Premerger Notification; Reporting and Waiting Period Requirements

The Commission is amending the Hart-Scott-Rodino (``HSR'') Premerger Notification Rules (the ``Rules'') that require the parties to certain mergers and acquisitions to file reports with the Federal Trade Commission (``the Commission'' or ``FTC'') and the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (``the Assistant Attorney General'' or ``DOJ'') (together the ``Antitrust Agencies'' or ``Agencies'') and to wait a specified period of time before consummating such transactions. The Commission is amending the Rules to make them clearer and easier to apply. The Commission is also amending the Rules to allow for the use of email in certain circumstances. Finally, the Commission is adding updated Instructions to the Premerger Notification and Report Form which include amendments for clarity and to make several non-substantive changes.