FTC Docket C-3989
aoldando
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
)
)
America Online, Inc.,
)
a corporation,
)
)
Docket No. C-
and
)
)
Time Warner Inc.,
)
a corporation.
)
____________________________________)
DECISION AND ORDER
The Federal Trade Commission (“Commission”) having initiated an investigation of the
proposed merger of Respondent America Online, Inc. (“AOL”) and Respondent Time Warner
Inc. (“Time Warner”), and Respondents having been furnished thereafter with a draft of
Complaint that 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 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 45, and
Section 7 of the Clayton Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 18; and
Respondents, their attorneys, and counsel for the Commission having thereafter executed
an Agreement Containing Consent Orders (“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
The Commission having thereafter considered the matter and having determined that it
had reason to believe that Respondents have violated said Acts, and that a Complaint should
issue stating its charges in that respect and having thereupon issued its Complaint and its Order
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to Hold Separate, 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 makes the following
jurisdictional findings and issues the following Decision and Order (“Order”):
1.
Respondent AOL is a corporation organized, existing and doing business under
and by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware, with its office and principal
place of business located at 22000 AOL Way, Dulles, Virginia 20166.
2.
Respondent Time Warner is a corporation organized, existing and doing business
under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware, with its office and
principal place of business located at 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York
10019.
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.
I.
IT IS ORDERED that, as used in this Order, the following definitions shall apply:
A.
“AOL” means America Online, Inc., its directors, officers, employees, agents,
representatives, successors, and assigns; its subsidiaries, divisions, groups and
affiliates controlled by America Online, Inc., and the respective directors, officers,
employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each.
B.
“Time Warner” means Time Warner Inc., its directors, officers, employees,
agents, representatives, successors, and assigns; its subsidiaries, divisions
(including, but not limited to, Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P.),
groups and affiliates controlled by Time Warner Inc. and the respective directors,
officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors, and assigns of each.
C.
“Access” means the provision of a connection point at the connection points
within each Cable Division where Respondents are providing connections for
Respondents’ ISPs and where Respondents have provided all of the technology
required to enable Non-affiliated ISPs to reach Subscribers over Respondents’
Cable Holdings.
D.
“Adelphia” means Adelphia Communications Corporation, incorporated in
Delaware, with its principal place of business located at One North Main Street,
Coudersport, PA 16915-1141, and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates
controlled by Adelphia, and the successors and assigns of each.
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E.
"Affiliated Cable Broadband ISP Service” means a Cable Broadband ISP Service
Affiliated with Respondent, excluding Road Runner.
F.
“Affiliated” means having an attributable interest as defined in 47 C.F.R.
§ 76.501 (and accompanying notes), as that rule read on July 1, 1996.
G.
“Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement” means an agreement
between Respondents and a Non-affiliated ISP to provide Cable Broadband ISP
Service on Respondents’ Cable Holdings.
H.
"AT&T" means AT&T Corp., incorporated in New York, with its principal place
of business located at 32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10013-
2412 and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by AT&T,
and the successors and assigns of each.
I.
“Available” means ready for immediate use at the request of a Subscriber.
J.
“Bandwidth” means the measure, in bits per second, of the speed of data
transmission.
K.
“Broadband” means Bandwidth designed to operate at rates greater than 128
kilobits per second.
L.
“Cable Broadband ISP Service” means any ISP Service provided via Broadband
over cable.
M.
“Cable Division” means each collection of localized communication networks,
comprising one or more cable systems, that transmits multi-channel video, as well
as other Content and services, by means of coaxial cables and/or fiber optics, that
is located in the United States and is Controlled by Respondents.
N.
“Cablevision” means Cablevision Systems Corporation, incorporated in
Delaware, with its principal place of business located at 1111 Stewart Avenue,
Bethpage, NY 11714, and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates
controlled by Cablevision, and the successors and assigns of each.
O.
“Charter” means Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, incorporated in
Delaware, with its principal place of business located at 12444 Powerscourt
Drive, Suite 100, St. Louis, Missouri 63131, and its subsidiaries, divisions,
groups and affiliates controlled by Charter, and the successors and assigns of
each.
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P.
"Comcast" means Comcast Cable Communications, Inc., incorporated in
Delaware, with its principal place of business located at 1201 Market Street, Suite
2201, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups and
affiliates controlled by Comcast, and the successors and assigns of each.
