The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) faces both a tight window and unmotivated third parties as the agency prepares its case to block Staples’ (NASDAQ:STPLS) acquisition of Office Depot (NASDAQ:ODP), antitrust attorneys familiar with the matter said.
A preliminary injunction hearing for the office supply merger is set to begin on 21 March in the US District Court, and fact discovery in the case ends 12 February.
Despite the approaching deadline, the FTC has not yet deposed key third parties, some of whom have objected to the extensive requests for documents.