The Antitrust Week In Review

Apple Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Toss e-Books Antitrust Decision.  Apple is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that found the iPad maker conspired with five publishers to increase e-book prices.  Apple is seeking review of the June ruling that favored the U.S. Department of Justice and found the company liable for engaging in a conspiracy that violated federal antitrust laws.  Apple is claiming that the appellate decision contradicts Supreme Court precedent and would “chill innovation and risktaking.”

Walgreens to Buy Rite Aid for $9.4 Billion.  As companies throughout the health care industry accelerate the pace of consolidation, two of the country’s biggest drugstore chains have agreed to combine to create a new giant.  Walgreens Boots Alliance is seeking to buy Rite Aid for more than $9.4 billion, which would significantly bolster its influence with drug makers and pharmacy benefit managers.  But the combination may draw a skeptical eye from antitrust enforcers concerned about a few big chains gaining effective control of the retail pharmacy market.

U.S. Justice Dept. Rejects Electrolux Proposal on GE Appliance Business.  The U.S. Justice Department has rejected an Electrolux offer to settle a fight over whether the Swedish company would be allowed to buy General Electric’s appliance business, saying it was inadequate.  According to the Justice Department, “the proposal was well short of replacing competition” that would have been lost because of the deal.  The government’s rejection of the deal was revealed on Friday at a hearing preceding a mini-trial set to begin in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Nov. 9 to determine if the $3.3 billion deal can go forward.

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