Antitrust Today

FTC Seeks to Maintain the Neutrality of the “Switzerland” of the Computing Industry by Suing to Block Nvidia’s Deal to Buy Arm

The Federal Trade Commission launched a battle to preserve competition in multiple computing markets last week with the filing of a complaint seeking to block Nvidia Corporation’s $40 billion acquisition of Arm, Ltd. In bringing this action, the FTC makes clear that the days of federal regulators giving vertical mergers an automatic pass are over. Nvidia is one of the world’s largest computing companies. ...

Constantine Cannon Attorneys Elected to Leadership Positions in the Armenian Bar Association

In November 2021, Constantine Cannon Attorneys Taline Sahakian and Grant Petrosyan were elected to various positions in the Armenian Bar Association at the organization’s 32^nd Annual Meeting. Constantine Cannon hosted the association’s panel discussions, board meeting, and elections at its New York office. Ms. Sahakian was elected to the 18-member Board of Governors, on which she will serve a three-year term,...

The FTC is Searching for Weak Links in its Investigation of the Retail Supply Chain

Last week the Federal Trade Commission began an investigation searching for the weak links causing supply chain disruptions in the U.S. economy.

Supply Chain Antitrust Law Firm

The FTC issued orders under Section 6(b) of the FTC Act—administrative subpoenas seeking detailed information—to nine of the country’s largest retailers, wholesalers, and consumer goods suppliers, including Amazon, Walmart, Proctor &...

The Antitrust Week In Review

Here are some of the developments in antitrust news this past week that we found interesting and are following. F.T.C. Sues to Stop Blockbuster Chip Deal Between Nvidia and Arm.  The Federal Trade Commission sued to block Nvidia’s $40 billion acquisition of a fellow chip company, Arm, halting what would be the biggest semiconductor industry deal in history. The F.T.C. said the deal between Nvidia, which makes...

UK Regulator Raps Schemes for Raising Fees and Concludes that Card-Acquiring Services Market “Does Not Work Well”

By Richard Pike, Simon Yeung and Andreas Killi[1] A comprehensive government review has concluded that the card-acquiring services that enable merchants in the UK to accept card payments is not working well for a significant number of merchants. The UK’s Payment Systems Regulator (PSR; the economic regulator of the payment systems industry in the UK) published its final report on its market review into...

The Antitrust Week in Review

Here are some of the developments in antitrust news this past week that we found interesting and are following. Senate approves Jonathan Kanter, a Big Tech critic, as the top U.S. antitrust official.  The Senate has confirmed Jonathan Kanter, a corporate lawyer and Big Tech critic, to the top antitrust role in the nation, the latest action in efforts to curb the power of Silicon Valley giants. In a 68-to-29 vote,...

Bell’s Brewery Sale May Tap Into Longstanding Portfolio Effects Debate

The announced acquisition of Bell’s Brewery by Japanese conglomerate Kirin provides an opportunity to reexamine the much-maligned “portfolio effects” doctrine of merger analysis. Bell’s, the Michigan-based craft brewer of Oberon and Two Hearted Ale, will join Fat Tire maker New Belgium within the Lion Little World Beverages subsidiary of Kirin.  Kirin owns a wide array of brands globally, as well as firms...

The Antitrust Week In Review

Here are some of the developments in antitrust news this past week that we found interesting and are following. U.S. antitrust agencies see merger surge.  The U.S. Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission have been notified of more than 4,000 proposed transactions between March 2020 and September 2021, a sharp increase. The agencies, which share antitrust enforcement duties, created an online portal to...

The UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal: Change at the Top, and a New Practice Direction on Witness Statements

The United Kingdom Competition Appeal Tribunal (the “CAT”) is charting a new direction in both leadership and witnesses. New President The CAT has announced that Sir Marcus Smith has replaced Mr Justice Roth as its President. As a barrister, Sir Marcus specialised in regulatory law. In 2009, he was appointed as a Chairman of the CAT, which hears appeals of various regulators’ decisions – specifically...

Do You Have an Antitrust Remedy When Your Major Suppliers, Buyers or Competitors Merge?

A Primer on Private Merger Challenges As more and more companies fear that mergers in their industries will leave them with fewer options, they should consider whether they have an antitrust option available. Mergers are on the rise. The U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and Federal Trade Commission have reported a huge increase in mergers—with the antitrust agencies receiving more than 4,000...