FTC Docket C-4011
boschdo
001 0212
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BEFORE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
COMMISSIONERS:
Robert Pitofsky, Chairman
Sheila F. Anthony
Mozelle W. Thompson
Orson Swindle
Thomas B. Leary
In the Matter of
Siemens AG,
a corporation;
and
Vodafone Group Plc,
a corporation.
Docket No. C-4011
DECISION AND ORDER
The Federal Trade Commission (“Commission”), having initiated an investigation of the
proposed acquisition by Respondent Siemens AG of certain voting securities of Atecs
Mannesmann AG, a subsidiary of Respondent Vodafone Group Plc, and Respondents having
been furnished thereafter with a copy of a draft of Complaint which the Bureau of Competition
proposed to present to the Commission for its consideration and which, if issued by the
Commission, would charge Respondents with violations of Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as
amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18, and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15
U.S.C. § 45; and
Respondents, their attorneys and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed an
Agreement Containing Consent Order (“Consent Agreement”), containing an admission by
Respondents of all the jurisdictional facts set forth in the aforesaid draft of Complaint, a
statement that the signing of said Consent Agreement is for settlement purposes only and does
not constitute an admission by Respondents that the law has been violated as alleged in such
Complaint, or that the facts as alleged in such Complaint, other than jurisdictional facts, are true,
and waivers and other provisions as required by the Commission’s Rules; and
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The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it has
reason to believe that Respondents have violated the said Acts and that a Complaint should issue
stating its charges in that respect, and having accepted the executed Consent Agreement and
placed such Consent Agreement on the public record for a period of thirty (30) days for the
receipt and consideration of public comments, now in further conformity with the procedure
described in Commission Rule 2.34, 16 C.F.R. § 2.34, the Commission hereby issues its
Complaint, makes the following jurisdictional findings, and issues the following Decision and
Order (“Order”):
1. Respondent Siemens is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and by
virtue of the laws of Germany, with its office and principal place of business located at
Wittelsbacherplatz 2, D-80333 Munich, Germany. Siemens’s principal subsidiary in the
United States is located at 153 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022.
2. Respondent Vodafone is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under and
by virtue of the laws of the United Kingdom, with its office and principal place of business
located at The Courtyard, 2-4 London Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 IJX, England.
Vodafone’s principal subsidiary in the United States is located at 2999 Oak Road, Walnut
Creek, CA 94596.
3. The Federal Trade Commission has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this proceeding
and of Respondents and the proceeding is in the public interest.
ORDER
I.
IT IS ORDERED that, as used in this Order, the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Siemens” means Siemens AG, its directors, officers, employees, agents and
representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns; its joint ventures, subsidiaries,
divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by Siemens AG, and the respective directors,
officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each.
B. “Vodafone” means Vodafone Group plc, its directors, officers, employees, agents and
representatives, predecessors, successors, and assigns; its joint ventures, subsidiaries,
divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by Vodafone Group plc, and the respective
directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each.
C. “Acquisition” means the proposed acquisition of over 50% of the voting securities of
Atecs by Siemens pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement executed by Siemens, Robert
Bosch GmbH, Mannesmann AG and Mannesmann Investment GmbH on April 14, 2000,
and amended on January 23, 2001.
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D. “AFF” means the advanced flat feeder developed by MDPA and licensed to Rapistan
pursuant to an agreement dated January 8, 2001, for the purpose of supplying 362 AFF
units to Lockheed Martin Corp. for integration into the FSM 1000 Sorting Machine.
E. “AFF Services Agreement” means the agreement between Respondents and the MDPA
Acquirer described in Paragraph II.E.
F. “Atecs” means Atecs Mannesmann AG, a corporation organized, existing, and doing
business under and by virtue of the laws of Germany, with its office and principal place of
business located at Mannesmannufer 2, 40213 Duesseldorf, Germany.
G. “ATHS Intellectual Property” means intellectual property relating to the automated tray
handling system that was developed for MDPA’s FSM TOP 2000 Sorting Machine by
Offenbach pursuant to an agreement dated August 21, 2000, between Offenbach and
MDPA.
H. “ATHS Services Agreement” means the agreement between Respondents and the MDPA
Acquirer described in Paragraph II.D.
I. “Automated Tray Handling System” or “ATHS” means the automated tray handling
system developed by Offenbach for MDPA’s FSM TOP 2000 Sorting Machine.
