Unfair competition can refer to any of various distinct areas of law which may give rise to distinct criminal offenses and civil claims: * Matters pertaining to antitrust laws * Unfair business practices such as fraud, misrepresentation, tortious interference with existing contractual relationship, tortious interference with prospective business relationship, and unconscionable contracts and business practices. * Trademark infringement and passing off. In the United States, this form of unfair competition is governed by the Lanham Act. * Misappropriation of trade secrets. In the United States, this type of activity is prohibited by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act and the Economic Espionage Act of 1996.