Q.
“Commission" means the Federal Trade Commission.
R.
“Content” means data packets carrying information including, but not limited to,
links, video, audio, text, e-mail, message, interactive signals, and interactive
triggers.
S.
"Control" means (1) either (i) holding 50% or more of the outstanding voting
securities of a Person or (ii) in the case of a Person that has no outstanding voting
securities, having the right to 50% or more of the profits of the Person, or having
the right in the event of dissolution to 50% or more of the assets of the Person or
(2) having the contractual power presently to designate 50% or more of the
directors of a Person that is a corporation, or in the case of unincorporated
Persons, of individuals exercising similar functions.
T.
“Costs” means the prices charged (1) by a provider of DSL Services for access to
a data line, including for any local data traffic aggregation, from a central office or
remote terminal to a Subscriber's home, (2) by a provider of DSL Services or a
third party for installation of DSL Services at a Subscriber's home, and (3) by a
provider of DSL Services or a third party for customer premise equipment (such
as a DSL modem) required to use such DSL Services by a Subscriber.
U.
"Cox" means Cox Communications, Inc., incorporated in Delaware, with its
principal place of business located at 1400 Lake Hearn Drive, Atlanta, Georgia
30319 and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by Cox, and
the successors and assigns of each.
V.
“DSL” means a digital subscriber line or a modem technology that provides
Broadband transport over telephone lines.
W.
“DSL Services” means Broadband ISP Services delivered via DSL.
X.
“Earthlink” means Earthlink, Inc., incorporated in Delaware, with its principal
place of business located at 1430 West Peachtree Street, Suite 400, Atlanta,
Georgia 30309 and its subsidiaries, divisions, groups and affiliates controlled by
Earthlink, and the successors and assigns of each.
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Y.
“Earthlink Agreement” means the High-Speed Service Agreement effective as of
November 18, 2000, between Earthlink, Inc., and Time Warner Entertainment
Company, L.P.
Z.
“Identified Cable Division” means each of the Cable Divisions identified in
Appendix A, as well as any other Cable Division with 300,000 Subscribers or
more, that, after the date Respondents execute the Consent Agreement, is,
through acquisition or otherwise, Controlled by Respondents.
AA.
“ILEC” means incumbent local exchange carrier, a term used to refer to a
Regional Bell Operating Company.
BB.
“ISP” means a provider of ISP Service.
CC.
"ISP Service" means the provision of connectivity to and services that enable the
use of the Internet by an end-user.
DD.
“ITV” means interactive television.
EE.
“Merger” means the transaction contemplated by the Second Amended and
Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 10, 2000, among
AOL Time Warner Inc., America Online, Inc., Time Warner Inc., America Online
Merger Sub Inc., and Time Warner Merger Sub Inc.
FF.
“MSO” means a multiple system operator, which is a major cable television
organization that has franchises in multiple locations.
GG.
“MSO Agreement” means an agreement between Respondents and any one of
Adelphia, AT&T, Cablevision, Charter, Comcast, or Cox, pursuant to which
Respondents provide Cable Broadband ISP Service over any of such MSO's cable
systems.
HH.
“Monitor Trustee” means any Person appointed by the Commission pursuant to
Paragraph V. of this Order to monitor Respondents’ compliance with their
obligations pursuant to this Order and, if the Commission so determines, to
monitor compliance with Respondents’ obligations pursuant to the Order to Hold
Separate issued in this matter.
II.
“Non-affiliated Cable Broadband ISP Service” means any Cable Broadband ISP
Service that is not Affiliated with or Controlled by Respondents.
JJ.
“Non-affiliated ISP” means any ISP that is not Affiliated with or Controlled by
Respondents.
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KK.
“Offer” means in any way proffering, including, but not limited to, advertising,
promoting, or announcing the current or future availability of service or its price.
LL.
“Person” means any natural person, corporate entity, partnership, association,
joint venture, government entity, or trust.
MM.
“RBOC” means Regional Bell Operating Companies, or the regional holding
companies that resulted from the divestitures by AT&T, each of which has its
own separate geographic area in which it operates as the ILEC.
NN.
“RBOC Territory” means that separate geographic area in which an entity
operates as the ILEC.
