On June 29, 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced an increase in the maximum civil penalties it may impose for violations of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (“HSR Act”) and various other rules and orders governed by the FTC.  The maximum civil penalty for HSR violations has increased from a daily fine of $16,000 per day, to a much larger fine of $40,000 per day.  While these higher maximum civil fines will apply to any penalties assessed after August 1, 2016, they will also apply to violations that predate the effective date.


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