J. “Commission” means the Federal Trade Commission.
K. “Existing NGFSM Contracts” means the August 14, 1998 contract (No. 102590-98-B-
3187) and July 14, 2000 modification to the contract, between the United States Postal
Service and Rapistan, to produce and deliver Next Generation Flat Sorting Machines,
which are excluded from the definition of MDPA Assets below. Existing NGFSM
Contracts does not include any amendments or modifications entered into by the USPS
and Vodafone or Siemens after July 14, 2000; provided, however, that the USPS may
exercise the options it has under contract No. 102590-98-B-3187 to purchase additional
NGFSM units.
L. “Existing WAND Contract” means the contract between Rapistan and the British Royal
Mail dated November 14, 2000, for the development and installation of a worldwide
advanced network distribution system.
M.“FSM 1000 Sorting Machine” means the flat sorting system that MDPA developed and
which is operational in USPS facilities. The FSM 1000 Sorting Machine is the
predecessor of the NGFSM.
N. “FSM TOP 2000 Sorting Machine” means the latest generation flat sorting system that
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MDPA is developing. MDPA plans to start deploying the FSM TOP 2000 Sorting
Machine on the market by the end of the year 2001.
O. “Key Employees” means all persons identified in Confidential Appendix I of this Order.
P. “MDPA” means Mannesmann Dematic Postal Automation, a company organized, existing,
and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of France, with its office and principal
place of business located at 14, Avenue Raspail, 94250 Gentilly, France.
Q. “MDPA Acquirer” means Northrop or any other Person that acquires the MDPA Assets
pursuant to this Order.
R. “MDPA Assets” means all assets, interests and rights owned or held by Vodafone relating
to the operation of the MDPA Business, including, but not limited to:
1. all buildings, plants, manufacturing operations, machinery, fixtures, equipment,
vehicles, transportation facilities, furniture, tools and other tangible personal property;
2. all rights, titles and interests in and to all owned or leased real property and
improvements, together with appurtenances, licenses and permits;
3. all intellectual property, inventions, technology, trademarks, trade names, brand names,
formulations, specifications, contractual rights, patents, trade secrets, copyrights, know-
how, research materials, technical information, marketing and distribution information,
customer lists, vendor lists, catalogs, sales promotion literature, advertising materials,
information stored in management information systems (and specifications sufficient
for the MDPA Acquirer to use such information), software, designs, drawings,
processes, production information, manufacturing information, tooling information,
integration information, testing and quality control data;
4. inventory and storage capacity;
5. all rights, titles and interests in and to contracts relating to the MDPA Business;
6. all rights, titles and interests in and to contracts held by Rapistan relating to the MDPA
Business, including, but not limited to, contracts relating to the AFF;
7. all assets owned or held by Offenbach that relate to the development and integration of
the Automated Tray Handling System;
8. all rights under warranties and guarantees, express or implied;
9. all books, records and files;
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10.
all items of prepaid expense; and
11.
any other assets and rights transferred to the MDPA Acquirer pursuant to the MDPA
Divestiture Agreement.
Provided, however, that “MDPA Assets” does not include Existing NGFSM Contracts and
Existing WAND Contract.
S. “MDPA Business” means the research, development, engineering, manufacture,
integration, distribution, or sale of any Vodafone product or service to automate the
handling and processing of tangible letter mail and flat mail, including large envelopes,
catalogs, and magazines, in any area of the world, including, but not limited to, the
activities engaged in by Vodafone’s MDPA business unit.
T. “MDPA Divestiture Agreement” means any agreement to acquire the MDPA Assets
entered into by Respondents and any MDPA Acquirer including, but not limited to, the
Northrop Purchase Agreement, and any related agreements, schedules, exhibits and
appendices.
U. “Next Generation Flat Sorting Machines” or “NGFSMs” means the latest generation of
machines used by United States Postal Service (“USPS”) facilities to sort flat mail that
were developed by MDPA and supplied to the USPS under USPS Contract No. 102590-
98-B-3187. The term employed by MDPA to refer to NGFSMs is Advanced Flat Mail
Sorters Model 100.
V. “NGFSM Intellectual Property” means the intellectual property developed and owned by
MDPA and licensed to Rapistan (under the Patent and Know-How License, Agreement
No. 4101003325 between Rapistan and Alcatel Postal Automation Systems) for
production of Next Generation Flat Sorting Machines for the USPS.
