About the American Translators Association

Policies and Procedures

American Translators Association Code of Ethics and Professional Practice

ATA Policy Statement

ATA and Commercial Disputes Between Members

Procedures for Resolutions to be Presented at the Annual Meeting of All Members

Procedures for Resolutions to be Presented at the Annual Meeting of Voting Members

Administrative Procedures for Professional Ethics Proceedings

Board Meeting Minutes

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Governance

ATA Policy Statement

Antitrust laws make unlawful any agreements among competitors that directly or indirectly restrain competition, including agreements among competitors which directly or indirectly affect prices. Gathering and publishing of information on competitive rates charged by translators must be performed under procedures intended to ensure that the information gathered and published is impartial and objective and does not encourage the setting of rates. ATA intends to comply with such procedures in the dissemination of any rate information.

ATA intends to comply strictly with antitrust laws and all other laws that affect ATA. The Association requires that its Divisions and Chapters comply strictly with those laws. It is essential that ATA, its Divisions and Chapters, and its members ensure that activities comply with antitrust laws. The purpose of this Policy Statement is to focus on the need for antitrust compliance.

We urge that ATA members follow these guidelines:

• Avoid actions which create a risk of antitrust violations.
• Bear in mind that discussions among members regarding translation rates, methods of calculating translation rates, rate levels, future rate expectations, rate projections, or any other matters which may affect translation rates can create a risk of antitrust violations. Do not circulate written statements, comments, suggestions, or views etc. regarding any matters which may affect translation rates, and do not make public announcements or statements on those matters.
• Matters that affect rates or restrain competition among members should not be discussed at meetings.
• Consult with counsel on any question which might have competitive or antitrust implications.

Finally, this Policy Statement is intended to highlight antitrust issues affecting ATA and its members. It does not answer all questions which may arise under the antitrust laws. ATA urges that members who have antitrust questions consult legal counsel.

As Adopted by the ATA Board of Directors March 25, 1990