Latest News
FTC meets this week to vote on proposed rule banning noncompete clauses
By Federal Newswire | Apr 22, 2024
Washington, D.C. — In a landmark decision that could reshape the American workplace, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has scheduled a virtual Open Commission meeting on April 23, 2024, to finalize a rule that would ban noncompete clauses, a move seen as a significant boost to economic liberty and worker mobility.
FTC, DOJ, and HHS launch portal for public to report anticompetitive practices in healthcare
By Federal Newswire | Apr 18, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. Justice Department (DOJ), and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have introduced a new tool to help identify illegal anticompetitive behavior in the healthcare industry. The tool, an online portal, allows the public to lodge complaints against companies that engage in practices detrimental to competition.
Australia prepares to update its merger laws
By Federal Newswire | Apr 13, 2024
The Australian government is preparing to revise the nation's merger laws, a move that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) believes will align Australia with other developed countries.
Oklahoma's attorney general files antitrust lawsuits against Enable and Symmetry Energy
By Federal Newswire | Apr 13, 2024
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has initiated legal proceedings against Enable entities and Symmetry Energy Solutions LLC. The state contends that these companies breached the Oklahoma Antitrust Reform Act and the Oklahoma Common Carrier statute during a significant winter storm that affected the state three years ago.
DOJ Procurement Collusion Strike Force adds four national partners
By Federal Newswire | Apr 13, 2024
The U.S. Department of Justice has broadened the scope and resources of its Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) by incorporating four national partners. With these new additions, the PCSF now consists of 38 agencies.
Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force Welcomes Four New National Law Enforcement Partners
By Federal Newswire | Apr 12, 2024
The Justice Department's Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF) has announced the addition of four new national partners, bringing the total to 38 agencies and offices dedicated to combating antitrust crimes and related schemes in government procurement, grants, and program funding.Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter highlighted the PCSF's commitment, stating, "Since 2019, the Procurement Collusion Strike Force has aggressively investigated and prosecuted crimes that undermine and distort the competitive process in taxpayer-funded procurements."U.S. Attorney...
US and EU antitrust leaders gather for the EU Joint Technology Competition Policy Dialogue
By Federal Newswire | Apr 11, 2024
Antitrust leaders from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the European Commission convened in Washington, D.C., this week for the fourth assembly of the U.S.-EU Joint Technology Competition Policy Dialogue (TCPD). The TCPD serves as a platform to discuss both current and emerging challenges and threats to fair competition in the digital economy.
Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and European Commission Strengthen Cooperation in Technology Competition
By Federal Newswire | Apr 11, 2024
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, and European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager convened in Washington, D.C., for the fourth U.S.-EU Joint Technology Competition Policy Dialogue (TCPD) on Apr 11, 2024.During the meeting, Kanter emphasized the challenges posed by data monopolies and artificial intelligence, stating, "The growth of data monopolies and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence expand the competitive threats we face from dominant digital gatekeepers."...
FTC and HHS extend comment deadline for GPO and drug wholesaler RFI
By Federal Newswire | Apr 6, 2024
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced an extension to the public comment period for their joint Request for Information (RFI). The RFI seeks to understand how group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and drug wholesalers contribute to generic drug shortages. The deadline has been extended to May 30, 2024.
Appeals court removes restrictions, allowing DOJ to investigate National Association of Realtors' conduct
By Federal Newswire | Apr 6, 2024
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has lifted restrictions that previously prevented the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) from investigating potential anticompetitive behavior by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This decision reinforces the DOJ's authority to scrutinize NAR's Participation Rule and Clear Cooperation Policy in an effort to safeguard competition.
U.S. Court of Appeals Upholds Justice Department's Authority to Investigate National Association of Realtors
By Federal Newswire | Apr 5, 2024
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has confirmed the Justice Department's authority to investigate potentially anticompetitive conduct by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The decision, announced on April 5, 2024, overturns restrictions that had previously hindered the Department's ability to probe into NAR's practices.Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division expressed the importance of this ruling, stating, “Real-estate commissions in the United States greatly exceed those in any other...
