Latest News
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.
European Commission launches DMA noncompliance investigations into Alphabet, Apple, and Meta
By Federal Newswire | Mar 26, 2024
The European Commission has initiated five investigations pertaining to potential violations of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The companies under scrutiny are Alphabet, Google's parent company, Apple, and Meta.
Canada’s Competition Bureau publishes an AI discussion paper, invites feedback
By Federal Newswire | Mar 24, 2024
Canada's Competition Bureau has published a discussion paper on artificial intelligence (AI) and competition, inviting public feedback on the issues identified in the document.
FTC files amicus brief in Teva’s patent infringement lawsuit against Amneal
By Federal Newswire | Mar 22, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has lodged an amicus brief in a case initiated by Teva against Amneal, elucidating that Teva incorrectly listed patents in the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Orange Book. The brief further implores the court to mandate the elimination of those listings.
DOJ, 16 state and district attorneys general file antitrust lawsuit against Apple
By Federal Newswire | Mar 22, 2024
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) along with 16 state and district attorneys general have lodged a civil antitrust lawsuit against technology giant, Apple. The suit alleges that Apple has monopolized or attempted to monopolize smartphone markets, thereby infringing Section 2 of the Sherman Act.
Open Markets joins civil society organisations in contribution on highly concentrated generative AI sector
By Federal Newswire | Mar 18, 2024
The Open Markets Institute has partnered with AI Now Institute, Foxglove, ARTICLE 19, Mozilla Foundation, SOMO, Irish Council for Civil Liberties / Enforce, and Rebalance Now to submit a response to the European Commission's request for contributions on competition in generative artificial intelligence (AI). The coalition's 11-page response outlines concerns and offers potential solutions.
The CMA provisionally approves investigation into the UK's veterinary market
By Federal Newswire | Mar 17, 2024
The United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally given the green light for a formal investigation into the country's veterinary market. This decision was made following an initial review that elicited more than 56,000 responses from both the public and industry professionals.
FTC and DOJ say renewal and expansion of DMCA promotes competition
By Federal Newswire | Mar 15, 2024
In a recent submission to the U.S. Copyright Office (USCO), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division (DOJ) expressed their support for regulations that would empower consumers and businesses to repair their own products. The agencies further affirmed their commitment to promoting competition.
American Economic Liberties Project Interim Executive Director: Biden's commitment to antitrust is 'not reflected' in FY2025 budget
By Federal Newswire | Mar 15, 2024
The American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) has criticized President Joe Biden for allegedly backtracking on his commitment to antitrust. The AELP points to the "modest" increase in the 2025 budget for the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division and the president's failure to contest cuts to a non-budgetary revenue source for the division as evidence of this wavering.
South Korean national and company charged with bid-rigging, defrauding military installations
By Federal Newswire | Mar 13, 2024
A South Korean citizen and a South Korean firm have been indicted for bid-rigging and conspiring to defraud the United States through maintenance work on U.S. military bases in South Korea. The superseding indictment was handed down by a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas.
JetBlue and Spirit Airlines abandon $3.8 billion merger
By Federal Newswire | Mar 9, 2024
JetBlue and Spirit Airlines have announced the termination of their merger agreement, initially slated for July 2022. The companies expressed that they would likely fail to meet the deal’s closing requirements, which include legal and regulatory approvals, by the agreement's deadline of July 24, 2024.
European Commission fines Apple more than €1.8 billion for violating EU antitrust laws
By Federal Newswire | Mar 5, 2024
After an extensive four-year investigation, the European Commission has imposed a fine exceeding €1.8 billion on Apple. The Commission concluded that Apple had exploited its leading market position as a distributor of music streaming apps to iPhone users.
Justice Department files lawsuit to block UnitedHealth's acquisition of Change Healthcare
By Federal Newswire | Feb 29, 2024
The United States Department of Justice, along with the Attorneys General in Minnesota and New York, have initiated a civil lawsuit to prevent the acquisition of Change Healthcare by UnitedHealth Group. The authorities argue that the proposed $13 billion transaction could potentially damage competition within the health insurance and essential technologies sectors.
FTC authorizes federal lawsuit to block $24.6 billion Kroger and Albertson merger
By Federal Newswire | Feb 27, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action to halt the proposed acquisition of Albertsons Companies by Kroger Company. The FTC has filed an administrative complaint and authorized a federal lawsuit to prevent the merger, which is set to be the largest in U.S. supermarket history. The commission alleges that the $24.6 billion deal would create an anticompetitive environment.
Open Markets Legal Director on Capital One, Discover merger: 'buying up another leading card issuer and operator of a major credit card network looks suspicious on both antitrust and public interest grounds'
By Federal Newswire | Feb 21, 2024
Open Markets, a think tank focused on monopolies and corporate consolidation, has expressed concern over the proposed merger between Capital One and Discover. The merger, announced on Monday, is set to be scrutinized by regulators as it involves a hefty sum of $35.3 billion. Sandeep Vaheesan, legal director for Open Markets, called for careful regulatory examination in a statement released yesterday.
FTC and HHS seek comments on pharmaceutical drug middlemen groups
By Federal Newswire | Feb 15, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have initiated a joint Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights on the impact of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and drug wholesalers on generic drug shortages. The agencies have set a 60-day period for comments.
