I just submitted a comment to the filing citing the need to bring more transparency into the merger process, prevent anti-competitive behavior and collect data on the labor market.
It seems like you have to do more paperwork to build a granny flat in an average-size American town, than you do to justify a merger of billion-dollar companies, at least on the existing model.
Oh the irony. For inventors, there is lengthy and detailed information provided to the Government simply to did lose an invention. One alternative, is to keep the novel & nonobvious trade secret to yourself or your business. The process of prosecuting a patent is also transparent. Anyone with internet access can see the documents and responses between the applicant and the patent office (“USPTO”). But, inventors are derided as “trolls” & “monopolists” 😂 while the actual oligarchs, plutocrats & monopolists complain about minimal government oversight. It would be silly to think a PE firm or any large organization would be hindered given the number of attorneys, analysts, partners, compliance officers employed. Apple has a $1bil legal budget. They finally conceded “right to repair”. When The People are unable to even see concentration of wealth on a scale not seen in over 100 years, freedom & democracy is at risk.
"How to Make Corporate Lawyers Extremely Unhappy" - this headline is true only if you believe biglaw. An additional 144 hours of billable work per merger, and the additional information will lead to a higher probbility of a government challenge which will mean even more money for biglaw! They're secretly delighted, but they have to pretend to their clients that they're outraged.
Great article. As always, very informative in terms understandable to the laity. And I submitted a comment emphasizing the importance of collecting labor data.
Thanks as always Matt. We have a Hugh fight with the moneyed elites. The greedy arrogant billionaires think they are gods and will not go quietly. Time for normal everyday citizens to kick ass and stop corporate consolidation. Our democracy depends on us winning this battle.
The issue is not so much about anti trust as it is about trans-national corporate tax avoidance. Due to the multinational and bigger footprint of many corporations this is the big deal..
The problem with merger control is that it can cause loss of functionality and service to the market and disallow natural productivity and economies of scale..
I submitted a comment.... why does it cost $200 to buy a plastic frame for your glasses?There seem to be 2 companies that do this. A monopoly or duopoly.
I can't believe I missed this by two days! Frankly, merger approvals should be treated like a customs clearance - the regulator should have plenty of time to do a thorough analysis and a high level of scrutiny should be standard. I can't think of one merger that had positive consequences for anyone other than investors. Merger approval should be difficult to obtain and rarely approved.
I just submitted a comment to the filing citing the need to bring more transparency into the merger process, prevent anti-competitive behavior and collect data on the labor market.
It seems like you have to do more paperwork to build a granny flat in an average-size American town, than you do to justify a merger of billion-dollar companies, at least on the existing model.
Oh the irony. For inventors, there is lengthy and detailed information provided to the Government simply to did lose an invention. One alternative, is to keep the novel & nonobvious trade secret to yourself or your business. The process of prosecuting a patent is also transparent. Anyone with internet access can see the documents and responses between the applicant and the patent office (“USPTO”). But, inventors are derided as “trolls” & “monopolists” 😂 while the actual oligarchs, plutocrats & monopolists complain about minimal government oversight. It would be silly to think a PE firm or any large organization would be hindered given the number of attorneys, analysts, partners, compliance officers employed. Apple has a $1bil legal budget. They finally conceded “right to repair”. When The People are unable to even see concentration of wealth on a scale not seen in over 100 years, freedom & democracy is at risk.
"How to Make Corporate Lawyers Extremely Unhappy" - this headline is true only if you believe biglaw. An additional 144 hours of billable work per merger, and the additional information will lead to a higher probbility of a government challenge which will mean even more money for biglaw! They're secretly delighted, but they have to pretend to their clients that they're outraged.
I submitted a comment. Thank you!
Great stuff as always
Submitted a comment! Thanks for your all your work
It might not be a bad idea to provide a link to your recent Breaking Points segment.
Great article. As always, very informative in terms understandable to the laity. And I submitted a comment emphasizing the importance of collecting labor data.
Thanks as always Matt. We have a Hugh fight with the moneyed elites. The greedy arrogant billionaires think they are gods and will not go quietly. Time for normal everyday citizens to kick ass and stop corporate consolidation. Our democracy depends on us winning this battle.
I submitted a comment as well! Thanks!
The issue is not so much about anti trust as it is about trans-national corporate tax avoidance. Due to the multinational and bigger footprint of many corporations this is the big deal..
The problem with merger control is that it can cause loss of functionality and service to the market and disallow natural productivity and economies of scale..
The real issue is tax control!!!
I submitted a comment.... why does it cost $200 to buy a plastic frame for your glasses?There seem to be 2 companies that do this. A monopoly or duopoly.
The super-rich have designed US society to distract non-super-rich people from the reality of being exploited by billionaires.
Comment submitted! Thank you for making me read about the Labor Markets section!
I can't believe I missed this by two days! Frankly, merger approvals should be treated like a customs clearance - the regulator should have plenty of time to do a thorough analysis and a high level of scrutiny should be standard. I can't think of one merger that had positive consequences for anyone other than investors. Merger approval should be difficult to obtain and rarely approved.