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.
Franklin is a city within and the county seat of Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 41,842 as of the 2000 census and on July 1, 2008 the estimate is 58,481. Franklin is located approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of downtown Nashville and is part of the Nashville Metropolitan Area.