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January 2021

General antitrust

 The German Parliament passes the digital competition act bringing significant changes to the competition law landscape New
Herbert Smith Freehills (Dusseldorf)
3 contributions 350 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Dusseldorf)
Allemagne 1 contribution 197 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 7 contributions 724 visites
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Today, the German parliament passed the “Digital Competition Act” which is the 10th amendment to the Act against Restraints of Competition (ARC). The amended law – which will very likely enter into force January 2021 – will bring about significant changes to the German competition law landscape. (...)

The EU Commission and the UK Government publish an agreement governing post-Brexit trade relations that includes provisions regulating antitrust enforcement and cooperation New
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgique 4 contributions 1278 visites
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (London)
Royaume-Uni 3 contributions 764 visites
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgique 25 contributions 12173 visites
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The European Union (EU)-U.K. Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) governing post-Brexit trade relations between the U.K. and the EU includes provisions regulating EU/U.K. antitrust enforcement and cooperation effective January 1, 2021: Anticompetitive practices and mergers. The TCA provides (...)

The German Competition Authority releases its review of 2020
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
Bundeskartellamt – Review of 2020* In 2020, the Bundeskartellamt imposed fines in cartel proceedings totalling approx. 358 million euros, examined around 1,200 corporate mergers, received more than 120 applications for review in public procurement cases and conducted important abuse of (...)

The German Competition Authority publishes its 2020 market power report on the electricity generation sector
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
Bundeskartellamt’s 2020 market power report on the electricity generation sector* The Bundeskartellamt has today published its second market power report – report on the conditions of competition in the electricity generation sector in 2020. As in the previous year, the report focuses on (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority carries out a market inquiry in the on-line hotel booking sector New
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatie 67 contributions 10410 visites
CCA carried out a market inquiry in the on-line hotel booking sector in the republic of Croatia* The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) has conducted a market inquiry into the provision of on-line hotel booking services in the Republic of Croatia. The market inquiry was commenced at the end of (...)

The Norwegian Competition Authority continues its monitoring of competition in the national aviation market New
Norwegian Competition Authority
Norvège 13 contributions 1131 visites
Monitoring of the Norwegian aviation market expanded* The Norwegian Competition Authority continues its monitoring of competition in the Norwegian aviation market. In addition, it is expanding its monitoring to include the operations of Wizz Air. This is in line with the wishes of the (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes the final report in funerals market investigation
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
CMA publishes final report in funerals market investigation* The CMA has published the final report on its in-depth market investigation into funeral services, confirming its remedies for the sector. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today confirmed its provisional conclusions, (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority establishes that there are not effective competition conditions in the card payment system
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexique 75 contributions 13421 visites
COFECE’s Preliminary Investigative Opinion establishes that there are not effective competition conditions in the card payment system in the Mexican territory* COFECE observed the probable existence of barriers to competition that prevent the entry and increase the costs of new participants in (...)

The EU Commission publishes new obligations and sanctions for digital gatekeepers New
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Paris)
France 12 contributions 23739 visites
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Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Brussels)
Belgique 2 contributions 89 visites
The debate about competition issues and unfair practices specific to online platforms and the appropriate tools to tackle them was taken a step further by the European Commission (‘Commission’), which presented two legislative proposals on 15 December 2020: The Digital Services Act (‘DSA’) and (...)

The EU Commission publishes proposed rules for the regulation of digital services by imposing a series of ex-ante behavioral obligations on entities that are considered as ‘gatekeepers’
Hogan Lovells (Brussels)
Belgique 6 contributions 2505 visites
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Hogan Lovells (Brussels)
Belgique 6 contributions 2327 visites
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Hogan Lovells (Brussels)
Belgique 3 contributions 366 visites
The European Commission has today published the long awaited Digital Markets Act proposal. The Proposed Regulation imposes a series of ex ante behavioural obligations on entities that the Commission designates as ‘gatekeepers’. The obligations for those designated platforms and the potential (...)

The EU Commission issues the proposed digital markets act aimed to complement antitrust intervention in digital markets with ex-ante regulation in the form of a set of obligations that platforms identified as “gatekeepers” should abide by New
CRA International (London)
Royaume-Uni 28 contributions 55257 visites
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Yale University - School of Management (New Haven)
États-Unis 2 contributions 1099 visites
The European Commission Digital Markets Act: A translation* The European Commission has finally issued the proposed Digital Markets Act, its bid to complement antitrust intervention in digital markets with ex-ante regulation in the form of a set of obligations that platforms identified as (...)

The EU Commission announces a package of digital markets legislation intended to better regulate major online platforms and to protect consumers and businesses
Hausfeld (London)
United Kingdom 12 contributions 950 visits
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Hausfeld (London)
Royaume-Uni 5 contributions 500 visites
On 15th December, the European Commission announced a package of digital markets legislation intended to give the Commission the power to better regulate major online platforms and to protect European consumers and businessess for effectively: the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets (...)

