Justice Department approves Thomson purchase of West - with conditions. (Thomson Corporation, West Publishing Co.)

Searcher, July, 1996

The Department of Justice's (DOJ) Antitrust Division and Attorneys General from seven states have approved the $3.4 billion merger of Thomson Corporation and West Publishing Company. Instead of relying on an administrative ruling, the DOJ joined with seven states -- California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Washington, and Wisconsin -- in the largest joint federal and state antitrust action ever. The states and the DOJ filed a joint antitrust suit along with a proposed settlement in U.S. District Court in Washington. As of presstime, they were waiting for judicial approval. By using a lawsuit with a subsequent consent decree backed by the power of the court, the DOJ has the right to enforce its determinations more rigorously, according to one source...