reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
FL Stat § 542.19 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.19 - Monopolization; Attempts, Combinations, or Conspiracies to Monopolize.

542.19 Monopolization; attempts, combinations, or conspiracies to monopolize.—It is unlawful for any person to monopolize, attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other person or persons to monopolize any part of trade or commerce in this state.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.20 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.20 - Exemptions.

542.20 Exemptions.—Any activity or conduct exempt under Florida statutory or common law or exempt from the provisions of the antitrust laws of the United States is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.21 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.21 - Penalties for Violation.

542.21 Penalties for violation.—(1) Any natural person who violates any of the provisions of s. 542.18 or s. 542.19 shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $100,000. Any other person who violates any of the provisions of s. 542.18 or s. 542.19 shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $1 million.(2) Any person who knowingly violates any of the provisions of s. 542.18 or s. 542.19, or who knowingly aids in or advises such violation, is guilty of a felony, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1 million if a corporation, or, if any other person, $100,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 3 years, or by both said punishments.(3) The commencement of trial seeking civil penalties in any action under this section shall bar any subsequent criminal prosecution against the same person for violation of s. 542.18 or s. 542.19, based upon the same acts. The commencement of trial in a criminal prosecution for violation of s. 542.18 or s. 542.19 shall bar any subsequent action against the same person for recovery of civil penalties under this section based upon the same acts, but shall not bar a subsequent suit for damages or injunctive relief under ss. 542.22 and 542.23.(4) No action under this section or s. 542.23 shall be commenced by the Attorney General against any person who, at the time, is a defendant in a suit filed by the United States for violation or alleged violation of the federal antitrust laws involving substantially the same subject matter and seeking substantially the same relief.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.23 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.23 - Equitable Remedies.

542.23 Equitable remedies.—In addition to other remedies provided by this chapter, any person shall be entitled to sue for and have injunctive or other equitable relief in the circuit courts of this state against threatened loss or damage by a violation of this chapter. In any action under this section in which the plaintiff substantially prevails, the court shall award the cost of suit, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, to the plaintiff.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.235 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.235 - Limitations of Actions and Penalties Against Local Governments and Their Officials and Employees.

542.235 Limitations of actions and penalties against local governments and their officials and employees.—(1) No criminal action shall be brought pursuant to s. 542.21(2) against any local government.(2) No civil penalties, damages, interest on damages, costs, or attorneys’ fees shall be recovered under s. 542.21(1) or s. 542.22 from any local government.(3) No injunctive or other equitable relief pursuant to s. 542.23 shall be granted against a local government or its officials or employees acting within the scope of their lawful authority, if the official conduct which forms the basis of the suit bears a reasonable relationship to the health, safety, or welfare of the citizens of the local government, unless the court finds that the actual or potential anticompetitive effects outweigh the public benefits of the challenged action.(4) No criminal action shall be maintained pursuant to s. 542.21(2), and no civil penalties, damages, interest on damages, costs, or attorneys’ fees shall be recovered pursuant to s. 542.21(1) or s. 542.22, against any local government official or employee for official conduct within the scope of her or his lawful authority, unless the official or employee has violated the provisions of this chapter for the purpose of deriving personal financial or professional gain or for the professional or financial gain of her or his immediate family or of any principal by whom the official is retained.(5) Subsections (2) and (4) shall not apply to cases commenced before June 19, 1985, unless the defendant establishes, and the court determines, in light of all the circumstances, including the stage of litigation and the availability of alternative relief, that it would be inequitable not to apply these subsections to a pending case. In consideration of this subsection, the existence of a jury verdict or district court judgment or any stage of litigation subsequent thereto shall be deemed to be prima facie evidence that subsections (2) and (4) shall not apply.History.—ss. 2, 3, ch. 85-261; s. 754, ch. 97-103.
FL Stat § 542.24 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.24 - Consent Decrees and Settlement Agreements.

542.24 Consent decrees and settlement agreements.—In a civil action maintained under this chapter by the Attorney General or a state attorney, any party to such action may petition the court for entry of a consent decree or for approval of a settlement agreement. The proposed decree or agreement shall set out the alleged violations, the future obligations of the parties, the damages or other relief agreed upon, and the reasons for entering into the consent decree or settlement agreement.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.25 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.25 - Judgment in Favor of State as Prima Facie Evidence.