OO.
“Respondents” means AOL and Time Warner.
PP.
“Respondents’ Cable Holdings” means each and every Cable Division.
QQ.
“Respondents’ ISP” means any ISP Controlled by or Affiliated with Respondents.
RR.
“Road Runner” means Road Runner LLC, organized in Delaware, with its
principal place of business located at 13241 Woodland Park Road, Herndon,
Virginia 20171, and any successor thereto.
SS.
“Subscriber” means the end-user that has entered into an agreement for the
provision of a service.
II.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A.
In each Identified Cable Division:
1.
Respondents shall not make Available to any Subscriber any Affiliated
Cable Broadband ISP Service until such time as Non-affiliated Cable
Broadband ISP Service provided by Earthlink pursuant to the Earthlink
Agreement (which agreement shall not vary from or contradict or be
construed to vary from or contradict the terms of this Order) is Available
to Subscribers in that Identified Cable Division. Respondents shall not
Offer to any Subscriber in that Identified Cable Division any Affiliated
Cable Broadband ISP Service until: (x) the Non-Affiliated Cable
Broadband ISP Service provided by Earthlink is Available in that
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Identified Cable Division or (y) Earthlink Offers its Non-affiliated Cable
Broadband ISP Service to Subscribers in that Identified Cable Division,
whichever occurs earlier. For purposes of this Paragraph II.A.1., the terms
"make Available" and "Offer" shall not include tests that (i) involve a
limited number of Subscribers, (ii) are for a limited period of time, and
(iii) are not for commercial purposes but are conducted only for
technological and operational implementation purposes; provided,
however, that Respondents shall engage in no promotional activity in
connection with such tests.
2.
Within ninety (90) days after the date that Respondents make Available to
any Subscriber an Affiliated Cable Broadband ISP Service, Respondents
shall enter into Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreements that
have received the prior approval of the Commission with at least two (2)
Non-affiliated ISPs (other than the Non-affiliated ISP that is party to the
Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement approved by the
Commission pursuant to Paragraph II.A.1. of this Order in that Identified
Cable Division) that have received the prior approval of the Commission
to make Available additional Non-affiliated Cable Broadband ISP Services
to Subscribers in that Identified Cable Division.
3.
If Respondents fail to enter into the Alternative Cable Broadband ISP
Service Agreements required by Paragraph II.A.2 of this Order within the
time required, then the Commission may appoint a trustee pursuant to
Paragraph VI of this Order who, for an additional ninety-day (90-day)
period, shall have the authority to enter into the Alternative Cable
Broadband ISP Service Agreements required by Paragraph II.A.2.of this
Order. Such agreements shall be subject to the prior approval of the
Commission and entered into with Non-affiliated ISPs that receive the
prior approval of the Commission. With respect to a specific Identified
Cable Division, these agreements shall be (a) on terms that, taken as a
whole, are comparable to either (i) the Earthlink Agreement or (ii) any
MSO Agreement; and (b) in any event, on terms with respect to
technological and operational implementation for the provision of service
that could not reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any significant
respect the Cable Broadband ISP Services or any other services provided
by such Identified Cable Division. The trustee shall consult with
Respondents during the course of negotiations relating to any Alternative
Cable Broadband ISP Agreement and shall consider in good faith any
business, technological or operational considerations expressed by
Respondents relating to such negotiations.
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B.
In each of Respondents’ Cable Divisions, excluding the Identified Cable
Divisions:
1.
Within ninety (90) days after the date that Respondents make Available to
any Subscriber an Affiliated Cable Broadband ISP Service in that Cable
Division, Respondents shall enter into Alternative Cable Broadband ISP
Service Agreements that have received the prior approval of the
Commission with at least three (3) Non-affiliated ISPs that have received
the prior approval of the Commission to make Available Non-affiliated
Cable Broadband ISP Services to Subscribers throughout that Cable
Division. For purposes of this Paragraph II..B.1., the term "make
Available" shall not include tests that (i) involve a limited number of
Subscribers, (ii) are for a limited period of time, and (iii) are not for
commercial purposes but are conducted only for technological and
operational implementation purposes; provided, however, that
Respondents shall engage in no promotional activity in connection with
such tests. For purposes of this Paragraph II.B.1., the Earthlink
Agreement is an Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement that
has received the prior approval of the Commission, and Earthlink is a
Non-affiliated ISP that has received the prior approval of the Commission.
