Antitrust Lawyer Blog

FTC Takes Action Against Charlotte Pipe’s Consummated Purchase of Star Pipe

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:04:58 -0500

On April 2, 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and Charlotte Pipe and Foundry, (“Charlotte Pipe”), a leading producer and seller of cast iron soil pipes (“CISP”) used for sewage and drainage in the United States, entered into a settlement agreement to resolve the FTC’s concerns related to Charlotte Pipe’s acquisition of its competitor, Star Pipe Products, Inc. (“Star Pipe”) in 2010.

FTC and Idaho State AG Challenge Acquisition of Idaho's Largest Independent Physician Practice Group

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:34:52 -0500

On March 12, 2013, the FTC and the Idaho Attorney General jointly filed a complaint in federal district court seeking to block St. Luke’s Health System, Ltd.'s acquisition of Saltzer Medical Group P.A., Idaho's largest independent, multi-specialty physician practice group. The transaction was consummated on December 31, 2012.

Antitrust Division Challenges Bazaarvoice’s Consummated Transaction

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 12:41:53 -0500

On January 10, 2013, the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division (“DOJ”) filed a lawsuit challenging Bazaarvoice Inc.’s acquisition of PowerReviews Inc. The transaction was consummated on June 2012.

FTC Moves at Bureau of Consumer Protection

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:53:19 -0500

On December 17, 2012, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz announced that the Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection will leave at the end of the year. David C. Vladeck will leave the position and return to the Georgetown University Law Center faculty community. Charles A. Harwood will serve as Acting Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection. Leibowitz also announced that Executive Director Eileen Harrington will also leave at year’s end, and the Acting Executive Director position is to be filled by Pat Bak

FTC Approves Bosch's Acquisition of SPX

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:33:05 -0500

On November 26, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced that it will allow Robert Bosch GmbH (“Bosch”) to acquire SPX Service Solutions, U.S. LLC (“SPX”) after Bosch entered into a settlement agreement that resolves the FTC’s allegations that Bosch’s acquisition of SPX, as originally proposed, would have been anticompetitive. In addition, Bosch and the FTC entered into a settlement agreement resolving anticompetitive conduct that occurred prior to the announcement of the acquisition.

Antitrust Division Sues eBay Over Non Solicitation Agreement

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:04:57 -0500

On November 16, 2012, the Antitrust Division filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against eBay Inc., alleging that it violated antitrust laws when it entered into an agreement not to recruit or hire Intuit Inc.’s employees.

Renata Hesse Appointed as Head of Antitrust Division

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:21:37 -0500

On November 16, the DOJ announced that Renata B. Hesse was appointed Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division. Ms. Hesse takes over for Joseph Wayland.

FTC Approves Hertz’s Acquisition of Dollar Thrifty

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:21:01 -0500

On November 15, 2012, the FTC approved Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.’s (“Hertz”) acquisition to acquire Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group inc. (“Dollar Thrifty”). The transaction was cleared after Hertz agreed to sell its Advantage Rent A Car (“Advantage”) business including 43 on-airport locations as well as 29 Dollar Thrifty on-airport locations to remedy alleged competitive harm at 72 on-airport locations.

Exelon Agrees to Pay $400,000 for Civil Contempt Violation

Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:12:43 -0500

On November 14, the DOJ’s Antitrust Division entered into a settlement agreement that requires Exelon Corporation (“Exelon”) to pay $400,000 for a civil contempt violation of a consent decree.

FTC Approves Corning’s Acquisition of Beckton Dickinson’s Discover Labware Division

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 11:09:11 -0500

On October 31, 2012, the FTC issued a press release announcing its consent agreement that allowed Corning to acquire Beckton Dickinson’s Discover Labware Division in what the FTC alleges is a highly concentrated market.

FTC Closes Hilcorp Alaska Investigation

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:59:40 -0500

On November 7, 2012, the FTC voted 5-0 to close its investigation of Hilcorp’s proposed acquisition of Marathon’s Cook Inlet, an Alaskan provider of natural gas without taking any action.

How Does China Conduct Antitrust Reviews of Mergers?

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 10:07:43 -0500

Increasingly, China’s antitrust reviews of global transactions have resulted in long investigations delaying the closing of many deals. This article outlines the Chinese merger review process and summarizes some of China’s merger decisions.

Will the FTC Take an Enforcement Action Against a Small Transaction Consummated Years Ago?

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 17:16:23 -0500

On October 12, 2012, the FTC voted 5-0 to approve a consent order resolving competitive concerns related to Magnesium Elektron’s acquisition of Revere Graphics.

FTC Approves UNH’s Acquisition of Ascend Health Corporation With Conditions

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 17:00:39 -0500

On October 5, 2012, the FTC announced that it entered into a consent agreement requiring the divestiture of an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital in the El Paso, Texas/Santa Teresa, New Mexico area to resolve antitrust concerns arising from Universal Health Services, Inc.’s (“UNH”) proposed acquisition of Ascend Health Corporation (“Ascend”).

Democrats and Republicans Work Together – But Get Sued For Monopolizing The Presidential Debates

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:15:32 -0500

Believe it or not, but on September 25, 2012, the Democrats and Republicans got sued in United States District Court for the Central District of California. They are accused under the antitrust laws of monopolizing the market for televised presidential debates in the United States by controlling the field of candidates in the race for president and vice president.