Government Information » Antitrust/Monopoly

Google Agrees to Change Its Business Practices to Resolve FTC Competition Concerns ….

alan zoellner — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:22:38 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2013/01/google.shtm

Agency press release on the outcome of an investigation into possible unfair trade practices by Google in favoring its own products in search results. From the Federal Trade Commission

Follow-On Biologics: The Law and Intellectual Property Issues

alan zoellner — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:14:27 +0000

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41483.pdf

Examines the market for medical preparations derived from living organisms, the lack of competition from generic drugs, the reasons for different treatment of biologics, and the legislative attempts to promote competition. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Antitrust: European Commission Opens Proceedings Against Microsoft to Investigate Possible Non-Compliance with Browser Choice Commitments

alan zoellner — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:41:06 +0000

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/12/800&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Accuses Microsoft of failing to live up to 2009 commitments to offer customers a choice of browsers when purchasing computers with Microsoft operating systems. Provides links to past documents in the litigation between Microsoft and the European Union agency. From the European Commission

Cybersecurity: Selected Legal Issues

alan zoellner — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:21:26 +0000

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R42409.pdf

This report discusses selected legal issues related to recent legislation about vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure to cyber threats and proposals to share cyber threat information among private sector and government entities. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Spectrum Policy in the Age of Broadband: Issues for Congress

alan zoellner — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:27:53 +0000

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R40674.pdf

The convergence of wireless telecommunications technology with the Internet is fostering new demands for service and new technologies. This report discusses key spectrum policy provisions in current Congressional bills relating to spectrum auctions, competition, and the development of new technologies. From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Applications of AT&T Inc, and Deutsche Telekom AG for Consent to Assign or Transfer Control of Licenses and Authorizations

alan zoellner — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:20:24 +0000

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db1129/DA-11-1955A1.pdf

Finding of the Federal Communications Commission that the proposed $39 billion merger of AT&T and T-Mobile would substantially lessen competition in the wireless industry and harm consumer price and service benefits. From the FCC

Agreements Filed with the Federal Trade Commission under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003

alan zoellner — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:56:37 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2011/10/1110mmaagree.pdf

Provide statistics on the number and type of so-called pay-for-delay agreements between prescription drug manufacturers and makers of generic drugs. From the Federal Trade Commission

Local Information Programming and the Structure of Television Markets

alan zoellner — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:21:52 +0000

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0721/DOC-308508A1.pdf

Examines how the ownership structure in a television market impacts the quantity of local news and public affairs programming provided by television stations. From the Federal Communications Commission

The Information Needs of Communities: The Changing Media Landscape in a Broadband Age

alan zoellner — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:22:20 +0000

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0609/DOC-307406A1.pdf

Examines changes from technology in information media which have brought more diversity, less accountability, and the need for regulatory changes. Surveys the local media landscape including newspapers, radio, TV, Internet, public broadcasting, and libraries. From the Federal Communications Commission

Authors Guild v. Google

alan zoellner — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:48:07 +0000

http://www.nysd.uscourts.gov/cases/show.php?db=special&id=115

District court decision which rejected the proposed Google Book Settlement which the court felt would reward Google for engaging in wholesale copying of copyrighted works without permission. From the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Horizontal Merger Guidelines

alan zoellner — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:58:29 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2010/08/100819hmg.pdf

These guidelines describe the techniques and types of evidence which usually predict whether a horizontal merger may substantially lessen competition and violate antitrust laws. From the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission

American Needle v. National Football League

alan zoellner — Mon, 24 May 2010 17:19:20 +0000

http://laws.findlaw.com/US/000/08-661

Unanimous Supreme Court ruling that the 32 teams in the National Football League can be regarded as 32 separate franchises rather than one business entity on an issue such as the selling of merchandise. The NFL had tried to use the case to gain further protection from antitrust laws. From Findlaw.com

Media Programming: Factors Influencing the Availability of Independent Programming in Television and Programming Decisions in Radio

alan zoellner — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:07:37 +0000

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10369.pdf

Discusses changes in the sources of television programming over the last decade, factors affecting the availability of independent television programming, and factors influencing programming decisions in radio. Blames economic factors and the power of established broadcasters as reasons for limited independent programming. From the Government Accountability Office

Brand-Name Prescription Drug Pricing

Administrator — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:45:00 +0000

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10201.pdf

Examines the frequency of extraordinary price increases for brand-name prescription drugs from 2000 to 2008, characteristics of the drugs that had large price increases, and factors that contributed to the large price increases. Blames the increases on a lack of therapeutically equivalent drugs (either brand name or generic), and lack of competition. From the Government Accountability Office.

2009 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration

Administrator — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:40:00 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/12/091201ethanolreport.pdf

Latest annual report to determine whether there is sufficient competition among ethanol industry participants to avoid price-setting and anticompetitive behavior. Concludes that domestic fuel ethanol production is unconcentrated. From the Federal Trade Commission.

Charting the Future Course of International Technical Assistance: A Report

Administrator — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:01:00 +0000

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/reports/250908.htm

Reports on the outcome of a February 2008 workshop on technical assistance programs that help foreign countries develop their laws and policies on competition and consumer protection. Describes five themes to guide agency technical assistance activities in the future. From the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission.