2.
If Respondents fail to enter into the Alternative Cable Broadband ISP
Service Agreements required by Paragraph II.B.1. of this Order within the
time required, then the Commission may appoint a trustee pursuant to
Paragraph VI of this Order who, for an additional ninety-day (90-day)
period, shall have the authority to enter into the Alternative Cable
Broadband ISP Service Agreements required by Paragraph II.B.1. Such
agreements shall be subject to the prior approval of the Commission and
entered into with Non-affiliated ISPs that receive the prior approval of the
Commission. These agreements shall be (a) on terms that, taken as a
whole, are comparable to either (i) any other Alternative Cable Broadband
ISP Service Agreement between Respondents and a Non-affiliated ISP to
provide Cable Broadband ISP Service in any of Respondents’ Cable
Holdings, or (ii) any MSO Agreement; and (b) in any event, on terms with
respect to technological and operational implementation for the provision
of service that could not reasonably be expected to adversely affect in any
significant respect the Cable Broadband ISP Services or any other services
provided by such Cable Division. The trustee shall consult with
Respondents during the course of negotiations relating to any Alternative
Cable Broadband ISP Agreement and shall consider in good faith any
business, technological or operational considerations expressed by
Respondents relating to such negotiations.
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C.
Respondents shall include in all Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service
Agreements submitted to the Commission for the Commission’s approval
pursuant to Paragraphs II.A. and II.B.:
1.
a "most favored nation clause" requiring that, in the event that
Respondents execute an MSO Agreement, Respondents shall: (1) within
five (5) business days of execution of the MSO Agreement, notify the
Monitor Trustee of the execution of the MSO Agreement and, at the same
time, provide the Monitor Trustee with a copy of the MSO Agreement, (2)
within five (5) business days of execution of the MSO Agreement, notify
each Non-affiliated ISP that is party to an Alternative Cable Broadband
ISP Service Agreement to provide Non-affiliated Cable Broadband ISP
Service to Subscribers on any of Respondents’ Cable Holdings that was
approved by the Commission pursuant to this Order of the execution of
the MSO Agreement, and (3) give such Non-affiliated ISPs, for a
minimum of thirty (30) days from the day the Non-affiliated ISP is notified
of the execution of the MSO Agreement, the ability to convert to all of the
rates and terms in the MSO Agreement.
2.
a requirement that, if Respondents make available different levels of
service (including, but not limited to, quality of service guarantees,
maximum and minimum throughput capacity, and byte consumption per
Subscriber) to Respondents’ ISPs, Respondents shall make those levels of
service available to Non-affiliated ISPs;
3.
a requirement that, if Respondents make any network flow monitoring
data (regarding data transport between the ISP’s connection point to the
cable network and the Subscriber’s location) or usage accounting
available to any of Respondents’ ISPs, then Respondents shall make that
same data or accounting available to Non-affiliated ISPs; and
4.
at the option of the Non-affiliated ISP, a requirement that disputes in
connection with compliance with any of the rates, terms, and conditions in
the Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement shall be
submitted to binding arbitration; provided, however, that the arbitrator
shall have no responsibility or authority to resolve issues concerning
Respondents’ compliance with this Order; and provided, further,
however, that any non-monetary remedies granted by the arbitrator shall
be subject to judicial review, and monetary remedies (including, but not
limited to, the establishment of price terms for different levels of service
and percentage splits) shall not be subject to judicial review.
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D.
In the event that any one of the Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service
Agreements approved by the Commission pursuant to Paragraphs II.A. or II.B,
1.
is for a term that terminates prior to expiration of this Order, then
Respondents shall enter into an additional Alternative Cable Broadband
ISP Service Agreement approved by the Commission, with a Non-
affiliated ISP approved by the Commission, to provide Non-affiliated
Cable Broadband ISP Service, as required by Paragraph II.A. or II.B. of
this Order, as applicable, no later than ninety (90) days prior to
termination of the original agreement, the term of which, if approved by
the Commission, shall take effect immediately upon expiration of the
original agreement; provided, however, that with respect to any such
Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement that is for a term that
terminates prior to the expiration of this Order but is for a term of at least
three (3) years, Respondents shall offer the Non-affiliated ISP that is party
to such Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement an option to
renew such Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement for at
least two (2) years;
2.
