December 2017

Anticompetitive practices

 The Polish Competition Authority issues a decision on collusion concerning ISO certificates (Prezes Urzędu Ochrony Konkurencji i Konsumentów)
Greenberg Traurig (Warsaw)
Poland 3 contributions 809 visits
,
WKB Wierciński Kwieciński Baehr (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 6611 visits
By way of its decision no. RWR 13/2017 of 29 December 2017, the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (“OCCP”) imposed a financial penalty exceeding PLN 461,000 (approx. EUR 112,000) on Istituto Italiano del Marchio di Qualita (“IMQ”) for fixing prices and dividing the (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority finds that two companies concluded a cartel agreement in the nuclear sector (Norvesta / Sypra / Ignalina)
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 99 contributions 18717 visits
Competitors agreed who will win auction by Ignalina nuclear power plant* The Competition Council found that UAB Norvesta and the German company Sypra concluded a cartel agreement while participating in the radioactive scrap metal auction conducted by Ignalina nuclear power plant, and thus were (...)

The Russian Competition Authority sanctions companies for cartel in the market of highway repair and renovation (Technostroi)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 53825 visits
FAS made a decision on a bid-rigging cartel for highway repair and renovation* “Technostroi” Ltd., “No. 908 Construction Department” Ltd., and “Avtodor” Road Company” Ltd. violated Clause 2 Part 1 Article 11 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” The companies concluded an anticompetitive (...)

The Moscow Arbitration Court upholds the decision of the Competition Authority in a suppliers cartel case at the ministry of defense (Bely Medved)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 53825 visits
Court confirmed legitimacy of fas decision on a suppliers cartel at the ministry of defence* Moscow Arbitration Court dismissed a claim of “Bely Medved” Ltd., “Koralkin” Ltd., “Millennium Klin” Ltd. on invalidating a FAS decision, that had found these companies and the group of persons comprising (...)

The Arbitration Appeal Court of Moscow upholds the judgement of the Arbitration Court in a case on an anticompetitive agreement between medicinal drug suppliers (Pharm SKD)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 53825 visits
Appeal court supported fas in a case on an anticompetitive agreement of medicinal drug suppliers* The 9th Arbitration Appeal Court upheld the judgment of Moscow Arbitration Court that pronounced legitimacy and reasonableness of FAS decision on the case against “Pharm SKD” Ltd. and “Novopharm” (...)

The Chinese High People’s Court in Hainan fines a company for anticompetitive distribution agreement and affirms the principle of prohibition to be applied on a case-by-case basis (Hainan Yutai Technology Feed)
Gaopeng & Partners (Beijing)
China 3 contributions 1855 visits
I. Background Hainan Yutai Technology Feed Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ’Hainan Yutai’) entered into agreements with its distributors in 2014 and 2015, pursuant to which it was agreed that “Party B (distributor) would maintain the confidentiality of Party A’s (Hainan Yutai) discount (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority imposes interim measures for concerted practices in the agricultural sector (Naxos)
Kyriakides Georgopoulos (Athens)
Greece 60 contributions 1861 visits
,
Kyriakides Georgopoulos (Athens)
Greece 28 contributions 783 visits
Interim action for retaliation measures against agricultural producers in Naxos (HCC 653/2017) After a long period of inaction in the area of interim measures, the HCC convened at the expiration of last year to deal with a possible 101 TFEU (and its Greek Competition Act equivalent) violation (...)

The Paris Court of Appeal overturns the 2010 decision of the Competition Authority, imposing a fine of € 384.9M on eleven banks for agreeing on interbank fees during the transition to a new digital cheque processing system (Banque de France, BPCE, Banque Postale ...)
Toyota (Brussels)
Belgium 36 contributions 7200 visits
On 2 December 2021, the Paris Court of Appeal overturned the 2010 decision of the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) fining eleven banks a total of € 384.9 million for agreeing on interbank fees during the transition to a new digital cheque processing system. As the Paris Court of Appeal noted (...)

The Czech Supreme Administrative Court allows belated ex post review of dawn raid’s legality (Delta pekarny / Bakeries cartel)
Skils (Prague)
Czech Republic 34 contributions 25782 visits
On 21 December 2017, the Supreme Administrative court rejected cassation appeals of both the Czech Office for Protection of Competition (“Office”) and all three claimants (participants to bakeries cartel), namely companies Delta Pekarny, OK Rest, and Penam against the previous judgment of the (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority fines two construction firms for bid-rigging in the market for renovation and modernization of schools and kindergartens (PST / Irdaiva)
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 99 contributions 18717 visits
Competition council: joint bidding of two construction firms restricted competition* The Competition Council found that joint bids submitted by two Lithuanian construction firms UAB Irdaiva and AB Panevėžio statybos trestas (PST) restricted competition “by object”, in breach of Article 5 of the (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority fines two construction companies for joint bidding in 24 tenders (PST / Irdaiva)
ESG Legal (Vilnius)
Lithuania 13 contributions 8150 visits
On 20 December 2017, the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania issued a decision finding that two construction companies: UAB IRDAIVA and AB PST breached the Lithuanian Law on Competition by entering into anti-competitive joint bidding agreement. UAB IRDAIVA was imposed a fine of (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority fines undertakings for an anticompetitive joint bidding agreement in twenty-four public tenders for construction services (PST / Irdaiva)
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 1 contribution 117 visits
On 20 December 2017 the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania adopted a decision finding that Panevėžio statybos trestas (PST) and Irdaiva concluded anti-competitive agreement by submitting joint bids in 24 public tenders for construction services. At the moment of adoption of the (...)

