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Latest News issue: November 2019

Anticompetitive practices

 The French Competition Authority fines road transport companies for market sharing (Astre group)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 491 contributions 126700 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence fines the Astre transport group €3.8 million for anticompetitive practices.* Background Following an investigation report sent by the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), the Autorité de la concurrence has today (...)

The Indian Competition Commission orders an investigation against online travel agencies for imposing vertical restrictions and abuse of dominance (MakeMyTrip / OYO)
Trilegal (Mumbai)
3 contributions 626 visits
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Trilegal (Mumbai)
3 contributions 626 visits
,
Trilegal (Mumbai)
3 contributions 626 visits
Introduction The Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (Informant), an association of hotels and restaurants in India, filed an Information with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against MakeMyTrip India Pvt. Ltd. (MMT), Ibibo Group Private Limited (GoIbibo), (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines three construction companies for price-fixing, market sharing and exchange of information (Stanton Bonna Concrete / CPM / FP McCann)
British Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 78 contributions 13049 visits
Construction firms fined £36 million for breaking competition law* The CMA has issued 3 firms with fines totalling more than £36 million for breaking competition law in supplying certain concrete drainage products for building projects. Following an investigation by the Competition and Markets (...)

The Spanish Competition and Markets Authority opens formal investigation into 14 companies active in film distribution following concerns over potential anticompetitive practices (Film Distribution)
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 37 contributions 7391 visites
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgium 41 contributions 8680 visits
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 36 contributions 7360 visites
The CNMC has opened a formal investigation into 14 film distributors following concerns over anticompetitive practices. In particular, the CNMC suspects that large film distribution companies and the company specialising in digital solutions for the film industry, Ymagis, colluded to harmonise (...)

The Danish Maritime and Commercial Court confirms the Danish Competition Authority’s decision finding that media agencies have concluded a market sharing agreement (Media Agencies)
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Denmark 80 contributions 12017 visits
Court: Agreement between media agencies constituted anti-competitive customer allocation* Danish Maritime and Commercial Court confirms Competition Council decision: Agreement between media agencies constituted anti-competitive customer allocation. In August 2017, the Danish Competition (...)

The US DOJ opens an investigation of four car manufacturers for possible collusion and enters into an agreement with the Californian State on light vehicle emissions and gas mileage standards
Richard Wolfram, Esq. (New York)
United States 2 contributions 987 visits
THE DOJ INVESTIGATES CAR MANUFACTURERS FOR ’COLLUSSION’ IN THEIR FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT WITH CALIFORNIA ON GAS MILEAGE AND EMISSIONS STANDARDS: SOUNDING THE DEPTHS OF PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION ON ANTICOMPETITIVE COLLUSION AS DISTINGUISHED FROM PROCOMPETITIVE COLLABORATION* At a historic moment in (...)

The French Competition Authority fines three companies and their wholesale importers for having set up exclusive import agreements in the distribution of perfumes and cosmetic products market in Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana and La Réunion (Procter & Gamble / Coty / Chanel)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 491 contributions 126700 visits
Distribution of perfumes and cosmetics in the French Antilles, French Guiana and La Réunion* The Autorité de la concurrence hands down fines to Procter & Gamble, Coty and Chanel and their wholesale importers for having set up exclusive import agreements. The Lurel Law has prohibited (...)

The Belgian Competition Authority carries out an unannounced inspection in the pharmaceutical sector
Belgian Competition Authority (Brussels)
Belgium 51 contributions 8528 visits
The Belgian Competition Authority is conducting inspections in the pharmaceutical sector* The Investigation and Prosecution Service of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) is currently conducting inspections at the premises of companies suspected of having implemented restrictive practices (...)

The Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourg Competition Authorities advocate for an easier competition law enforcement in the digital world
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 202 contributions 27730 visits
On 2 October 2019, the Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourg competition authorities took the unusual step of adopting a joint memorandum on the role of the competition authorities in a digital world. This joint memorandum discusses merger control issues, the need for guidance in fast-moving digital (...)

The Belgian Competition Authority issues a guide on the exchange of information in the framework of professional association
Belgian Competition Authority (Brussels)
Belgium 51 contributions 8528 visits
Guide on the exchange of information in the framework of professional association* After completing the public consultations, the Board of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has adopted on the 1st of October 2019 a guide on the exchange of information in the framework of professional (...)

