The Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 requires that parties to certain mergers and acquisitions file notification with federal antitrust authorities and obtain clearance prior to consummation. The statute imposes a 30-day waiting period during which time the government reviews the competitive aspects of the transaction. The statute is intended to identify transactions involving competitive overlaps between the parties. Where such overlaps do not exist, the government typically grants early termination of the 30-day waiting period imposed by the statute.
