Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914

FTC Approves Final Order to Prevent Interlocking Directorate Arrangement, Anticompetitive Information Exchange in EQT, Quantum Energy Deal

Retrieved on:

Monday, October 16, 2023

Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Acquisition, Industry, Commission, Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, Compliance, Blog, Quantum, Natural gas, Quantum Energy Partners, News, EQT, Social media, Sale

Quantum and EQT are direct competitors in the production and sale of natural gas in the Appalachian Basin, the largest natural gas-producing region in the United States.

Key Points:

Quantum and EQT are direct competitors in the production and sale of natural gas in the Appalachian Basin, the largest natural gas-producing region in the United States.
The final order also requires Quantum to divest its EQT shares, prevents anticompetitive information exchange, unwinds a separate anticompetitive joint venture between the two entities, and imposes additional restraints to protect competition.
Following a public comment period, the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the final order.
For the latest news and resources, follow the FTC on social media, subscribe to press releases and read our blog.

FTC Approves Final Order to Prevent Interlocking Directorate Arrangement, Anticompetitive Information Exchange in EQT, Quantum Energy Deal

Retrieved on:

Monday, October 16, 2023

Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Acquisition, Industry, Commission, Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, Compliance, Blog, Quantum, Natural gas, Quantum Energy Partners, News, EQT, Social media, Sale

Quantum and EQT are direct competitors in the production and sale of natural gas in the Appalachian Basin, the largest natural gas-producing region in the United States.

Key Points:

Quantum and EQT are direct competitors in the production and sale of natural gas in the Appalachian Basin, the largest natural gas-producing region in the United States.
The final order also requires Quantum to divest its EQT shares, prevents anticompetitive information exchange, unwinds a separate anticompetitive joint venture between the two entities, and imposes additional restraints to protect competition.
Following a public comment period, the Commission voted 3-0 to approve the final order.
For the latest news and resources, follow the FTC on social media, subscribe to press releases and read our blog.

FTC Challenges Private Equity Firm’s Scheme to Suppress Competition in Anesthesiology Practices Across Texas

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

First, they executed a roll-up scheme, systematically buying up nearly every large anesthesia practice in Texas to create a single dominant provider with the power to demand higher prices.

Key Points:

First, they executed a roll-up scheme, systematically buying up nearly every large anesthesia practice in Texas to create a single dominant provider with the power to demand higher prices.
Second, USAP and Welsh Carson further drove up anesthesia prices through price-setting agreements with remaining independent practices.
“Private equity firm Welsh Carson spearheaded a roll-up strategy and created USAP to buy out nearly every large anesthesiology practice in Texas.
Since its creation, USAP has acquired more than a dozen anesthesiology practices in Texas.

The FTC alleges that USAP and Welsh Carson’s conduct amounts to unlawful monopolization, unlawful acquisitions, a conspiracy to monopolize, unfair methods of competition, and unlawful restraints of trade.
Such conduct violates the FTC Act and the Clayton Act.
The FTC is seeking equitable relief necessary to remedy the impact of USAP and Welsh Carson’s anticompetitive conduct and to prevent the recurrence of such conduct.

Lowey Dannenberg, P.C., Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP, DiCello Levitt LLP and Berman Tabacco Announce Notice of Proposed Settlements in European Government Bond Class Action

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, Defendant, Tax, Sherman Antitrust Act, Hearing, UniCredit, JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank, State Street, Settlement, Court, Tobacco, Insurance, Plaintiff, Natixis, Rabobank

If you are not sure if you are included in the Settlement Class, you can get more information, by visiting www.EuropeanGovernmentBondsSettlement.com or by calling toll-free 1-877-883-7336.

Key Points:

If you are not sure if you are included in the Settlement Class, you can get more information, by visiting www.EuropeanGovernmentBondsSettlement.com or by calling toll-free 1-877-883-7336.
Plaintiffs allege that Defendants, including UniCredit, Natixis, JPMorgan, and State Street, conspired to fix the prices of European Government Bonds in the primary and/or secondary markets.
In the secondary market, Plaintiffs allege that Defendants, in control of the supply of newly issued European Government Bonds, agreed to fix bid-ask spreads.
This includes, Plaintiffs allege, agreeing on higher prices to charge investors for European Government Bonds.

