Category: Antitrust Laws and Competition Issues

Gucci Raid Part of Growing E.U. Antitrust Scrutiny of Fashion

Kering, Gucci’s parent company, said that it was “cooperating” with European Union regulators, who searched the Italian offices of the fashion house this week.
F.T.C. Orders Gene-Sequencing Company Illumina to Divest Acquisition

The New York Times – Business:
The move by the commission is seen as a test of regulators’ efforts to prevent big companies from buying small innovators.
Broadcast News Is at Center of Fight Over Noncompete Clauses

The New York Times – Business:
Job-switching barriers are routine at TV stations, even for workers not on the air. A proposed federal rule would curb the practice across all fields.
The Cure Says Ticketmaster Will Issue Refunds After Fee Complaints

The New York Times – Music:
The band said it wanted to make its North American tour “affordable for all,” but after tickets went on sale this week, fans said that fees had ratcheted up the price.
Finding a Buyer for TikTok May Not Be So Easy

The New York Times – Business:
The Biden administration is pushing TikTok’s Chinese owners to sell the app or face a possible ban. But there are many complications to finding a suitor.
Justice Department Sues to Block JetBlue’s Acquisition of Spirit

The New York Times – Travel:
Antitrust regulators said the deal would reduce competition and raise fares. The companies claim it would allow them to better compete against the biggest U.S. airlines.
Why Regulators Plan to Sue Over JetBlue’s Deal for Spirit

The New York Times – Business:
Regulators looking to block JetBlue’s $3.8 billion bid to buy Spirit Airways think there’s no other way to address their competition concerns.
JetBlue Expects U.S. Move to Block Merger With Spirit

The New York Times – Business:
JetBlue said it saw a “high likelihood” of an antitrust suit by the Justice Department this week, but declared that the deal would foster competition.
JetBlue and Spirit Unions Split on Airlines’ Merger

The New York Times – Travel:
Flight attendant unions at the two carriers are pushing in opposite directions as federal officials decide whether and on what terms to allow the deal.
PGA Tour Can Depose Saudi Wealth Fund’s Leader, Judge Rules

The New York Times – Sports:
The decision in a case involving the LIV Golf series could open a rare window into the operations of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Free Speech vs. Disinformation Comes to a Head

The New York Times – Business:
The outcome of a case in federal court could help decide whether the First Amendment is a barrier to virtually any government efforts to stifle disinformation.
Microsoft’s Activision Deal Tests a New Global Alignment on Antitrust

The New York Times – Business:
Until recently, antitrust regulators in Europe and the United States took different approaches. Now, they’re on the same page — which some experts say makes closing deals harder.