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Join us as Darren Tucker and Jason Powers discuss recent antitrust developments in the energy sector and what lies ahead for companies in 2025.

Vinson & Elkins’ 2024 Chemicals & Energy Antitrust Report details the antitrust approach expected under the upcoming Trump administration, with a focus on boosting oil and gas production.

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has revised the thresholds that govern pre-merger notification requirements under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (“HSR Act”), and Section 8 of the Clayton Act governing “interlocking directorates.”

On Friday, January 10, 2025, the Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, American Investment Council, and Longview Chamber of Commerce filed a complaint in the Eastern District of Texas against the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and its Chair Lina Khan to block the enforcement of the FTC’s new rule expanding the scope of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Premerger Notification Form (the “new HSR Rule”) set to take effect on February 10, 2025.

On December 18, 2024, the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) announced that Tencent Holdings Ltd. (“Tencent”) had removed two directors from the board of Epic Games, Inc. (“Epic”) and relinquished its right to unilaterally appoint directors to Epic’s board going forward.

On December 12, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) filed a lawsuit against Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, the largest distributor of wine and spirits in the U.S., alleging that Southern Glazer’s has violated the Robinson-Patman Act (“RPA”) and FTC Act through pricing practices that FTC claims discriminate against small and independent retailers.

On December 11, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and Department of Justice Antitrust Division (“DOJ”) jointly issued a statement withdrawing their Antitrust Guidelines for Collaborations Among Competitors (the “Collaboration Guidelines,” available via this link).

As former President Trump returns to office, excitement is building in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries, fueled by the administration’s early signals of support for digital assets and Web3 technologies, including the appointment of crypto advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Industry leaders are hopeful that the pro-cryptocurrency stances held by President Trump and his appointees will foster a regulatory environment that supports growth and innovation in decentralized technology.

On October 14, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into effect ABX2-1, which was developed and passed in a special legislative session.

On October 10, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), with the Department of Justice Antitrust Division’s concurrence, released a Final Rule containing long-anticipated revisions to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Premerger Notification Form.

On October 10, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”), with the Department of Justice Antitrust Division’s concurrence, released a Final Rule containing the long-anticipated revisions to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Premerger Notification Form.

Vinson & Elkins’ recent Antitrust Conferences, held in Houston and Dallas, provided a comprehensive platform for in-house legal teams to understand and navigate the complexities of antitrust law.