AT&T/TW an Atypical DOJ Vertical Merger Challenge, FSF Says

DOJ has challenged numerous other vertical mergers in the past, but its lawsuit to block AT&T/Time Warner is notably different in that, unlike those others, it doesn't have parties agreeing to behavioral conditions that let the deal go forward, Free State Foundation's Theodore Bolema blogged Friday. The last time the U.S. government went to court to force structural changes to a merger was in 1979, and the FTC lost, he said. FSF has been skeptical of DOJ chances in blocking AT&T/TW (see 1802080045). DOJ didn't comment.