The terms ``unified operation'' and ``common control'' do not have a
fixed legal or technical meaning. As used in the definition, these and
other terms must be given an interpretation consistent with the
Congressional intention to be ascertained from the context in which they
are used, the legislation of which they form a part, and the legislative
history. In extending coverage of the Act on an ``enterprise'' basis,
the Congress intended, by the 1961 and 1966 amendments to cover, among
others, business organizations and chain store systems which may perform
their related activities through complex business arrangements or
business structures, whether they perform their activities for a common
business purpose through unified operation or through the retention or
exercise of control. For these reasons, the definition of the term
``enterprise'' is stated in broad general terms. This legislative intent
is evidenced both by the statements in the Committee Reports and by the
definition itself, particularly the broad references to the inclusion in
the ``enterprise'' of ``all such activities'' whether performed ``in one
or more establishments'' or ``by one or more corporate or other
organizational units.'' When the Act was amended in 1966 the Congress
further broadened coverage by redefining an enterprise engaged in
commerce or in the production of goods for commerce in section 3(s).
(See Sec. 779.22.) Where the Congress intended to exclude certain
arrangements or activities from the ``enterprise'' it did so by specific
provision under the prior and amended Act.