The EU Court of Justice clarifies exhaustion of trademark principles and broadens the interpretation of economic links between trademark owners (Schweppes / Red Paralela)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 142 contributions 49289 visits
On 20 December 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) handed down its judgment in Case C-291/16 Schweppes v Red Paralela and Others. The ECJ held that the owner of a trademark may not oppose the parallel importation of goods bearing an identical trademark but originating in (...)

The French Competition Authority fines a pharmaceutical laboratory €25 million for delaying entry into the market of the generic version of a drug and for hindering its development through disparagement campaigns (Janssen-cilag / Johnson & Johnson)
Franklin (Paris)
France 34 contributions 20772 visits
,
McDermott Will & Emery (Paris)
France 120 contributions 61837 visits
THE FRENCH COMPETITION AUTHORITY FINES A PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORY EUR 25 MILLION FOR ANTI-GENERIC PRACTICES* On 20 December 2017, the French Competition Authority (the FCA) imposed a EUR 25 million fine on a pharmaceutical laboratory, for delaying entry onto the market of the generic version (...)

The Danish Competition Authority accepts remedies proposed by companies in a case concerning an agreement relating to the supply of cash handling and transportation services (Loomis)
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Denmark 125 contributions 34464 visits
Commitment decision on free choice of provider of cash handling and cash transportation services* The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (“DCCA”) has accepted commitments offered by the parties in a case concerning an agreement on supply of cash handling and transportation services. The (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority applies its first fine to a tender organiser for facilitating bid rigging (AEM / Energobit / Elster Rometrics / Landis+Gyr / Ecro / Electrica / Electromagnetica)
European Commission
Romania 2 contributions 412 visits
By way of its decision no. 77/2017 (’Decision’), the Romanian Competition Council (’RCC’) sanctioned six undertakings with fines totalling approx. EUR 15.8 million for bid rigging on the Romanian market for the manufacturing and commercialization of electricity meters and ancillary measuring (...)

The Irish Competition Authority secures commitments from several universities to change their procurement practices in the supply of graduation gowns (National University of Ireland / Trinity College Dublin / Dublin City University / University of Limerick)
Irish Competition Authority (Dublin)
Ireland 89 contributions 14380 visits
CCPC secures commitments in the supply of graduation gowns* The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has secured Commitments from a number of Irish universities to change their procurement practices in the supply of graduation gowns. Following a complaint, the CCPC sought (...)

The Canadian Competition Bureau offers immunity in bread price-fixing probe (Loblaw / Weston)
Journal of Parliamentary and Political Law (Ottawa)
45 contributions 19387 visits
Introduction On 19 December 2017, Loblaw Companies Limited (‘Loblaw’), Canada’s largest grocery store chain, and George Weston Ltd (‘Weston’), which owns national bread baker Weston Bakeries, admitted to participation in a packaged bread price-fixing scheme for more than 14 years that ran from late (...)

The Hanover District Court finds a participant of the trucks cartel liable for damages to the city of Gottingen (MAN Trucks)
Hausfeld (Berlin)
Allemagne 11 contributions 2970 visites
On July 19, 2016, the European Commission (“EC”) concluded a five-year investigation and imposed record-breaking fines of over € 2.9 billion on five major truck manufacturers (MAN, Daimler, Volvo/Renault, Iveco and DAF) for antitrust infringements — the so-called “truck cartel..EC, Decision of 19 (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority, with the German Competition Authority, fines three undertakings for cartel in the harbor towage sector (Fairplay / Bugsier / Petersen & Alpers)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 198 contributions 32498 visits
Collaboration between Bundeskartellamt and ACM leads to fines in towage sector* Today, the German competition authority, the Bundeskartellamt, announced it has imposed fines on three undertakings and their executives, totaling approximately EUR 13 million in connection with their involvement (...)

The German Competition Authority, with the Dutch Competition Authority, fines three undertakings for cartel in the harbor towage sector (Fairplay / Bugsier / Petersen & Alpers)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 428 contributions 108103 visits
Bundeskartellamt imposes fines on harbour towage service providers* The Bundeskartellamt has imposed fines amounting to approx. 13 million euros on three harbour towage service providers. The companies concerned are Fairplay Schleppdampfschiffsreederei Richard Borchard GmbH, Hamburg, (...)

The UK Competition Authority launches digital tool to fight bid-rigging
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 352 contributions 88489 visits
CMA launches digital tool to fight bid-rigging* The CMA’s Screening for Cartels tool will help public procurement professionals identify suspicious behaviour by suppliers when bidding for contracts. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has worked with Spend Network, a company (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines two laundry companies for market sharing (Micronclean)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 352 contributions 88489 visits
£1.71m fine for laundry companies found to be market sharing* The CMA has fined 2 suppliers of ‘cleanroom’ laundry services for breaking competition law by agreeing not to compete for each other’s customers. It follows enforcement action by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) against the (...)

The Finnish Market Court fines several coach companies for cartel (Finnish Bus and Coach Association / Matkahuolto)
Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (Helsinki)
Finland 72 contributions 12030 visits
The Market Court imposed penalty payments on several coach companies, the Finnish Bus and Coach Association and Matkahuolto* In its decision issued on 14 December 2017, the Market Court considered that the coach companies*), Finnish Bus and Coach Association and Matkahuolto have been guilty of (...)

The EU Court of Justice dismisses the appeal against a judgment upholding the fine against two undertakings for a non-compete agreement in the telecom sector (Telefonica)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 64679 visits
On 13 December 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) dismissed the appeal lodged by telecommunication operator Telefónica against the General Court’s (“GC”) judgment largely upholding a 2013 Commission decision, which imposed a fine on Telefónica for agreeing not to compete with (...)

