April 2007

Anticompetitive practices

 The President of the Czech Competition Authority upholds the decision in the gas insulated switchgears cartel case and slightly reduces the € 35 M record fine ("GIS cartel")
University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne
France 8 contributions 31849 visits
In the record time, i.e. three months after the first instance decision, the President of the Office (hereafter the President) confirmed on appeal the decision in the gas insulated switchgears (“GIS”) cartel case. In the first instance decision, rendered by the Office on 9 February 2007 (See (...)

The German Federal Cartel Office imposes a fine on the producer of small electrical equipment and products for having exerted pressure on dealers in order to induce them to abide by the recommended retail prices and for having encouraged intermediaries to refuse to supply dealers who did not maintain the recommended price levels (Groupe SEB)
Linklaters (Düsseldorf)
Germany 17 contributions 18903 visits
Description of the impugned case The case deals with an indirect RPM clause. Groupe SEB Deutschland GmbH and Krups GmbH, two producers of small electrical equipment, exerted pressure on dealers who undercut the recommended retail sale prices i.e by refusing to pay rebates and to supply those (...)

The Hungarian Supreme Court confirms the NCA’s decision having imposed a € 1.1 M fine for price fixing on the basis of Art. 81 EC to major multiplex movie theatres (Budapest Film)
Hogan Lovells (Budapest)
Hungary 9 contributions 40757 visits
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DIGI (Budapest)
Hungary 3 contributions 12990 visits
The Hungarian Competition Authority (“HCA”) established in its decision of 17 November 2003 that certain major Hungarian multiplex movie theatres (Budapest Film, Intercom, Palace Cinemas and UCICE) pursued concerted practices in 2002 by enacting similar significant price increases connected (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority fines € 185.000 three undertakings implicated in a cartel operating on the tug services market in the Port of Setúbal (Rebonave / Rebosado / Lutamar)
DLA Piper (Lisbon)
Portugal 20 contributions 28623 visits
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Permanent Representation of Portugal to the European Union (REPER)
Belgium 12 contributions 15160 visits
On 23 April 2007 the Portuguese Competition Authority (PCA) imposed fines in the amount of € 185.000 on three undertakings active in the market for tug services in the commercial port of Setúbal, a port located 50 km south of Lisbon which is particularly important for the import and export of (...)

The EU Commission fines Dutch brewers over € 273 million for a beer cartel (Heineken / Grolsch / Bavaria)
European Commission - Legal Service (Brussels)
Belgium 2 contributions 1718 visits
"Commission fines Dutch brewers over €273 million for a beer cartel"* I. Introduction On 18 April 2007, the Commission fined Dutch brewers Heineken, Grolsch and Bavaria a total of €273 783 000 for operating a cartel in the beer market in The Netherlands. The Commission’s decision names the (...)

The Frankfurt Higher Regional Court decides on the relationship between trademark and title protection law on the one hand and competition law on the other hand (Harry Potter)
Gleiss Lutz (Munich)
Germany 28 contributions 49245 visits
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Milbank (Munich)
Germany 28 contributions 49245 visits
On 11 April 2007, the German Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt issued a decision on the relationship between copyright, trademark and title protection law on the one hand and competition law on the other hand. The question at stake was whether restrictive clauses concerning the distribution (...)

The Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf finds an exclusive purchase obligation in breach of Art. 81 EC and replaces a void non-compete obligation in a franchise agreement (The Body Shop)
Blomstein (Berlin)
Germany 16 contributions 43994 visits
Background The cosmetics chain The Body Shop (TBS) employs two different types of distribution channels in Germany: On the one hand, it holds a number of proprietary retail outlets and, on the other hand, it distributes its products through a franchise system. Under the franchise system the (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority condemns price fixing and bid rigging for public tenders in the construction sector and for the first time opens criminal proceedings (Bau Art)
CCEE-Lawyers (Budapest)
Hungary 4 contributions 20610 visits
Background Hétszínvirág Institution for the Education of Handicapped Children (Institution) issued a public tender in 2005 for extension and reconstruction works. As a result of a dispute between the successful bidder and the Institution, a new public tender was published for the same (...)

The Polish Competition Authority fines a manufacturer of roof gutters systems and its distributors for price fixing agreement (ZTSG)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
France 37 contributions 155771 visits
President’s of the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection (Prezes Urzedu Ochrony Konkurencji i Konsumentów), 12 April 2007, Decision n° RKR-32/2007, concerning the vertical agreement concluded between Zaklad Tworzyw Sztucznych Gamrat S.A., a roof gutters systems manufacturer, and its 4 (...)

