[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 61 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 16180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3059]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Antitrust Division


Proposed Termination of Judgment

    Notice is hereby given that Defendant Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. 
(``Rolex''), successor in interest to Defendant the American Rolex 
Watch Corporation in United States v. The Watchmakers of Switzerland 
Information Center, Inc., Civil Action No. 96-170 (S.D.N.Y.), has filed 
a motion to terminate the Final Judgment entered in that matter on 
March 9, 1960 (``Final Judgment'') and that the Department of Justice 
(``the Department''), Antitrust Division, in a stipulation also field 
with the Court, has tentatively consented to termination of the Final 
Judgment, but has reserved the right to withdraw its consent pending 
receipt of public comments.
    The Final Judgment arose out of a 1950s investigation of the 
anticompetitive practices of the Swiss watch industry, including Swiss 
watch manufacturers, Swiss trade associations, and their United States 
importers. The United States filed a complaint against more than twenty 
watch companies and trade association in 1954, including the American 
Rolex Watch Corporation. United States v. The Watchmakers of 
Switzerland Information Center, Inc., Civil Action No. 96-170 (S.D.N.Y. 
Complaint filed Oct. 19, 1954). The United States made several 
allegations in its complaint. It charged that certain Swiss and U.S. 
manufacturers and sellers of Swiss watches and watch parts engaged in a 
conspiracy ``to restrict, eliminate and discourage the manufacture of 
watches and watch parts in the United States, and to restrain United 
States imports and exports of watches and watch parts for manufacturing 
and repair purposes.'' Id. The United States also charged that these 
companies agreed to fix minimum pieces for watches and maximum prices 
for repair parts, regulate the use and distribution of watches and 
repair parts, and boycott those who violated these restrictions. Id. 
The conspiracy came about through the adoption and enforcement of an 
agreement known as the Collective Convention of the Swiss Watch 
Industry. ``The purpose of the Collection Convention was to protect, 
develop and stabilize the Swiss watch industry and to impede the growth 
of competitive watch industries outside of Switzerland.'' United States 
v. The Watchmakers of Switzerland Information Center, Inc., 1963-1 
Trade Cas. (CCH) ] 70,600, at 77,426 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 20, 1962).
    On March 9, 1960, prior to trial, the United States and the 
defendant importers named in the complaint, including Rolex, agreed to 
enter into the Final Judgment in lieu of going to trial. United States 
v. The Watchmakers of Switzerland Information Center, Inc., Trade Reg. 
Rep. (CCH) ] 69,655 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 9, 1960).
    The Department has filed with the Court a memorandum setting forth 
the reasons why the United States believes that termination of the 
Final Judgment would serve the public interest. Copies of Rolex's 
motion to terminate, the stipulation containing the United States' 
tentative consent, the United States' memorandum, and all further 
papers filed with the Court in connection with Rolex's motion will be 
available for inspection at the Antitrust Documents Group, Antitrust 
Division, Room 215, 325 7th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20004, and at 
the Office of the Clerk of the United States District Court for the 
Southern District of New York. Copies of these materials may be 
obtained from the Antitrust Division upon request and payment of the 
copying fee set by Department of Justice regulations.
    Interested persons may submit comments regarding the proposed 
termination of the Final Judgment to the United States. Such comments 
must be received by the Antitrust Division within sixty (60) days and 
will be filed with the Court by the United States. Comments should be 
addressed to John R. Read, Chief, Litigation III Section, Antitrust 
Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 325 7th Street, NW., Suite 300, 
Washington, DC 20530.

Dorothy B. Fountain,
Deputy Director of Operations.
[FR Doc. 06-3059 Filed 3-29-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410-11-M