Antitrust Today

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...

C|C’s Wyatt Fore Moderates Brown Bag on Antitrust Economics of Two-Sided Platforms

On November 12, 2021, Constantine Cannon attorney Wyatt Fore moderated an “ABA Economics Committee Fundamentals” brown bag webinar, presented by Dr. Juliette Caminade, on two-sided platforms.  With heightened regulatory attention given to two-sided platforms, particularly global digital firms, the economics of those companies remain at the forefront of antitrust.  An audio recording of the webinar will be...

C|C Attorneys Hold Webinar on Antitrust Issues for the Retail Industry

On November 10, 2021, Constantine Cannon attorneys, Jeff Shinder and Harrison McAvoy, presented a webinar on antitrust issues salient to the retail industry, both from a compliance perspective and to help retail organizations on guard against anticompetitive conduct. The webinar can be accessed through CLE provider, Lorman Education Services.

What to Expect During Antitrust Merger Reviews and Investigations Under the Biden Administration (Part 1)

Antitrust enforcers are revising the gamebook for firms that hope to get their mergers through the federal merger review process. As this blog has previously reported on increased antitrust enforcement under the Biden Administration, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) are continuing with their renewed efforts to promote competition and block potentially...

Constantine Cannon Named to the 2022 “National Best Law Firm” List

Recognition from Best Lawyers includes National Tier 1 ranking for Antitrust Law and Litigation-Antitrust

Constantine Cannon LLP is pleased to announce that it has been named to the 2022 national “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News - Best Lawyers. The firm has once again been recognized with a National Tier 1 rating for both its Antitrust Law and Litigation-Antitrust practices, in addition to other national and...