§ 6-36-2 - Purpose – Rules of construction. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 6-36-2

   § 6-36-2  Purpose – Rules ofconstruction. – (a) The purposes of this chapter are:

   (1) To complement the laws of the United States governingmonopolistic and restrictive trade practices; and

   (2) To promote the unhampered growth of commerce and industrythroughout the state by prohibiting unreasonable restraints of trade andmonopolistic practices, inasmuch as these have the effect of hampering,preventing, or decreasing competition. It is intended that as a result theprices of goods and services to consumers will be fairly determined by freemarket competition in activities affecting trade or commerce in this state,including the manufacturing, distribution, financing, and service sectors ofthe economy, except as otherwise provided by the statutes, regulations, andjudicial decisions of this state. The general assembly intends to fullyexercise its power to affect and regulate commerce in order to effectuate thepurpose of this chapter.

   (b) This chapter shall be construed in harmony with judicialinterpretations of comparable federal antitrust statutes insofar aspracticable, except where provisions of this chapter are expressly contrary toapplicable federal provisions as construed.