Joint venture NEXUS Gas Transmission, LLC, and its member companies, DTE Energy Company and Enbridge Inc., will settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the joint venture’s acquisition of an Ohio pipeline would likely harm competition to provide natural gas pipeline transportation in a three-county area that includes Toledo, Ohio. According to the FTC’s complaint, NEXUS, which […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
FTC Takes Action against Operators of Student Loan Debt Relief Schemes and the Financing Company that Assisted Them
The Federal Trade Commission charged the operators of two similar student loan debt relief schemes, and a financing company that assisted them, with bilking millions of dollars from consumers. The defendants allegedly charged illegal upfront fees that they led consumers to believe went towards consumers’ student loans, and falsely promised that their services would permanently […]
FTC Approves Final Order Imposing Conditions on Quaker Chemical Corp.’s Acquisition of Houghton International Inc.
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that chemical company Quaker Chemical Corp.’s $1.4 billion acquisition of Houghton International Inc. is anticompetitive. According to the complaint, which was first announced in July 2019, as proposed, the acquisition would have harmed competition in the North American market […]
FTC Requires Divestitures and Imposes Conditions on US Foods Holding Corp.’s Acquisition of Services Group of America, Inc.
Food distributor US Foods, Inc. has agreed to divest assets to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that US Foods, Inc.’s proposed $1.8 billion acquisition of Services Group of America, Inc. would violate federal antitrust law. Broadline foodservice distribution involves the sale and distribution of a broad range of food and foodservice-related products to customers who serve […]
FTC Requires Divestitures and Imposes Conditions on US Foods Holding Corp.’s Acquisition of Services Group of America, Inc.
Food distributor US Foods, Inc. has agreed to divest assets to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that US Foods, Inc.’s proposed $1.8 billion acquisition of Services Group of America, Inc. would violate federal antitrust law. Broadline foodservice distribution involves the sale and distribution of a broad range of food and foodservice-related products to customers who serve […]
Statement of Bruce Hoffman, Director of FTC’s Bureau of Competition, on Fidelity National Financial, Inc.’s Decision to Drop Proposed Acquisition of Stewart Information Services Corporation
Following today’s announcement by Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Bureau of Competition Director Bruce Hoffman made this statement: “Today’s announcement from Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and Stewart Information Services Corporation that they will abandon their proposed transaction is good news for everyone who requires title insurance when purchasing real estate in the United States. These customers […]
FTC Sends Warning Letters to Companies Advertising Their CBD-Infused Products as Treatments for Serious Diseases, Including Cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Multiple Sclerosis
As part of its regular monitoring of health-related advertising claims, the Federal Trade Commission today sent warning letters to three companies that sell oils, tinctures, capsules, “gummies,” and creams containing cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical compound derived from the cannabis plant. The letters warn the companies, which the FTC is not identifying publicly, that it is […]
FTC Challenges Proposed $1.2 Billion Merger of Title Insurance Providers Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and Stewart Information Services Corporation
The Federal Trade Commission today issued an administrative complaint seeking to block title insurance provider Fidelity National Financial, Inc.’s $1.2 billion acquisition of Stewart Information Services, alleging the merger would substantially reduce competition in state markets for title insurance underwriting for large commercial transactions, and in several local markets for title information services. Title insurance protects […]
FTC Gives Final Approval to Settlement with Auto Dealer Software Company That Allegedly Failed to Protect Consumers’ Data
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission approved a final order settling charges against an Iowa-based auto dealer software provider that allegedly failed to take reasonable steps to secure consumers’ data, leading to a breach that exposed the personal information of millions of consumers. In its complaint, the FTC alleged that LightYear Dealer […]
FTC to Hold Workshop on Consumer Participation in Class Action Cases
On October 29, 2019, the Federal Trade Commission will hold a public workshop in Washington, DC on improving class action settlement notices for consumers. The event will address current practices and research related to class action notices, redress methods, claims rates, check-cashing rates, and similar issues. The workshop will include several panels of experts representing a […]