Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, WORTH NOTING—Other Antitrust and Trade Regulation developments, (May 31, 2016)

A periodic roundup of other items of interest to the Antitrust and Trade Regulation community:

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS NEWS: In a letter sent to Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Renata Hesse, the American Antitrust Institute (AAI), Food & Water Watch (FWW) and National Farmers Union (NFU) have urged that the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division challenge the proposed merger of Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co., the AAI announced today. The letter details the group’s analysis of the proposed merger that would create the largest biotechnology and seed firm in the United States. The transaction would further consolidate an already highly concentrated biotechnology industry and likely curtail innovation, raise prices, and reduce cultivation choices for farmers, consumers, and the food system, the letter states. The groups point out that aggressive consolidation in agriculture, specifically in the agricultural inputs sector, has changed the landscape for independent crop input companies as well as for independent producers. AAI, FWW, and NFU recommend that the Antitrust Division critically review the implications of the pending deal.

CONFERENCES: FTC Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen will present the opening remarks at the FTC’s “Start with Security” event, which will be held at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago on June 15, 2016, the agency announced today. The event is designed to bring together information security experts from multiple industries to share their insights with local and regional businesses, including practical tips and strategies for implementing effective data security. Representatives from United Airlines, McDonald’s, Groupon, Microsoft, and Morningstar are among the event’s featured speakers who have helped to build and run security programs at companies across a wide range of industries. After opening remarks by Commissioner Ohlhausen, two panel discussions will be held in the morning, including “Building a Security Culture” and “Integrating Security into the Development Pipeline.” Two additional panel discussions will be held in the afternoon, including “Considering Security when Working with Third Parties” and “Recognizing and Addressing Network Security Challenges.”

CONSUMER PROTECTION NEWS: Following an investigation by the Canada Competition Bureau into unwanted premium text messaging charges on customers’ wireless phone bills, telecommunications and media company Bell Canada has agreed to issue rebates totaling up to $11.82 million and to donate $800,000 to public interest advocacy groups, the Bureau announced on May 27. In 2012, the Bureau began an investigation into whether Bell and three other telecommunications companies made or permitted false or misleading representations to be made to customers in third party advertisements relating to premium text messaging services and placing charges for these services on wireless phone bills without prior authorization from their customers. Under the terms of today’s agreement, Bell will: (1) issue up to $11.82 million in rebates to current and former customers; (2) donate an estimated $800,000 to support digital media research and awareness; (3) publish a notice to affected customers; (4) enhance their corporate compliance program; and (5) develop a consumer awareness campaign to educate consumers about how charges can be incurred on wireless devices and how to avoid unwanted charges.

Companies: Dow Chemical Co.; DuPont Co.; Bell Canada

News: AcquisitionsMergers Antitrust ConsumerProtection AntitrustDivisionNews FederalTradeCommissionNews