is terminated by Respondents prior to expiration of this Order,
Respondents shall enter into an additional Alternative Cable Broadband
ISP Service Agreement approved by the Commission, with a Non-
affiliated ISP approved by the Commission, to provide Non-affiliated
Cable Broadband ISP Service, as required by Paragraph II.A. or II.B. of
this Order, as applicable, no later than ninety (90) days prior to
termination of the original agreement, the term of which, if approved by
the Commission, shall take effect immediately upon expiration of the
original agreement; and
3.
is terminated by the approved Non-affiliated ISP or the approved Non-
affiliated ISP ceases to make its Non-affiliated Cable Broadband ISP
Service Available to Subscribers in a particular Identified Cable Division,
then Respondents shall enter into an additional Alternative Cable
Broadband ISP Service Agreement, approved by the Commission, with a
Non-affiliated ISP, approved by the Commission, as required by Paragraph
II.A. or II.B. of this Order, as applicable, within ninety (90) days after the
Non-affiliated Cable Broadband ISP Service is no longer Available to
Subscribers in that Identified Cable Division.
E.
Throughout Respondents’ Cable Holdings, Respondents shall negotiate and enter
into arms’ length, commercial agreements with any Non-affiliated ISP (in
addition to Non-affiliated ISPs approved by the Commission pursuant to
Paragraphs II.A and II.B. of this Order) that seeks to provide Cable Broadband
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ISP Service; provided, however, that Respondents may (1) decline to negotiate or
decline to enter into such agreements based on cable broadband capacity
constraints, other cable broadband technical limitations, or cable broadband
business considerations or (2) impose rates, terms, or conditions based on cable
broadband capacity constraints, other cable broadband technical limitations, or
cable broadband business considerations but, as to either subparagraph E.(1) or
E.(2), only so long as such determinations are made without discrimination on the
basis of affiliation with respect to all ISPs that enter into or seek to enter into or
negotiate agreements with Respondents to provide Cable Broadband ISP Service
to Subscribers on Respondents’ Cable Holdings and are not based, in whole or in
part, on the impact or potential impact on Respondents’ ISPs (including but not
limited to a decrease or potential decrease in Subscribers on Respondents’ ISPs).
F.
The purpose of this Order is to ensure the provision and availability of a full
range of Content and services by Non-affiliated ISPs; to prevent discrimination by
Respondents as to Non-affiliated ISPs on the basis of affiliation, which would
interfere with the ability of the Non-affiliated ISPs to provide a full range of
Content and services; and to remedy the lessening of competition in the market
for broadband ISP Service as alleged in the Commission’s Complaint.
III.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A.
Respondents shall not interfere in any way, directly or indirectly, with Content
passed in either direction along the Bandwidth contracted for and being used by
any Non-affiliated ISP in compliance with the Non-affiliated ISP’s agreement
with Respondents.
B.
For any Non-affiliated ISP offering Cable Broadband ISP Service to Subscribers
on any of Respondents' Cable Divisions, Respondents shall, upon the request of
the Non-affiliated ISP, provide Access.
C.
As to any of Respondents’ Cable Holdings, Respondents shall not interfere with
the ability of a Subscriber to use, in conjunction with ITV services provided by a
Person that is not Affiliated with Respondent, interactive signals, triggers, or
other Content that Respondents have agreed to carry.
D.
Respondents shall not discriminate on the basis of affiliation in the transmission
or modification of Content that Respondents have contracted to deliver to
Subscribers over their cable systems.
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E.
Respondents shall not enter into any agreement with any MSO that would
interfere with the ability of such MSO to enter into agreements with any other ISP
or provider of ITV services.
IV.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that within each RBOC Territory:
A.
Respondents shall offer DSL Services to Subscribers in those geographic areas in
which any of Respondents' Cable Holdings are located and Affiliated Cable
Broadband ISP Service or Road Runner is Available at retail pricing, terms, and
conditions that are the same as or comparable to those at which Respondents offer
DSL Services to Subscribers in those geographic areas in which neither Affiliated
Cable Broadband ISP Service nor Road Runner is Available; provided, however,
that Respondents’ pricing may reflect any actual differences in Costs to
Respondents charged by the provider of DSL Services. To the extent that
Respondents’ pricing reflects differences in Costs, Respondents shall include a
description of these Cost differences in the reports they are required to submit to
the Commission (and the Monitor Trustee) pursuant to Paragraph VII. of this
Order.
