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<section article="gcl" article_name="Commercial Law" number="11-202" title_number="11" title_name="Trade Regulation" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Antitrust">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The General Assembly of Maryland declares that the purpose of this subtitle is to complement the body of federal law governing restraints of trade, unfair competition, and unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent acts or practices in order to protect the public and foster fair and honest intrastate competition.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly that, in construing this subtitle, the courts be guided by the interpretation given by the federal courts to the various federal statutes dealing with the same or similar matters, including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Act of July 2, 1890, ch. 647, 26 U.S. Stat. 209, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1 through 7;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Act of Oct. 15, 1914, ch. 323, 38 U.S. Stat. 730, 15 U.S.C. §§ 12 through 27, 44;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Act of August 17, 1937, ch. 690, Title VIII, 50 U.S. Stat. 693, 15 U.S.C. § 1;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Act of July 7, 1955, ch. 281, 69 U.S. Stat. 282, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1 through 3;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Act of May 26, 1938, ch. 283, 52 U.S. Stat. 446, 15 U.S.C. § 13c; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Any similar act passed in the future.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>It is also the intent of the General Assembly that, in deciding whether conduct restrains or monopolizes trade or commerce or may substantially lessen competition within the State, determination of the relevant market or effective area of competition may not be limited by the boundaries of the State.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>For the purpose and intent stated in subsection (a) of this section, this subtitle shall be liberally construed to serve its beneficial purposes.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>It is also the intent of the General Assembly that this subtitle may not be construed to prohibit acts or practices which are reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business or which are not injurious to the public interest.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
