What type of agreements are specifically targeted to maintain fair competition?

Anti-competitive agreements are specifically targeted to maintain fair competition because they are arrangements between businesses that can have a significant negative impact on market competition. These agreements may involve practices such as price-fixing, market-sharing, or collusion, where companies conspire to limit competition in a way that harms consumers or other businesses. Regulations and antitrust laws aim to identify and combat such agreements to ensure a level playing field in the marketplace. By prohibiting or regulating anti-competitive agreements, authorities promote fair competition, allowing businesses to operate and innovate freely without unfair restrictions or manipulation from competitors. This helps to protect consumer interests and maintain the integrity of the market structure.

In contrast, equity partnerships, joint ventures, and flexible pricing agreements can have varying impacts on competition and do not inherently focus on addressing anti-competitive behavior. For example, equity partnerships and joint ventures might be collaborative efforts that seek to combine resources without necessarily stifling competition, while flexible pricing agreements may simply reflect market dynamics rather than intentional anti-competitive practices.