Consistent with the Biden Administration’s keen focus on improving the nation’s cybersecurity, as articulated in Executive Order 14028 and discussed in greater detail here, the Department of Justice (DOJ) formally announced the launch of its new Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative (Initiative) on October 6, 2021. The Initiative will “combine the department’s expertise in civil fraud enforcement, … Continue Reading
On March 8, 2019, the United States Department of Justice (the DOJ) announced a key revision to its Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Corporate Enforcement Policy (the Policy) regarding employees’ use of ephemeral messaging platforms. The original Policy required companies to prohibit employees’ use of such messaging platforms in order to receive full cooperation credit … Continue Reading
Since 2010, with its cases filed against a number of leading technology companies, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has shined a spotlight on the potential antitrust risks associated with employers’ use of “no-poach” agreements in which companies agree not to hire or solicit each other’s employees. The DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued … Continue Reading
Increasingly, the antitrust agencies have been challenging unreported transactions post-closing under the Clayton Act, seeking an unwinding of the transactions or at least divestitures of some of the assets purchased. Until recently, however, the threat that a private plaintiff would obtain a court order requiring an unwinding or divestiture once the deal has closed has … Continue Reading
Last week in a hearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Makan Delrahim announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is pursuing criminal charges against competitors who allegedly engaged in a price-fixing scheme facilitated by the use of search algorithms. While he did not reveal further … Continue Reading
Following the much-publicized US$422 million trilateral Keppel Offshore & Marine resolution, Singapore has introduced a DPA framework. The resolution was reached in late 2017 to settle anti-corruption charges posed by regulators in the United States, Brazil and Singapore. As part of the resolution, KOM entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the United States’ Department … Continue Reading
The Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DOJ) announced May 15 that it is investigating the proposed acquisition of the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper by the owner of rival publication the Chicago Tribune. As a condition of proceeding with the sale, the DOJ has required that the Chicago Sun-Times advertise for an alternative buyer. The investigation demonstrates … Continue Reading
The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice have made their first amendments to the Antitrust Guidelines for the Licensing of Intellectual Property since their origin in 1995. The guidelines were updated in light of the fundamental changes in statutory and case law, agency enforcement, and policy work. The updates support innovation while incorporating the … Continue Reading
Duke Energy Corporation (Duke) agreed to pay $600,000 to settle a DOJ claim that it violated the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (HSR Act) by failing to comply with the HSR waiting period requirement. The complaint from the DOJ originated from Duke’s acquisition of the Osprey natural gas power plant from Calpine Corporation, which … Continue Reading
The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission have revised the Antitrust Guidelines for International Enforcement and Cooperation after twenty years. These revisions, effective on January 13th, 2017, stress the need for collaboration between competition agencies in a globalized economy. To read more about the guidelines please click here.… Continue Reading
This post was also written by Francisca M. Mok. On November 14, the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice released their long-awaited guidance titled, A Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. According to the government’s press release, the 120-page guide “provides a detailed analysis of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices … Continue Reading