Memory chip company Rambus settles EU antitrust probe with new licenses, avoids fines

October 8th, 2009 Monsanto a focus of US antitrust investigationST. LOUIS — The Justice Department is investigating whether Monsanto Co.

October 7th, 2009 EU fines European, Japanese makers for cartel dealBRUSSELS — The European Union says it its fining three European and three Japanese makers of power transformers a total of euro67.6 million for agreeing not to sell their in each other's markets. EU antitrust chief Neelie Kroes said Wednesday their "gentlemen's agreement" artificially hiked prices.

October 3rd, 2009 Philips Healthcare recalls 5,400 defibrillatorsSEATTLE — Philips Healthcare said Saturday it is recalling about 5,400 automated external defibrillators after receiving reports of a memory chip failure in a small number of some models that could make them inoperable. The defibrillators are used by emergency responders to help treat sudden cardiac arrest, and the company said it is contacting customers to arrange for the devices to be replaced.

September 30th, 2009 EU warns of new antitrust probes for drug makersBRUSSELS — The European Union's top antitrust official warned drug makers Tuesday to "look out" for new investigations in coming months. EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said regulators were capitalizing on a recent broad inquiry into the pharmaceutical sector that aimed to find out why generic versions of branded drugs were slow to come to the market and if innovation is held back.

September 22nd, 2009 DOJ, FTC to consider updating antitrust guidelinesWASHINGTON — The federal government's antitrust enforcers said Tuesday they will update the 17-year-old guidelines used to determine whether a proposed corporate acquisition threatens competition. The Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department, which share antitrust enforcement powers, said they will hold a series of five workshops in December and January to discuss potential changes to the guidelines.

September 15th, 2009 Rambus boosts 3Q revenue outlookLOS ALTOS, Calif. — Memory chip designer Rambus Inc.

August 21st, 2009 Microsemi settles DOJ suitIRVINE, Calif. — Chip maker Microsemi Corp.

July 24th, 2009 EU: Microsoft trying to settle browser caseBRUSSELS — Microsoft Corp. will offer computer users a choice of Web browsers to ward off new European Union antitrust fines, EU regulators said Friday.

July 13th, 2009 EU antitrust regulators charge LCD panel makersBRUSSELS — European Union antitrust regulators have charged Royal Philips Electronics NV and LG Display with fixing the price of liquid crystal display monitors, Philips said Monday. Philips said it would "vigorously oppose" the allegation that it was jointly liable for a cartel operated by South Korea's LG Display.

July 1st, 2009 Panel set to rule on Quecreek Mine finesWASHINGTON — A federal panel is deciding whether a judge fairly assessed $110,000 in fines against two companies cited for negligence in an accident at Pennsylvania's Quecreek Mine that trapped nine coal miners underground for 77 hours before their dramatic rescue. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission's decision is expected Wednesday on challenges to the fines from PBS Coals Inc.

July 1st, 2009 Pension adviser settles NY kickback probe for $2MNEW YORK — The Pacific Corporate Group, a company that helps big government pension funds decide how to invest their money, has agreed to pay $2 million to extract itself from a corruption investigation in New York. The settlement, announced Wednesday, will spare the firm from criminal or civil charges in a sprawling pension investigation led by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

July 1st, 2009 Calif.-based pension adviser settles NY probeNEW YORK — A company that helps government pension funds decide how to invest their money has agreed to pay $2 million to extract itself from a New York corruption investigation. The settlement announced Wednesday will spare the Pacific Corporate Group from criminal or civil charges in a probe led by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (KWOH'-moh).

June 23rd, 2009 Boeing, Boston Scientific, Huntsman are big moversNEW YORK — Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE: Boeing Co., down $3.03 at $43.87 The aerospace giant said technical issues would again delay the first test flight of its next-generation, long-anticipated 787 plane. Kroger Co., down 2 cents at $21.76 The grocery chain's first quarter profit jumped 12.7 percent as sales of its store brands grew to 35 percent of grocery items sold.

June 12th, 2009 BlackRock, Hartford, Glaxo, Rambus are big moversNEW YORK — Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Friday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE: BlackRock Inc., down $6.04 at $176.56 The investment company will become the world's biggest asset manager after buying Barclays' investment unit for $13.5 billion. Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., down $1.13 at $12.95 The insurance company will offer $750 million in stock and said it was approved to get $3.4 billion in government bailout funds.

April 23rd, 2009 Product Recalls: chocolate chip cookiesThe following recall has been announced: — Alternative Baking Co. Inc. is recalling several types of chocolate chip cookies with code dates of 015 through 036 because the chips appear to contain undeclared milk.