FTC Sues Dun & Bradstreet Over 2009 Acquisition of Competing Education Data Provider

The Federal Trade Commission announced Friday it had filed suit against Dun & Bradstreet (DNB) challenging its February 2009 acquisition of Quality Education Data (QED). The FTC  alleges Dun & Bradstreet’s 2009 purchase of its competitor created a monopoly.

“Despite its relatively low dollar value, this transaction dramatically decreased competition in the marketplace,” said Richard Feinstein, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “When Dun & Bradstreet acquired QED, it bought its closest competitor and created a monopoly. That’s going to get the FTC’s attention every time.”

FTC Statement