The Spanish Competition and Markets Authority fines companies for participation in a cartel in the industrial assembly and maintenance sector (Montaje Y Mantenimiento Industrial)
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 37 contributions 7391 visites
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgium 41 contributions 8680 visits
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 36 contributions 7360 visites
The CNMC has dismantled a cartel in the industrial assembly and maintenance sector. According to the CNMC, the practices in question were conducted with the aim of increasing prices in the services provided, mainly, to energy and petrochemical clients. The cartel members engaged in client (...)

The French Competition Authority fines the Ordre des architectes for its anticompetitive agreement (Ordre des architectes)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 491 contributions 126700 visits
The Ordre des architectes is fined a total of €1.5 million for anticompetitive agreement* L’autorité de la concurrence fined the Ordre des architectes a total of €1.5 million for implementing anticompetitive practices. The Ordre des architectes set up, distributed and enforced a fee schedule (...)

The EU General Court annuls a decision due to the Commission’s failure to sufficiently explain the methodology relied upon in calculating the fine (HSBC)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 345 contributions 56599 visits
Euro interest rate derivatives cartel case On 24 September 2019, the General Court issued a judgment on an appeal lodged by HSBC against the European Commission’s (the “Commission”) decision fining HSBC € 33.6 million for its involvement in the Euro Interest Rate Derivatives cartel case (Case (...)

The EU General Court dismisses an appeal against the re-adopted decision in paper envelope cartel case (Printeos / Commission)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 345 contributions 56599 visits
On 24 September 2019, the General Court dismissed the appeal lodged by Printeos (previously known as Tompla) against the re-adopted European Commission (“Commission”) decision in the Paper Envelopes cartel case (Case T-466/17, Printeos v. Commission). By way of background, the Commission (...)

The Delhi High Court dismisses a writ petition challenging demand notices issues by the CCI relating to the interest payment of the penalties imposed (United India Insurance)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 23 contributions 4508 visits
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 26 contributions 5970 visits
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 26 contributions 5025 visits
…
The Delhi High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by United India Insurance Company challenging demand notices issued by the CCI requiring payment of interest on penalties imposed by the CCI which were the subject of a stay order by the Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) hearing an (...)

The Turkish Competition Board withdraws the individual exemption granted to an agreement containing exclusivity clauses in the on-trade beer market sector (Tuborg)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 53 contributions 16981 visits
,
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 7 contributions 1069 visits
This case summary includes an analysis of the Turkish Competition Board’s (the “Board”) Tuborg decision (20.06.2019; 19-22/335-152) in which the Board withdrew Tuborg Pazarlama A.Ş.’s (“Tuborg”) individual exemption granted to its agreements containing exclusivity clauses with sellers such as (...)

The UK Financial Conduct Authority issues its first formal decision under its competition law enforcement powers by finning three asset management firms in an IPO context (Hargreave / Newton / RAMAM)
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (London)
United Kingdom 1 contribution 52 visits
,
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 2392 visits
,
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (London)
United Kingdom 1 contribution 52 visits
On 21 February 2019, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a decision finding that three asset management firms breached competition law in the context of an initial public offering (IPO). This marks the FCA’s first formal decision under its competition law enforcement powers, which it (...)

The Texas District Court declares that a licensing offer based on end device is compliant with FRAND commitments (HTC / Ericsson)
McDermott Will & Emery (Washington)
United States 5 contributions 770 visits
,
McDermott Will & Emery (Washington)
United States 1 contribution 19 visits
,
McDermott Will & Emery (Washington)
United States 2 contributions 104 visits
Standard-essential patent holders and implementers may face uncertainty regarding licensing practices following a May 23 Texas court ruling. In the ruling, a Texas federal judge reached a conclusion different from a recent California court decision — FTC v. Qualcomm — on the question of whether (...)

Unilateral Practices

 The South African Competition Appeal Court dismisses an appeal following the decision of the Competition Tribunal for an abuse of dominance in contravention of the Competition Act (Computicket)
Nortons (Johannesburg)
3 contributions 803 visits
SOUTH AFRICA: COMPETITION APPEAL COURT CONFIRMS TRIBUNAL FINDING IN COMPUTICKET ABUSE OF DOMINANCE CASE* The South African Competition Appeal Court (CAC) on 23 October 2019 dismissed an appeal by Computicket (Pty) Ltd. (Computicket), following the decision of the Competition Tribunal (...)

The EU Commission imposes interim measures on a technology company suspected to have abused of its dominance in the TV and modem chipset markets (Broadcom)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 423 contributions 1012491 visits
Antitrust: Commission imposes interim measures on Broadcom in TV and modem chipset markets* The European Commission has ordered Broadcom to stop applying certain provisions contained in agreements with six of its main customers. This will prevent serious and irreparable harm to competition (...)