Unilateral Practices

 The Maltese Competition Authority fines the State undertaking entrusted with the exclusive right for fuel provision for discriminatory pricing (Cassar Fuels / Enemalta)
Lia & Aquilina (Malta)
Malta 16 contributions 44938 visits
By an application to the Commission for Fair Trading, the Director of the Office for Fair Trading premised that: (i) on 12th September 2005, the Office received a complaint from Cassar Fuels Limited, an agent and distributor of fuels to local industries including hotels, factories and (...)

The French Competition Council imposes interim measures to the incumbent to safeguard competition on the electricity supply market requesting modification of termination of exclusivity clause (KalibraXE / EDF)
Hewlett Packard (Boulogne-Billancourt)
France 30 contributions 90258 visits
On 25 April 2007, the French Competition Council ("Conseil de la concurrence") imposed interim measures on Electricité de France ("EDF"), which is historically the national operator, following a referral by KalibraXE. Background KalibraXE was created in August 2005. This new operator does (...)

The French Competition Authority orders the electricity incumbent to amend early termination clauses in supply contracts (EDF)
Lenoir Avocats (Paris)
17 contributions 93879 visits
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Eversheds Sutherland (Paris)
France 14 contributions 82130 visits
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Kenvue
13 contributions 80249 visites
Background and facts Pursuant to Directive 96/92/EC and subsequently Directive 2003/54/EC, all non-household customers (i.e. any natural or legal persons purchasing electricity which is not for their own household use) became eligible customers as of 1st July 2004, meaning that they are free (...)

The Russian Competition Authority imposes a fine of €35M for excessive pricing in the potassium chloride market (Silvinit / Uralkalii)
Gibson Dunn (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 14915 visits
On 23 April 2007, the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service ("FAS Russia") decided that the two only Russian producers of potassium chloride, Silvinit and Uralkalii, were in breach of Article 10(1) of the Russian Federal Law on the Protection of Competition by abusing their dominant position. (...)

The Luxembourg Competition Authority renders its first ever decision and negatively applies the essential facilities doctrine in the sector of distribution of domestic heating fuel while holding that trade between Member States is not affected (Rock Fernand Distributions / Tanklux)
Arendt & Medernach (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 57 contributions 110463 visits
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NautaDutilh (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 23 contributions 76875 visits
On 23 April 2007 the new Luxembourg national competition authority that has been created in 2004, the Competition Council (“Conseil de la concurrence”), has handed down its first decision on the merits of a competition case brought before it. The Competition Council has chosen to be very (...)

The Belgian Commercial Court in Liege holds as abusive a refusal to let a team participate in important cycling races (GCA / ASO)
Arendt & Medernach (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 57 contributions 110463 visits
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NautaDutilh (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 23 contributions 76875 visits
Factual background On 23 April 2007 the commercial court of Liège (“Tribunal de commerce”) handed down a decision in a case between the Swedish cycling team Green Cycle Associates (“GCA”) and Amaury Sport Organisation (“ASO”). ASO is a French undertaking that organises several major cycling (...)

The Greek Competition Authority considers that a cemetery can not be regarded as an undertaking according to competition law (Municipal cemetery)
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Grèce 9 contributions 28610 visites
An individual lodged a complaint with the Greek Competition Authority (Hellenic Competition Commission, thereafter HCC) against a municipal cemetery accusing it of acting in a way that consisted to an abuse of a dominant position. The legal issue at stake was not the conduct of the defendant (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority fines the incumbent telecom provider € 38,000 for refusing to provide access to its SMS centre (Golden Telemedia)
Queen Mary University of London
United Kingdom 30 contributions 81757 visits
On December 19th, 2006 the Cyprus Commission for the Protection of Competition (C.P.C.) found the Cyprus Telecom Authority (CYTA), the incumbent telecom provider, liable for abusing its monopoly position in the upstream market for provision of access facilities necessary for value-added (...)

The French Competition Authority refuses to order interim measures regarding alleged eviction practices implemented in the sector of shipping transport between Corsica and the continent (CMN / SNCM)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 748 contributions 410062 visits
Renewal of public service delegation contract / Corsica-Marseilles: New referral by Corsica Ferries: Conseil de la concurrence does not order interim measures but decides to continue the examination on the merits.* Following a referral by Corsica Ferries against practices implemented by CMN (...)