W.“Non-Public Vodafone Information” means any information relating to the MDPA
Business or MDPA Assets obtained by Respondent Siemens. Non-Public Vodafone
Information shall not include information already in the public domain and information
that subsequently falls within the public domain through no violation of this Order by
Siemens.
X. “Northrop” means Northrop Grumman Corporation, a corporation organized, existing, and
doing business under and by virtue of the laws of Delaware, with its office and principal
place of business located at 1840 Century Park East, Los Angeles, CA 90067.
Y. “Northrop Purchase Agreement” means the agreement dated February 27, 2001, by and
between Respondents and Northrop, incorporated by reference into this Order and made a
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part hereof as Confidential Appendix II.
Z. “Offenbach” means Mannesmann Dematic AG, a company organized, existing, and doing
business under and by virtue of the laws of Germany, with its office and principal place of
business located at Ruhrstrasse 28, 58300 Wetter, Germany.
AA. “Person” means any individual, partnership, firm, corporation, association, trust,
unincorporated organization or other entity.
BB.
“Rapistan” means Mannesmann Dematic Rapistan Corp., a corporation organized,
existing, and doing business under and by virtue of the laws of New York, with its
office and principal place of business located at 507 Plymouth Avenue, NE, Grand
Rapids, Michigan 49505.
CC.
“Respondents” means Siemens and Vodafone, individually and collectively.
II.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A. Respondents shall divest the MDPA Assets, as an on-going business, absolutely and in
good faith, to Northrop pursuant to, and in accordance with, the Northrop Purchase
Agreement, no later than ten (10) days from the date Respondents consummate the
Acquisition; provided, however, that if at the time the Commission determines to make the
Order final, the Commission notifies Respondents that Northrop is not approved as the
MDPA Acquirer or that the Northrop Purchase Agreement is not an acceptable manner of
divestiture, Respondents shall immediately terminate or rescind the Northrop Purchase
Agreement and divest the MDPA Assets to another Person that receives the prior approval
of the Commission and in a manner that receives the prior approval of the Commission,
within three (3) months from the date this Order becomes final; provided further, however,
that Siemens may receive (1) a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the NGFSM
Intellectual Property for the purpose of supplying any machines under the Existing
NGFSM Contracts and (2) a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use the ATHS
Intellectual Property for the purpose of completing the ATHS Services Agreement.
B. Between the date Respondents sign the Consent Agreement and the date the MDPA Assets
are completely divested, Respondents shall:
1. Maintain the MDPA Assets in substantially the same condition (except for normal wear
and tear) existing at the time Respondents sign the Consent Agreement and take such
action that is consistent with the past practices of Respondent Vodafone in connection
with the MDPA Assets and is taken in the ordinary course of the normal day-to-day
operations of Respondent Vodafone;
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2. Use their best efforts to keep available the services of the current officers and
employees of the MDPA Business; and maintain the relations and goodwill with
suppliers, customers, landlords, creditors, employees, and others having business
relationships with the MDPA Business; and
3. Preserve the MDPA Assets intact as an ongoing business and not take any affirmative
action, or fail to take any action within its control, as a result of which the viability,
competitiveness, and marketability of the MDPA Assets would be diminished.
C. For a period of ten (10) years from the date this Order becomes final, Respondent Siemens
shall (1) not provide, disclose or otherwise make available any Non-Public Vodafone
Information to any Person (including, but not limited to, any of its employees, agents, or
representatives, or any third-party), (2) not use any Non-Public Vodafone Information for
any reason or purpose, and (3) enforce the terms of this Paragraph II.C. as to any Person
and take such action to the extent necessary to cause each such Person to comply with the
terms of this Paragraph II.C., including all actions that Respondent Siemens would take to
protect its own trade secrets and confidential information; provided, however, that:
1. Respondents (i) may use Non-Public Vodafone Information obtained in the course of
providing the services under the ATHS Services Agreement (hereinafter “Confidential
ATHS Information”) solely to fulfill Respondents’ obligations under the ATHS
Services Agreement, (ii) shall make available Confidential ATHS Information only to
those Persons working for Respondents and having a need to know and who agree in
writing to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and (iii) shall enforce the
terms of this Paragraph II.C.1. as to any Person and take such action to the extent
necessary to cause each such Person to comply with the terms of this Paragraph II.C.1.,
including all actions that Respondents would take to protect their own trade secrets and
confidential information.
