The US DoJ and FTC announce changes to the HSR Act merger notification process and transaction report form submitted by companies

On July 7, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice (“the Agencies”) announced significant changes to the form and accompanying materials that companies must submit when reporting transactions under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act (“HSR Act”). Although the revisions will simplify the process of completing an HSR notification in many respects, they also may require filing persons to search for and produce a wider range of transaction- related documents with their filings. Acquiring persons will also now be required to report certain information regarding their “Associates,” i.e., entities that they do not control but with which they may share common management, such as through an investment fund or