B.
Respondents shall market and promote DSL Services to Subscribers in those
geographic areas in which any of Respondents' Cable Holdings are located and
Affiliated Cable Broadband ISP Service or Road Runner is Available at the same
or comparable level and in the same or comparable manner as Respondents
market and promote DSL Services to Subscribers in those areas in which neither
Affiliated Cable Broadband ISP Service nor Road Runner is Available.
V.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, any time after Respondents execute the Consent
Agreement, the Commission may appoint a Monitor Trustee to monitor Respondents’
compliance with their obligations under this Order, which Monitor Trustee shall have the
necessary rights, duties, and responsibilities as described below:
A.
The Commission shall select the Monitor Trustee, subject to the consent of
Respondents, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. If Respondents
have not opposed, in writing, including the reasons for opposing, the selection of
any proposed Monitor Trustee within ten (10) days after notice by the staff of the
Commission to Respondents of the identity of any proposed Monitor Trustee,
Respondents shall be deemed to have consented to the selection of the proposed
Monitor Trustee. Within ten (10) days after the appointment of the Monitor
Trustee, Respondents shall execute a trust agreement that, subject to the prior
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approval of the Commission, confers on the Monitor Trustee all the power and
authority necessary to permit the Monitor Trustee to monitor Respondents’
compliance with the terms of this Order in a manner consistent with the purposes
of this Order.
B.
The Monitor Trustee shall have the power and authority to monitor Respondents’
compliance with the terms of this Order and shall exercise such power and
authority and carry out the duties and responsibilities of the Monitor Trustee in a
manner consistent with the purposes of this Order in consultation with the
Commission.
C.
The Monitor Trustee shall have full and complete access to all personnel, books,
records, documents and facilities of Respondents related to compliance with this
Order or to any other relevant information, as the Monitor Trustee may
reasonably request, including but not limited to all documents and records kept in
the normal course of business that relate to Respondents’ obligations under this
Order. Respondents shall develop such financial or other information as such
Monitor Trustee may reasonably request and shall cooperate with the Monitor
Trustee. Respondents shall take no action to interfere with or impede the
Monitor Trustee's ability to perform his or her responsibilities or to monitor
Respondents’ compliance with the Order.
D.
Respondents may require the Monitor Trustee or any of the Persons referred to in
Paragraph V.E. to sign a confidentiality agreement prohibiting the disclosure of
any information gained as a result of his or her role as Monitor Trustee to anyone
other than the Commission.
E.
The Monitor Trustee shall have the authority to employ, at the cost and expense
of Respondents, such consultants, accountants, attorneys, and other
representatives and assistants as are reasonably necessary to carry out the Monitor
Trustee's duties and responsibilities. The Monitor Trustee shall account for all
expenses incurred, including fees for his or her services, subject to the approval
of the Commission.
F.
The Monitor Trustee shall serve, without bond or other security, at the cost and
expense of Respondents, on reasonable and customary terms commensurate with
the Monitor Trustee's experience and responsibilities. Respondents shall
indemnify the Monitor Trustee and hold the Monitor Trustee harmless against
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising out of, or in
connection with, the performance of the Monitor Trustee's duties, including all
reasonable fees of counsel and other expenses incurred in connection with the
preparation for, or defense of any claim, whether or not resulting in any liability,
except to the extent that such liabilities, losses, damages, claims, or expenses
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result from misfeasance, gross negligence, willful or wanton acts, or bad faith by
the Monitor Trustee.
G.
The Monitor Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation for the operation
of Respondents’ businesses.
H.
The Monitor Trustee shall serve for the duration of this Order.
I.
