District Court Grants FTC Preliminary Injunction Preventing Merger of Two Software Companies
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 16, 2009--
CRA
International, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRAI), a worldwide leader in providing
economics, financial and management consulting services, today announced
that the Company assisted the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with
economic antitrust analysis of the proposed merger of CCC Information
Services Inc. and Mitchell International Inc. On November 25, 2008, the
FTC filed suit to block the merger of CCC and Mitchell, charging that
the transaction would hinder competition in the market for electronic
systems used to estimate the cost of collision repairs, known as
“estimatics,” and the market for software systems used to value
passenger vehicles that have been totaled, known as total loss valuation
systems. On March 9, 2009, the US District Court granted the FTC’s
request for a preliminary injunction enjoining CCC’s merger with
Mitchell.
CRA International was retained by the FTC to analyze the competitive
effects of this merger. The CRA team undertook economic analyses to
determine the product and geographic markets affected by the merger,
supplier shares within those markets, and the anticipated impact of the
merger on prices paid by insurers and auto body shops. CRA’s analyses
addressed the potential for both coordinated and unilateral effects from
the merger. CRA vice president and antitrust expert John
Hayes provided the expert economic testimony for the FTC. His
testimony and the results of CRA’s analyses were cited extensively in
the District Court’s ruling opinion.
CRA’s work in this matter was directed and led by John
Hayes. Other CRA staff involved in this effort included Vice
President Serge
Moresi, who assisted with the economic modeling of the proposed
transaction’s unilateral effects.
About CRA International’s Antitrust
& Competition Economic Consulting Practice
CRA’s competition economists provide economic analysis and testimony in
competition matters around the world. Many have served in government
antitrust agencies and are members of premier academic, economic and law
faculties. Our experience extends to many industries, including
healthcare, energy, computer hardware/software, retailing,
telecommunications, entertainment, transportation, natural resources,
sports, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and consumer
products. The practice’s roots lie in US antitrust law. Since our work
on behalf of IBM in the 1970s, we have worked on many of the most
important government and private antitrust suits on record, including
IBM, Kodak, Microsoft, Visa-MasterCard, and Weyerhaeuser.
About CRA International
Founded in 1965, CRA International is a leading global consulting firm
that offers economic, financial and business management expertise to
major law firms, businesses, accounting firms and governments. CRA's
consultants combine uncommon analytical rigor with practical experience
and in-depth understanding of industries and markets. CRA is adept at
handling critical, tough assignments with high-stakes outcomes. CRA's
analytical strength enables it to reach objective, factual conclusions
that help clients make important business and policy decisions and
resolve critical disputes. Headquartered in Boston, CRA has offices
throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Detailed
information about CRA is available at http://www.crai.com.
Source: CRA International, Inc.
CRA International, Inc.
James C. Burrows, 617-425-3700
President
and CEO
or
Sharon Merrill Associates
Jim Buckley,
617-542-5300
Executive Vice President