The EU Court of Justice dismisses an appeal against a General Court judgment upholding the EU Commission’s prohibition of a non-compete covenant in a share purchase agreement (Telefonica)
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 53 contributions 22849 visits
,
McDermott Will & Emery (Brussels)
Belgium 11 contributions 4020 visits
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) recently dismissed an appeal against a General Court judgment which largely upheld the European Commission’s prohibition decision taken against Telefónica and Portugal Telecom for a non-compete covenant in a share purchase agreement. The share purchase (...)

The Moscow Arbitration Court upholds the decision of the Competition Authority in a cartel case between manufacturers of oil-submersible cable (Kama Cable)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 53825 visits
Cassation court supported fas in a case on a cartel between manufacturers of oil-submersible cable* The violators are fined over 250 million RUB On 13 December 2017, the Arbitration Court of the Moscow District upheld the judgment of Moscow Arbitration Court and the ruling of the 9th (...)

The Italian Supreme Court confirms the claim for nullity of a personal guarantee as being a violation of the antitrust regulation (ABI)
Studio Legale Scoccini (Rome)
Italy 13 contributions 6041 visits
,
Reale Mutua Assicurazioni (Turin)
Italy 1 contribution 325 visits
By its decision No. 29810 of 12/12/2017, the Italian Supreme Court overruled the judgement of the Court of Appeal of Venice that had rejected the claim for nullity of a personal guarantee in violation of the antitrust regulation. The dispute submitted to the Court of Appeal of Venice - as a (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice confirms that a general prohibition for retailers to use price comparison engines is illegal (Asics)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 428 contributions 108103 visits
ASICS dealers allowed to use price comparison engines - Federal Court of Justice confirms Bundeskartellamt’s decision* In its decision of 12 December, 2017, published on 19 January, 2018, the Federal Court of Justice decided that ASICS may not forbid its dealers from using price comparison (...)

The Russian Competition Authority sanctions suppliers of supercomputers for cartel (Aquarius Production)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 53825 visits
Suppliers of supercomputers for kurchatov institute are guilty of taking part in a cartel* FAS Commission found that suppliers of equipment for Kurchatov institute violated the antimonopoly law. The companies may pay big fines for the cartel Having investigated the case, FAS found that (...)

The Hong Kong Competition Authority receives an application for an exemption decision on the Code of Banking Practice from several financial institutions
Hong Kong Competition Commission (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong 43 contributions 9363 visits
Notice issued under section 10 of the Competition Ordinance of an application for a decision in relation to the Code of Banking Practice* On 11 December 2017, the Competition Commission (“Commission”) received an application for a decision (“Application”) under section 9 of the Competition (...)

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upholds dismissal of an antitrust suit where a jury verdict in a parallel case found no patent infringement (Casacade Computer / RPX / Samsung)
McDermott Will & Emery (Washington)
United States 13 contributions 2580 visits
,
Crowell & Moring (Washington)
United States 17 contributions 2365 visits
What Happened: Wading into the merging streams of antitrust and patents, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld dismissal of an antitrust suit where a jury verdict in a parallel case found no patent infringement. Cascades Computer Innovation, LLC v. RPX Corp. and Samsung (...)

The EU Commission decides that an international sport association has breached European competition rules (International Skating Union)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1265 contributions 2615497 visits
Antitrust: International Skating Union’s restrictive penalties on athletes breach EU competition rules* The European Commission has decided that International Skating Union (ISU) rules imposing severe penalties on athletes participating in speed skating competitions that are not authorised by (...)

The EU Commission decides that an international sport association’s eligibility rules breached EU competition law (International Skating Union)
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgium 11 contributions 2079 visits
Introduction On December 8, 2017, the European Commission (“Commission”) decided that the International Skating Union’s (“ISU”) Eligibility rules (“Rules”) breached EU competition law. The Rules provided that an athlete could be sanctioned for participating in an event not authorized by the ISU. The (...)

The EU Court of Justice prohibits the members of a purely quantitative selective distribution system to sell contractual products on Internet platforms which may have an impact on Asian jurisdictions (Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente)
Delcade Avocats & Solicitors (Paris)
France 9 contributions 4872 visites
Introduction In its Coty Germany ruling of 6 December 2017, the European Court of Justice (hereafter the “ECJ”) decided that forbidding the members of a purely qualitative selective distribution network of luxury products to sell those products on Internet platforms does not infringe the (...)

The EU Court of Justice holds that suppliers of luxury goods may under certain conditions restrict authorised retailers in a selective distribution system not to sell their goods via third-party online platforms to preserve their products’ ‘luxury image’ (Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente)
Hogan Lovells (Munich)
Germany 30 contributions 23163 visits
,
European Court of Justice (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 3 contributions 2046 visites
I. Introduction On 6 December 2017, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) handed down its long-awaited judgment on the permissibility of restrictions by suppliers of luxury goods to sell their products via third-party online platforms under Article 101 (1) TFEU. The question has been subject to (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules in favour of restrictions on the use of platforms in a selective distribution system (Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente)
King’s College (London)
Belgium 13 contributions 9182 visits
,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 2037 visits
,
Solarisbank AG (Berlin)
3 contributions 1462 visits
This article considers how much the Coty Ruling has shed light on the extent to which a manufacturer can restrict the sales of its products over online platforms, especially in the wake of the recent German Case involving ASICS and basic principles developed at EU level to assess obligations (...)