2. Respondents (i) may use Non-Public Vodafone Information obtained in the course of
performing their obligations under the Existing NGFSM Contracts (hereinafter
“Confidential NGFSM Information”) solely to fulfill Respondents’ obligations under
the Existing NGFSM Contracts, (ii) shall make available Confidential NGFSM
Information only to those Persons working for Respondents and having a need to know
and who agree in writing to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and (iii)
shall enforce the terms of this Paragraph II.C.2. as to any Person and take such action to
the extent necessary to cause each such Person to comply with the terms of this
Paragraph II.C.2., including all actions that Respondents would take to protect their
own trade secrets and confidential information.
3. Respondents (i) may use Non-Public Vodafone Information obtained in the course of
providing the services under the AFF Services Agreement (hereinafter “Confidential
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AFF Information”) solely to fulfill Respondents’ obligations under the AFF Services
Agreement, (ii) shall make available Confidential AFF Information only to those
Persons working for Respondents and having a need to know and who agree in writing
to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and (iii) shall enforce the terms of
this Paragraph II.C.3. as to any Person and take such action to the extent necessary to
cause each such Person to comply with the terms of this Paragraph II.C.3., including all
actions that Respondents would take to protect their own trade secrets and confidential
information.
D. For a period up to nine (9) months from the date Respondents divest the MDPA Assets
pursuant to Paragraph II.A., Respondents shall provide to the MDPA Acquirer technical
and other services for the purpose of developing and producing the ATHS for use with the
FSM TOP 2000 Sorting Machine:
1. Respondents shall provide the services required by this Paragraph II.D. on terms agreed
to by Respondents and the MDPA Acquirer (hereinafter “ATHS Services Agreement”)
and made part of the MDPA Divestiture Agreement.
2. Respondents shall provide the services required by this Paragraph II.D. in a manner that
substantially maintains the type and level of service provided by Offenbach pursuant to
the Automated Tray Handling System Agreement between Offenbach and MDPA, dated
August 21, 2000.
3. At the request of the MDPA Acquirer, Respondents shall provide to the MDPA
Acquirer technical assistance and training, including access to Respondent Siemens’s
production facilities, sufficient to enable the MDPA Acquirer to manufacture the ATHS
and integrate it into the FSM TOP 2000 Sorting Machine, such assistance and training
to be completed no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the MDPA Acquirer’s
request.
4. Respondents shall transfer to the MDPA Acquirer all rights, title and interest in all
intellectual property (including, but not limited to, all technical data, technical data
package, and all other technical information) relating to the ATHS developed by
Respondents after the date Respondents divest the MDPA Assets, at the time such
intellectual property is developed.
5. At the request of the MDPA Acquirer, Respondents shall transfer to the MDPA
Acquirer all rights, title and interest in all tooling relating to the ATHS developed or
acquired by Respondents after the date Respondents divest the MDPA Assets, no later
than twenty (20) days after the request of the MDPA Acquirer, and in any event no later
than the date the ATHS Services Agreement terminates.
6. Respondents shall not terminate the ATHS Services Agreement for any reason;
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provided, however, that Respondents may terminate the ATHS Services Agreement for
an alleged material breach by the MDPA Acquirer, but only if Respondents have (i)
provided the MDPA Acquirer with thirty (30) days’ notice to cure the breach and (ii)
submitted their claim to arbitration and the arbitrator has fully resolved the claim in
Respondents’ favor.
E. From the date Respondents divest the MDPA Assets pursuant to Paragraph II.A. of this
Order until the MDPA Acquirer successfully manufactures and installs the first AFF unit,
Respondents shall provide to the MDPA Acquirer technical and other services for the
purpose of producing and installing the AFF:
1. Respondents shall provide the services required by this Paragraph II.E. on terms agreed
to by Respondents and the MDPA Acquirer (hereinafter “AFF Services Agreement”)
and made part of the MDPA Divestiture Agreement.
2. Respondents shall provide the services required by this Paragraph II.E. in a manner that
enables the MDPA Acquirer to substantially maintain the type and level of service
provided by Rapistan under its contract with Lockheed Martin Corp., dated February 7,
2001.
