Price Discrimination in a Bid Market: Feesers v. Michael Foods

Avoiding Competitive Injury Risks Under Robinson-Patman

Recording of a 60-minute CLE webinar/teleconference with Q&A


Conducted on Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Recorded event now available


This CLE webinar will discuss steps that companies and counsel should take to implement price discounting processes that avoid antitrust liability under the Robinson-Patman Act, particularly in light of the Third Circuit's game-changing decision in Feesers v. Michael Foods.

Description

The Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in its recent decision in the closely watched Feesers v. Michael Foods, unanimously declined to broadly interpret "competing purchaser," minimizing the likelihood of Robinson-Patman Act claims arising from bidding situations.

The decision dramatically changes the scope of Robinson-Patman and has broad implication for companies that have distribution of goods and services.

To stay within the boundaries of the Act and avoid related antitrust liability, companies and their counsel must understand the Robinson-Patman requirements and prohibitions—and potential price discrimination traps.

Listen as our authoritative panel of antitrust attorneys examines the Feesers decision and its implications for providers of goods and services. The panel will discuss practical ways for companies and counsel to implement price discounting processes while avoiding antitrust liability.

Outline

  1. Application of RP
    1. Industries
    2. Situations
    3. What are competing purchasers?
  2. Court treatment and implications
    1. Feesers v. Michael Foods (3d Cir. Jan. 7, 2010)
    2. Volvo Trucks North America v. Reeder-Simco (U.S. 2006)
    3. Toledo Mack Sales & Serv. v. Mack Trucks (3d Cir. 2008)
  3. Avoiding antitrust pitfalls in price discounting
    1. Defenses to price discrimination violation
    2. Proving competitive injury
    3. Proving damages
    4. Defensible price differences

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key questions:

  • What are the implications of the Feeser decision on the bid market process?
  • When are companies considered "competing purchasers" for purposes of the Robinson-Patman Act?
  • What practices can companies use to minimize antitrust violations in their price discounting practices?

Faculty

Robert A. Lipstein, Partner
Crowell & Moring, Washington, D.C.

He counsels and represents clients before the FTC and the Antitrust Division of the DOJ regarding mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, competitor collaborations, and compliance with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. He has particular expertise on mergers and acquisitions, including pre-merger integration planning procedures and product distribution.

Mark J. Botti, Partner
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, Washington, D.C.

He focuses on antitrust matters. He has extensive experience involving the antitrust review of mergers and acquisitions. He served as Department of Justice Litigation I Section Chief and litigated complex antitrust claims, bringing monopolization cases, horizontal conspiracy suits and merger challenges.

Ordering

Online CLE - Audio Recording

Includes audio streaming of full program plus handouts (available 24 hours after live seminar).

CLE: Pre-approved for participatory or non-traditional/alternate format credit in: CA, HI*, NY*, WV*. Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, GA, MO, MT, TX*, VT, WA.
Upon request, also available in: CO, CT*, FL, ID, KY, LA*, ME, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR*, SC, TN, UT, WI, WY. If you are applying for credit in one of these states, make sure to select those states when placing your order.
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Online CLE Audio $149.00
Available 24 hours after the live event

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Recorded Event

Includes full event recording plus handouts (available after live seminar).

CLE: Pre-approved for self-study credit in: AK, AZ, CA, CT, GA, HI, MO, MT, NY, TX*, VT, WA, WV. Upon request, self-study credit is also available in: CO, FL, ID, KY, ME, ND, NE, NH, NM, NV, OR, UT, WI, WY. If you are applying for self-study credit in one of these states, contact Strafford CLE at 1-800-926-7926 ext. 35 or CLE@straffordpub.com. (*Indicates that Strafford needs to process the CLE — see below to purchase this option.)

Webinar Download (Slide Presentation with Audio) $49.00
Available three business days after the live event

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Program Materials

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Program Materials

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Customer Reviews

The seminar provided great examples to correspond with the subject matter.

Susan Gray

Hanesbrands Inc. - Law Dept.

The real case examples and case citations were very helpful.

Tyler Wilkinson

Axley Brynelson, LLP

All the speakers seemed extremely knowledgeable on the subject matter. Overall a very good seminar.

Stephan R. Silen

American AgCredit

The presentations provided great insight.

Josh WInslow

Pabian & Russell

Another great job by Strafford!

Jessica Brown

Gibson Dunn

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Antitrust Law Advisory Board

Clifford H. Aronson

Partner

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom

Tyler A. Baker

Partner

Fenwick & West

Gregory J. Casas

Shareholder

Greenberg Traurig

David B. Goroff

Partner

Foley & Lardner

Christopher J. Kelly

Partner

Mayer Brown

James J. Long

Shareholder

Briggs and Morgan

Janet L. McDavid

Partner

Hogan Lovells

Kevin D. McDonald

Partner

Jones Day

Daniel F. McInnis

Partner

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Saul P. Morgenstern

Partner

Kaye Scholer

M. Sean Royall

Partner

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher

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