FTC Upholds Standard-Setting Organization; Warns Against Deceptive Practices

摘要

On a 5-0 vote, the Federal Trade Commission has charged Rambus, Inc. (Los Altos, California) with violating federal antitrust laws by deliberately engaging in a pattern of anticompetitive acts and practices that served to deceive an industry-wide standard-setting organization, resulting in adverse effects on competition and consumers."The conduct at issue here has done substantial harm to important technology markets, and threatens to undermine participation in industry standard-setting activities more generally," said Joseph J. Simons, Director of the FTC Bureau of Competition, "By issuing this complaint the Commission is sending a signal not only to Rambus but also to other companies. The message is this: If you are going to take part in a standards process, be mindful to abide by the ground rules and to participate in good faith."