Media Mentions
2008
Joel R. Grosberg was quoted on November 13 by Law360 in an article regarding how Obama's administration will affect the Department of Justice's (DOJ) stance on antitrust issues. "The head of the antitrust division makes the policy and either supports or doesn't support the staff and influences how aggressively staff will enforce the antitrust laws," said Mr. Grosberg. Mr. Grosberg added that it may be tougher to get problematic deals through the DOJ, and the antitrust division may take a closer look at transactions. "We may see more second requests in general. The staff may have more support from senior officials to issue second requests, even in transactions where, at the end of the day, it's unclear whether enforcement actions will be required," he said.
Joel R. Grosberg, Antitrust & Competition
Joel R. Grosberg was quoted in the March 1 issue of CFO Magazine in an article regarding potential obstacles for global transactions including a Democratic White House, an increasing number of jurisdictions with the right to review a deal's antitrust implications and antitrust rules in China and India. As a partner in McDermott's Antitrust and Competition Practice, Mr. Grosberg stated that if the White House goes to a Democrat, "CFOs should expect that antitrust enforcement will be more aggressive." In India, where there are no minimum thresholds for filing acquisitions and a 210-day review period is standard, Mr. Grosberg noted that even "if your deal raises no issues, you could be held up for seven months."
Joel R. Grosberg, Antitrust & Competition, International Antitrust & Competition, M&A/JVs - Antitrust Aspects, Mergers & Acquisitions
2007
Joel Grosberg was quoted in a June 26 article published by Red Herring regarding Google's request to a federal judge for intervention in the Microsoft anti-trust settlement with the U.S. that is set to expire in November. Mr. Grosberg spoke about Google's legal strategy and it's attempt to limit Microsoft's business. "It's quite common for competitors to use the government or make anti-trust complaints to attempt to gain some competitive advantage in the market or make it more difficult to compete. It's not unusual in that (Google) is doing it. It is unusual in making it a public dispute rather than a private one," Mr. Grosberg said.
Joel R. Grosberg, Antitrust & Competition, Antitrust - IP, Media & Tech, Intellectual Property, Media & Technology
Joel Grosberg was quoted in the March issue of CFO Magazine regarding the impact of a Democratic U.S. Congress on M&A deals.
Joel R. Grosberg, Antitrust & Competition
2006
Joel Grosberg appeared on Bloomberg News television on August 2 and discussed the FTC's decision in the Rambus matter.
Joel R. Grosberg, Antitrust & Competition
2005
Joel Grosberg was quoted in the November 29 issue of Compliance Week regarding "gun jumping" prohibitions in antitrust laws. Mr. Grosberg noted that FTC general counsel, William Blumenthal, provided helpful examples of permissible conduct in a speech to the Association of Corporate Counsel on "gun-jumping." "The message is that it's okay to promote the deal and talk about the deal, as long as you have proper guidelines."
Joel R. Grosberg, Antitrust & Competition
2004
Joel Grosberg was quoted in the November 9 issue of USA Today in regard to Microsoft's proposal to pay rival software maker Novell a $536 million settlement, and its announced truce with the Computer & Communications Industry Association, a trade group that has bedeviled it on several legal fronts. Regardless of this latest proposed settlement, Novell said it intends to slap an antitrust lawsuit on Microsoft soon for using unfair practices to overtake its WordPerfect software suite, which Novell owned from 1994 to 1996.
Joel R. Grosberg, Antitrust & Competition
Joel Grosberg was quoted in the Los Angeles Times on March 25 in response to the European Commission's precedent setting ruling regarding Microsoft. In its decision the commission directed Microsoft to offer computer makers a version of Windows without its media player but it didn't say the stripped-down Windows had to be cheaper. Mr. Grosberg agreed commenting, "If they don't have to offer a difference in price, you might as well take the Windows that has the media player in it. I don't see much impact on Microsoft's business."
Joel R. Grosberg, Antitrust & Competition, EU Competition
2002
Joel Grosberg was quoted in the November 12 issue of The Boston Globe in regard to the continued antitrust litigation against Microsoft. The article addressed whether or not states are going to continue with their suits keeping in mind that the court costs are only increasing. Mr. Grosberg commented that he thought Microsoft "will agree to pay the states' fees, to avoid goading the states into filing an appeal."