FTC Acts to Prevent Interlocking Directorate Arrangement, Anticompetitive Information Exchange in EQT, Quantum Energy Deal

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

The FTC’s consent order delivers ground-breaking structural relief that prohibits Quantum from occupying an EQT board seat, requires Quantum to divest its EQT shares, prevents anticompetitive information exchange, unwinds a separate anticompetitive joint venture between the two entities, and imposes additional restraints to protect competition.

Key Points:

The FTC’s consent order delivers ground-breaking structural relief that prohibits Quantum from occupying an EQT board seat, requires Quantum to divest its EQT shares, prevents anticompetitive information exchange, unwinds a separate anticompetitive joint venture between the two entities, and imposes additional restraints to protect competition.
As the FTC’s complaint states, this arrangement creates an illegal interlocking directorate, which violates Section 8 of the Clayton Act.
According to the FTC’s complaint, this joint venture relationship raises additional concerns regarding anticompetitive information exchange and harms competition in the acquisition of mineral rights.
The FTC’s proposed consent order resolves the Commission’s concerns while also clearly signaling the antitrust risks of excessive entanglements and anticompetitive information exchange.

Further details about the order can be found in the analysis to aid public comment.
The Commission vote to issue the complaint and accept the consent agreement for public comment was 3-0.
When the Commission issues a consent order on a final basis, it carries the force of law with respect to future actions.

Preventing Pharmaceutical Price-Gouging: MSP Recovery Claims Proceed to Class Certification Against One of the Largest U.S. Pharmacy Benefit Managers in “Infamous” Case

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

The court denied Defendants Express Scripts, Inc. et al.’s (“Express Scripts”) motion to dismiss allowing the Plaintiffs to proceed to class certification.

Key Points:

The court denied Defendants Express Scripts, Inc. et al.’s (“Express Scripts”) motion to dismiss allowing the Plaintiffs to proceed to class certification.
Acthar’s manufacturer, Mallinckrodt, acquired the product in 2001 when Acthar sold for $40.00 per vial.
John H. Ruiz, CEO and Founder of MSP Recovery Inc. d/b/a LifeWallet (NASDAQ: LIFW), stated: “This is price-gouging, plain and simple.
No one should be forced to pay $39,000 per vial for the life-saving medicine on the market.

MoginRubin LLP Looks Forward to Trial as D.C. Appeals Court Affirms ATM Operators' Class Certification in Antitrust Case Against Visa and Mastercard

Retrieved on:

Friday, July 28, 2023

Mastercard, Certification, LLP, Visa, ATM, Sherman, Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, District of Columbia Court of Appeals v. Feldman, Payment card

Washington, D.C., July 28, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- An antitrust case brought by a nationwide class of independent (non-bank) ATM Operators can move forward against Visa and Mastercard after the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed the August 2021 decision by a district court certifying the class.

Key Points:

Washington, D.C., July 28, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- An antitrust case brought by a nationwide class of independent (non-bank) ATM Operators can move forward against Visa and Mastercard after the D.C.
Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed the August 2021 decision by a district court certifying the class.
The ATM Operators, represented by MoginRubin LLP , a specialty antitrust law firm, allege that Visa and Mastercard network rules violate the Sherman Antitrust Act.
"The ATM Operators are looking forward to finally moving this case to trial," he added.

If you had any interest in Swiss Franc LIBOR-Based Derivatives during the period of January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2011, your rights may be affected by pending class action settlements, and you may be entitled to a portion of the settlement fund

Retrieved on:

Friday, June 16, 2023

"Swiss Franc LIBOR-Based Derivatives" means: (i) a three-month Euro Swiss franc futures contract on the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange ("LIFFE") entered into by a U.S.

Key Points:

"Swiss Franc LIBOR-Based Derivatives" means: (i) a three-month Euro Swiss franc futures contract on the London International Financial Futures and Options Exchange ("LIFFE") entered into by a U.S.
Person, or by a Person from or through a location within the U.S.; (v) a Swiss franc currency forward agreement entered into by a U.S.
Person, or by a Person from or through a location within the U.S.
"Swiss franc LIBOR" means the London Interbank Offered Rate for the Swiss franc.
For more information, call toll-free 1-855-914-4639 (if calling from outside the United States or Canada, call 1-503-994-1396) or visit www.swissfrancliborclassactionsettlement.com .