Allegations of Monopolization in a Distribution Market

The Situation

A leading distributor of a specialty life insurance product was accused by a rival of monopolization of the market.

NERA's Role

NERA provided a market analysis and assessment of market power associated with a monopolization claim against a leading distributor of a particular insurance product. To begin the analysis, NERA experts provided a definition of the relevant market at the product level. NERA then assessed the accused distributor’s share of that product market and the likelihood that the company could monopolize the market and raise prices by boycotting a competitor.

The Result

The NERA analysis found that the relevant market should at least include distributors of closely related specialty products and considered barriers to expansion by existing distributors, barriers to expansion by product suppliers, barriers to entry in distribution, and barriers to entry in the product market.