The EU Court of Justice holds that a restriction imposed on an authorised retailer not to sell goods through online third-party platforms does not constitute an infringement (Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgium 107 contributions 67533 visits
,
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 14 contributions 2703 visits
In its hotly anticipated ruling in the Coty case, the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has held today that, in the context of a selective distribution system, a restriction imposed on an authorised retailer not to sell the goods through online third-party platforms does not infringe Article (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules that suppliers may prohibit the sales of their products via third-party online platforms to preserve the luxury image of their goods (Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente)
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (London)
United Kingdom 11 contributions 36159 visits
,
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Berlin)
Germany 31 contributions 120952 visits
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled on 6 December 2017 that suppliers may prohibit the sales of their products via third-party online platforms such as Amazon or eBay to preserve the luxury image of their goods . Such restrictions do not infringe the EU prohibition on (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules that companies may restrict online distribution of luxury goods under certain conditions (Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Spain 169 contributions 44569 visits
Coty Germany sells luxury cosmetic goods in Germany through a selective distribution network Under Coty Germany’s selective distribution system, shops of authorised distributors must comply with a number of requirements (setting, decoration and furnishing). Authorised distributors can sell the (...)

The Danish Competition Authority sanctions an association of camera distributors for cartel (Team DS)
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Denmark 125 contributions 34464 visits
Association of camera distributors has coordinated prices and exchanged information about its members prices and other competitive parameters* On 1 December 2017, the Danish Competition Council (DCC) ruled in a case concerning anticompetitive behaviour regarding the camera market. The DCC (...)

Unilateral Practices

 The Indian Competition Authority opens investigation into abuse of dominance and price discrimination by national media conglomerate in the market for cable TV distribution (Thiruvananthapuram Entertainment Network / Star India)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 40583 visits
CCI opens investigation against Star India Pvt. Ltd. for alleged abuse of dominance / price discrimination* The Competition Commission of India (CCI) vide order dated December 29, 2017 has initiated an investigation against Star India Pvt. Ltd (“Star India/ Opposite Party”) for alleged violation (...)

The Malaysian Competition Appeal Tribunal upholds a Competition Authority’s decision in a case of abuse of dominance in the provision and management of online foreign workers permit renewals (My E.G)
Wong Partners (Kuala Lumpur)
Malaysia 2 contributions 627 visits
On 28 December 2017, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) upheld the Malaysian Competition Commission’s (MyCC) decision on 24 June 2016 that My E.G. Services Berhad (MyEG) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, My E.G Commerce Sdn. Bhd. (MyEG Commerce) have abused their dominant position in the (...)

The Russian Competition Authority sanctions a manufacturer of wheels for shunting locomotives for abuse of dominance (Evraz)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 53825 visits
FAS found that “evraz” group violated the antimonopoly law* In 2013-2015 the cost-effectiveness of production of 1058-mm wheel for locomotives was unreasonably excessive The case was opened upon documents and information obtained by FAS in the course of analyzing the state of competition on the (...)

The US District Court sets out FRAND rates for licensing standard-essential patents for 2G, 3G and 4G wireless communications (TCL / Ericsson)
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 38 contributions 34203 visits
,
Latham & Watkins (London)
United Kingdom 10 contributions 12545 visits
,
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (New York)
United States 2 contributions 477 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2019 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. On December 21, 2017, the District Court for the Central District of California issued TCL v. Ericsson, resolving a long-standing dispute between the parties (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority orders Spain’s most important railway company to comply with several remedies to ensure competition in the transport of goods (Renfe)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Spain 169 contributions 44569 visits
The Private Railway Companies Association (representing most of Renfe’s competitors) filed a complaint against Renfe before the NMCC denouncing the situation created by Renfe after calls for tenders in 2015 and 2016. The NMCC has adopted a Resolution in which it orders Renfe to comply with a (...)

The German Competition launches a market inquiry on remedies proposed by German Olympic Sports Confederation and the International Olympic Committee suspected to abuse of their dominant position (DOSB / IOC)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 428 contributions 108102 visits
Market test on commitments of DOSB and IOC* The Bundeskartellamt is currently conducting an administrative proceeding against the German Olympic Sports Confederation (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund, DOSB) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Bundeskartellamt suspects that the (...)

The Belgian Competition Authority imposes interim measures in the context of competitions of the global champions tour (GCT)
Belgian Competition Authority (Brussels)
Belgium 89 contributions 20614 visits
The Competition College of the BCA imposes interim measures in the context of competitions of the Global Champions Tour* The Competition College of the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has imposed on 20 December 2017 interim measures on the organisers of the Global Champions Tour (GCT), the (...)

The US District Court of California uses an economic approach to determine frand loyalty rates (TCL / Ericsson)
CRA International (San Francisco)
United States 1 contribution 280 visits
,
CRA International (San Francisco)
United States 2 contributions 709 visits
On November 8, 2017, Judge James Selna of the US District Court in the Central District of California issued a decision (published later on December 21st) in TCL v. Ericsson determining fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) royalty rates for Ericsson’s standard essential patent (SEP) (...)

The French Competition Authority fines €25 million a pharmaceutical laboratory for having first prevented then restricted the development of generic versions of a drug (Janssen-Cilag / Johnson & Johnson)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 717 contributions 370267 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence imposes a fine of 25 million euros on Janssen-Cilag laboratory and its parent company Johnson & Johnson for having first prevented then restricted the development of generic versions of Durogesic, its originator medicinal product.* Background Following a (...)

