Shook Launches Price Gouging Enforcement Digital Maps

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Aug 19, 2020, 08:00 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Shook, Hardy & Bacon has released a series of digital maps to guide businesses on the myriad state laws regarding alleged price gouging. The maps help businesses during these trying times as prosecutors have announced investigations and enforcement actions for alleged price gouging and plaintiffs have brought price gouging suits against a wide variety of businesses.

Attorney Steve Vieux says it is It’s confusing for businesses to navigate the patchwork of different price gouging laws that vary dramatically among the states. Vieux is a former senior attorney at the Federal Trade Commission who practices at Shook, Hardy & Bacon. The firm created digital maps that provide an important nationwide resource that details which products are covered, potential defenses to price gouging allegations and where a private right of action is available.

"It's confusing for businesses to navigate the patchwork of different price gouging laws that vary dramatically among the states," said Steve Vieux, a former senior attorney at the Federal Trade Commission who practices nationally from Shook's San Francisco office. "These maps provide an important nationwide resource that details which products are covered, potential defenses to price gouging allegations and where a private right of action is available."

While the Department of Justice has brought several enforcement actions against alleged price gougers and hoarders of medical supplies under the recently implemented Defense Production Act, the overwhelming majority of enforcement activity has been at the state level as most states have their own laws that prohibit price gouging during a declared state of emergency.

"With increased demand and potentially increasing production costs due to supply chain disruptions, many business are wondering how to deal with increasing economic pressures without violating price gouging statutes," said Atlanta Partner Josh Becker, a seasoned trial attorney who focuses on high-profile complex litigation.

Recognizing that businesses also may find themselves to be victims of price gouging, the maps further identify which states limit their price gouging laws to consumer products purchased for personal or household use.

About Shook, Hardy & Bacon

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 15 offices in the United States and London, with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security and regulatory counseling.

SOURCE Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.