# Structural Remedies In Antitrust: Some Important Considerations.

1 Research Highlights June 26, 2026By Lawrence J. White

Competition Policy International ![Larry White](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/2023-10/lwhite.jpg?itok=i1syPPRl)Structural remedies in antitrust cases are often considered the “gold standard” of successful prosecutions of monopolization and proposed-merger cases: The plaintiff has convinced a court of an antitrust violation. The violation can be “actual” in monopolization cases or “potential” in cases that involve proposed mergers. And a successful structural remedy will reduce the likelihood of future antitrust violations. Further, once the structural remedy is put in place, the changed structure of the relevant market should not require ongoing monitoring by the plaintiff (especially government prosecutors) and the court (unlike a behavioral remedy).

In principle, this sounds straightforward. In practice, things are more complicated. The remainder of this essay will expand on these ideas.

A structural remedy for an antitrust case involves a change in the structure of a market. Typically, this would involve a divestiture of the assets of the defendant company in a way that would make the market more competitive going forward; alternatively, the defendant could be broken-up into two or more stand-alone entities that would enhance competition. The divested assets could include a physical plant, a brand name, a patent, and/or anything else that – in the hands of the acquirer, or as a free-standing entity – would create the conditions for more vigorous competition.

Read the full [*Competition Policy International* article](https://www.pymnts.com/cpi-posts/structural-remedies-in-antitrust-some-important-considerations/).
\_\_\_
*Lawrence White is Robert Kavesh Professor of Economics at New York University Stern School of Business.*

## Related News

- [Antitrust Policy for the 2020s: Some Sensible Ways Forward](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/antitrust-policy-2020s-some-sensible-ways-forward)
- [Digitization Offers Prospect for Music Licensing Reform](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/music-licensing-in-digital-era)
- [Professor Lawrence White Testifies before U.S. House of Representatives on Housing Finance Reform](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/lawrence-white-housing-finance)
- [Professor Lawrence White Testifies before U.S. House of Representatives on Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/lawrence-white-housing-bubble)
- [Professor Lawrence White Testifies Before New York City Council Committee on Paperless Ticketing](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/faculty-research/con_032408)