The French Competition Authority fines pharmaceutical laboratories for preventing and restricting the development of generic drugs (Janssen-Cilag / Johnson & Johnson)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 64679 visits
On 20 December 2017, the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) imposed a fine of € 25 million on Janssen-Cilag laboratory and its parent company Johnson & Johnson for preventing and then restricting the development of a generic version of its analgesic Durogesic (the “Decision”). Ratiopharm, now (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority opens an ex officio proceeding against a manufacturer of Greek traditional products suspected to cartel and abuse of dominance (Minerva)
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 110 contributions 14907 visits
Ex Officio Investigation into alleged infringements of Articles 1 and 2 of Law 703/77, as well as Articles 101 and 102 TFEU, by “MINERVA S.A. Edible Oils Enterprises” (MINERVA) regarding its supply agreements of butter and margarine products both on the wholesale and retail level in Greece* (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines a company for abuse of dominance for refusal to licence press release rights (Editorial Initiatives Company)
University of Rome "La Sapienza"
Italy 3 contributions 1802 visits
With a decision dated 20 December 2017, the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”, “Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato”, “AGCM”) has sanctioned S.I.E. S.p.A. (“SIE”) for an abuse of dominant position in the press review services sector, in violation of Article 3 of Italian Law no. 287/1990. (...)

The EU Court of Justice recalls the function of trademark and clarifies the criteria of exhaustion of trademark principle (Schweppes / Red Paralela)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Spain 169 contributions 44567 visits
In its Judgment of 20 December 2017, the ECJ has ruled that Schweppes Spain may not oppose the import of bottles of tonic water under the trademark “Schweppes” imported from the UK. By way of background, Schweppes International or Schweppes Holding (Orangina Schweppes) is the proprietor of the (...)

The Italian Competition Authority imposes FRAND licensing to a local newspaper in a paradigm for the essential facility doctrine applied to copyrights (Società Iniziative Editoriali)
Portolano Cavallo (Milan)
Italy 60 contributions 8408 visits
On 20 December 2017, the Italian Competition Authority (or “ICA”) issued a rare infringement decision in an abuse of dominance investigation against the publisher of a local daily newspaper (“SIE”), which refused to deal with a player (the “complainant” or “Euregio”) in the downstream local market for (...)

The Italian Competition Authority applies the doctrine of essential facilities to a refusal to grant a copyright licence (Società Iniziative Editoriali)
Giannino SI (Monserrato)
Italy 155 contributions 129953 visits
Applying the doctrine of essential facilities to IP assets in the SIE case (decision no. 26312 of 21 December 2016, Case A503 Società Iniziative Editoriali/Servizi di rassegna stampa della Provincia di Trento- SIE), the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) found that a publisher infringed (...)

The German Competition Authority indicates in preliminary assessment of a possible abuse of dominance case that data collection and use from third-party sources is abusive (Facebook)
Heinz & Zagrosek (Köln)
Germany 23 contributions 12966 visits
Bundeskartellamt sends preliminary assessment to Facebook* On December 19, 2017, the Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) published a press release on its preliminary assessment in the ongoing Facebook dominance probe, accompanied by a background paper (available in English here). The FCO considers (...)

The German Competition Authority finds in its preliminary assessment that a social network company abused its dominant position by collecting and using data from third-party sources (Facebook)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 428 contributions 108103 visits
Preliminary assessment in Facebook proceeding: Facebook’s collection and use of data from third-party sources is abusive* The Bundeskartellamt has informed the company Facebook in writing of its preliminary legal assessment in the abuse of dominance proceeding which the authority is conducting (...)

The Russian Competition Authority finds that a State-run undertaking abused its dominant position on the market of offering mooring in Moscow (Gormost)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 53825 visits
Moscow fas found that “gormost” violated the antimonopoly law* The “Gormost” Procedure for concluding contracts created discriminatory conditions and could have restricted competition Moscow OFAS found that “Gormost” violated the antimonopoly law in the part of abusing dominance of a natural (...)

The Chinese Supreme People’s Court finds no abuse of dominance in the central heating market (Bayannuer Sunshine Energy / Linhe Thermal Power Plant / Northern United Electric Power)
Beijing Foreign Studies University
China 2 contributions 679 visits
Identification and Abuse Analysis of Market Dominance of Public Utilities: Thoughts of the Supreme People’s Court of China on Antitrust Litigation of Heating Units In December 2017, the Supreme People’s Court of China decided to reject the retrial application of Sunshine Energy Co., Ltd. in the (...)

The Italian Competition Authority sanctions telecom companies for two different cases of abuse of dominance in the Italian market of SMS bulk (Telecom Italia / Vodafone)
University of Rome "La Sapienza"
Italy 3 contributions 1802 visits
On 13 December 2017, the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”) fined Vodafone S.p.A. (“Vodafone”) and Telecom Italia S.p.A. (“Telecom”) for two different abuses of dominant position in the Italian market of SMS bulk, in breach of Article 102 TFUE. More specifically, the ICA has found two distinct (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines several telecom companies for margin squeeze (Telecom Italia / Vodafone)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 64679 visits
On 13 December 2017, the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”) fined Telecom Italia S.p.A. (“TIM”) and Vodafone Italia S.p.A. (“Vodafone”) € 3.7 million and € 5.8 million respectively for abusing their dominant position on the market for wholesale bulk SMS services. The ICA considered that each mobile (...)

The EU Court of Justice prohibits selective distributors from selling luxury products on third-party online platforms (Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente)
Kyriakides Georgopoulos (Athens)
Greece 60 contributions 1861 visits
,
Kyriakides Georgopoulos (Athens)
Greece 28 contributions 783 visits
On 6 December 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union handed down its Judgment on the awaited Coty Germany v Akzente case. The case concerned whether a supplier of luxury cosmetics, operating a selective distribution system for its products, may validly prohibit its authorized (...)

The German Competition Authority prohibits exclusive contracts between a seller of tickets and event organisers and advance booking offices (CTS Eventim)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 428 contributions 108103 visits
Bundeskartellamt prohibits exclusive contracts between CTS Eventim and event organisers and advance booking offices* The Bundeskartellamt has prohibited CTS Eventim from using exclusive contracts which it has concluded with organisers of live entertainment events and advance booking offices. (...)