542.25 Judgment in favor of state as prima facie evidence.—A final judgment or decree entered in any civil or criminal proceeding brought by the Attorney General or a state attorney under s. 542.21 or s. 542.23 to the effect that a defendant has violated s. 542.18 or s. 542.19, or entered in any civil or criminal proceeding brought by the United States Department of Justice under comparable federal laws, shall be prima facie evidence against such defendant in any civil action or proceeding under this chapter brought by any other person against such defendant as to all matters with respect to which such judgment or decree would be an estoppel as between the parties thereto; however, this section does not apply to a consent judgment or decree entered before any testimony has been taken. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to impose any limitation on the application of collateral estoppel.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28; s. 1, ch. 84-146.
FL Stat § 542.26 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.26 - Limitation of Actions.

542.26 Limitation of actions.—(1) Any action brought under s. 542.21 or s. 542.22 must be commenced within 4 years after the cause of action accrues.(2) Whenever any civil or criminal proceeding is instituted by the Attorney General or a state attorney to prevent, restrain, or punish any violation of this chapter, the running of the statute of limitations, with respect to every private right of action arising under this chapter and based in whole or in part on any matter complained of in said proceeding, shall be suspended during the pendency thereof and for 1 year thereafter. Whenever the running of the statute of limitations in respect of a cause of action arising under s. 542.22(1) is suspended hereunder, any action to enforce such cause of action shall be forever barred unless commenced either within the period of suspension or within the period of limitation.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28; s. 17, ch. 94-316.
FL Stat § 542.27 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.27 - Enforcement Authority.

542.27 Enforcement authority.—(1) The Attorney General, or a state attorney with written permission from the Attorney General, acting jointly or independently, may commence and try all criminal prosecutions under this chapter. Criminal prosecutions under this chapter shall be commenced by indictment. With respect to commencement and trial of such prosecutions, the Attorney General or a state attorney shall have all the powers and duties vested by law with respect to criminal prosecutions generally. Incident to any investigation commenced under this chapter, the Attorney General may participate in and appear before a grand jury in assistance of any state attorney, irrespective of the provisions of chapter 905.(2) The Attorney General is authorized to institute or intervene in civil proceedings seeking the full range of relief afforded by this chapter or by federal laws pertaining to antitrust or restraints of trade on behalf of the state, its departments, agencies, and units of government. In addition, the Attorney General, as chief state legal officer, may institute any action authorized under this chapter, federal laws pertaining to antitrust or restraints of trade, or similar laws of other states on behalf of natural persons in the state.(3) Whenever the Attorney General, by her or his own inquiry or as a result of a complaint, suspects that a violation of this chapter or federal laws pertaining to restraints of trade is imminent, occurring, or has occurred, the Attorney General may investigate such suspected violation.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28; s. 755, ch. 97-103.
FL Stat § 542.29 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.29 - Duty of Public Officers.

542.29 Duty of public officers.—In any investigation and in any criminal or civil action commenced pursuant to this chapter, it shall be the duty of all public officers and their deputies, assistants, clerks, subordinates, or employees to render and furnish to the Attorney General or a state attorney, when so requested, assistance and all information available in their official capacity.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.30 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.30 - Jurisdiction and Venue.

542.30 Jurisdiction and venue.—Without regard to the amount in controversy, a suit or proceeding brought under this chapter shall be brought in the circuit court in and for any county in which the cause of action arose; in which any defendant resides, is found, or has an agent; or in which any act in furtherance of the conduct prohibited by this chapter occurred.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.31 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.31 - Action Not Barred as Affecting or Involving Interstate or Foreign Commerce.

542.31 Action not barred as affecting or involving interstate or foreign commerce.—No action under this chapter shall be barred on the grounds that the activity or conduct complained of in any way affects or involves interstate or foreign commerce. It is the intent of the Legislature to exercise its powers to the fullest extent consistent with the Constitutions of this state and the United States.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.32 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.32 - Rule of Construction and Coverage.

