Practices that constitute unfair methods of competition or unfair or deceptive acts or practices. They include misrepresentation, twisting, rebating, deceptive or false advertising, inequitable claim settlement, and unfair discrimination.
International usage tends to mirror terminology in US legislation, which applies the term to export-related practices that may be subject to countervailing duties (i.e., export subsidies by foreign governments) and antidumping duties (i.e., dumping by foreign firm), as well as certain anticompetitive practices such as discriminatory shipping arrangements. The term is not normally applied to the range of import-related non-tariff barriers, even though discriminatory elements may be involved. Determination of "unfairness" is left to administrative proceedings in the ~ importing country, subject to procedural requirements of the relevant GATT Codes. See competitive policies and practices ( Sec .II ).
Unfair trade practice measures include retaliatory actions against a country that unfairly impedes imports. One type of unfair practice is violations of intellectual property, such as patent, trademark and copyright infringements, which are protected in the U.S. under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
Actions by a government or firms that result in competitive advantages in international trade.
Activities considered to be unfair because they influence or affect the free trade of goods and services. Examples include subsidies, regulations prohibiting foreigners from selling certain products, or other limits. The rules on which countries can use trade practices generally seen as unfair are complex, because some less developed countries have been allowed to keep some trade programs intact even though the programs may have some "unfair" aspects to them. The U.S. Trade Representative examines unfair trade practices and publishes a yearly summary of those practices (available through the government printing office).
unfair methods of competition and discriminatory practices in the insurance business, spelled out in statutes, including statutory penalties. (See Florida Statutes 626.9521 and 626.9541)