Text of the provision

Art. 28. Unfair competition in agricultural, commercial or industrial enterprises or in labor through the use of force, intimidation, deceit, machination or any other unjust, oppressive or highhanded method shall give rise to a right of action by the person who thereby suffers damage.

Civil Code of the Philippines, Republic Act No. 386, approved June 18, 1949, effective August 30, 1950. Reproduced in full; verified verbatim against the LawPhil and ChanRobles official-text renderings.

What this article means

This creates a civil remedy for unfair competition in business or labor. Competition is lawful and encouraged — but not when waged through force, intimidation, deceit, machination, or other unjust, oppressive or high-handed methods. A competitor (or worker) who suffers damage from such tactics may sue. It is broader than the criminal/IP concept of unfair competition, reaching any dishonest or coercive interference with trade.

Related provisions

Cases interpreting this article

Note. The text of the provision above is reproduced in full from the official enactment (Republic Act No. 386), verified against the LawPhil and ChanRobles renderings. The annotation and commentary around it are the work of Vivas & Nobles Law Office and are general legal information, not legal advice. How a provision applies to a particular situation depends on facts that only a lawyer reviewing your case can assess.