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ARTICLE · 08 APRIL 2015

U.S. DOJ Brings Renewed Attention To Antitrust Compliance Programs

Jones Day
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Following a jury trial, in September 2012 the Northern District of California federal court convicted AU Optronics, a Taiwan-based producer of liquid crystal displays, and two of its top executives of criminal price fixing.

United StatesAntitrust/Competition Law
Kathryn Fenton
Kathryn Fenton
J. Bruce McDonald
J. Bruce McDonald
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On March 31, 2015, a federal court issued a summons to AU Optronics Corporation ("AU Optronics") to respond to allegations that it violated its probation for a criminal price-fixing conviction through failure to implement an effective antitrust compliance program. Corporate defendants can be subject to probation as part of their criminal sentences for antitrust violations. This development highlights the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division's recent focus on the importance of antitrust compliance programs and should encourage all companies to review the current state of their antitrust compliance efforts.

Background

Following a jury trial, in September 2012 the Northern District of California federal court convicted AU Optronics, a Taiwan-based producer of liquid crystal displays ("LCDs"), and two of its top executives of criminal price fixing. According to the DOJ complaint, between 2001 to 2006, AU Optronics participated in monthly meetings with

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