Unfair Competition Lawyer in California
Unfair competition can be detrimental to both California consumers and businesses. Consumers may face fewer choices and higher prices, while businesses lose a fair chance to compete. At Cutter Law, our experienced unfair competition lawyers can help those harmed by deceptive business tactics by protecting their rights and exploring legal options to pursue justice.
Our economy is based on a free market system that promotes fair competition, encourages industry innovation, and produces a diverse range of goods and services for consumers. Unfortunately, some businesses employ dishonest or unlawful practices to gain an unfair advantage and put others at a disadvantage. California law protects consumers and businesses from these unethical practices and provides remedies for those affected by violations.
If you or your business has suffered financial losses due to unfair business practices, our team is ready to help. Contact Cutter Law for a free consultation with a California unfair competition lawyer today.
What Law Covers Unfair Competition in California?
The California Unfair Competition Law (UCL) prohibits unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent practices that might give businesses a wrongful advantage over their competition. The UCL has three distinct criteria or categories within the statute that courts use to apply the law:
- Unlawful: Any business act that violates other federal or state laws or local government ordinances may be actionable under the UCL.
- Unfair: Business practices that are unethical or cause significant harm to consumers or competition that does not outweigh the benefits is prohibited under the UCL—even if the acts are not technically illegal.
- Fraudulent: If a business attempts to mislead or deceive the public or competitors for financial gain, the deceptive party may be subject to a court-ordered injunction and restitution.
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Featured Unfair Competition Lawyer
Attorney Charles B. Stevens is driven by a commitment to justice and client-focused advocacy, bringing a practical, strategic mindset to every case he handles.
A fantastic, professional law firm who are extremely well-versed in the law and go above and beyond to achieve results.
Why Choose Cutter Law for Unfair Competition?
Cutter Law is a multigenerational, family-owned firm that is proud to have deep roots in Northern California. Rather than assigning one lawyer to each case like larger corporate firms, our team works collaboratively to strengthen our clients’ cases, provide compassionate support, and guide our clients through the complex legal process.
When you work with our unfair business practices attorneys, you get personalized attention and the quality representation you deserve. We extend the care and concern we feel for our own family members to you, prioritizing trust, open communication, and award-winning legal advocacy.
We have in-depth understanding of state business and consumer protection laws that can affect your case. We use this knowledge and decades of combined experience to build your case and fight for your rights in and out of court. Our deceptive business practices attorneys offer free consultations to discuss your situation and determine if you have grounds to take legal action.
Common Examples of Unfair or Deceptive Business Practices
Unfair or anticompetitive business practices unethically restrict opportunities for some consumers or companies, while giving others an unwarranted advantage. Here are examples of these deceptive acts.
False or Misleading Advertising
Advertising untrue or unsubstantiated claims to promote goods or services is a violation of the UCL in California. Our false advertising lawyers in California can help confirm if you were misled by these tactics:
- False descriptions of a product’s features, benefits, or quality
- Misrepresenting the price for a product or service in an advertisement
- Doctoring images to misrepresent a product’s appearance or results
- Untrue or unproven comparisons between products
- Fake endorsements or not disclosing paid actors used for testimonials
Hidden Fees or Bait-and-Switch Pricing
Deceptive pricing tactics include hiding fees or additional costs from consumers with the intention of making a product or service seem less expensive than it is. Additionally, bait-and-switch practices are advertising goods or services at a lower price to attract consumers, then pressuring them to buy a higher-priced alternative.
Misuse of Trade Secrets or Trademarks
Misuse or misappropriation of trade secrets occurs when a business uses, discloses, or wrongly acquires confidential information about another business or brand. For example, it is unlawful for a former employee to take proprietary information from their previous company and share it with a competitor to harm that business.
Additionally, using another company’s trademarks in a deceptive way is trademark infringement, which may include:
- Using an identical or similar brand logo or slogan
- Selling counterfeit goods that have a false trademark label
- Registering an online domain that is confusingly similar to another brand
This can harm consumers who believe they are purchasing a genuine product when they are not. It can also significantly harm the owner of the trademark with diminished reputation or financial losses.
Predatory Lending or Misrepresentation
Lenders who use deceptive or unfair tactics to attract borrowers and get them to accept an unfavorable loan are violating California law. Examples of predatory lending practices include:
- Failing to disclose excessive hidden fees or high interest rates
- Pressuring a borrower to refinance when there is no benefit to them
- Adding or packing unnecessary products in the loan’s terms
Violations of Consumer Privacy Laws
It is unlawful to collect, use, or disclose personal information. If a business fails to disclose a data breach, has insufficient data security, or uses confusing language to gain consent to use personal information, those harmed may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
Deceptive Competitor Actions
When businesses use unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent practices to put competitors at a disadvantage, a court may order injunctions, restitution for victims, and, in specific cases, compensatory damages. Deceptive competitor actions may include:
- Spreading false statements or information about competitors
- Unfairly poaching or soliciting a competitor’s customers
- Pretending to be affiliated with a competitor’s brand
How the California Unfair Competition Law Protects You
Under the UCL, consumers, businesses, and prosecutors can bring a claim for unfair competition in California. While every case outcome will depend on the details of what happened, available UCL remedies include:
- Injunction: A court can order the business to permanently stop the deceptive practices and require the business to restructure its operations to not include the unfair acts.
- Restitution: The court may also order the business to return the financial losses or property that was acquired through unfair competition practices. However, the amount is not always a full refund of the money lost.
You can also work with an unlawful business practices attorney to file complaints with consumer protection agencies and encourage further investigations into the business.
Our California business litigation lawyers are familiar with how courts interpret and apply UCL cases and know what steps to take to fight for justice. Our attorneys combine our insight and skills to protect your rights.
Do I Have a Case for Unfair Competition?
Speak with an experienced unfair competition attorney to determine whether you qualify to bring an action against the deceptive business. You may have a case if one of the following situations apply:
- You lost money due to deceptive or unfair business conduct.
- You were misled by false advertising or hidden fees.
- A competitor used unethical tactics to harm your business.
- Unlawful business practices by competitors led to a loss of customers.
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Sacramento, CA 95864
Contact an Unfair Competition Lawyer at Cutter Law, P.C.
Family-owned, California-based, and client-focused. At Cutter Law, we believe that standing up against unfair business practices is the first step toward restoring a balanced, competitive market. We care about the communities we serve and are prepared to protect California businesses and consumers from unethical business acts.
Whether you need a consumer fraud lawyer or a class action attorney, let our family help yours take action and hold deceptive businesses accountable for their wrongdoing. Call (888) 285-3333 or contact us online today for a free consultation.
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You’ll have a direct line to our attorneys. We keep communication open and ensure you always know what’s happening with your case.
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Key Takeaways Examples of deceptive business practices in California include false advertising, hidden fees, and bait-and-switch tactics. California has strict
The California False Claims Act (CFCA) makes it a crime to make false statements when charging the state for goods or services.
You can pursue compensation from an unlicensed driver, but you must prove their fault in the accident.
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