The EU Commission imposes interim measures on a company for abuse of dominance in the TV and modem chipset markets (Broadcom)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 180 contributions 40493 visits
On 16 October 2019, the European Commission adopted a decision ordering Broadcom to stop applying certain provisions contained in agreements with six of its main customers in the TV and modem chipset markets. According to the Commission’s press release, Broadcom was prima facie found to be (...)

The EU Commission imposes interim measures on a company for abuse of dominance in the TV and modem chipset markets (Broadcom)
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgium 37 contributions 7398 visits
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgium 41 contributions 8680 visits
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgium 36 contributions 7367 visits
On 16 October 2018, the European Commission announced that, in the framework of its investigation into possible anticompetitive practices by Broadcom, it had imposed interim measures on the American company. This is the first time in 18 years that the Commission uses the power enshrined in (...)

The German Federal Cartel Office and Federal Network Agency publish joint guidelines on control of abusive practices in the electricity sector
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 180 contributions 40493 visits
On 27 September 2019, the Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) and the Federal Network Agency (“FNA”) jointly published guidelines for the control of abusive practices in the electricity generation and wholesale sectors, which also address the interpretation of certain aspects of the Regulation on (...)

The Indian Supreme Court requests Director General of the CCI (DG) to continue the investigation allegations relating to abuse of dominance (Uber / NCR)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
Inde 23 contributions 4510 visites
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 26 contributions 5973 visits
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
Inde 26 contributions 5027 visites
…
Deciding on an appeal from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), the Supreme Court requested the Director General, CCI (DG) to continue investigating allegations relating to abuse of dominance by Uber in the National Capital Region (NCR). [1] In considering whether the (...)

The Belgian Parliament adopts legislation allowing the Competition Authority to establish and sanction abuses of economic dependence
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Brussels)
Belgium 1 contribution 53 visits
,
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Brussels)
Belgium 1 contribution 53 visits
,
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 1132 visits
On 21 March, the Belgian Parliament adopted legislation introducing a new concept of abuse of economic dependence in Belgian competition law. The new provision will allow the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) to establish and sanction abuses without the need to establish market dominance, (...)

Mergers

 The EU Commission opens in-depth investigation relating a merger in the global cruise shipbuilding market (Chantiers de l’Atlantique / Fincantieri)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 423 contributions 1012450 visites
Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of Chantiers de l’Atlantique by Fincantieri* The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Chantiers de l’Atlantique by Fincantieri, under the EU Merger Regulation. The (...)

The French Competition Authority decides to not review remedies previously imposed to clear a merger in the telecommunications sector but keeps some injunctions valid (SFR / Altice)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 491 contributions 126670 visites
Acquisition of SFR by Altice: the Autorité de la concurrence will not renew the commitments and maintains certain injunctions* Given changes to the markets, the Autorité de la concurrence will not renew the commitments made by Altice upon acquiring SFR. However, the injunctions with penalty (...)

The Austrian Appel Court fines a company for gun-jumping in the investment market (Eurazeo)
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Austria 5 contributions 183 visits
Eurazeo SE fined for illegal merger* The Cartel Court, at the Austrian Federal Competition Authority’s request, has imposed a fine of € 30,000 on Eurazeo SE. The respondent had indirectly acquired a 58.8% stake in 2R Holding SAS and thus been in a position of sole control between 17 July 2018 (...)

The Austrian Appeal Court fines two companies for gun-jumping in the motorcycle and sports car manufacturing market (KTM / Kiska )
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Austria 5 contributions 183 visits
KTM AG and Kiska GmbH fined for illegal merger* The Cartel Court, at the Austrian Federal Competition Authority’s request, has imposed a fine of € 60,000 on KTM AG and Kiska GmbH. The first respondent had held a 26% stake in the second respondent during the period from 7 October 2015 to 29 (...)

The French Competition Authority opens an in-depth investigation relating to a merger in the food retail market (Casino / Leclerc)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 491 contributions 126670 visites
Acquisition of a Casino hypermarket located in the Troyes urban area: The Autorité de la concurrence opens an in-depth examination phase* The Autorité de la concurrence opens an in-depth examination phase for the acquisition of a Casino hypermarket located in the Troyes urban area by Soditroy (...)

