Boston Scientific Corporation; Proposed Consent Agreement With Analysis To Aid Public Comment

摘要

In settlement of alleged violations of federal law prohibiting unfair acts and practices and unfair methods of competition, this consent agreement, accepted subject to final Commission approval, would permit, among other things, Boston Scientific Corporation, a Massachusetts-based manufacturer and marketer of catheters, to proceed with the proposed acquisitions of Cardiovascular Imaging Systems, Inc., and SCIMED Life Systems, Inc., but would require the respondent to grant a non-exclusive license to a specified package of patents and technology related to the manufacture, production and sale of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging catheters to the Hewlett- Packard Company or another Commission-approved licensee. When the consent becomes final, the license would have to be granted within ten days to Hewlett-Packard or within six months to another licensee. In addition, the consent agreement would require the respondent to obtain Commission approval, for ten years, before acquiring an interest greater than one percent in a company engaged in researching, developing or manufacturing IVUS catheters for sale in the United States.