The Spanish Competition Court fines € 306.000 tying practices between train transport and boat services (Ferrocarril de Sóller / Excursiones Marítimas Puerto de Sóller)
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 6 contributions 26787 visits
The island of Majorca in Spain is a great tourist attraction and the area of Sóller is one of most visited spots on the island. A typical tour offered by travel agencies and touroperators is the denominated “Vuelta a la Isla”. This tour consists of an itinerary between Palma, Sóller and Sa (...)

The EU Commission closes investigation against Danish windows manufacturer addressing the issue of rebates (Velux)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 6 contributions 16065 visits
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Berkeley Research Group (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 5901 visits
"The Velux case – an in-depth look at rebates and more"* I. Introduction “The Polish window manufacturer, Fakro, which claims to be the world’s second largest producer of roof windows, alleges it has been squeezed out of certain European markets by Danish rival Velux. The Polish group (...)

Mergers

 The Dutch competition authority seeks views on draft revised remedies guidelines
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 15 contributions 47927 visits
The NMa has launched a public consultation on its draft revised guidelines for remedies. The draft guidelines anticipate the upcoming amendment of the Dutch Competition Act (“DCA”). In addition, the revision is used to update the current (2002) guidelines with the experience gained in remedies (...)

The Greek Competition Commission clears a merger in the hardware, software and information technology services sectors (Info-Quest/Unisystems)
Vodafone (Chalándri)
Greece 1 contribution 3239 visits
Greek Competition Commission (GCC) (Epitropi Antagonismou), 26 April 2007, Info-Quest and Unisystems, Decision n° 337/V/2007 ) I. Factual Background Prior to the proposed acquisition in question, “Info-Quest” held from the 25 of October 2006, 32,976% of the share capital in “Unisystems”. (...)

The EU Commission launches a public consultation on the revision of the notice on merger remedies
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 13 contributions 10097 visits
Revision of the Notice on merger remedies* I. Introduction On 24 April 2007, the Commission launched a public consultation on the draft revised Commission Notice under the Merger Regulation (“Revised Remedies Notice”) and a proposal for amendments of the Implementing Regulation in relation (...)

The UK Office of Fair Trading and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry clear a merger in the aviation defence sector subject to behavioural remedies relating to national security and security of supply issues (GE/Smiths Aerospace)
Serle Court (London)
United Kingdom 13 contributions 24819 visits
The operation On 15 January 2007 General Electric Corporation (“GE”) announced proposals for GE Aviation UK (“GE Aviation”) to acquire Smiths Aerospace. GE Aviation is active in the aviation sector and is a subsidiary of GE, incorporated in the US. GE is a diversified industrial (...)

The Hungarian Competition Office clears without condition a merger in the telecommunications sector (HTTC / Matel)
DLA Piper (Budapest)
Hungary 37 contributions 99709 visits
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DLA Piper (Budapest)
Hungary 35 contributions 75062 visits
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Melléthei-Barna (Budapest)
Hungary 3 contributions 18343 visits
Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, HTCC) completed its acquisition of Invitel Távközlési Szolgáltató Zrt. (Transaction) on 27 April 2007 pursuant to the terms of a Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated as of 8 January 2007, between HTCC and Invitel Holdings (...)

The UK Competition Commission clears in phase II a merger between the two leaders in the egg industry conditional to divestiture remedies (Stonegate Farmers - Deans Food)
Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 30 contributions 74789 visites
Summary The UK’s Competition Commission has concluded that a completed merger in the egg industry is anti-competitive and therefore the merged entity is required to divest all or part of the business. The decision raises the general question as to what extent a business can legitimately (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority clears sugar “merger to monopoly” (Cosun-CSM)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 15 contributions 47927 visits
Dutch Competition Authority (Nederlandse Mededingingsautoriteit), 20 April 2007, Decision n° 5703, Cosun-CSM In a second phase decision, the Dutch Competition Authority (NMa) has approved the concentration between the only two sugar producers in the Netherlands : CSM and Cosun. The NMa’s (...)

The UK Competition Commission cleared a completed merger in the market for the production of eggs in shell and processed form, subject to the divestment of the acquired business (Stonegate/Deans Food)
Serle Court (London)
United Kingdom 13 contributions 24819 visits
The operation Stonegate Farmers Limited (Stonegate) is active in the supply of hens’ eggs which it sells in both shell (shell eggs) and processed forms (processed egg). It sources the majority of its shell eggs from independent third parties, and outsources the processing of its eggs. It (...)