3. At the request of the MDPA Acquirer, Respondents shall provide to the MDPA
Acquirer technical assistance, including access to Respondent Siemens’s engineering
personnel and production facilities, sufficient to enable the MDPA Acquirer to
manufacture the AFF and install it into the FSM 1000 Sorting Machine, such assistance
to be completed no later than ten (10) days after the date of the MDPA Acquirer’s
request.
4. Respondents shall not terminate the AFF Services Agreement for any reason; provided,
however, that Respondents may terminate the AFF Services Agreement for an alleged
material breach by the MDPA Acquirer, but only if Respondents have (i) provided the
MDPA Acquirer with thirty (30) days’ notice to cure the breach and (ii) submitted their
claim to arbitration and the arbitrator has fully resolved the claim in Respondents’
favor.
F. The MDPA Divestiture Agreement shall be incorporated into this Order and made a part
hereof, and shall not be construed to vary or contradict the terms of this Order. Any failure
to comply with the terms of the MDPA Divestiture Agreement shall constitute a violation
of this Order. Notwithstanding any paragraph, section, or other provision of the MDPA
Divestiture Agreement, any modification of the MDPA Divestiture Agreement, without the
prior approval of the Commission, shall constitute a failure to comply with this Order.
G. The purpose of the divestiture of the MDPA Assets is to ensure the continued use of the
MDPA Assets in the same business in which such assets are engaged at the time of the
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announcement of the Acquisition by Respondents and to remedy the lessening of
competition resulting from the Acquisition as alleged in the Commission’s complaint.
III.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A. At the time of the execution of the MDPA Divestiture Agreement, Respondents shall
provide the MDPA Acquirer with a complete list of all non-clerical, salaried employees
and agents of Vodafone who are involved, or have been involved, in the MDPA Business
at any time during the period from April 14, 2000, until the date of the divestiture. The list
shall state each individual’s name, position or positions held from April 14, 2000, until the
date of the divestiture, address, telephone number, and a description of the duties and work
performed by the individual in connection with the MDPA Business. Respondents shall
provide the MDPA Acquirer the opportunity to enter into employment contracts with such
individuals, provided that such contracts are contingent upon the Commission's approval
of the divestiture.
B. Respondents shall provide the MDPA Acquirer with an opportunity to inspect the
personnel files and other documentation relating to the individuals identified pursuant to
Paragraph III.A. of this Order to the extent permissible under applicable laws, at the
request of the MDPA Acquirer any time after the execution of the MDPA Divestiture
Agreement between the MDPA Acquirer and Respondents.
C. Respondents shall not enforce any confidentiality or non-compete restrictions relating to
the MDPA Assets that apply to any employee identified pursuant to Paragraph III.A. who
accepts employment with the MDPA Acquirer that would interfere with the MDPA
Acquirer’s ability to interview or hire any employee identified pursuant to Paragraph III.A.
D. Respondents shall provide all employees identified pursuant to Paragraph III.A. with
financial incentives to continue in their positions until the date the divestiture is
accomplished. Such incentives shall include a continuation of all employee benefits
offered by Vodafone until the date the divestiture of the MDPA Assets is accomplished,
including regularly scheduled raises and bonuses, and a vesting of all pension benefits (as
permitted by law). In addition, in the event the MDPA Acquirer is a person other than
Northrop, Siemens shall provide incentives to all Key Employees to accept employment
with the MDPA Acquirer at the time of the divestiture. Such incentives shall include a
bonus for each Key Employee, equal to 10% of the employee’s current annual salary and
commissions (including any annual bonuses) as of the date this Order is accepted by the
Commission for public comment, who accepts an offer of employment from the MDPA
Acquirer within three (3) months of the date the divestiture is accomplished and remains
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employed by the MDPA Acquirer for a period of one (1) year, payable by Siemens one (1)
year after the commencement of the employee’s employment by the MDPA Acquirer.
E. For a period of one (1) year following the date the divestiture is accomplished,
Respondents shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit or otherwise attempt to induce any
employees or agents to terminate their employment relationship with the MDPA Acquirer;
provided, however, it shall not be deemed to be a violation of this provision if (1)
Respondents advertise for employment opportunities in newspapers, trade publications or
other media not targeted specifically at the employees, or (2) Respondents hire employees
who apply for employment with Respondents, as long as such employees were not
solicited by Respondents in violation of this Paragraph III.E.; provided further, however,
that during the four (4) month period following the date the divestiture is accomplished,
Respondents shall not, directly or indirectly, hire or enter into any arrangement for the
services of any employees or agents employed by the MDPA Acquirer or any Persons
identified in Paragraph III.A.
