The antitrust policy is an essential part of the required institutions that support economic growth and the seeking for more efficient arrangements. This paper aims to examine the Brazilian antitrust policy, paying special attention to way that the authorities deal with the joint ventures. In order to reach this goal, we review the theoretical contributions, discuss the procedures adopted by international antitrust authorities and, more importantly, scrutinize the cases of joint ventures judged by the Brazilian watchdog along period 2002-2010. We conclude that there are not specific norms to be applied by the Brazilian antitrust commissionaires when they are judging joint ventures, allowing them to act with a relatively degree of discretion.
Joint venture; antitrust policy; Brazil
