WASHINGTON (AP) -- Regulators have approved Coca-Cola's $3.4 billion buyout of its largest North American bottler on the condition that the soft drink maker restrict its access to confidential competitive business information from rival Dr Pepper Snapple Group.
The Federal Trade Commission said Monday that according to a settlement, Coca-Cola will set up a "firewall" so that its ownership of the bottler won't give it access to marketing information and plans for Dr Pepper Snapple, which had an existing deal with the bottler.
In June, Coca-Cola announced it would pay $715 million to Dr Pepper Snapple for the rights to distribute Dr Pepper and Canada Dry in the U.S. after the bottler deal goes through.
The Federal Trade Commission said Monday that according to a settlement, Coca-Cola will set up a "firewall" so that its ownership of the bottler won't give it access to marketing information and plans for Dr Pepper Snapple, which had an existing deal with the bottler.
In June, Coca-Cola announced it would pay $715 million to Dr Pepper Snapple for the rights to distribute Dr Pepper and Canada Dry in the U.S. after the bottler deal goes through.