The EU Commission proposes regulation on a single market for digital services
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 10 contributions 2329 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 7 contributions 450 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
France 7 contributions 342 visites
On 15 December 2020, the European Commission (the “Commission”) presented a legislative package consisting of a proposed Regulation on a Single Market for Digital Services (“Digital Services Act” or “DSA”), which creates new rules applicable to providers of online intermediary services, as well as a (...)

The EU Commission proposes legislation to overhaul regulation of digital platforms in the EU
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 66 contributions 44811 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 25 contributions 2256 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 7 contributions 724 visites
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On 15 December the European Commission announced far-reaching proposals for regulation of the digital sector in the form of a Digital Services Act (DSA) and a Digital Markets Act (DMA). In summary the DSA contains new rules including on illegal content and transparency. It applies to all (...)

The EU Commission publishes the digital services act intended to modernize the legal framework for digital services in the European Union
Morgan Lewis (New York)
États-Unis 2 contributions 107 visites
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Morgan Lewis (London)
Royaume-Uni 2 contributions 107 visites
The European Commission (Commission) published the first draft of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) on December 15 2020. Morgan Lewis previously reported on the anticipated DSA. The DSA and DMA are intended to modernize the legal framework for digital services in (...)

The EU Commission publishes a draft regulation aiming the imposition of ex-ante obligations on providers of certain pre-defined core platform services that qualify as gatekeepers New
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 95 contributions 31672 visites
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 13 contributions 2474 visites
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 5 contributions 732 visites
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1. Introduction The draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Contestable and Fair Markets in the Digital Sector (Digital Markets Act) (“DMA Proposal”) was announced by the European Commission (“Commission”) on December 15, 2020. The DMA Proposal envisages the imposition of (...)

The EU Commission unveils sweeping proposals to regulate the digital sector New
Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgique 7 contributions 2370 visites
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgique 24 contributions 16892 visites
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgique 17 contributions 5213 visites
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In Short The Development: The European Commission ("EC") recently released two long-awaited legislative proposals, the Digital Services Act ("DSA") and Digital Markets Act ("DMA"), that would significantly increase the EC’s regulatory oversight of online platform companies (previewed in our (...)

The EU Commission publishes a draft on a legislative package promoting a single market for digital services New
University Littoral-Cote d’Opale (Boulogne)
France 100 contributions 486991 visites
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University Littoral-Cote d’Opale (Boulogne)
1 contribution 118 visites
Toward New European Rules for Digital Players in the Internal Market GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon & Microsoft), the providers of core platform services, are dominating the digital market. In other words, globally, almost all digital services depend on GAFAM. This phenomenon was (...)

The Hong Kong Competition Authority signs a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Competition Authority to strengthen cooperation in the advancement of competition law and policy
Hong Kong Competition Commission
Hong Kong 22 contributions 2945 visits
Competition Commission signs MoU with Philippine Competition Commission to strengthen cooperation in the advancement of competition law and policy* The Competition Commission (Commission) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) today to (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on using market studies to tackle emerging competition issues
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 290 contributions 753089 visites
The debate on how best to use and adjust the current competition policy framework and tools to deliver benefits to society in a changing world continues to evolve as competition authorities gain experience in both antitrust and merger cases in various industries. This experience has shown that (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority launches a study into the functioning of algorithms in practice
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (The Hague)
Pays-Bas 132 contributions 16603 visites
ACM launches a study into the functioning of algorithms in practice* Today, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) launched a trial in which it seeks to find out how it can monitor in practice the functioning of algorithms that businesses use. ACM wants to use this knowledge (...)

The Australian Competition Authority releases perishable agricultural goods inquiry report recommending the introduction of an unfair trading practices prohibition
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 196 contributions 24913 visites
New fair trading law needed to enhance Australia’s perishable agricultural markets* Australia’s perishable agricultural goods markets need a new fair trading law to address harmful practices arising from bargaining power imbalances that are not covered by current laws, the ACCC has found. The (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority takes part in the EU Commission’s public consultation on competition policy and environmental sustainability targets
Spanish Competition Authority (Madrid)
Espagne 29 contributions 3969 visites
The CNMC takes part in the European Commission’s public consultation on competition policy and environmental sustainability targets The CNMC includes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as one of its key areas of activity. Competition policy contributes to the SDGs by stimulating (...)

The New Zealand Competition Authority releases preliminary issues and proposed scope for grocery study
New Zealand Commerce Commission
Nouvelle-Zélande 65 contributions 7439 visites
Commission releases preliminary issues and proposed scope for grocery study* The Commerce Commission has today released a paper outlining the preliminary issues it may explore and the proposed scope for its market study into the grocery sector. “We expect that the issues we focus on will (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority calls big tech company to inform consumers about the data use of apps (Apple)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (The Hague)
Pays-Bas 132 contributions 16603 visites
Apple informs consumers about the data use of apps following call from regulators worldwide* Apple will indicate in its App Store what personal data each app uses. Starting today, app providers are required to include such information on their products’ pages in app stores. This information (...)

