Time For An Antitrust Checkup: FTC Announces 2015 Thresholds Under HSR Act And Clayton Act

January is a good time to take stock of compliance programs and set aside dated opinions and guidance to avoid relying on old rules, and antitrust is no exception to that. Because the FTC announces revisions to HSR Act and Clayton Act Section 8 thresholds this time each year, it marks a natural time to think beyond just the thresholds.

The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, commonly known as the HSR Act, requires parties to certain corporate transactions to notify the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice, and to observe a waiting period prior to consummation. The HSR Act enables antitrust regulators to review transactions, investigate and address potential competitive concerns prior to consummation, and carries with it substantial monetary penalties for failure to comply.