If the Commission determines that the Monitor Trustee has ceased to act or failed
to act diligently, the Commission may appoint a substitute Monitor Trustee who
shall have all the rights, duties, powers, authorities, and responsibilities described
in this paragraph. The Commission shall select the substitute Monitor Trustee,
subject to the consent of Respondents, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. If Respondents have not opposed, in writing, including the reasons for
opposing, the selection of any proposed substitute Monitor Trustee within ten
(10) days after notice by the staff of the Commission to Respondents of the
identity of any proposed substitute Monitor Trustee, Respondents shall be
deemed to have consented to the selection of the proposed substitute Monitor
Trustee. Within ten (10) days after the appointment of the substitute Monitor
Trustee, Respondents shall execute a trust agreement that, subject to the prior
approval of the Commission, confers on the substitute Monitor Trustee all the
power and authority necessary to permit the substitute Monitor Trustee to
monitor Respondents’ compliance with the terms of this Order in a manner
consistent with the purposes of this Order.
J.
The Commission may on its own initiative or at the request of the Monitor
Trustee issue such additional orders or directions as may be necessary or
appropriate to assure compliance with the requirements of this Order.
K.
The Monitor Trustee shall report in writing to the Commission concerning
Respondents’ compliance with this Order thirty days after execution of the trust
agreement and every ninety days thereafter until the Order terminates.
VI.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A.
If Respondents have not entered into the Alternative Cable Broadband ISP
Service Agreements as required by Paragraphs II.A.2. and II.B.1 of this Order in
any Cable Division, the Commission may appoint a trustee (who may be the same
individual named in Paragraph V of this Order), to enter into the Alternative
Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreements as described in Paragraphs II.A.3. or
II.B.2., as applicable to that Cable Division. In the event that the Commission or
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the Attorney General brings an action pursuant to § 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 or the Attorney
General from seeking civil penalties or any other relief available to it, including a
court-appointed trustee, pursuant to § 5(l) of the Federal Trade Commission Act,
or any other statute enforced by the Commission, for any failure by the
Respondents to comply with this Order.
B.
If a trustee is appointed by the Commission or a court pursuant to Paragraph VI.A.
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 shall not be unreasonably withheld. If Respondents
have not opposed, in writing, including the reasons for opposing, the
selection of any proposed trustee within ten (10) days after notice by 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.
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 enter into the Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreements
described by Paragraph II.A.3. and II.B.2 of this Order for the applicable
Cable Division.
3.
Subject to the prior approval of the Commission, the trustee shall have the
sole power and authority to enter into the Alternative Cable Broadband
ISP Service Agreements as required by Paragraph II.A.2 and II.B.1. and as
described in Paragraph II.A.3 and II.B.2 of this Order for the applicable
Cable Division.
4.
The trustee shall have an additional ninety days after the period allowed
by Paragraphs II.A.2 or II.B.1. has expired in the applicable Cable
Division to enter into the Alternative Cable Broadband ISP Services
Agreements, required by Paragraphs II.A.2 or II.B.1, applicable to that
Cable Division; the Non-affiliated ISP and the Alternative Cable
Broadband ISP Services Agreement shall be subject to the applicable
Page 16
requirements of Paragraph II.A. and II.B., and shall be subject to the prior
approval of the Commission.
5.
The trustee shall have full and complete access to the personnel, books,
records and facilities related to the Cable Broadband ISP Services
Agreements required by Paragraph II. of this Order or to any other relevant
information, as the trustee may request. Respondents shall develop such
financial or other information as such trustee may reasonably request and
shall cooperate with the trustee. Respondents shall take no action to
interfere with or impede the trustee's ability to perform his or her
responsibilities under this Order. Any delays caused by Respondents shall
extend the time for entering into the Cable Broadband ISP Services
Agreements as required by Paragraph II. of this Order 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 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, and other representatives and
assistants as are necessary to carry out the trustee's duties and
responsibilities. The trustee shall account for all expenses incurred,
including fees for his or her services, subject to approval of the
Commission.
7.
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 claim, 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.
8.
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 VI.A. and
VI.B.1. of this Order.
9.
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 requirements of Paragraph II. of this Order.
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10.
The trustee shall report in writing to Respondents and the Commission
every thirty (30) days concerning the trustee's efforts to accomplish the
requirements of Paragraph II.
VII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that
A.
