How Ohio Small Businesses Can Respond To Unfair Competition And Business Torts
Running a small business in Ohio is challenging enough without competitors crossing legal lines. Unfortunately, unfair competition and business torts are common sources of conflict, especially in crowded markets. When a competitor’s actions go beyond healthy competition and cause real harm, Ohio law provides remedies, but knowing when and how to act is key.
What is unfair competition?
“Unfair competition” is a catch-all term for shady business tactics that cross the line; things that go beyond healthy rivalry and into unethical or even illegal territory. Ohio law encourages fair competition, but it steps in when a company tries to get ahead using dishonest methods.
Some common examples include:
- Stealing trade secrets or confidential business info
- Making false or misleading claims in ads
- Trying to disrupt a competitor’s contracts or customer relationships
- Pretending your product or service is actually someone else’s
These kinds of moves don’t just hurt competitors; they can seriously damage trust, harm a company’s reputation, and threaten long-term success.
Common business torts in Ohio
Business torts are basically civil wrongs that cause financial harm to a company. In Ohio, some of the most common issues businesses run into include:
- Tortious interference – when someone intentionally disrupts your contracts or business relationships
- Fraud or misrepresentation – making false claims that someone else relies on to their detriment
- Unjust enrichment – when one party unfairly gains at another’s expense
- Defamation – false statements that damage a company’s reputation with clients, partners, or the public
Each of these claims has specific legal standards that need to be met, so getting an early legal review can be key to understanding your rights and your options.
Warning signs your business may be at risk
If you run a small business, it’s important to keep an eye out for warning signs that something might be off. Some red flags to watch for include:
- Long-time customers suddenly disappearing without a clear reason
- A competitor using your proprietary information or mimicking your branding
- False claims about your business showing up online or being spread to vendors
- Ex-employees reaching out to your clients, even though they agreed not to
It’s easy to brush these things off in the moment, but ignoring them can let the damage snowball, and the longer it goes on, the harder it can be to fix.
How Ohio law can help
If your business has been harmed by unfair competition or other wrongful conduct, Ohio courts can offer a few different remedies, depending on the situation. These might include:
- Financial compensation for lost profits
- Court orders to stop the wrongful behavior
- Getting back stolen information or property
- And in some cases, additional punitive damages meant to punish serious misconduct
That said, getting these kinds of outcomes usually depends on two things: having solid documentation and acting quickly. The sooner you take action, the better your chances of protecting your business.
Talk to a Columbus, OH, Business Torts Attorney Today
Kohl & Cook Law Firm, LLC, represents the interests of Ohio businesses that are facing unjust tactics from competitors or other businesses. Call our Columbus business lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.
