On Capitol Hill, antitrust bills advance as Khan stumbles

Antitrust enforcers have received mixed receptions on Capitol Hill in recent weeks.

Federal-state relations could use more structure, won’t get much

There are getting to be an awful lot of cooks clustered around the antitrust soup kettle. The question is what to do about it.

Current Issue: 780

Next Issue: Oct 18, 2022

Comments on FTC’s Privacy Report reveal lack of consensus, raise questions

When the period for public comment ended on February 18, the Commission had received over 400 comments from individuals, businesses, associations and other entities that had reflected on the...

Antitrust implications in Google deal? AAI issues white paper

As the FTC grapples with privacy issues in the fast-paced high technology world, the Justice Department also faces a challenge to evaluate anticompetitive effects of proposed deals in the online...

Apple under FTC, Justice Dept. scrutiny?

Apple Inc. is reportedly contending with inquiries from the FTC and the Justice Department about certain business practices.

Infant formula ingredient maker sued

A group of international Egg Science and Technology companies called BNLfood Investment SARL (BNLfood) has sued Martek Biosciences Corp. (Martek), alleging antitrust violations in the infant...

Auto Recyclers to FTC: What about recycled auto parts?

The Automotive Recyclers Association has pressed the FTC to protect recycled auto parts businesses in the U.S., claiming that some auto manufacturers are tying their warranties to the use of new,...

Senate committee questions airline deal

U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D., Wis.) convened a Senate Subcommittee field hearing in Milwaukee on February 25 to hear testimony on Southwest Airlines’ proposed merger with AirTran Holdings Inc.

Guilty plea in biz-op fraud case

Silvio Carrano and Gregory Britt Fleming have pleaded guilty in Florida for their roles in a fraudulent business opportunity operation.

New home for FTC? Commissioners hope not

Congressional plans for the FTC Building to become the National Gallery of Art-North have advanced, despite agency opposition.

Tips on appellate advocacy: Commissioner Rosch’s advice

Relying on his 40 plus years of experience as an antitrust attorney, FTC Commissioner J. Thomas Rosch shared “good and bad things” from his appellate experiences to attendees of the Howrey LLP...

Senators encourage joint ACO enforcement

Nine Democratic U.S. Senators have encouraged the FTC and the Antitrust Division to share responsibilities to regulate Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) and enforce antitrust laws, claiming that...

Merger Scoring

The FTC and DOJ joint report to Congress on the Hart-Scott-Rodino Premerger Notification Program says that FY 2010 mergers were up 63 percent from the previous year, and Second Requests increased...

FY 2012 budget proposal

The FTC has submitted its 2012 budget request to Congress. According to the report, the Commission is requesting $326,000,000, an increase of $34,300,000 over its FY 2011 current levels of spending.

Acquisition announcement

Sanofi-aventis SA, a French-based pharmaceutical company, has announced its agreement to purchase Massachusetts-based biotechnology firm Genzyme.

Spanish healthcare acquisition in jeopardy

The Commission may challenge Grifols SA planned purchase of Talecris Biotherapeutics “on fears the merger would reduce supplies and raise prices for medicines to treat a range of autoimmune...

Texas hospital settles monopoly charges

United Regional Health Care System’s exclusionary contracts with commercial health insurance companies allegedly preserved the hospital’s monopoly power in two relevant product markets in Wichita...

Cargo shipper to plead guilty to price-fixing

Horizon Lines, Inc. has entered into a plea agreement with the Justice Department, settling charges of price-fixing in its shipping business between the Continental United States and Puerto Rico.

5 Million text messages: FTC charges alleged spammer

The FTC has filed a Complaint against Phillip Flora, claiming he sent millions of unauthorized and unsolicited text and email messages.

Keystone, FTC final order approved

The Commission has approved a final order with Keystone Holdings, LLC, settling charges that the company’s deal with competitor Compagnie de Saint-Gobain (Saint-Gobain) would harm competition in...

Judge rejects FTC’s request: No preliminary injunction against LabCorp

A federal judge in California denied the agency’s petition for a preliminary injunction to stop a deal between competitors in the medical lab test providers market.

Amending 2001 agreement: FTC seeks public comments

The Dow Chemical Company has proposed an amendment (the “Deep Well Amendment”) to a 2001 FTC order, prompting the agency to request public comments before rendering a decision on the proposal.