Unfair competition or distortion of competition is a situation in which competitors compete on unequal terms because favorable or disadvantageous conditions are applied to some competitors but not to others. The concept can also refer to situations in which the actions of some competitors actively harm the position of others with respect to their ability to compete on equal and fair terms. It contrasts with fair competition, in which the same rules and conditions are applied to all participants and in which the competitive action of some does not harm the ability of others to compete. Often, unfair competition means that the gains of some participants are conditional on the losses of others when the gains are made in ways which are illegitimate or unjust.