Retailers Struggle With Ruling That OK'd Price-Fixing

Supremes eschew league's move to get broad antitrust protection

(AP) - The Supreme Court today turned away the NFL's request for broad antitrust law protection, ruling that the league can be considered 32 separate teams—not one big business—when it comes to selling branded jerseys and caps. The high court unanimously reversed a lower court ruling against an antitrust suit brought by one of the league's former hatmakers, who was upset that it lost its contract to Reebok. More»

(NEWSER) - Manufacturers have gone on the offensive to stop discounters from selling their products for less than the minimum advertised price they set, reports the Wall Street Journal. But companies like eBay and Costco are pushing for laws to ban the minimum prices. Some retailers, like Circuit City, use workarounds to undercut the "MAP," or minimum advertised price. The Supreme Court has ruled that MAPs do not constitute an antitrust violation. More»

US and Canada investigate possible price-fixing

(NEWSER) - Following a similar investigation in Canada last month, the Justice Department has launched a probe into possible price-fixing in the US chocolate industry. The suspects form a rich, creamy lineup: M&M maker Mars acknowledged it has been contacted by the DOJ, the Wall Street Journal reports. Nestle, too, says it is aware of the investigation but has not yet been contacted. Other makers declined comment. More»

British Airways and Korean Air socked with $300M fines in ongoing investigation

(NEWSER) - British Airways and Korean Air have agreed to plead guilty and pay $300 million each in criminal fines for engaging in massive conspiracies to fix the prices of passenger and cargo flights for the past six years, the US Justice Department said yesterday. BA will pony up another $247million fine to the UK government for discussing fuel surcharges with rival Virgin Atlantic Airways. More»

Credit Suisse, Goldman won't face class action suit over late-'90s IPOs

(NEWSER) - The Supreme Court has broadened the shield protecting companies from antitrust lawsuits, ruling in a 7-1 decision this morning that investors cannot sue 16 banks they accuse of rigging Internet-boom-era IPOs. The majority said the SEC had adequately regulated banks' actions and that opening them up to this type of action would pose a "substantial risk of injury" to US capital markets. More»