3 M had proposed merger with rival card - maker Visa . Justice Department says this would have been bad for competition . `` We welcome the companies ' decision to abandon this deal , which raised competitive concerns in the sale of labels and sticky notes , '' said Joseph Wayland , acting assistant attorney general in charge of the Antitrust Division . Justice says the firms ' fight for the labels and sticky note market saves them millions .
3 M had proposed merger with rival card - maker Visa . Justice Department says this would have been bad for competition . Justice says the firms ' fight for the labels and sticky note market saves them millions .