The Google trial, an Amazon complaint, an attack on a private equity roll-up, a giant meat price-fixing suit, going after pharma cheating, and populist GOP antitrust nominations. Astonishing.
Matt, thank you SO MUCH for this review of the entire month’s action! I intend to share it with everyone I know! Having so much covered in one article makes for a good and powerful introduction to anti-trust issues for folks who might not know much about this area of the law--it highlights the broad impact of generations’ worth of ineffective or no anti-trust enforcement that lots of folks can relate to. More people need to understand the hidden impacts of monopolization and price fixing on things like food and healthcare.
Can you say more about this:
“…There has been an attempt to cut $50 million from the Division, which is an 18% cut. This cut is largely coming from Senate Democratic staff who are annoyed that antitrust enforcers are getting a boost.” Do we know which Democratic Senators have staff who are “annoyed that antitrust enforcers are getting a boost”? I think Democratic voters especially in every state should know which Democrats in Congress want to limit anti-trust enforcement, while all voters need a much better understanding of what’s at stake.
I graduated from UW-Madison Law School in 1987. I remember the intro anti-trust class had the smallest enrollment of any class. It was that way for over a generation, the Reagan/Bush era.
There is a very similar company to Agri Stats that provides similar information for apartment rental pricing. I don't know how this can't be considered collusion and price fixing.
The day by day format is very effective. It reads like an outline without all the many smaller monopolies in pencil in the background. Scary for us consumers.
"The FTC was using its authority to go after powerless actors, such as Uber drivers, church organists, bull semen traders, and ice skating teachers." ... :-)
"hardcore libertarians Wilson and Phillips voted against Facebook, and against a rule that would bar labeling products as Made in the USA when they are made elsewhere"
Is that because hardcore libertarians believe that all the information one needs is in the price? Then, indeed, why would one need labelling?
Matt, thank you SO MUCH for this review of the entire month’s action! I intend to share it with everyone I know! Having so much covered in one article makes for a good and powerful introduction to anti-trust issues for folks who might not know much about this area of the law--it highlights the broad impact of generations’ worth of ineffective or no anti-trust enforcement that lots of folks can relate to. More people need to understand the hidden impacts of monopolization and price fixing on things like food and healthcare.
Can you say more about this:
“…There has been an attempt to cut $50 million from the Division, which is an 18% cut. This cut is largely coming from Senate Democratic staff who are annoyed that antitrust enforcers are getting a boost.” Do we know which Democratic Senators have staff who are “annoyed that antitrust enforcers are getting a boost”? I think Democratic voters especially in every state should know which Democrats in Congress want to limit anti-trust enforcement, while all voters need a much better understanding of what’s at stake.
I graduated from UW-Madison Law School in 1987. I remember the intro anti-trust class had the smallest enrollment of any class. It was that way for over a generation, the Reagan/Bush era.
There is a very similar company to Agri Stats that provides similar information for apartment rental pricing. I don't know how this can't be considered collusion and price fixing.
The day by day format is very effective. It reads like an outline without all the many smaller monopolies in pencil in the background. Scary for us consumers.
"The FTC was using its authority to go after powerless actors, such as Uber drivers, church organists, bull semen traders, and ice skating teachers." ... :-)
"hardcore libertarians Wilson and Phillips voted against Facebook, and against a rule that would bar labeling products as Made in the USA when they are made elsewhere"
Is that because hardcore libertarians believe that all the information one needs is in the price? Then, indeed, why would one need labelling?
Everyone should share this one far and wide. Very well written, and concise. This is why I subscribed. Thanks Matt!
Matt - I am in a sector that probably deserves some anti-trust scrutiny. Is there a way to DM you?
Yep! Always wondered insights!
Lots of info to digest from these short summaries. Great overview!