The French Competition Authority clears a merger in in the energy efficiency sector (Économie d’Énergie / La Poste)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 491 contributions 126670 visites
The Autorité de la concurrence clears the acquisition of Économie d’Énergie by Le Groupe La Poste.* Le Groupe La Poste notified the Autorité of its plans to take exclusive control of Économie d’Énergie. This transaction is part of Le Groupe La Poste’s strategy to diversify its activities, resulting in (...)

The Spanish Competition and Markets Authority fines company for for a merger commitment breach (Telefonica)
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 37 contributions 7398 visites
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 41 contributions 8680 visites
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 36 contributions 7367 visites
The CNMC has fined Telefonica 1.5 million for breaching one of the commitments attached to its acquisition of DTS. The merger was cleared in 2015 by the CNMC on the condition that Telefonica fulfilled a number of commitments in the pay TV market. This included, among others, making (...)

The French Competition Authority launches its online notification procedure for certain mergers
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 491 contributions 126670 visites
Modernisation of merger control* Today, the Autorité de la concurrence launched its online notification procedure for certain mergers. Background The Autorité is continuing the simplification process it has begun for merger procedures. After adopting various measures to reduce and simplify (...)

The UK Competition and Markets Authority fines a company for failure to comply with document requests (Sabre / Farelogix)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 204 contributions 46764 visites
On 11 October 2019, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) fined the airline technology company Sabre Holdings £ 20,000 for failing to comply with two Section 109 Enterprise Act notices during the CMA’s in-depth investigation into its proposed acquisition of Farelogix, Inc. Section 109 (...)

The French Competition Authority opens an in-depth investigation relating to a merger in the diagnosis and hospital care market (Elsan / HSM)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 491 contributions 126670 visites
In-depth examination into Elsan’s plans to acquire Hexagone Santé Méditerranée* Elsan notified the Autorité de la concurrence of its plans to take exclusive control of Hexagone Santé Méditerranée (HSM). The parties to the transaction are especially active in the diagnosis and hospital care markets in (...)

The German Competition Authority clears a merger in the food wholesale market (Rewe / Lekkerland)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 257 contributions 40193 visites
Rewe can acquire Lekkerland – Bundeskartellamt clears merger* Today the Bundeskartellamt has cleared the acquisition by the Rewe Group of Lekkerland AG & Co. KG. Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: “Together Rewe and Lekkerland only achieve an unproblematic market share of (...)

The UK Competition and Markets Authority orders a divesture and blocks a merger in the cleaning chemicals sector (Ecolab / Holchem)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 204 contributions 46764 visites
On 8 October 2019, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) ordered Ecolab to divest Holchem, effectively blocking the merger of two of the largest cleaning chemicals suppliers in the UK. Ecolab bought Holchem in November 2018. The CMA launched a merger inquiry in February 2019, which (...)

The EU Commission opens an in-depth investigation relating to a proposed joint venture by aircraft manufacturers (Boeing / Embraer)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 423 contributions 1012450 visites
Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into joint ventures proposed by Boeing and Embraer* The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed creation of two joint ventures by aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Embraer, under the EU Merger Regulation. (...)

The EU Commission clears a merger, subject to remedies, in the production of aluminium automotive body sheets market (Novelis / Aleris)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 423 contributions 1012450 visites
Mergers: Commission clears Novelis’ acquisition of Aleris, subject to conditions* The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Aleris by Novelis. The decision is conditional on the divestiture of Aleris’ aluminium automotive body sheets business in (...)

The Advocate General Tanchev issues his opinion and recommends that the EU Court of Justice partianly annuls a gun-jumping fine (Marine Harvest)
Dentons (Belgium)
1 contribution 14 visits
GUN JUMPING: AG TANCHEV TELLS EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE THAT MARINE HARVEST SHOULD RECEIVE ONE FINE, NOT TWO* There has been an important milestone in the search for more legal certainty in gun-jumping cases: On September 26, 2019, Advocate General (AG) Tanchev issued his opinion in the Marine (...)

The UK Competition and Markets Authority fines a company for breaching merger control rules in the mobile point-of-sale devices sector (Paypal / iZettle)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 204 contributions 46764 visites
On 24 September 2019, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) fined Paypal £ 250,000 for breaching its freezing order that halted integration of the parties during its review of Paypal’s completed acquisition of the Swedish start-up iZettle. Despite having approved the deal in June 2019, (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority sends a statement of objection accusing a company of gun-jumping (Capital / SCA / SICAR)
Portuguese Competition Authority (Lisbon)
Portugal 44 contributions 9857 visites
AdC accuses HCapital, SCA - SICAR of gun-jumping* The AdC (Autoridade da Concorrência – Portuguese Competition Authority) sent a statement of objections to HCapital, SCA – SICAR for acquiring sole control of Solzaima without prior notification of the transaction and, consequently, without (...)

