Abut free market i think that it is one in which the prices of goods and services are determined competitively. Whether it was book publishing, retail or software development, I saw prices determined by internal formulas, by shopping the competition, by my competitors’ ads, by negotiations with vendors, by negotiations with customers, by the need for ready cash, by the need to make room for new inventory but never by any competitor’s offer to collude on prices and NEVER by any instruction or guideline from any agency, bureau, trade group or vendor.
The closest I ever saw was the occasional mention by reps of hot-selling lines that they really prefer their resellers not to discount from MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price). But then, stating a preference has never been illegal nor an indication a market is not free.
My own definition of free market is even more restrictive. We have to be able to participate freely as consumer or also, if we wish, as business owner (with only standard, known-beforehand fees for business licensing). Even with that proviso, we still have free markets.
Some people insist that regulated markets are not free markets, but some forms of regulation are highly desirable for making markets freer and fairer. A lot of regulation is uselessly benign to slightly burdensome, without crimping free markets...
I don t forget "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU"..