The Hungarian Competition Office unconditionally approves a merger between two fixed line telecommunications incumbents (HTTC / Matel)
Morley Allen & Overy Iroda (Budapest)
Hungary 6 contributions 24376 visits
Background With its decision of 20 April 2007 (Decision), the Hungarian Competition Office (HCO) has approved the acquisition of Matel Holding N.V. (Matel) by Hungarian Telephone and Cable Corporation (HTTC). HTTC controls Hungarotel Távközlési Zrt (Hungarotel). Hungarotel is the (...)

The Dutch District Court of Rotterdam confirms that, unless there is a reason for deviation, the NCA may rely upon a previous EC merger decision for the purposes of market definition (Nederlandse Vakbond Varkenshouders)
JBT Corporation (Netherlands)
4 contributions 19928 visits
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NautaDutilh (Amsterdam)
Netherlands 2 contributions 5761 visits
District Court of Rotterdam (Rechtbank Rotterdam), 19 April 2007, Nederlandse Vakbond Varkenshouders & Nederlandse Bond van Handelaren in Vee / NMa, Case MEDED 06/1220 VRLK, LJN BA3538 In December 2005 Dumeco notified its intension to the Dutch Competition Authority (hereafter referred (...)

The Italian Competition Authority clears an acquisition on the cash and valuable transportation market with remedies including returning public licenses (Investimenti / Securcontrol)
Chiomenti (Rome)
Italy 19 contributions 51530 visits
The operation On 19 April 2007, the Competition Authority cleared with remedies the acquisition by BS, wholly controlled by BS Private Equity S.p.A. (BSPE), of three companies active in securities services, security consulting and in the sale, installation and maintenance of alarm systems. (...)

The Belgian Competition Council abolishes remedies imposed in a previous merger between the two major cinema operators in Belgium (Kinepolis)
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Beijing)
China 17 contributions 18090 visits
The operation The Belgian Competition Council abolishes the conditions imposed by its decision of 17 November 1997 (97-C/C-25) on the activities Kinepolis Groep and Kinepolis Filmdistributie, created by the merger of Groep Bert and Groep Claeys The markets The relevant markets have been (...)

The Italian Competition Authority conditionally clears a merger in the banking sector (Banche Popolari Unite / Banca Lombarda e Piemontese)
Italy 16 contributions 43002 visits
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Chiomenti (Rome)
Italy 19 contributions 51530 visits
The operation Banche Popolari Unite (UBI) will absorb Banca Lombarda e Piemontese, which will cease to exist as a legal entity, after the companies met the ICA’s concerns about reduced competition in two Provinces and the conflicting roles with Intesa Sanpaolo, one of the major Italian (...)

The Danish Competition Council approves the creation of a joint venture between two television broadcasters subject to 17 remedies due to a risk of coordination effects between the parent companies (TV2 / MTG / TV2 Sport JV)
Kromann Reumert (Copenhagen)
Denmark 57 contributions 19448 visits
The operation TV2 was a state-owned television broadcaster. TV2 owned and operated a number of television channels. Its core channel, named ‘TV2’, was financed primarily through advertisements, whereas other channels were financed through a combination of subscription fees and (...)

The Higher Regional Court of Dusseldorf confirms application of merger rules to public hospital operators holding them as economic undertakings (German public hospitals)
Daimler (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 13453 visits
Summary of the case The judgement of the appellate court Düsseldorf, which was delivered on the 11th of April 2007, decides the challenge of a decision of the Federal Cartel Office regarding a merger between two private companies that operate several public hospitals that are part of the (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority cleared a merger in the air transport market subject to 2 years slots divestiture (Lufthansa - Gunes Express )
Esin (Istanbul)
Turkey 51 contributions 94471 visits
The operation Lufthansa is an aviation group which is active all over the world together with its more than 400 subsidiaries and affiliates. The main field of business of Lufthansa is the passenger transportation. Other fields of business of Lufthansa are logistics, maintenance and repair, (...)

The Austrian Federal Competition Authority clears in phase II a merger in the Austrian telecommunications sector subject to conditions, including the divestiture of infrastructure, additional wholesale offers and price reductions (Telekom Austria/eTel Austria)
Antitrust & TradeRx (Zurich)
Switzerland 10 contributions 27981 visits
The operation Telekom Austria AG is the incumbent telecommunications provider in Austria. eTel Austria (eTel) is a full range telecommunication services provider with a focus on business customers and fixed line services. The proposed acquisition of eTel by Telekom Austria was notified to (...)

