Paul Denis on Implementing a Policy Statement on UMC
Deterrence ought to be an important objective of enforcement policy. Some might argue it should be THE objective. But it is difficult to know what is being deterred by a law if the agency enforcing the law cannot or will not explain its boundaries. Commissioner Wright’s call for a policy statement on the scope of ... Paul Denis on Implementing a Policy Statement on UMC
David Balto on Some Quick Observations on the Drive for UMC Policy Guidelines
I appreciate the opportunity to provide comments on the current Section 5 discussion and add a few modest thoughts about the very thoughtful speeches of Commissioners Wright and Ohlhausen. I must admit, that as a former FTC Policy dude my mouth salivates at the thought of any new Guidelines. After all what could be more ... David Balto on Some Quick Observations on the Drive for UMC Policy Guidelines
Gus Hurwitz on A Policy Statement Is Not Enough
Administrative law really is a strange beast. My last post explained this a bit, in the context of Chevron. In this post, I want to make this point in another context, explaining how utterly useless a policy statement can be. Our discussion today has focused on what should go into a policy statement – there ... Gus Hurwitz on A Policy Statement Is Not Enough
Geoffrey Manne on the Importance of Sensible Guidance for UMC Enforcement
Josh and Maureen are to be commended for their important contributions to the discussion over the proper scope of the FTC’s Section 5 enforcement authority. I have commented extensively on UMC and Section 5, Josh’s statement, and particularly the problems if UMC enforcement against the use of injunctions to enforce FRAND-encumbered SEPs before (see, for ... Geoffrey Manne on the Importance of Sensible Guidance for UMC Enforcement
David Balto on Economic Evidence and Section 5
One must applaud the efforts of Commissioners Ohlhausen and Wright to begin the dialogue about the proper use of Section 5 as a tool of antitrust enforcement. It was 99 years ago that Congress was debating the creation of the Federal Trade Commission and increased guidance on the Commission’s thinking on Section 5 is in ... David Balto on Economic Evidence and Section 5
Gus Hurwitz on the Application of Chevron to Section 5
Introduction This post is based upon an in-progress article that explores the applicability of Chevron deference to FTC interpretations of Section 5’s proscription of unfair methods of competition. ( I am happy to circulate a draft of this article to anyone who would like to offer substantive feedback.) The article is prompted by the near-universal belief in ... Gus Hurwitz on the Application of Chevron to Section 5
James Cooper on a Sensible Limit to the FTC’s Section 5 Authority
In this posting, I sketch out a sensible limitation to the FTC’s Section 5 authority. This domain should be narrow, focusing only on harmful conduct that but for the application of Section 5 would remain un-remedied. As a threshold matter, the FTC explicitly should renounce its reliance on early Section 5 case law like S&H ... James Cooper on a Sensible Limit to the FTC’s Section 5 Authority
James Cooper on the Limits of Section 5’s Scope Beyond the Sherman Act
The FTC has long been on a quest to find the elusive species of conduct that Section 5 alone can tackle. A series of early Supreme Court cases interpreting the FTC Act – the most recent and widely cited of which is more than forty years old (FTC v. Sperry & Hutchinson Co., 405 U.S. ... James Cooper on the Limits of Section 5’s Scope Beyond the Sherman Act
Marina Lao on the FTC’s Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Authority
FTC Commissioner Josh Wright’s recent issuance of a proposed policy statement on Section 5 of the FTC Act has reignited the debate on the appropriate scope of the agency’s authority to prosecute “unfair methods of competition” as standalone Section 5 violations. While the Supreme Court has held, consistent with clear congressional intent, that the FTC’s ... Marina Lao on the FTC’s Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Authority
Terry Calvani and Angela Diveley on Injury to Competition and Efficiencies in Section 5 Claims
We welcome Commissioner Wright’s contribution in making the important point that the Commission’s unfair methods of competition (UMC) jurisdiction under Section 5 of the FTCA should be subject to limiting principles. We make two observations about the policy statement and a more general observation about the FTC in light of its upcoming 100th anniversary. The ... Terry Calvani and Angela Diveley on Injury to Competition and Efficiencies in Section 5 Claims
Tim Wu on Section 5 Guidelines Would Make the FTC Stronger and Better
I personally believe that a policy statement on Section 5 would be a very good thing for the Federal Trade Commission, especially over the long run. I think it would strengthen the agency, renew its distinct sense of purpose, and clarify the jobs of the attorneys who enforce the competition laws on a day-to-day basis. ... Tim Wu on Section 5 Guidelines Would Make the FTC Stronger and Better
Thom Lambert on Guidelines for the FTC’s UMC Authority: What’s Clear and What’s Not?
In the last few weeks, two members of the FTC—Commissioners Josh Wright and Maureen Ohlhausen—have staked largely consistent positions on guidelines for implementation of the Commission’s “unfair methods of competition” (UMC) authority. Their statements make two points that are, in my opinion, no-brainers. Where the statements conflict, they raise an issue worthy of significant contemplation. ... Thom Lambert on Guidelines for the FTC’s UMC Authority: What’s Clear and What’s Not?