The Indian Competition Commission clears merger of health insurer (Apollo Munich / HDFC ERGO)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
Inde 23 contributions 4510 visites
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 26 contributions 5973 visits
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
Inde 26 contributions 5027 visites
…
The CCI cleared the proposed merger of health insurer Apollo Munich Health Insurance Company (Apollo Munich) into HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company (HDFC ERGO). HDFC ERGO is a joint venture between HDFC and ERGO International AG. The CCI found that Apollo Munich and the HDFC Group overlapped (...)

State Aid

 The EU Commission opens an in-depth investigation to assess whether the plan by the Spanish region of Valencia to grant public support to regional airline company is in line with EU State aid rules (Air Nostrum)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 423 contributions 1012450 visites
State aid: Commission opens investigation into public support for Air Nostrum’s fleet renewal in Spain* The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether the plan by the Spanish region of Valencia to grant €9 million of public support to regional airline Air Nostrum (...)

The EU Commission opens an in-depth investigation to assess whether various financing measures granted by Hungarian State-owned entities to a company operating in the ground handling market comply with EU rules for aid to companies in difficulty (Malév)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 423 contributions 1012450 visites
State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into Hungarian support measures to Malév Ground Handling* The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether various financing measures totalling approximately €21 million granted by Hungarian State-owned entities to (...)

The EU Commission approves under EU State aid rules Romania’s plans to inject €200 million of capital in a fully state-owned Bank (CEC Bank)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 423 contributions 1012450 visites
State aid: Commission approves market conform recapitalisation of Romanian CEC Bank* The European Commission has found Romania’s plans to inject €200 million of capital in fully state-owned CEC Bank to be free of any State aid. The Commission found that the recapitalisation will be carried out (...)

The EU Commission approves under EU State aid rules the British Capacity Market scheme introduced in 2014 to safeguard security of electricity supply
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 423 contributions 1012450 visites
State aid: Commission approves the British Capacity Market scheme* Following an in-depth investigation, the European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules the British Capacity Market scheme introduced in 2014 to safeguard security of electricity supply. In July 2014, the Commission (...)

The EU Commission opens an investigation into proposed Hungarian public support for a plant in the battery cell production facility market (Samsung)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 423 contributions 1012450 visites
STATE AID: COMMISSION OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO PROPOSED PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR SAMSUNG PLANT IN HUNGARY* The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether Hungary’s plans to grant €108 million of public support to Samsung SDI for investing in the expansion of its battery (...)

The EU Commission finds that Greek plans aimed at supporting the reduction of non-performing loans of Greek banks are in line with EU State aid rules
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 423 contributions 1012450 visites
STATE AID: COMMISSION APPROVES MARKET CONFORM ASSET PROTECTION SCHEME FOR BANKS IN GREECE* The European Commission has found Greek plans aimed at supporting the reduction of non-performing loans of Greek banks to be free of any State aid. The Commission found that, under the asset protection (...)

The EU General Court delivers two judgements clarifying how State aid rules apply to national tax rulings and determines whether a transfer pricing ruling in respect of intra-group transactions confers a selective advantage under the EU State aid rules (Fiat / Starbucks)
Baker Botts (Brussels)
Belgique 6 contributions 6986 visites
,
Leuven University
Belgium 2 contributions 780 visits
,
Baker Botts (Brussels)
Belgium 10 contributions 2151 visits
…
On 24 September 2019, the General Court (the ‘Court’) upheld the European Commission’s (the ‘Commission’) ruling ordering Luxembourg to recover EUR 23.1 million from Fiat Chrysler Finance Europe (‘FFT’) and annulled the Commission’s ruling ordering the Netherlands to recover EUR 25.7 million from (...)

The EU General Court upholds the EU Commission’s assessment that the Czech renewable energy support scheme involved State resources (FVE Holýšov I)
Baker Botts (Brussels)
Belgium 10 contributions 2151 visits
In a judgment of 20 September 2019, the EU General Court (the “General Court”) upheld a 2016 decision of the European Commission (the “Commission”) finding that a EUR 31 billion Czech support scheme in favour of renewable energy sources (“RES”) should be classified as State aid. The judgment (...)