F. Respondents shall not transfer, without the consent of the MDPA Acquirer, any of the
individuals identified in Paragraph III.A. of this Order to any other position until the
divestiture to the MDPA Acquirer is accomplished.
G. For the period beginning on the date the MDPA Divestiture Agreement is signed by
Respondents and ending two (2) years following the divestiture required by Paragraph II.
of this Order (“Extended Restricted Period”), Respondents shall not solicit, induce or
attempt to induce any MDPA Business customer to terminate or modify any contract with
the MDPA Business; provided, however, that nothing in this Paragraph III.G. shall prevent
Respondents from responding to an unsolicited invitation to bid on a contract from any
customer during the Extended Restricted Period.
IV.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A. If Respondents have not divested the MDPA Assets, absolutely and in good faith, within
the time and in the manner required by Paragraph II.A. of this Order, the Commission may
appoint at any time a trustee to divest such assets.
B. In the event that the Commission brings an action pursuant to Section 5(l) of the Federal
Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(l), or any other statute enforced by the
Commission, Respondents shall consent to the appointment of a trustee in such action.
Neither the appointment of a trustee nor a decision not to appoint a trustee under this
Paragraph shall preclude the Commission from seeking civil penalties or any other relief
available to it, including a court-appointed trustee, pursuant to Section 5(l) of the Federal
Trade Commission Act, or any other statute enforced by the Commission, for any failure
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by Respondents to comply with this Order.
C. If a trustee is appointed by the Commission or a court pursuant to Paragraph IV. of this
Order, Respondents shall consent to the following terms and conditions regarding the
trustee’s powers, duties, authority and responsibilities:
1. The Commission shall select the trustee, subject to the consent of Respondents, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The trustee shall be a person with
experience and expertise in acquisitions and divestitures. If Respondents have not
opposed, in writing, including the reasons for opposing, the selection of any proposed
trustee within ten (10) days after receipt of notice from the staff of the Commission to
Respondents of the identity of any proposed trustee, Respondents shall be deemed to
have consented to the selection of the proposed trustee.
2. Subject to the prior approval of the Commission, the trustee shall have the
exclusive
power and authority to divest the MDPA Assets.
3. Within ten (10) days after appointment of the trustee, Respondents shall execute a trust
agreement that, subject to the prior approval of the Commission and, in the case of a
court-appointed trustee, of the court, transfers to the trustee all rights and powers
necessary to permit the trustee to effect the divestiture required by this Order.
4. The trustee shall have twelve (12) months from the date the Commission or court
approves the trust agreement described in Paragraph IV.C.3. to accomplish the
divestiture, which shall be subject to the prior approval of the Commission. If,
however, at the end of the twelve-month period, the trustee has submitted a plan of
divestiture or believes that divestiture can be achieved within a reasonable time, the
divestiture period may be extended by the Commission, or, in the case of a court-
appointed trustee, by the court; provided, however, the Commission may extend the
period for no more than two (2) additional periods.
5. The trustee shall have full and complete access to the personnel, books, records, and
facilities related to the MDPA Assets or to any other relevant information as the trustee
may request. Respondents shall develop such financial or other information as the
trustee may reasonably request and shall cooperate with the trustee. Respondents shall
take no action to interfere with or impede the trustee’s accomplishment of the
divestiture. Any delays in divestiture caused by Respondents shall extend the time for
divestiture under this Paragraph in an amount equal to the delay, as determined by the
Commission or, for a court-appointed trustee, by the court.
6. The trustee shall use his or her best efforts to negotiate the most favorable price and
terms available in each contract that is submitted to the Commission, subject to
Respondents’ absolute and unconditional obligation to divest expeditiously at no
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minimum price. The divestiture shall be made in a manner that receives the prior
approval of the Commission and to an Acquirer that receives the prior approval of the
Commission; provided, however, if the trustee receives bona fide offers for the MDPA
Assets from more than one acquiring entity, and if the Commission determines to
approve more than one such acquiring entity, the trustee shall divest such assets to the
acquiring entity selected by Respondents from among those approved by the
Commission; provided further, however, that Respondents shall select such entity
within five (5) days of receiving notification of the Commission’s approval.
