§ 1501. Short title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Virgin Islands Antimonopoly Law”.
§ 1502. Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the unhampered growth of commerce and industry throughout the United States Virgin Islands by prohibiting restraints of trade which are secured through monopolistic or oligarchic practices and which act or tend to act to decrease competition between and among persons engaged in commerce and trade, whether in […]
§ 1503. Violations—Enumeration
Every person shall be deemed to have committed a violation of this chapter who shall: (1) Make any contract with, or engage in any combination or conspiracy with, any other person who is, or but for a prior agreement would be, a competitor of such person: (a) for the purpose or with the effect of […]
§ 1504. Definitions
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: “Trade or commerce” includes all economic activity involving or relating to any commodity or service. “Commodity” shall mean any kind of real or personal property. “Service” shall mean any activity, not covered by the definition of “Commodity”, which is performed in whole or in part […]
§ 1505. Exceptions
No provisions of this chapter shall be construed to make illegal: (1) the activities of any labor organization or of individual members thereof which are directed solely to labor objectives which are legitimate under the laws of either the United States Virgin Islands or the United States; (2) the activities of any cooperative organization, whether […]
§ 1506. Prosecutions
Every person who shall willfully do any of the acts prohibited by subparagraphs (1) and (4) or section 1503 of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of up to $50,000, or by imprisonment not to exceed six months, or both. (1) The Attorney General shall investigate […]
§ 1507. Civil actions and remedies
The following civil actions and remedies are authorized under this chapter. (1) The Attorney General shall institute proceedings in the District Court to prevent and restrain violations of section 1503 of this chapter. In such a proceeding, the court shall determine whether a violation has been committed, and shall enter such judgment or decree as […]
§ 1508. Personal service
Personal service of any process in an action under this chapter may be made upon any person outside the United States Virgin Islands if such person has engaged in conduct in violation of this chapter in the United States Virgin Islands. Such persons shall be deemed to have thereby submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of […]
§ 1509. Investigation by Attorney General
Whenever it appears to the Attorney General that any person has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in any act or practice prohibited by this chapter, or that any person has assisted or participated in any agreement or combination of the nature described herein, he may, in his discretion, conduct an […]
§ 1510. Service of subpoena
Service of a subpoena of the Attorney General as provided herein may be made by (a) delivery of a duly executed copy thereof to the person served, or if a person is not a natural person, to the principal place of business of the person to be served, or (b) mailing by certified mail, return […]
§ 1511. Examination of witness
The examination of all witnesses under this section shall be conducted by the Attorney General or by an assistant attorney general designated by him before an officer authorized to administer oaths in the United States Virgin Islands. The testimony shall be taken stenographically or by a sound recording device and shall be transcribed.
§ 1512. Fees and mileage
All persons served with a subpoena by the Attorney General under this chapter shall be paid the same fees as paid witnesses in the District Court of the Virgin Islands.
§ 1513. Failure or refusal to obey subpoena
In the event a witness served with a subpoena by the Attorney General under this chapter fails or refuses to obey same or produce documentary material as provided herein, or to give testimony, relevant or material, to the investigation being conducted, the Attorney General may petition the District Court for an order requiring said witness […]
§ 1514. Incriminating testimony
In any investigation brought by the Attorney General pursuant to this chapter, the Attorney General may grant immunity from prosecution to witnesses called upon to testify therein. No individual granted such immunity shall be excused from attending, testifying or producing documentary material, objects or tangible things in obedience to a subpoena or under order of […]
§ 1515. Action not barred as affecting or involving interstate or foreign commerce
No action under this chapter shall be barred on the grounds that the activities or conduct complained of in any way affects or involves interstate or foreign commerce.
§ 1516. Judgment or decree as prima facie evidence in action for damages
A final judgment or decree rendered in any civil or criminal proceeding brought by the Attorney General under this chapter to the effect that a defendant has violated this chapter shall be prima facie evidence against such defendant in any action for damages brought by any other party against such defendant under subparagraph (2) of […]
§ 1517. Violation as conspiracy at common law
No contract, combination, conspiracy, or other act which violates this chapter shall constitute or be deemed a conspiracy at common law.
§ 1518. Construction of Federal Antitrust Law
When the language of this chapter is the same or similar to the language of a Federal Antitrust Law, the District Court in constructing this chapter shall follow the construction given to the Federal Law by the Federal Courts.