Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission Announce Agenda for June 23, 2014, Joint Agency Workshop on Conditional Pricing Practices

The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued the agenda for their joint public workshop, which will be held on June 23, 2014, to explore the economic and legal analysis of conditional pricing practices among firms in a supply chain.  Announced in early May, the workshop will focus on conditional pricing arrangements – practices in which prices are explicitly or effectively contingent on commitments to purchase or sell a specified share or volume of a single product or a mix of multiple products – such as loyalty or bundled pricing.

            
A principal goal of the workshop will be to advance the economic understanding of the potential harms and benefits of conditional pricing practices and to reexamine their treatment under the antitrust laws.  As detailed in the press release first announcing the event, participants will focus primarily on: 1) Economic Learning, and 2) Law and Policy Issues related to conditional pricing practices.

 
The Department of Justice and the FTC are interested in receiving comments on conditional pricing practices, and will accept written submissions from the public from now through Aug. 22, 2014, 60 days after the event.  Interested parties may submit public comments online.  Submitted comments will be made publicly available on the Department of Justice and FTC websites.

 
The all-day workshop is free and open to the public.  Individuals are encouraged, but not required, to register in advance for the workshop by sending an email to CPPworkshop@ftc.gov,  Please include “RSVP” in the subject line.  Seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.  It will take place at the FTC’s new satellite conference center, Constitution Center, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024.

 
Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request.  Requests should be submitted by e-mail to lkittelson@ftc.gov , or by calling Lara Kittelson at 202-326-3388.  Requests should be made in advance. Please include a detailed description of the accommodation needed and provide contact information.