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.
Ashton is an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. The commercial center of Ashton lies at the junction of Route 108 (Ashton Road) and New Hampshire Avenue. The United States Census Bureau combines Ashton with the nearby community of Sandy Spring to form the Census-Designated Place of Ashton-Sandy Spring, and all census data are tabulated for this combined entity. The Sandy Spring Museum, located in the heart of Sandy Spring is a historical museum offering educational displays and programs.