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Showing results for:  “digital markets act”

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?

Dan Crane on Section 5 and Principles of Self-Restraint

I’m delighted that Josh and Maureen have launched a concerted effort to have the FTC articulate clear principles for Section 5 enforcement.  My own views on the proper scope of Section 5 are articulated in my book The Institutional Structure of Antitrust Enforcement.  I won’t attempt a comprehensive regurgitation here, but just offer three quick ... Dan Crane on Section 5 and Principles of Self-Restraint

Joe Sims on First Principles of Section 5 Authority

I find that discussions on antitrust policy, if they are not to devolve into simple recitations of preferred industrial policy, are most focused when grounded in first principles and, frequently, a little history.  So a few words on both with respect to Section 5, starting with the history. The FTC Act, in addition to being ... Joe Sims on First Principles of Section 5 Authority

Welcome to the TOTM Blog Symposium: Regulating the Regulators–Guidance for the FTC’s Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Authority

Regulating the Regulators: Guidance for the FTC’s Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Authority August 1, 2013 Truthonthemarket.com Welcome! We’re delighted to kick off our one-day blog symposium on the FTC’s unfair methods of competition (UMC) authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act. Last month, FTC Commissioner Josh Wright began a much-needed conversation on the ... Welcome to the TOTM Blog Symposium: Regulating the Regulators–Guidance for the FTC’s Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Authority

The Final Order in the FTC’s Google standard-essential patents case and the continuing danger to standard-setting

On July 24, the Federal Trade Commission issued a modified complaint and consent order in the Google/Motorola case. The FTC responded to the 25 comments on the proposed Order by making several amendments, but the Final Order retains the original order’s essential restrictions on injunctions, as the FTC explains in a letter accompanying the changes. ... The Final Order in the FTC’s Google standard-essential patents case and the continuing danger to standard-setting

TOTM Blog Symposium Thursday, Aug. 1: Regulating the Regulators–Guidance for the FTC’s Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Authority

Section 5 of the FTC Act permits the agency to take enforcement actions against companies that use “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” or that employ “unfair methods of competition.” The Act doesn’t specify what these terms mean, instead leaving that determination to the FTC itself.  In the 1980s, under intense pressure from Congress, the Commission ... TOTM Blog Symposium Thursday, Aug. 1: Regulating the Regulators–Guidance for the FTC’s Section 5 Unfair Methods of Competition Authority

The Value of Injunctions — Douglas Dynamics v. Buyers Products Co. (Fed. Cir. May 21, 2013)

Over at the blog for the Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property, I posted a short essay discussing the Federal Circuit’s recent decision in Douglas Dynamics v. Buyers Products (Fed. Cir. May 21, 2013).  Here’s a small taste: The Federal Circuit’s recent decision in Douglas Dynamics, LLC, v. Buyers Products Co. (Fed. Cir. May ... The Value of Injunctions — Douglas Dynamics v. Buyers Products Co. (Fed. Cir. May 21, 2013)

Why the ITC is actually a good place to adjudicate standard-essential patents

Over at Law360 I have a piece on patent enforcement at the ITC (gated), focusing on the ITC’s two Apple-Samsung cases: one in which the the ITC issued a final determination in which it found Apple to have infringed one of Samsung’s 3G-related SEPs, and the other (awaiting a final determination from the Commission) in which ... Why the ITC is actually a good place to adjudicate standard-essential patents

Why I think the Apple e-books antitrust decision will (or at least should) be overturned

On July 10 a federal judge ruled that Apple violated antitrust law by conspiring to raise prices of e-books when it negotiated deals with five major publishers. I’ve written on the case and the issues involved in it several times, including here, here, here and here. The most recent of these was titled, “Why I ... Why I think the Apple e-books antitrust decision will (or at least should) be overturned

The .AMAZON TLD, cultural identity and competition regulation at ICANN

The ridiculousness currently emanating from ICANN and the NTIA (see these excellent posts from Milton Mueller and Eli Dourado on the issue) over .AMAZON, .PATAGONIA and other “geographic”/commercial TLDs is precisely why ICANN (and, apparently, the NTIA) is a problematic entity as a regulator. The NTIA’s response to ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee’s (GAC) objection to Amazon’s application for the .AMAZON TLD ... The .AMAZON TLD, cultural identity and competition regulation at ICANN

Employers Discover the ACA’s Win-Win Strategy

The Wegman’s grocery store chain has long offered health insurance benefits to part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week.  The Affordable Care Act, however, has now driven the company to cut health insurance benefits for part-time workers.  Wegman’s management, it seems, has discovered that employees are better off if they can’t get insurance from ... Employers Discover the ACA’s Win-Win Strategy

How the Employer Mandate Delay Thwarts the ACA’s Insurance Exchanges and Ignores the Main Problem With the Act’s Mandate/Subsidy Scheme

Has a piece of legislation ever been subject to as much cynicism-inspiring manipulation as the Affordable Care Act?  It was rammed through Congress, on a totally partisan basis, via an unprecedented use of the reconciliation process.  Its passage required blatant vote-buying with such unjust goodies as the Cornhusker Kickback and the Louisiana Purchase.  Its proponents ... How the Employer Mandate Delay Thwarts the ACA’s Insurance Exchanges and Ignores the Main Problem With the Act’s Mandate/Subsidy Scheme