Large companies as called “trustw”— same as a “trust fund”— I think.

Antitrust laws —

1. Apple with App Store monopoly — good for developers, users… everyone has an iPhone! However let us consider ,,, how much work Apple put forth to even create the platform of the App Store —

No Apple, no App Store Ecosystem.

Why called antitrust law

Why etymology “anti trust”

The etymology of “antitrust” is directly linked to the legal and economic history of the United States, particularly to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this period, the U.S. economy saw the rapid rise of large corporations and business entities known as “trusts.” These trusts were conglomerates of companies that came under the control of a single entity, often through a legal arrangement in which the stockholders in the individual companies transferred their shares to a single trustee in exchange for trust certificates. This arrangement allowed the controlling parties to consolidate and monopolize industries, reduce competition, and control prices, which was detrimental to the free market and consumer interests.

The word “antitrust” specifically refers to the opposition to such business structures and practices. “Anti-” is a prefix meaning “against,” and “trust” in this context refers to the large industrial trusts that dominated sectors such as oil, steel, and railways. Thus, “antitrust” laws were so named because they were aimed at fighting the power and influence of these trusts.

The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was the first federal legislation enacted to address the issue, marking the beginning of antitrust law in the United States. It aimed to preserve competitive markets by outlawing monopolistic practices. The term “antitrust” has since been used to describe laws and regulations designed to combat anti-competitive practices and promote fair competition, even as the nature of corporations and market structures has evolved.

Antitrust laws, primarily found in the United States, are regulations designed to promote competition and prevent monopolies in the market. The term “antitrust” originates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period when the growth of firms into large conglomerates, often through the formation of trusts, raised concerns about their power to fix prices, restrict competition, and control significant market shares. A trust was a popular way for businesses to merge their interests without merging their assets, effectively reducing competition.

The name “antitrust” comes from the U.S. government’s fight against these large trusts. The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 was the first federal act that outlawed monopolistic business practices. The term has stuck, even though the laws also apply to activities that do not involve trusts per se. Following the Sherman Act, other laws like the Clayton Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act were enacted to further refine and enforce antitrust regulations.

In essence, the term “antitrust law” reflects the historical context of its origin, focusing on dismantling the trusts that restricted competition, though its modern application encompasses a broader range of activities aimed at ensuring fair competition in the marketplace.