Topic:  Bosch

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Robert Bosch GmbH’s acquisition of the SPX Service Solutions business of SPX Corporation would have given it a virtual monopoly in the market for air conditioning recycling, recovery, and recharge devices for vehicles.

Today’s action by the FTC finalizes a proposed order that was first announced by the agency in November 2012. It also resolves allegations that, before its acquisition by Bosch, SPX harmed competition in the market for this equipment by reneging on a commitment to license key, standard-essential patents (SEPs) on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms.

Under the settlement with the FTC, Bosch has agreed to sell its automotive air conditioner repair equipment business, including RTI Technologies, Inc., to automotive equipment manufacturer, Mahle Clevite, Inc. Bosch also has agreed to abandon its claims for injunctive relief related to the key standard-essential patents.

The Commission vote approving the final order and letters to members of the public who commented on it was 2-1-1, with Commissioner Maureen K. Ohlhausen voting no and Commissioner Joshua D. Wright not participating. (FTC File No. 121-0081; the staff contact is Jacqueline K. Mendel, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2334; see press release dated November 26, 2012.)

Copies of the document mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s website at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.

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