 today.