Antitrust and Trade Regulation laws aim to promote free competition in the marketplace. Agreements or cooperative efforts by two or more entities that affects or restrains competitors is illegal under these laws. The Sherman Act makes illegal any contract, combination, or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce and makes monopolies and attempts, combinations, or conspiracies to monopolize illegal. The Clayton Act regulate price discrimination, tying and exclusive dealing contracts, stock acquisition and interlocking directorates.
Middletown (formerly, Middle Station and Middleton) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lake County, California, United States. Middletown is located 11 miles (18 km) west of Lower Lake, at an elevation of 1099 feet (335 m). The population was 1,020 at the 2000 census. Middletown was given its name because it is halfway between Lower Lake to the north and Calistoga to the south.