The Moldovan Competition Authority fines a company for abuse of dominant position by imposing unjustified tariffs for used water reception service (Apă-Canal Chișinău)
University of Macau - Faculty of Law (Macau)
China 283 contributions 223403 visits
On 1 February 2018 the Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova (CC) found that the municipal undertaking Apă-Canal Chișinău SA has abused its dominant position on the local market for water and sewage services by imposing unjustified tariffs for used water reception service and by (...)

The German Competition Authority terminates its administrative proceeding against a national sports association suspected of abuse of dominance (DFB - German Football Association)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 428 contributions 108103 visits
DFB eases conditions for purchase of tickets for World Cup 2018* The Bundeskartellamt has terminated its administrative proceeding against the German Football Association (DFB) which it had initiated on the suspicion that the association had abused its dominant position. Before this DFB had (...)

Mergers

 The US FTC challenges a merger in what it defines as markets for the retail sale of gasoline and the retail sale of diesel and requires divestitures in 10 local geographic markets (Alimentation Couche-Tard / Holiday)
35 contributions 5544 visits
,
Milbank (London)
United Kingdom 21 contributions 11818 visits
,
McDermott Will & Emery (Dusseldorf)
Germany 15 contributions 6221 visits
…
THE LATEST: FTC CHALLENGES RETAIL FUEL STATION AND CONVENIENCE STORE TRANSACTION— REQUIRES TEN LOCALIZED DIVESTITURES IN WISCONSIN AND MINNESOTA* WHAT HAPPENED: Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT) and its subsidiaries (including Circle K Stores, Inc.) are engaged in the retail sale of gasoline (...)

The French Competition Authority clears a merger subject to remedies in the sector of collection and recovery of non-hazardous office waste (La Poste / Suez)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 717 contributions 370263 visits
Collection and recovery of non-hazardous office waste sector* In an unprecedented move, the Autorité de la concurrence closes a litigation procedure, and on the same day, clears a merger involving the same activity. The Autorité obtained commitments from La Poste regarding the promotion, (...)

The EU Commission clears a merger subject to remedies in the markets for passenger air travel (Lufthansa / Air Berlin)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1265 contributions 2615427 visits
Mergers: Commission approves acquisition by Lufthansa of Air Berlin subsidiary LGW, subject to conditions* The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation Lufthansa’s proposed acquisition of certain Air Berlin assets, through the entity Luftfahrtgesellschaft Walter GmbH (...)

The UK Competition Authority clears a merger in the retail and wholesale market (Tesco / Booker)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 352 contributions 88470 visites
Tesco/Booker merger cleared after in-depth review* The CMA has concluded that Tesco’s purchase of Booker does not raise competition concerns. A group of independent Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) panel members has examined all submissions received since its provisional findings before (...)

The Polish Competition Authority conducts investigation into company takeover and concludes that the resulting concentration restricts competition in the national market (PKPE / Elester-PKP)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 107 contributions 19084 visits
Concentration concern: PKPE Holding and Elester-PKP* > UOKiK has issued a competition concern regarding the takeover of Elester-PKP by PKPE Holding. > The concentration may result in a restriction of competition. > The concern is by no means determinative of the possible final ruling in this (...)

The French Competition Authority clears a merger subject to remedies in the home decoration and gardening retail market (Bricorama / ITM Équipement de la Maison)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 717 contributions 370263 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence has cleared, subject to several conditions, the acquisition of the Bricorama group by ITM Équipement de la Maison (Bricomarché, Brico Cash)* Parties to the transaction On 18 October 2017, ITM Équipement de la Maison, a subsidiary of ITM Entreprises, which notably (...)

The French Competition Authority accepts to clears acquisition of general merchandise stores subject to undertakings to address competition issues (Tati group / Gifi)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 717 contributions 370263 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence clears the acquisition of stores owned by the Tati group (Tati, Fabio Lucci, Giga Store) by Gifi (GPG group), subject to a number of conditions* Parties to the transaction On 12 June 2017, the GPG group (retailer Gifi) notified the Autorité de la concurrence of (...)

The French Competition Authority does not consider acquisition in the publishing industry to harm competition, thus clearing it (Média-Participations / La Martinière)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 717 contributions 370263 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence clears the acquisition of La Martinière Groupe (Le Seuil, Points, etc.) by Médias-Participations (Dargaud, Dupuis, etc.).* On 13 November 2017, the Média-Participations group notified the Autorité de la concurrence of its project to acquire sole control of La (...)

The Finnish Competition Authority clears a merger subject to remedies on the retail and purchasing markets of the grocery sector (SOK / Stockmann Delicatessen)
Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (Helsinki)
Finland 72 contributions 12031 visits
FCCA approves the acquisition between SOK and Stockmann Delicatessen subject to conditions* Today, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) approved the acquisition of Stockmann Group’s Delicatessen business by Suomen Osuuskauppojen Keskuskunta, SOK (The Central Finnish Cooperative (...)

The French Competition Authority clears a merger subject to remedies in the agricultural cooperatives sector (CAM / Terrena)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 717 contributions 370263 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence clears, subject to commitments, the merger of Coopérative agricole des Agriculteurs de la Mayenne (CAM) with Terrena* Parties to the operation On 30 October 2017, the parties notified the Autorité de la concurrence of their intention to merge through a merger by (...)

