Question

Bob, who has a large trust fund, is angry with Alice because she stopped dating him. Alice ran a successful dog grooming shop but Bob decided to open a dog grooming shop next door solely to run her out of business because he was angry over the break up. Which of the following is correct?

a. Bob has committed the tort of unfair competition
b. Bob has committed the tort of interference with contract
c. Bob has committed the tort of unfair competition and also the tort of interference with contract
d. Bob has committed the tort of disparagement
e. Bob has not committed any torts

Answer 1

The answer is: a. Bob has committed the tort of unfair competition.

Tort of unfair competition is given to businesses practices that are believed to be adopting wrongful method/intention in order to economically damage other businesses or consumers.

What bob did to Alice is considered a wrongful intention and can be charged with the tort of unfair competition. One challenge that Alice might face in this situation is to proof that Bob indeed hurt her business because of their past relationship.