The Rule of Reason in the Post-Actavis World

Michael A. Carrier, Rutgers Law School describes The Rule of Reason in the Post-Actavis World.

ABSTRACT: Though known more as U.S. President and Supreme Court Chief Justice, William Howard Taft played an important role in the development of antitrust law. As Sixth Circuit judge, his ruling in the Addyston Pipe case can be linked to modern antitrust law, including the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in FTC v. Actavis on drug patent settlements. This essay, which builds on a lecture given to the NY State Bar Association's Antitrust Section, draws lessons from Addyston Pipe for these settlements, explains how courts today apply the Rule of Reason, and explores the analysis of settlements after Actavis.