542.32 Rule of construction and coverage.—It is the intent of the Legislature that, in construing this chapter, due consideration and great weight be given to the interpretations of the federal courts relating to comparable federal antitrust statutes. In particular, the failure to include in this chapter the substantive provisions of s. 3 of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. s. 14, shall not be deemed in any way to limit the scope of s. 542.18 or s. 542.19.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.33 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.33 - Contracts in Restraint of Trade Valid.

542.33 Contracts in restraint of trade valid.—(1) Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter to the contrary, each contract by which any person is restrained from exercising a lawful profession, trade, or business of any kind, as provided by subsections (2) and (3) hereof, is to that extent valid, and all other contracts in restraint of trade are void.(2)(a) One who sells the goodwill of a business, or any shareholder of a corporation selling or otherwise disposing of all of her or his shares in said corporation, may agree with the buyer, and one who is employed as an agent, independent contractor, or employee may agree with her or his employer, to refrain from carrying on or engaging in a similar business and from soliciting old customers of such employer within a reasonably limited time and area, so long as the buyer or any person deriving title to the goodwill from her or him, and so long as such employer, continues to carry on a like business therein. Said agreements may, in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction, be enforced by injunction. However, the court shall not enter an injunction contrary to the public health, safety, or welfare or in any case where the injunction enforces an unreasonable covenant not to compete or where there is no showing of irreparable injury. However, use of specific trade secrets, customer lists, or direct solicitation of existing customers shall be presumed to be an irreparable injury and may be specifically enjoined. In the event the seller of the goodwill of a business, or a shareholder selling or otherwise disposing of all her or his shares in a corporation breaches an agreement to refrain from carrying on or engaging in a similar business, irreparable injury shall be presumed.(b) The licensee, or any person deriving title from the licensee, of the use of a trademark or service mark, and the business format or system identified by that trademark or service mark, may agree with the licensor to refrain from carrying on or engaging in a similar business and from soliciting old customers of such licensor within a reasonably limited time and area, so long as the licensor, or any person deriving title from the licensor, continues to carry on a like business therein. Said agreements may, in the discretion of a court of competent jurisdiction, be enforced by injunction.(3) Partners may, upon or in anticipation of a dissolution of the partnership, agree that all or some of them will not carry on a similar business within a reasonably limited time and area.(4) This section does not apply to any litigation which may be pending, or to any cause of action which may have accrued, prior to May 27, 1953.History.—ss. 1, 2, 3, 4, ch. 28048, 1953; s. 1, ch. 79-43; s. 2, ch. 80-28; s. 1, ch. 87-40; s. 1, ch. 88-400; s. 1, ch. 90-216; s. 2, ch. 96-257; s. 756, ch. 97-103.Note.—Former s. 542.12.
FL Stat § 542.331 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.331 - Applicability of S. 542.33.

542.331 Applicability of s. 542.33.—Section 542.33 is hereby repealed with respect to restrictive covenants entered into or having an effective date on or after July 1, 1996. Section 542.33 shall continue to govern enforcement of restrictive covenants entered into before July 1, 1996.History.—s. 2, ch. 96-257.
FL Stat § 542.336 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.336 - Invalid Restrictive Covenants.

542.336 Invalid restrictive covenants.—A restrictive covenant entered into with a physician who is licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 and who practices a medical specialty in a county wherein one entity employs or contracts with, either directly or through related or affiliated entities, all physicians who practice such specialty in that county is not supported by a legitimate business interest. The Legislature finds that such covenants restrict patient access to physicians, increase costs, and are void and unenforceable under current law. Such restrictive covenants shall remain void and unenforceable for 3 years after the date on which a second entity that employs or contracts with, either directly or through related or affiliated entities, one or more physicians who practice such specialty begins offering such specialty services in that county.History.—s. 10, ch. 2019-138.
FL Stat § 542.34 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.34 - Discriminatory Trade Practices.

