Legal Definitions - primary boycott

A primary boycott occurs when a group of individuals or organizations directly refuses to buy, use, or handle the products or services of a specific company or entity with whom they have a direct dispute. The target of the boycott is the party directly involved in the disagreement, and the intent is to pressure that party to change its practices or policies.

Here are some examples illustrating a primary boycott:

• Example 1: Labor Dispute

  Employees of "Apex Manufacturing" are negotiating for better wages and benefits. When negotiations stall, the union representing the employees organizes a campaign urging all members and their supporters to stop purchasing any products manufactured by Apex Manufacturing itself. They encourage people to avoid stores that prominently feature Apex's house brands.

  This is a primary boycott because the employees (the boycotters) have a direct dispute with their employer, Apex Manufacturing (the target), and they are directly refusing to engage with that company's products to exert pressure.

• Example 2: Consumer Advocacy

  A consumer advocacy group discovers that "FreshFoods Supermarket" has been engaging in deceptive pricing practices, consistently overcharging customers for certain items. The group launches a public campaign asking consumers to stop shopping at FreshFoods Supermarket until the store implements transparent and fair pricing policies.

  This constitutes a primary boycott because the consumers and the advocacy group (the boycotters) have a direct grievance with FreshFoods Supermarket (the target) and are directly withholding their business from that specific entity.

• Example 3: Ethical Sourcing

  "GreenTech Solutions," a company that produces sustainable electronics, learns that one of its key component suppliers, "Circuit Innovations," is violating environmental regulations by improperly disposing of hazardous waste. GreenTech Solutions immediately terminates its contract with Circuit Innovations and publicly announces that it will no longer purchase any components from them, urging other environmentally conscious businesses to find alternative suppliers.

  This is a primary boycott because GreenTech Solutions (the boycotter) has a direct business relationship and an ethical dispute with Circuit Innovations (the target), and it is directly refusing to do business with that specific supplier.