What does 'third line forcing' refer to in consumer law?

'Third line forcing' is a term within consumer law that refers to a specific type of anti-competitive behavior where a supplier conditions the sale of one product on the purchase of another product. This practice usually involves the supplier obligating consumers to buy additional products or services they might not want or need in order to obtain the primary product they are interested in. This can restrict consumer choice and create an unfair market advantage, as customers may feel pressured to buy extra items to access what they truly want.

The other options relate to different practices in consumer or competition law, but they do not encapsulate the meaning of 'third line forcing.' For instance, price fixing directly involves agreements between competitors to set prices, which is distinct from the concept of forcing customers into additional purchases. Refusing to negotiate contract terms relates to unilateral actions by one party in a contract scenario rather than the conditioning of product sales. Lastly, restricting market access to competitors involves actions that limit competition, but again, it does not align with the specific definition of conditioning sales, which is central to understanding third line forcing.