The Australian Supreme Court of Victoria approves an $11 billion merger in the entertainment sector (Tabcorp / Tatts)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Melbourne)
Australia 1 contribution 66 visits
,
Herbert Smith Freehills (Sydney)
Australia 4 contributions 218 visits
,
Herbert Smith Freehills (Sydney)
Australia 15 contributions 1068 visits
On 13 December 2017, the $11 billion merger between Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (Tabcorp) and Tatts Group Ltd (Tatts) became effective upon Supreme Court approval. Final implementation is scheduled to occur today in what has been one of the longest-running transactions in recent Australian corporate (...)

The EU Commission clears a merger in the market for passenger air travel (easyJet / Air Berlin)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1265 contributions 2615427 visits
MERGERS: COMMISSION APPROVES PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF PARTS OF AIR BERLIN BY EASYJET* The European Commission has approved unconditionally under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of certain assets of Air Berlin by easyJet. The Commission concluded that the transaction would not (...)

The UK Competition Authority clears a merger subject to remedies in the cinema sector (Odeon / Vue)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 352 contributions 88470 visites
CMA ACCEPTS MANCHESTER CINEMAS SALE* In December, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that AMC (UK) Acquisition Ltd’s (AMC’s) purchase of Odeon and UCI Cinemas Holdings Ltd (Odeon) would face an in-depth investigation, unless AMC could address concerns over the merger’s effect (...)

The German Competition Authority clears a merger in the market of aircraft manufacturing (Airbus / Bombardier)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 428 contributions 108097 visits
Bundeskartellamt clears merger between Airbus and Bombardier* The Bundeskartellamt has cleared the acquisition of C Series Aircraft Limited Partnership, Canada ("CSALP"), a subsidiary of Bombardier Inc. Montreal, Canada, by Airbus SE, Leiden, Netherlands. Andreas Mundt, President of the (...)

The Finnish Competition Authority clears a merger subject to remedies in the hotel accommodation market (Scandic / Restel)
Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (Helsinki)
Finland 72 contributions 12031 visits
The FCCA approves Scandic’s acquisition of Restel, with conditions* Today, the FCCA has approved the acquisition of Restel Hotellit Oy by Scandic Hotels Oy, with conditions. As a condition for the approval of the sale, the FCCA obliged Scandic to sell one hotel in Pori, Lahti and Kuopio to its (...)

The French Competition Authority opens an in-depth investigation concerning a merger in the market for the production and sale of ready meals (Financière Cofigeo / William Saurin)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 717 contributions 370263 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence has initiated an in-depth examination of the planned acquisition by Financière Cofigeo of certain securities and assets of the Agripole group’s Ready Meals division (William Saurin, Panzani and Garbit)* On 12 June 2017, Financière Cofigeo notified the Autorité de la (...)

The Australian Competition Authority does not seek judicial review of the National Competition Tribunal’s authorisation of a merger in the entertainment sector (Tabcorp / Tatts)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Melbourne)
Australia 2 contributions 105 visits
,
Herbert Smith Freehills (Sydney)
Australia 4 contributions 218 visits
,
Herbert Smith Freehills (Sydney)
Australia 15 contributions 1068 visits
CrownBet and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) have confirmed that they will not be seeking judicial review of the Australian Competition Tribunal’s authorisation of Tabcorp Holdings Limited’s (Tabcorp’s) acquisition of Tatts Group Limited (Tatts), paving the way for the (...)

State Aid

 The EU Court of Justice annuls a Commission decision due to the lack of motivation in the assessment of the selectivity criteria in the determination of the compatibility of an aid (Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia and Retagal)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 151 contributions 32470 visits
* Article published on StateAidHub.eu Blog (click here), republished in e-Competitions with the courtesy of the author(s). The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Authors are welcome to write an alternative article on this case/text, provided they have no (...)

The EU Court of Justice reminds that the Commission must establish the condition of selectivity of the advantage which is assessed legally and factually in State aid litigation (Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia / Retegal)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Spain 169 contributions 44566 visits
The case concern a series of measures implemented by the Spanish authorities in relation to the switch-over from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting throughout Spain. The Spanish authorities divided the Spanish territory into three separate areas: “Area I”, “Area II” and “Area III”. Area (...)

The French Supreme Administrative Court considers inadmissible a judicial action by a public collective when an enforceable title for recovery of state aid has already been emitted (Ryanair / SMAC)
European Court of Justice (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 12 contributions 30442 visits
In 2008, Ryanair airline and its subsidiary which was selling advertising space on Ryanair’s website, Airport Marketing Services (AMS), entered into a five year agreement with the Angoulême airport in France which ownership was transferred from the French Republic to the public Syndicat mixte des (...)

The EU General Court affirms a Commission decision finding that Greek container terminal operators received incompatible State aid which must be recovered (Piraeus / Cosco)
Maastricht University
Belgium 321 contributions 56524 visits
* Article published on StateAidHub: http://stateaidhub.eu, republished in e-Competitions with the courtesy of the author. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Authors are welcome to write an alternative article on this case/text, provided they have no (...)

The EU Commission finds that competitive elements in a health care system do not make the system economic in nature
Maastricht University
Belgium 321 contributions 56524 visits
Article published on StateAidHub: http://stateaidhub.eu, republished in e-Competitions with the courtesy of the author. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Authors are welcome to write an alternative article on this case/text, provided they have no (...)

The EU Commission decides that a Danish levy intended to liberalise the horse racing sector is compatible with State aid rules (Denmark - aid scheme for horse racing sector)
Maastricht University
Belgium 321 contributions 56524 visits
Article published on StateAidHub: http://stateaidhub.eu, republished in e-Competitions with the courtesy of the author. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Authors are welcome to write an alternative article on this case/text, provided they have no (...)

Procedures

 The French Competition Authority imposes for the first time a fine of 30 millions euros to a company for obstructing the investigation (Brenntag)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 717 contributions 370263 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence fines Brenntag 30 million euros for obstructing the investigation* The Autorité today publishes a decision by which it fines the Brenntag SA (hereinafter « Brenntag ») and Brenntag AG companies for having infringed the provisions of V of article L. 464-2 of the (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority closes a pre-investigation on possible collusion on the construction sector and fines one undertaking for hindering on-the-spot inspection (Nuhoğlu)
Erdem & Erdem (Istanbul)
Turkey 67 contributions 75471 visits
The Competition Board (“Board”), in its decision dated 21.12.2017 and numbered 17-42/669-297 (“Decision”), has imposed an administrative monetary fine on Nuhoğlu İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (“Nuhoğlu”) for hindering on-the-spot inspections in accordance with Art. 16 (1) (d) of Act No. 4054 on the (...)

The EU Court of Justice confirms that the absence of self-certification is a discretionary exclusion ground in a public procurement sector (Impresa di Costruzioni Ing. E. Mantovani / RTI Mantovani e Guerrato)
University of Bristol - Law School
United Kingdom 92 contributions 24921 visits
ECJ confirms discretion to exclude tenderers for not updating self-certifications and points towards potential general obligation of sincere cooperation (C-178/16)* In its Judgment of 20 December 2017 in Impresa di Costruzioni Ing. E. Mantovani and RTI Mantovani e Guerrato, C-178/16, (...)

The EU General Court addresses the duty to provide reasons (European Dynamics Luxembourg / Evropaïki Dynamiki)
University of Bristol - Law School
United Kingdom 92 contributions 24921 visits
TWO RECENT CASES ON TRANSPARENCY & ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS IN EU INSTITUTIONAL PROCUREMENT (II) (T-164/15)* Two recent General Court judgments have addressed different aspects of transparency duties and access to documents requirements in EU Institutional procurement [for discussion, see A (...)

The EU General Court addresses issues related to documents requirements in EU Institutional procurement (European Dynamics Luxembourg / Evropaïki Dynamiki)
University of Bristol - Law School
United Kingdom 92 contributions 24921 visits
Two recent cases on transparency & access to documents in EU Institutional procurement (I) (T-136/15)* Two recent General Court judgments have addressed different aspects of transparency duties and access to documents requirements in EU Institutional procurement [for discussion, see A (...)

The Brussels Court of Appeal clarifies the obligation of the Competition Authority to provide statement of reasons regarding documents seized during dawn raids (Distripaints / Novelta)
Court of First Instance of Namur (Namur)
Belgium 224 contributions 45761 visits
On 13 December 2017, the Brussels Court of Appeal (the “Court”) held that documents seized by the Belgian Competition Authority (“BCA”) during an inspection had been legally included in the scope of the investigation as the BCA had provided a satisfactory statement of reasons following a (...)

The EU Court of Justice finds that a luxury goods supplier may prevent its authorized retailers from using third-party platforms to sell its products to preserve the products’ luxury image (Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente)
Norton Rose Fulbright (Brussels)
Belgium 26 contributions 22102 visits
,
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 4337 visits
On 6 December 2017, the Court of Justice of European Union (CJEU) issued its long-awaited Judgment in Coty Germany GmbH v Parfümerie Akzente GmbH. Taking an approach similar to that adopted by Advocate General (AG) Wahl in his Opinion in July, the CJEU found that a supplier of luxury goods may (...)

The EU Court of Justice hands down an anticipated judgment in the luxury goods sector regarding the possibility to restrict sales on third party online platforms that are outside of the selective distribution network (Coty Germany / Parfümerie Akzente)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 162 contributions 54716 visites
On 6 December 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union (the ECJ or the Court) handed down its eagerly anticipated judgment in Coty (C-230/16). In general, the ECJ closely follows the opinion of Advocate General Wahl (AG Wahl), published on 26 July 2016, in essentially holding that: the (...)

Regulatory

 The EU Court of Justice rules that a company providing an intermediation service based both on the selection of non-professional drivers and on the utilisation of its application which conditions the access at the transport service, shall be considered as a transport company (Elite Taxi / Uber)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Spain 169 contributions 44566 visits
In 2014, Elite Taxi brought an action before the Commercial Court No 3 of Barcelona seeking a declaration from that court stating that Uber was infringing transport regulation in force and the Spanish Unfair Competition Act. Central to the discussion was whether or not Uber requires prior (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority issues an opinion forcing a professional association to align its pricelists with competition rules (Croatian association of forestry engineers)
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 113 contributions 17883 visits
Croatian association of forestry engineers must align its pricelists with competition rules* Based on the writing received from the Croatian Chamber of Forestry and Wood Technology Engineers the Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) issued its opinion on the proposed Ordinance on pricelists for (...)

The Australian Competition Authority launches an inquiry into digital platforms
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 360 contributions 76659 visites
ACCC commences inquiry into digital platforms* The Federal Government has today formally directed the ACCC to commence an inquiry into digital platform providers such as Facebook and Google. The ACCC’s inquiry will look at the effect that digital search engines, social media platforms and (...)

The South African Ministry of Economic Development publishes its competition amendement Bill to create, enhance substantive provisions and focuses on two key structural challenges in the country
Herbert Smith Freehills (Johannesburg)
South Africa 4 contributions 424 visits
,
Herbert Smith Freehills (Johannesburg)
South Africa 2 contributions 60 visits
On 1 December 2017, the Minister of Economic Development published the Competition Amendment Bill, 2017 (Bill) for public comment. The Bill seeks to create and enhance the substantive provisions of the Competition Act No. 89 of 1998 (as amended) (Act) and focuses on two key structural (...)

All issues

  • Latest News issue 
  • All News issues
  • Latest Special issue 
  • All Special issues