The German Competition Authority prohibits the acquisition of a hearing aid producer by a competitor in spite of proposed remedies (Phonak / GN ReSound)
University of Erfurt
Germany 3 contributions 7214 visits
I. Background The hearing aid producer Phonak (market share 20-25%) intended the acquisition of its competitor GN ReSound, the fourth largest producer (market share 5-10%). Other strong competitors are Siemens (market share 32,5-37,5%) and Oticon (market share 20-25%). In Germany the three (...)

The European Commission refers the assessment of an acquisition in the food and non-food retailing sector to the Polish Competition Authority (Carrefour/Ahold Polska)
JG Associates (Brussels)
193 contributions 64219 visits
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European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 148 contributions 50775 visits
"Merger control: Main developments between 1 January and 30 April 2007"* On 10 April 2007, and following the request of the Polish Competition Authority, the Commission referred the assessment of the acquisition of Ahold Polska of Poland by Carrefour of France to the Polish Competition (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority clears an hypothetical foreign-to-foreign merger in the bus and lorries sector (Scania/MAN)
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
United States 10 contributions 40099 visits
The Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (the Commission or CPC) authorised a foreign-to-foreign merger by which the German lorry and engine maker MAN AG (MAN) was to acquire the Swedish company Scania AB (Scania), active in the same industries. Prior to the CPC decision, (...)

The Swiss Competition Authority approves a merger in the financial sector with remedies intended to ensure free access to the market for the electronic trading of Swiss stocks (SWX / SIS / Telekurs)
Taylor Wessing (Berlin)
Germany 15 contributions 28168 visits
The operation The three-party merger between SWX (SWX Group and Verein SWX Swiss Exchange), SIS (SIS Swiss Financial Services Group AG) and Telekurs (Telekurs Holding AG) was approved by the Swiss Competition Commission (WEKO) in October 2007 in a Stage 1 decision. This was possible as the (...)

The Italian Competition Authority clears a merger in the financial sector with remedies, including the granting of non discriminatory access (SSB / Cedborsa)
Italy 16 contributions 43002 visits
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Chiomenti (Rome)
Italy 19 contributions 51530 visits
The operation Società per i Servizi Bancari (SSB) will absorb Società Interbancaria per l’Automazione-Cedborsa (SIA). SSB is controlled by five major national banks - Unicredito, Intesa SanPaolo, Capitalia, Monte dei Paschi di Siena and BNL -, which are also the clients of SSB and SIA. The (...)

The European Commission, after an in-depth investigation, unconditionally approves a merger in the satellite equipment manufacturing industry (Thales/Meccanica/AAS/Telespazio)
JG Associates (Brussels)
193 contributions 64219 visits
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European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 148 contributions 50775 visits
"Merger control: Main developments between 1 January and 30 April 2007"* Following an in-depth investigation the Commission decided on 4 April to grant an unconditional clearance to the proposed acquisition by Thales of France of Alcatel‘s shareholdings in the Alcatel Alenia Space (AAS) of (...)

State Aid

 The Spanish Supreme Court brings a preliminary question before the EU Court of Justice on State aid issue relating to obligatory investments of European and Spanish cinematographic and TV films (Unión de Televisiones Comerciales Asociadas)
Hogan Lovells (Madrid)
Spain 47 contributions 92451 visits
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Allianz (Brussels)
Belgium 23 contributions 39696 visits
Factual Background: An appeal before the Supreme Court by the Union of Associated Commercial Televisions ("UACT") against Royal Decree 1652/2004 on obligatory investments for the financing in advance of European and Spanish cinematographic and TV films ("Royal Decree 1652/2004") on the (...)

The Cyprus Commissioner for State aid control authorizes several aid schemes for the provision of training aid having concluded that they fall within EU Regulation (Training programmes)
Queen Mary University of London
United Kingdom 30 contributions 81757 visits
Factual Background Decision No. 267: On 27.03.2007 the Human Resource Development Authority of Cyprus (HRDA) notified a draft aid scheme entitled “multi-company continuing training programmes abroad” to the Commissioner for State Aid Control. The aid measure aims to encourage employers and (...)

The Spanish National Audience confirms the incompatibility between different types of national regional aid to agriculture (Grupo Kalise Menorquina)
Hogan Lovells (Madrid)
Spain 47 contributions 92451 visits
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Allianz (Brussels)
Belgium 23 contributions 39696 visits
Brief description of the facts and legal issues: A company brought an appeal before the National Audience against a decision of the Ministry of Economy refusing the granting of a State aid for regional incentives. The Ministry of Economy’s refusal was based on the fact that the appellant’s (...)

