John Conyers: “I rise in support of H.R. 1086, the standards Development Organization Advancement Act of 2003. This measure has enjoyed…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1086, the standards Development Organization Advancement Act of 2003. This measure has enjoyed bipartisan support in the Judiciary Committee, the House, and the Senate. It provides important and significant improvements to our antitrust laws. Title I of the bill recognizes that standards development organizations set thousands of standards that keep us safe and provide uniformity for everything from fire protections to computer systems to building construction. This Title provides a common sense safe harbor for these organizations. Those that voluntarily disclose their activities to federal antitrust authorities will only be subject to single damages should a lawsuit later arise. Those who refuse to disclose their activities, or those who take actions beyond their disclosure, will still be subject to treble damages under the antitrust statutes. This bill does not exempt anyone from the antitrust laws, but it does apply the rule of reason to standards development organizations. Therefore the pro-competitive market effects will be balanced against the anti-competitive market effects of an action before a violation of the antitrust laws is found. Organizations that commit per se violations--making agreements or standards about price, market share or territory division, for example--will still be fully liable for their actions.”