8/27 competition law (antitrust law)

Hi everyone:

Did you noticed that there was a big news this week? Several big LCD manufacturers were accused to violate antitrust law in the U.S., 3 AU Optic senior managers went there for the hearing but they were restricted to leave. LCD stocks dropt to the floor.

Do you know what is “antitrust law”? Do you know its origin and effect? We're going to discuss it this evening. Please read the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antitrust

Below is the agenda:

Warm up chatting:
1. Please tell us what have you done, where have you been in the past week. Do you have any plan for the coming week?

Facts of the topic (look it up in the article):
2. When and where was the most ancient competition law practiced?
3. What organization is responsible for executing international competition law now?
4. What are the 3 elements of this law?
5. What is the penalty for the violation?
6. What is this law intended to control?
7. Why this law is call “antitrust law” in the U.S.?
8. What else did you notice in the article?

What do you think about the topic:
9. Why are the 3 elements important to the competition law?
10. Do you know any cases that are possible to (or already) violate antitrust law? Tell us the story.
11. Do you agree that competition is important so the government must protect it?
12. Will this law affect your industry? What does your company usually do to prevent from possible sanction?
13. Do you believe this law really fair? Why or why not?