Code of Business Conduct and Ethics - Micron
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics - Micron
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics - Micron
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Competition laws can cover conduct outside the country. Some<br />
competition laws – such as the U.S. antitrust laws – can apply even when the<br />
conduct occurred outside the country’s borders.<br />
Penalties are severe. In the U.S., individuals convicted <strong>of</strong> price-fixing <strong>of</strong>ten receive<br />
stiff fines <strong>and</strong> prison sentences, <strong>and</strong> companies have received fines <strong>of</strong> hundreds <strong>of</strong><br />
millions <strong>of</strong> dollars. In the E.U., fines for anticompetitive behavior can be ten percent<br />
<strong>of</strong> global sales. In the U.S., customers <strong>and</strong> competitors can sue for three times the<br />
actual harm caused.<br />
Careless conduct can violate the law. What might seem to be ordinary business<br />
contacts, such as a lunch discussion with a competitor’s sales representative or<br />
a gripe session at an industry trade association, can easily lead to competition<br />
law violations.<br />
Basic Rules to Know:<br />
Certain agreements are criminal violations in the U.S. <strong>and</strong> are almost<br />
universally condemned around the world. Unless you have prior approval <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Legal Department, never talk with, make agreements with, or exchange information<br />
with competitors about:<br />
• Fixing prices – this can include setting minimum or maximum prices or<br />
“stabilizing” prices;<br />
• Fixing terms related to price, pricing formulas, credit terms, etc.;<br />
• Dividing up markets, customers or territories;<br />
• Limiting production;<br />
• Rigging a competitive bidding process, including arrangements to submit<br />
sham bids;<br />
• Boycotting a supplier, customer or distributor; or<br />
• Boycotting others in the marketplace – competitors, suppliers or customers.<br />
Because <strong>of</strong> the risk, do not even discuss competitive matters with competitors – at<br />
any time or any place – unless your Department Manager or the Legal Department<br />
approve it.<br />
Other activities may raise competition issues. Always consult with your<br />
Department Manager or the Legal Department before:<br />
• Entering into joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions <strong>and</strong> marketing, purchasing<br />
or similar collaborative arrangements with competitors;<br />
• Establishing exclusive dealings arrangements (e.g., contracts that require a company<br />
to buy only from <strong>Micron</strong>);<br />
• Tying or bundling together different products or services (e.g., contracts that require<br />
a buyer who wants one product to also buy a second “tied” product);<br />
• Entering into “requirements contracts” (contracts where it is agreed products,<br />
services or materials will be exclusively provided);<br />
• Participating in activities involving trade associations or setting industry st<strong>and</strong>ards;<br />
i<br />
If you have questions<br />
or concerns about your<br />
responsibilities under the<br />
competition laws, consult<br />
“The Antitrust Compliance<br />
Manual” on the MERC or<br />
contact your Department<br />
Manager or the Legal<br />
Department.<br />
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