542.34 Discriminatory trade practices.—(1) It is an unlawful trust and an unlawful restraint of trade for any person who is chartered by, or authorized to do business in, this state to:(a) Grant or accept any letter of credit, or other document which evidences the transfer of funds or credit, or enter into any contract for the exchange or purchase of commodities when the letter of credit, contract, or other document contains any provision which requires such person to discriminate against, or to certify that it has not dealt or will not deal with, any other person on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin, or on the basis of a person’s lawful business associations, in order to comply with, further, or support a foreign boycott or embargo imposed by a nation other than the United States.(b) Refuse to grant or accept any letter of credit, or other document which evidences the transfer of funds or credit, or refuse to enter into any contract for the exchange of commodities, on the ground that it does not contain such a discriminatory provision or certification as is described in paragraph (a) in order to comply with, further, or support a foreign boycott or embargo imposed by a nation other than the United States.(c) Request or furnish information with regard to, or reflective of, a person’s race, religion, sex, ethnic or national origin, or presence or absence on a blacklist, for the use of a foreign country or its nationals or residents, in order to comply with, further, or support a foreign boycott or embargo imposed by a nation other than the United States.(d) Request or furnish information with regard to, or reflective of, the place where commodities were not manufactured or did not originate, for the use of a foreign country or its nationals or residents, in order to comply with, further, or support a foreign boycott or embargo imposed by a nation other than the United States.(2) This section shall not apply to foreign boycotts or embargoes imposed by the United States against other nations and shall not restrict or discourage any person or entity chartered by, or authorized to do business in, this state from supporting, enforcing, furthering, or complying with a boycott or embargo against a foreign nation imposed by the government of the United States.(3) The prohibition against discrimination on the basis of a person’s business associations shall not include the requiring of association with particular employment or a particular group as a prerequisite to obtaining group rates or discounts on insurance, recreational activities, or other similar benefits.History.—s. 1, ch. 77-9; s. 222, ch. 79-400; s. 2, ch. 80-28; s. 5, ch. 93-218.Note.—Former s. 542.13.
FL Stat § 542.35 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.35 - Remedies Cumulative.

542.35 Remedies cumulative.—The remedies provided by this act are cumulative of each other and of existing powers and remedies inherent in the courts.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 542.36 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 542 - Combinations Restricting Trade or Commerce|542.36 - Continuing Violations.

542.36 Continuing violations.—Violations commenced prior to the effective date of this act and continuing after the effective date shall be actionable as provided in this chapter. The fact that any conduct occurred prior to the effective date of this act shall not affect its relevance in proving that a violation of this chapter has occurred or is occurring.History.—s. 1, ch. 80-28.
FL Stat § 545.01 (2021)
2021 Florida Statutes|Title XXXIII - Regulation of Trade, Commerce, Investments, and Solicitations|Chapter 545 - Combinations Restricting Financing of Motor Vehicles|545.01 - Definitions.

545.01 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, the term:(1) “Affiliated finance company” means a finance company which:(a) Is affiliated with or controlled by a manufacturer or wholesale distributor through common ownership, officers, directors, or management; or(b) Has a contractual agreement with a manufacturer or wholesale distributor to finance, via sale or lease, motor vehicles produced or distributed by such manufacturer or wholesale distributor.(2) “Automotive-related product” means a motor vehicle service agreement, as defined in s. 634.011, or a guaranteed asset protection product, as defined in s. 520.02, or other nontangible ancillary product that is purchased or otherwise provided as part of the sale or lease of a motor vehicle by a dealer.(3) “Dealer” means a franchised motor vehicle dealer, as defined in s. 320.27(1)(c)1.(4) “Finance company” means a person engaged in the business of financing the sale or lease of motor vehicles, or engaged in the business of purchasing or acquiring vehicle contracts in this state.(5) “Manufacturer” means a person engaged, directly or indirectly, in the manufacture of motor vehicles.(6) “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trustee, receiver, or assignee for the benefit of creditors.(7) “Sell,” “sold,” “buy,” or “purchase” includes an exchange, barter, gift, or offer to contract to sell or buy.(8) “Third-party provider” means a provider of an automotive-related product that is not an affiliated finance company, manufacturer, or wholesale distributor.(9) “Vehicle contract” means a conditional sales contract, retail installment sales contract, chattel mortgage, lease agreement, promissory note, or any other financial obligation arising from the retail sale or lease of a motor vehicle.(10) “Wholesale distributor” means a person engaged, directly or indirectly, in the sale or distribution of motor vehicles to agents or to dealers.History.—s. 13, ch. 18031, 1937; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(459); s. 1, ch. 2014-130.