7. The trustee shall serve, without bond or other security, at the cost and expense of
Respondents, on such reasonable and customary terms and conditions as the
Commission or a court may set. The trustee shall have the authority to employ, at the
cost and expense of Respondents, such consultants, accountants, attorneys, investment
bankers, business brokers, appraisers, and other representatives and assistants as are
necessary to carry out the trustee’s duties and responsibilities. The trustee shall
account for all monies derived from the divestiture and all expenses incurred. After
approval by the Commission and, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, by the court,
of the account of the trustee, including fees for his or her services, all remaining monies
shall be paid at the direction of Respondents, and the trustee’s power shall be
terminated. The trustee’s compensation shall be based at least in significant part on a
commission arrangement contingent on the trustee’s divesting the MDPA Assets.
8. Respondents shall indemnify the trustee and hold the trustee harmless against any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising out of, or in connection with, the
performance of the trustee’s duties, including all reasonable fees of counsel and other
expenses incurred in connection with the preparation for or defense of any claims
whether or not resulting in any liability, except to the extent that such liabilities, losses,
damages, claims, or expenses result from misfeasance, gross negligence, willful or
wanton acts, or bad faith by the trustee.
9. If the trustee ceases to act or fails to act diligently, a substitute trustee shall be
appointed in the same manner as provided in Paragraph IV. of this Order.
10.
The Commission or, in the case of a court-appointed trustee, the court may on its
own initiative or at the request of the trustee issue such additional orders or
directions as may be necessary or appropriate to accomplish the divestiture required
by this Order.
11.
In the event that the trustee determines that he or she is unable to divest the MDPA
Assets in a manner consistent with the Commission’s purpose as described in
Paragraph II.G. of this Order, the trustee may divest such additional assets related to
the MDPA Assets of Respondents as necessary to achieve the remedial purposes of
this Order.
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12.
The trustee shall have no obligation or authority to operate or maintain the
MDPA
Assets.
13.
The trustee shall report in writing to the Commission every sixty (60) days
concerning the trustee’s efforts to accomplish the divestiture required by this Order.
V.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within thirty (30) days after the date this Order becomes
final and every thirty (30) days thereafter for a period of nine (9) months, and annually thereafter
on the anniversary of the date this Order becomes final until Respondents have fully complied
with this Order, Respondents shall submit to the Commission a verified written report setting
forth in detail the manner and form in which they intend to comply, are complying, and have
complied with Paragraphs II. through IV. of this Order. Respondents shall include in their
compliance reports, among other things that are required from time to time, a full description of
the efforts being made to comply with Paragraphs II. through IV. of the Order, including a
description of all substantive contacts or negotiations relating to the divestiture and approval,
and the identities of all parties contacted. Respondents shall include in their compliance reports
copies, other than of privileged materials, of all written communications to and from such
parties, all internal memoranda, and all reports and recommendations concerning the divestiture
and approval. The final compliance report required by this Paragraph V. shall include a
statement that the divestiture has been accomplished in the manner approved by the Commission
and shall include the date the divestiture was accomplished.
VI.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall notify the Commission at least thirty
(30) days prior to any proposed change in the Respondents such as dissolution, assignment, sale
resulting in the emergence of a successor corporation, or the creation or dissolution of
subsidiaries or any other change in the corporation that may affect compliance obligations
arising out of this Order.
VII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of determining or securing compliance
with this Order, and subject to any legally recognized privilege, and upon written request with
reasonable notice to Respondents, Respondents shall permit any duly authorized representative
of the Commission:
A. Access, during office hours and in the presence of counsel, to all facilities and access to
inspect and copy all non-privileged books, ledgers, accounts, correspondence, memoranda
and other records and documents in the possession or under the control of Respondents
relating to any matter contained in this Order; and
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B. Upon five (5) days’ notice to Respondents and without restraint or interference from them,
to interview officers, directors, or employees of Respondents, who may have counsel
present, regarding any such matters.
VIII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this Order shall terminate with respect to Respondent
Vodafone when the Acquisition has been completed.
By the Commission.
Donald S. Clark
Secretary
SEAL
ISSUED: May 15, 2001
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CONFIDENTIAL APPENDIX I
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CONFIDENTIAL APPENDIX II