The Use of TARP Funds in the Suppport and Reorganization of the Domestic Automotive Industry

alan zoellner — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:30:00 +0000

http://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/cop/20110402043042/http://cop.senate.gov/documents/cop-090909-report.pdf

Examines the financial crisis confronting the automobile manufacturers, the government decision to provide financing assistance, the tougher terms imposed on the auto companies compared to the financial companies receiving federal help, the conflicts of interest when the government becomes a primary shareholder in a private company, and the exit strategy. Concludes that the government is unlikely to recover the full portion of its investment in Chrysler and General Motors. From the Congressional Oversight Panel.

Authorized Generics: An Interim Report

Administrator — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:04:00 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/06/P062105authorizedgenericsreport.pdf

Presents the first set of results from a study of the effects of authorized generic drugs on competition in the prescription drug marketplace. The initial analysis suggests that consumers benefit and the healthcare system saves money during the 180 day exclusivity period when an authorized generic enters the market. From the Federal Trade Commission.

Emerging Health Care Issues: Follow-On Biologic Drug Competition

Administrator — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:11:00 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/06/P083901biologicsreport.pdf

Examines whether to create a legal process, like the Hatch-Waxman Act, to encourage competiton between follow-on biologic drugs and expensive pioneer biologic drugs to bring about reduced prices, and whether such a process would be comparable to competition between brand name and generic chemicially synthesized drug products. From the Federal Trade Commission.

Merger Review of Firms in Financial Distress

Administrator — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:32:00 +0000

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/eag/244098.htm

A discussion paper which explores issues related to antitrust policy and regulation. This paper examines proposed mergers where one party to the merger is in financial distress and how best to balance issues of efficiency benefits versus the potential anti-competitive effects. From the Justice Department.

Economic Issues: Merger Efficiencies at the Federal Trade Commission: 1997-2007

Administrator — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:57:00 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/02/0902mergerefficiencies.pdf

Reviews how federal regulators have treated claims of efficiencies related to business mergers over a ten year period involving 186 proposed mergers. From the Federal Trade Commission.

Horizontal Merger Investigation Data, Fiscal Years 1996-2007

Administrator — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:15:00 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2008/12/081201hsrmergerdata.pdf

To promote transparency in corporate merger enforcement, this agency report reviews 384 merger investigations conducted during 1996-2007. Provides 10 tables of relevant data by market sector. Updates a January 2007 report. From the Federal Trade Commission.

Voice, Video, and Broadband: The Changing Competitive Landscape and Its Impact on Consumers

Administrator — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:15:00 +0000

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/reports/239284.pdf

Summarizes the reports presented at a November 2007 symposium on competition among providers of video programming, local telephone service, and broadband services. Also discusses antitrust enforcement activities and competition advocacy. From the Department of Justice.

Competition and Monopoly: Single-Firm Conduct Under Section 2 of the Sherman Act

Administrator — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:50:00 +0000

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/reports/236681.pdf

Expresses the view of the Justice Department on when single firm conduct harms the competitive process through harmful exclusionary or predatory conduct. Also covers the distinction between market power and monopoly power, price predation and discrimination, exclusive deals and bundled discounts, and remedies. Concludes with an international perspective. From the U.S. Department of Justice.

FTC Guide to the Antitrust Laws

Administrator — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:15:00 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/bc/antitrust/index.shtm

Covers the antitrust laws, the enforcement authorities, competitors and the supply chain, single firm conduct, mergers, and price discrimination violations. From the Federal Trade Commission.

Justice Department Announces Settlement with the National Association of Realtors

Administrator — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:43:00 +0000

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/press_releases/2008/233605.htm

News release about terms of settlement between Justice Department and National Association of Realtors where realtors agreed to cease using such anti-competitive practices as withholding multiple service listings from Internet-based brokers. From the Justice Department

Digest of Business Reviews Supplement, 2002-2007

Administrator — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:24:00 +0000

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/busreview/230598.pdf

Provides Justice Department responses to statements of proposed business activity by corporations, indicating whether the department plans to challenge the activity on federal antitrust grounds. From the Justice Department.

Accounting for Laws that Apply Differently to the United States Postal Service and Its Private Compe

Administrator — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:15:00 +0000

http://www.ftc.gov/os/2008/01/080116postal.pdf

Reports on the competitive mail market and the burdens and advantages that the Postal Service has as a federal entity compared to its private competitors. Concludes that the burdens exceed the benefits but that both distort the marketplace and explores ways that Congress and the Postal Regulatory Commission could minimize these distortions. From the Federal Trade Commission.

Leegin Creative Leather Products Inc. v. PSKS et al

Administrator — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:12:00 +0000

http://laws.findlaw.com/us/000/06-480

5-4 Supreme Court decision that ruled that manufacturers could dictate minimum prices to be charged by retailers without violating antitrust laws. From Findlaw.com.

Competition in the Real Estate Brokerage Industry

Administrator — Wed, 09 May 2007 14:59:00 +0000

http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/public/reports/223094.pdf

Examines the nature of real estate transactions, innovations that are changing these transactions, and the obstacles to greater competition, including multiple listing services, legislative and regulatory restrictions, and realtor association practices. From the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission.