Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that eight independent nephrologists in Puerto Rico illegally collectively bargained with insurers and refused to treat health plan patients when their price demands were rebuffed. In agreeing to settle the FTC’s charges, the doctors, who practice independently in Puerto […]
Tag Archives: Competition
FTC Issues Dodd-Frank Report to Congress, Focused on Debit Card Transactions
The Federal Trade Commission issued a report to Congress explaining steps the agency has taken in connection with new rules on debit card transactions that were put in place last year by the Federal Reserve Board as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The FTC shares authority to investigate […]
FTC Approves Final Order Restoring Competition in Market for Magnesium Plates for Photoengraving
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order restoring competition in the market for magnesium plates for photoengraving. According to the FTC’s complaint, Magnesium Elektron’s 2007 acquisition of Revere Graphics Worldwide was anticompetitive and resulted in the combination of the only two makers and sellers of magnesium plates for […]
FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Cornings Proposed Acquisition of Discovery Labware, Inc. Would Have Been Anticompetitive
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Corning, Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Becton, Dickinson and Company’s Discovery Labware Division would have been anticompetitive in the North American markets for tissue culture treated (TCT) multi-well plates, dishes, and flasks used in cell culture applications. Under the […]
FTC Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed Settlement Order Concerning Robert Bosch GmbH through January 9, 2013
At the request of several members of the public, the Federal Trade Commission has extended the time to submit comments on the proposed settlement order concerning Robert Bosch GmbH through January 9, 2013. The comment period originally was scheduled to end on December 26, 2012. The proposed order settles charges that Bosch’s acquisition of SPX […]
FTC Settlement with IDEXX Restores Competition in the Market for Diagnostic Testing Products Used by Pet Veterinarians
The largest U.S. supplier of diagnostic testing products used by small animal veterinarians, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., has agreed to drop its exclusive-dealing arrangements with a top distributor, resolving FTC charges that it was using the exclusive arrangements to stifle competition. IDEXX has agreed to a settlement order that prohibits concurrent exclusive distribution arrangements with the […]
FTC Issues Complaint Seeking to Block Integrated Device Technology, Inc.s Proposed $330 Million Acquisition of PLX Technology, Inc.
The Federal Trade Commission issued an administrative complaint seeking to stop electronics component manufacturer Integrated Device Technology, Inc.’s proposed $330 million acquisition of PLX Technology, Inc., a deal that allegedly would give the combined firm a near-monopoly in the market for a type of integrated computer circuits called PCIe switches, which perform critical connectivity functions […]
FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges That Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Acquisition of Actavis Inc. Would Have Been Anticompetitive
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Actavis Inc. would have been anticompetitive in the markets for 21 current and future generic drugs used to treat a wide range of conditions ranging from hypertension and diabetes to anxiety and […]
Federal Trade Commission, Department of Justice to Hold Workshop on Patent Assertion Entity Activities
The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice will hold a joint public workshop on Dec. 10, 2012, to explore the impact of patent assertion entity (PAE) activities on innovation and competition and the implications for antitrust enforcement and policy. This workshop will examine the economic and legal implications of PAE activity, as distinct from […]
FTC Files Amicus Brief Explaining How Injunctions Related to Standard-Essential Patents Can Harm Competition, Innovation, and Consumers
The Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals explaining that it is ordinarily inappropriate for a court to issue an injunction barring the sale of products incorporating standardized, patented technology when the patent holder has previously committed to license the patent on fair and reasonable terms. This brief […]