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15 U.S. Code § 57b-1. Civil investigative demands
(a) DefinitionsFor purposes of this section:
(1)
The terms “civil investigative demand” and “demand” mean any demand issued by the commission under subsection (c)(1).
(2)
The term “Commission investigation” means any inquiry conducted by a Commission investigator for the purpose of ascertaining whether any person is or has been engaged in any unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title) or in any antitrust violations.
(3)
The term “Commission investigator” means any attorney or investigator employed by the Commission who is charged with the duty of enforcing or carrying into effect any provisions relating to unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title) or any provisions relating to antitrust violations.
(4)
The term “custodian” means the custodian or any deputy custodian designated under section 57b–2(b)(2)(A) of this title.
(5)
The term “documentary material” includes the original or any copy of any book, record, report, memorandum, paper, communication, tabulation, chart, or other document.
(6)
The term “person” means any natural person, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, including any person acting under color or authority of State law.
(7)
The term “violation” means any act or omission constituting an unfair or deceptive act or practice in or affecting commerce (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title) or any antitrust violation.
(8) The term “antitrust violation” means—
(A)
any unfair method of competition (within the meaning of section 45(a)(1) of this title);
(B)
any violation of the Clayton Act [15 U.S.C. 12 et seq.] or of any other Federal statute that prohibits, or makes available to the Commission a civil remedy with respect to, any restraint upon or monopolization of interstate or foreign trade or commerce;
(C)
with respect to the International Antitrust Enforcement Assistance Act of 1994 [15 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.], any violation of any of the foreign antitrust laws (as defined in section 12 of such Act [15 U.S.C. 6211]) with respect to which a request is made under section 3 of such Act [15 U.S.C. 6202]; or
(D)
any activity in preparation for a merger, acquisition, joint venture, or similar transaction, which if consummated, may result in any such unfair method of competition or in any such violation.