The EU Commission publishes new State aid recovery Notice
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 37 contributions 7398 visites
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 41 contributions 8680 visites
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 36 contributions 7367 visites
In July 2019, the European Commission published a new Notice on the recovery of unlawful and incompatible State aid, which replaces a previous version of 2007. The aim of the 2007 Notice was to help the recovery process that follows Commission decisions ordering Member States to recover (...)

Procedures

 The EU General Court annuls a cartel fine imposed by the Commission due to insufficient motivation (HSBC)
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 37 contributions 7398 visites
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 41 contributions 8680 visites
,
Gomez Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgique 36 contributions 7367 visites
The General Court of the EU annuls cartel fine imposed to HSBC by the Commission due to insufficient motivation (Judgment of the General Court of the EU of 24 September 2019 in Case T-105/17 HSBC Holdings plc, HSBC Bank plc, HSBC France v Commission). In December 2016, the Commission adopted a (...)

The Delhi High Court holds that the Director General of the CCI has broad powers of investigation (Grasim / CCI)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
Inde 23 contributions 4510 visites
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 26 contributions 5973 visits
,
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
Inde 26 contributions 5027 visites
…
In its Judgment in the Grasim case, a Division Bench of the Delhi High Court held that the DG had broad powers of investigation going beyond the specific subject matter of the CCI’s prima facie order directing an investigation. In June 2011, the CCI had passed an order under Section 26(1), (...)

The Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf suspends an order of the German Competition Authority on an alleged abuse of dominance in the social networks (Facebook)
Baker Botts (London)
3 contributions 661 visites
,
Baker Botts (Washington)
United States 11 contributions 7850 visits
,
Baker Botts (Brussels)
Belgique 6 contributions 6986 visites
…
On 26 August 2019, a German appeal court suspended an order of the German competition authority (the “FCO”) which had found that Facebook’s data processing practices in Germany constituted an abuse of dominance in breach of German antitrust rules (the “decision”). Expressing serious doubts as to the (...)

Regulatory

 The French Competition Authority and the German Bundeskartellamt presents their joint study on algorithms and competition
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 491 contributions 126670 visites
,
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 257 contributions 40193 visites
Algorithms are among the most important technological drivers of the ongoing digitalization process. They are becoming more and more important, enabling firms to be more innovative and efficient. However, debate has arisen on whether and to what extent algorithms might also have detrimental (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority launches a market study into major tech firms on Dutch payments market
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (The Hague)
Pays-Bas 86 contributions 7885 visites
Market study into major tech firms on Dutch payments market* At the request of the Dutch Minister of Finance, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has launched a market study into the activities of major tech firms (so-called Big Techs) on the Dutch payments market. (...)

The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine issues new guidelines clarifying the notification of joint ventures
Redcliffe Partners (Kyiv)
3 contributions 288 visits
,
Redcliffe Partners (Kyiv)
3 contributions 288 visits
ANTIMONOPOLY COMMITTEE OF UKRAINE ISSUED NEW GUIDELINES CLARIFYING THE NOTIFICATION OF JOINT VENTURES: ANTIMONOPOLY COMMITTEE OF UKRAIN / UKRAINIAN COMPETITION AUTHORITY / JOINT VENTURES / MINORITY ACQUISITIONS* On 26 September 2019, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (the ’AMC’) issued new (...)

The US Assistant Attorney General Delrahim announces changes to the Justice Manual designed to incentivise antitrust compliance programs
Baker Botts (Washington)
United States 1 contribution 48 visits
,
Baker Botts (Washington)
United States 1 contribution 48 visits
,
Baker Botts (Washington)
United States 1 contribution 48 visits
…
On July 11, 2019, Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim announced changes to the Justice Manual designed to incentivize the implementation and use of antitrust compliance programs. Chief among these changes is a reversal of the Antitrust Division’s longstanding policy of refusing to (...)

The Japan Anti-Monopoly Act grants new powers to the Japanese Fair Trade Commission when accepting voluntary commitments from companies suspected of having infringed the Act
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Tokyo)
Japan 1 contribution 41 visits
,
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Tokyo)
Japan 1 contribution 41 visits
,
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Tokyo)
Japan 3 contributions 182 visits
Recent amendments to Japan’s Anti-Monopoly Act (AMA) that came into effect on 1 January 2019 give the country’s competition regulator, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), powers to accept voluntary commitments from companies suspected of having infringed the AMA. This will allow the JFTC to (...)
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