Efficiencies Defense in the Spotlight After T-Mobile/Sprint Ruling

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In this article for Law360, the authors discuss the efficiencies case in T-Mobile/Sprint and discuss the impact this may have for future litigation strategies.

In the order rejecting a suit brought by thirteen states and the District of Columbia in New York v. Deutsche Telekom AG (T-Mobile/Sprint), the judge gave “substantial merit” to the merging parties’ efficiencies. It is frequently said that no court has allowed an otherwise anticompetitive merger to proceed on the basis of proposed efficiencies. This precedent stems from Procter & Gamble, a 1967 Supreme Court decision, that drew a hard line rejecting efficiencies as a defense to anticompetitive effects resulting from a merger. T-Mobile/Sprint provides an important example of how the consideration of efficiencies by courts appears to be evolving.

In this article for Law360, the authors discuss precedent-setting cases and the evolution of merger efficiencies in litigation. The article outlines the efficiencies case proffered by T-Mobile and Sprint, and discusses the impact this case may have for future litigation strategies.

This article was originally published by Law360 in March 2020.


The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Cornerstone Research.

Efficiencies Defense in the Spotlight After T-Mobile/Sprint Ruling

Authors

  • Chicago

Sean M. Kruskol

Principal

  • Chicago

Russell Molter

Principal

  • Chicago

Michael J. Hilfiker

Manager