Within thirty (30) days after the date Respondents execute the Consent
Agreement, every thirty (30) days thereafter until Respondents have complied
with their obligations pursuant to Paragraphs II.A. and II.B. of this Order, and
every ninety (90) days thereafter until termination of this Order, Respondents
shall submit to the Commission (with a copy to the Monitor Trustee) a verified
written report setting forth in detail, the manner and form in which they intend to
comply, are complying, and have complied with this Order. Respondents shall
include in their compliance reports a full description of the efforts being made to
comply with this Order, including, but not limited to:
(1) a list by Cable Division of (i) all ISPs with whom Respondents have
entered into a Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement, including name
of ISP and the telephone number of contact person, (ii) the date of
execution of the agreement with the ISP, (iii) the date service is made
Available to Subscribers by ISP, (iv) the date Respondents Offer Affiliated
Cable Broadband ISP Service to Subscribers, (v) the identity of all ISPs
with whom Respondents are negotiating Cable Broadband ISP Service
Agreements, all who have expressed interest in negotiating Cable
Broadband ISP Service Agreements with Respondents but with whom
Respondents have refused to negotiate, including the reasons why
Respondents have refused to negotiate, and all whom Respondents have
contacted but have expressed no interest in negotiating or entering into a
Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement, (vi) the identity of all ISPs with
whom Respondents have declined to negotiate or to enter into an
agreement to provide Cable Broadband ISP Service, including the reasons
why Respondents declined to do so;
(2) a description of the negotiations with each ISP, including submission
of the latest draft of any Cable Broadband ISP Service Agreement; and
(3) copies of all agreements with ISPs to provide Cable Broadband ISP
Service on Respondents’ Cable Holdings (other than Cable Broadband
ISP Service Agreements approved by the Commission pursuant to
Paragraphs II.A. and II.B.).
Page 18
B.
One (1) year from the date this Order becomes final, annually for the next
succeeding four (4) years on the anniversary of the date this Order becomes final,
and at other times as the Commission may require, Respondents shall either
include in the report submitted pursuant to Paragraph VII.A. above or submit to
the Commission (with a copy to the Monitor Trustee) an additional verified
written report setting forth in detail a description of all complaints from any Non-
affiliated Broadband ISP or television programmer made in writing to the General
Counsel of Respondents relating to the failure of Respondents to make available
content, or to carry interactive signals, triggers or content, including a copy of all
such written complaints, the identification of the Non-affiliated Broadband ISP or
television programmer, the name of a contact person from the Non-affiliated
Broadband ISP or television programmer, a description of the original request if
not contained in the written complaint, and Respondents' response to the original
request.
VIII.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Respondents shall notify the Commission at least
thirty (30) days prior to any proposed change in the corporate 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 the Order.
IX.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the purpose of determining or securing
compliance with this Order, and subject to any legally recognized privilege, upon written request
with reasonable notice to Respondents, Respondents shall permit any duly authorized
representatives of the Commission:
A.
Access, during office hours upon reasonable notice and in the presence of
counsel, to inspect and copy all books, ledgers, accounts, correspondence,
memoranda and other records and documents in the possession or under the
control of Respondents relating to any matters contained in this Order; and
B.
Upon five (5) business days' notice to Respondents and without restraint or
interference from Respondents, to interview officers, directors, or employees of
Respondents, who may have counsel present, regarding such matters.
Page 19
X.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that:
A.
This Order shall terminate five years from the date this Order becomes final;
provided, however, that if Respondents abandon their plans to consummate the
proposed Merger and so notify the Commission, this Order shall terminate on the
day after the date Respondents withdraw their respective Notification and Report
Forms filed pursuant to Section 7A of the Clayton Act, 15 U.S.C. § 18a, and the
regulations promulgated thereunder, 16 C.F.R.§§ 800 et seq. in connection with
the proposed Merger.
B.
Obligations in this Order applicable to any Cable Division shall terminate upon
the disposition of Respondents' Control over such Cable Division.
By the Commission.
Donald S. Clark
Secretary
SEAL
ISSUED:
Page 20
Appendix A
IDENTIFIED CABLE DIVISIONS
1.
New York City
2.
Tampa Bay
3.
Central Florida
4.
Houston
5.
Raleigh/Fayetteville
6.
Western Ohio
7.
Northeast Ohio
8.
Charlotte
9.
Los Angeles
10.
Milwaukee
11.
Greensboro
12.
Hawaii
13.
Cincinnati
14.
San Antonio
15.
Syracuse
16.
Kansas City
17.
South Carolina
18.
Columbus
19.
Rochester
20.
Albany