Inside Competition

Antitrust and competition law newsletter

An antitrust and competition resource for in‑house legal teams and business leaders

Inside Competition is a recurring digital series providing practical analysis of antitrust developments. Designed for legal and business leaders, it supports informed decision‑making in a complex regulatory environment involving Antitrust and Competition Law and related antitrust and competition issues.

October 2026

Key cases, enforcement actions, and merger developments in competition law

This issue discusses recent antitrust litigation, criminal and civil enforcement, merger reviews, and regulatory developments. Topics include information sharing, algorithmic pricing, labor market restrictions, abuse of dominance, and competition issues involving artificial intelligence.

We also highlight international developments in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Sweden. These include competition enforcement, merger control, market studies, and new regulatory frameworks affecting competition and commercial activities.

Read the latest issue of Inside Competition

Latest insights

Inside Competition: September 2026

Key Takeaways

Civil litigation: Maryland court dismisses antitrust challenge to pharmacy residency matching program. Nuclear power plant workers’ wage-fixing lawsuit dismissed.

Civil enforcement: FTC seeks public comment on enforcement policy statement regarding personalized pricing. FTC stipulated order resolves antitrust concerns involving Zillow–Redfin Agreement. FTC finalizes consent order in Ascension Health–AmSurg transaction. [Poland] Polish competition authority imposes fines in agricultural machinery cartel case.

Criminal enforcement: Oklahoma jury convicts Sioux Erosion Control and two employees of price-fixing and bid-rigging charges involving publicly funded contracts Bovine artificial insemination manager pleads guilty in first charge arising from DOJ cattle bid-rigging investigation. DOJ seeks extension of Procurement Collusion Strike Force complaint form, signaling continued reliance on public tips.

Merger review and challenges: FTC secures permanent injunction blocking Henkel’s acquisition of Liquid Nails. DOJ closes investigation of Seismic–Highspot merger after review of AI entry. Senators call for FTC investigation of Sysco’s USD29.1 billion acquisition of Restaurant Depot. Split two-member FTC clears IonQ transaction.

Recent guidance: [UK] UK Competition Appeal Tribunal updates guidance on confidential information in competition disputes.

Inside Competition: August 2025

Key Takeaways

Civil litigation: Division I athletes bring antitrust challenge to NCAA’s exclusion of the Class of 2022 from new eligibility rule. Illinois federal court preliminarily approves over USD37 million in additional settlements in PVC pipe price-fixing litigation. UFC moves to dismiss fans’ proposed class action alleging monopolization of pay-per-view MMA events. Third Circuit revives algorithmic price-fixing suit and distinguishes Ninth Circuit’s ruling.

Recent legislation: California State Senate considers expanding antitrust law with COMPETE Act.

Criminal enforcement: Massachusetts AG secures USD2.4 million settlement with school bus company over contract allocation. Parties' trial briefs address the per se bid-rigging issues in United States v. BG Dale Biscoe as the case heads to trial in August 2026. Teva’s criminal DPA admissions establish civil antitrust liability to Humana in generic-drug price-fixing litigation.

Civil enforcement: Bipartisan Senate bill addresses online search monopolization. New Jersey enacts FAIR Act to ban algorithmic rent-setting practices.

Merger review and challenges: The FTC’s USD12 million settlement over HSR avoidance. TransDigm abandons proposed acquisition of Stellant Systems after DOJ decides to block the deal.

International: European Union - CJEU clarifies safeguards for seizure of business emails during dawn raids. Germany - German Federal Court of Justice overturns ruling in Baden-Württemberg roundwood cartel damages case. United Kingdom - Proposed reorganization of UK competition regime. Poland - UOKiK conducts dawn raids at a nationwide credit information bureau and major banks over potential restrictions of competition in creditworthiness assessments. Spain - CNMC updates guidance on competition compliance programs. Government nominates new CNMC president and board members.

Inside Competition: July 2026

Key Takeaways

Civil litigation: Jury verdict against Medtronic’s bundling allowed to stand. Indirect purchasers file proposed class action alleging shipping container manufacturers conspired to restrict output and fix prices. Illinois federal court denies class certification in healthcare no-poach wage-suppression suit.

Criminal enforcement: Nevada man pleads guilty to rigging bids for healthcare-related and other US Air Force projects. Civil enforcement: DOJ proposes settlement to resolve challenge to OhioHealth’s healthcare contracts.

Merger review and challenges: FTC requires divestiture of four generic drugs in Aurobindo–Lannett deal.

International: Australia: ACCC blocks Coles greenfield supermarket site under new mandatory merger regime. European Union: EU increases focus on labor markets and no-poach agreements. Germany: Germany proposes 12th amendment to Competition Act. Ireland: Irish merger notification thresholds increase. Italy: AGCM launches market investigation into motor third-party liability insurance sector. Spain: CNMC opens proceedings against major Spanish banks for public statements on future commercial policies. CNMC updates guidance on competition compliance programs. Government of Spain nominates new CNMC president and board members. United Kingdom: CMA accepts first buyer side exiting firm defense in UK bakeries merger. CMA imposes “world-first” AI publisher requirement on Google.