Alliance for Automotive Innovation CEO: Regulators concerned about Nippon acquring U.S. Steel should 'consider alternative outcomes'
By Federal Newswire | Apr 2, 2024
In a recent correspondence with Lael Brainard, Director of the White House National Economic Council, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation expressed its views on the developments concerning Nippon Steel Corp.'s bid to acquire United States Steel Corp. The acquisition proposal from Nippon Steel, Japan's leading steelmaker, is currently undergoing federal scrutiny.
Two Warner Bros. Discovery Directors Resign after Justice Department Expresses Antitrust Concerns
By Federal Newswire | Apr 1, 2024
The Justice Department announced today that two directors of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD) have resigned from the WBD board after the Antitrust Division expressed concerns that their positions on both the WBD and Charter Communications Inc. boards violated Section 8 of the Clayton Act (Section 8)."In enacting Section 8 of the Clayton Act, Congress was concerned that competitors who shared directors would compete less vigorously to provide better services and lower prices. We will continue to vigorously enforce the antitrust laws when necessary to address overreach by...
DOJ responds to termination of Fresh Express and Dole acquisition deal
By Federal Newswire | Mar 29, 2024
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that Fresh Express LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chiquita Holdings Limited, has terminated its proposed acquisition of Dole plc’s Fresh Vegetables division. The decision to abandon the $308 million deal was made after the DOJ expressed concerns about competition in the packaged salad market.
Consumers file lawsuits against Apple, alleging anticompetitive practices
By Federal Newswire | Mar 28, 2024
Apple Inc. is facing multiple lawsuits from consumers across various states, coinciding with a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) accusing the tech giant of monopolizing or attempting to monopolize smartphone markets.
House Judiciary Chairman Jordan sends letters to five CEOs as part of committee’s oversight of antitrust laws
By Federal Newswire | Mar 28, 2024
House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has dispatched letters to the chief executives of five corporations, all of which are members of the Global Alliance for Responsible Media's (GARM) Steer Team. The letters request documents and communications as part of the committee’s oversight of antitrust laws. The corporations in question include Diageo, GroupM, Mars Incorporated, The Procter & Gamble Company, and Unilever.
Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission Address Hotel Room Algorithmic Price-Fixing
By Federal Newswire | Mar 28, 2024
The Justice Department joined by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a statement of interest in a case concerning hotel room algorithmic price-fixing. The case, Cornish-Adebiyi v. Caesars Entertainment, brings to light the issue of collusion in pricing through the use of algorithms.According to the statement, competitors in the hotel industry cannot collude on room pricing, whether through direct communication or by utilizing algorithms that facilitate anti-competitive practices. The Agencies emphasize that the use of algorithms that recommend prices to multiple...
Fresh Express Abandons Acquisition of Dole’s Packaged Salad Business in Response to Antitrust Concerns
By Federal Newswire | Mar 28, 2024
Fresh Express Acquisition LLC’s, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chiquita Holdings Limited (Chiquita), has decided to abandon its proposed $308 million acquisition of Dole plc’s Fresh Vegetables division. The decision to abandon the acquisition was made in response to concerns raised by the Antitrust Division.Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Antitrust Division emphasized the impact of this decision on consumers, stating, "At a time when food companies are already overcharging Americans for groceries, today’s abandonment preserves lower prices and...
Justice Department’s Procurement Collusion Strike Force Addresses Collusion and Fraud Schemes in Atlanta Summit
By Federal Newswire | Mar 28, 2024
The Justice Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and the Procurement Collusion Strike Force (PCSF), recently organized a summit in Atlanta. The event aimed to raise awareness about collusion, corruption, and fraud schemes targeting government spending in the Atlanta metropolitan area.U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan and PCSF Director Daniel W. Glad led the discussions during the summit, highlighting the growth and success of the PCSF since its establishment in 2019. Buchanan and Glad emphasized the department's...
FTC Bureau of Competition Director Liu: Terminated Qualcomm-Autotalks deal will 'preserve vigorous innovation and price competition'
By Federal Newswire | Mar 27, 2024
Qualcomm Inc. has decided to withdraw its plans to acquire Autotalks Ltd. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Competition Director, Henry Liu, stated earlier this week that the company's decision will safeguard innovation and price competition in the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) chipsets market.