The Lithuanian Supreme Administrative Court holds that an exclusive operator has not been granted any advantage within the meaning of State aid provisions when operating beyond the boundaries of the secure network and rules (TEO LT / Omnitel / Bite Lietuva)
Cobalt Legal (Vilnius)
Lithuania 25 contributions 18970 visits
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Valiunas Ellex (Vilnius)
Lithuania 11 contributions 16519 visits
Factual background Pursuant to the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs No 1V-167 dated 14 May 2004, the public undertaking Infostruktura was authorised to act as the exclusive operator of the secure data transmission network in Lithuania. Consequently, providers of similar electronic (...)

Procedures

 The Lisbon Court of Commerce quashes decisions fining pharmaceutical companies on procedural grounds (Abbot / Bayer / Johnson & Johnson / Menarini / Roche)
PLMJ (Lisbon)
Portugal 18 contributions 39345 visits
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Miranda & Associados (Lisbon)
Portugal 1 contribution 134 visits
In its judgement of 26 March 2007 the Lisbon Court of Commerce (the “Court”) quashed on procedural grounds two decisions adopted by the Portuguese Competition Authority (the “PCA”) fining five pharmaceutical companies (Abbot, Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, Menarini and Roche). The PCA had found (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes discussion paper on private enforcement
Secretary of State for the Home Department (London)
United Kingdom 17 contributions 35151 visits
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Linklaters (London)
United Kingdom 6 contributions 711 visits
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Linklaters (London)
United Kingdom 4 contributions 457 visits
The OFT have published (on 18 April 2007) a Discussion Paper entitled "Private actions in competition law: effective redress for consumers and business", launching an informal consultation process on how to encourage private actions by consumers and businesses for breaches of competition law. (...)

A French commercial tribunal rules on its own competence to decide on a competition related issue in spite of the new courts’ competition specialisation (Quaron/Roquette Frère)
University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne
France 402 contributions 459594 visits
Court of first instance of Béthune, Commercial division (Tribunal de Grande Instance de Béthune (TGI)), April 4th 2007, SA Quaron vs. SA Roquette Frère (Not yet published; on-line publication expected for the 5th September at the lattest) In this case, Quaron company summoned Roquette Frères (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal widens the scope for the Office of Fair Trading to close a case based on administrative priority (Cityhook)
British Institute of International and Comparative Law (London)
United States 14 contributions 26472 visits
The facts On 21 February 2002, Cityhook made a complaint to the OFT about an alleged collective boycott of Cityhook in relation to its submarine cable laying and landing technology by the United Kingdom Cable Protection Committee (‘UKCPC’), and in relation to the collective setting of fees (...)

The US Antitrust Modernization Commission (AMC) releases report and recommendations to Congress and President Bush
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Washington)
United States 30 contributions 9689 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (New York)
United States 7 contributions 2551 visits
On April 2, 2007, the Antitrust Modernization Commission (“AMC”) released its Report and Recommendations to Congress and President Bush. The bipartisan AMC was commissioned by the Modernization Act of 2002 to examine whether antitrust law needed to be modernized, solicit views from interested (...)

Regulatory

 The EU Member States and the US sign a new cooperation agreement in the air transport sector
European Commission - Secretariat General (Brussels)
Belgium 5 contributions 1955 visits
"New EU-US cooperation agreement in air transport"* I. Introduction On 30 April 2007, the long awaited EU-US air transport agreement was signed at the EU-US summit in Washington after its approval at the EU Transport Council on 22 March 2007. This so-called first stage agreement will be (...)

The UK Gas and Electricity Markets Authority accepts the former gas incumbent’s practices for re-contracting switching customers (British Gas Trading)
Jacobs (Glasgow)
United Kingdom 18 contributions 25023 visits
Ofgem, 17 April 2007, Decision in relation to the appeal raised by British Gas Trading Ltd (BGT) against the Master Registration Agreement (MRA) Forum decision upholding the MRA Executive Committee (MEC) determination dated 25 July 2006, that BGT is in breach of Clause 38.1 of the MRA (...)

The German Ministry of Economy issues a draft ordonnance implementing incentive regulation for the energy network access charges
Hengeler Mueller (Düsseldorf)
Germany 16 contributions 48583 visits
On 13 July 2005, the new German Energy Industry Act (Energiewirtschaftsgesetz, EnWG) entered into force, implementing the 2003 EC E-Directive and EC G-Directive in Germany. As the greatest change, the Directives abolished the option of the negotiated third party access and required a (...)