The UK Competition Authority proposes national competition regime for large tech firms
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgique 25 contributions 12173 visites
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgique 51 contributions 36502 visites
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (London)
Royaume-Uni 7 contributions 908 visites
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The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has advised the U.K. government to create additional competition rules for large tech firms and platforms: Large tech firms considered to have “strategic market status” (SMS) should be subject to an enforceable code of conduct to prevent (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority seeks input on Canadians’ experiences accessing and using digital health services
Canadian Competition Bureau (Gatineau)
Canada 12 contributions 1180 visites
Competition Bureau seeking input on Canadians’ experiences accessing and using digital health services* Today, the Competition Bureau launched a short online survey to learn about Canadians’ experiences accessing and using digital health care services. By filling out this short 5-minute online (...)

The EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager delivers a speech on priorities for competition policy and enforcement at the OECD
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 89 contributions 18353 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 13 contributions 2609 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 13 contributions 2609 visites
On 7 December 2020, the European Commissioner responsible for competition policy Margrethe Vestager delivered a speech at the OECD Global Forum on Competition entitled “Competition policy: time for a reset?” in which she discussed the Commission’s priorities for 2021 (see, attachment). These (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority launches an investigation into users’ freedom of choice regarding payment apps on smartphones
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (The Hague)
Pays-Bas 132 contributions 16603 visites
ACM launches an investigation into users’ freedom of choice regarding payment apps on smartphones* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has launched an investigation into payment apps’ access to NFC communication (‘Near-Field Communication’). NFC communication offers the (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on competition economics of digital ecosystems
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 290 contributions 753089 visites
Competition in the digital economy is increasingly a competition between ecosystems. The most successful digital companies in recent years have been building their business model around large ecosystems of complementary products and services around their core service. Integration of a wide (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority publishes its report on the role of big techs in the payment market
Bird & Bird (Copenhagen)
Danemark 1 contribution 266 visites
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Bird & Bird (Stockholm)
Suède 1 contribution 266 visites
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Bird & Bird (Singapore)
Singapour 1 contribution 266 visites
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Dutch regulator calls for tighter regulation of Big Techs in payment market study On 1 December 2020, the Dutch competition authority (ACM) published its long-awaited report on the role of major technology firms (Big Techs) in the payment market. The publication of the report was expected in (...)

The UK Competition Authority consults on its annual plan for 2021 and 2022
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 181 contributions 32021 visits
The CMA is consulting on its Annual Plan for 2021/22.* The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has outlined the key areas on which it expects to focus in the coming year, including its ongoing commitment to protect UK consumers during the unprecedented circumstances of the coronavirus (...)

The US FTC publishes its annual report on pharmaceutical patent settlements
White & Case (Washington)
États-Unis 6 contributions 2532 visites
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White & Case (New York)
États-Unis 1 contribution 108 visites
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White & Case (Washington)
États-Unis 3 contributions 207 visites
On December 3, 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published its annual report on pharmaceutical patent settlements filed with the FTC under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA)—its fourth annual review since the Supreme Court’s seminal decision in (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on sustainability and competition
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 290 contributions 753089 visites
Public and private entities across the globe are called to strengthen their commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which include, among others, tackling poverty and inequality, promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting affordable and clean energy, promoting responsible (...)

The US FTC issues a FY 2017 report on branded drug firms’ patent settlements with generic competitors
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
États-Unis 54 contributions 6538 visites
FTC Staff Issues FY 2017 Report on Branded Drug Firms’ Patent Settlements with Generic Competitors* The number of reverse-payment agreements remains low; for the first time since FY 2004, no agreement contains a no-AG commitment. According to a new FTC staff report, the total number of final (...)

The UK Competition Authority and the EU Commission publish guidance on the impact of Brexit on competition law
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 25 contributions 2256 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 6 contributions 956 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 23 contributions 4731 visites
Last week both the CMA and the European Commission published their final guidance on the impact of Brexit on competition law after the end of the transition period. Both sets of guidance explain the legal changes after the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 and how these will (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on the role of competition policy in promoting economic recovery Free
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 290 contributions 753089 visites
As the COVID-19 crisis develops and moves through different stages including soon towards economic recovery, governments, policymakers and regulators, including competition authorities, face different challenges in order to support a swift and robust recovery. In a world hard hit by a pandemic (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes guidance to explain how it will conduct its work following the end of the transition period after Brexit
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 181 contributions 32021 visits
CMA publishes EU Exit guidance* The CMA has today published further guidance to explain how it will conduct its work following the end of the Transition Period for the UK’s exit from the EU. As of 1 January 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will take on responsibility for (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority finds in its study of major tech firms on the national payment market that tightening of rules is needed to maintain a level playing field
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (The Hague)
Pays-Bas 132 contributions 16603 visites
Big Tech and the Dutch payment market: tightening of rules needed to maintain a level playing field* Big Tech companies such as Apple, Facebook, Amazon, or Ant Group (Alibaba) must ensure that their platforms or devices are suitable for different providers of payment services. The Netherlands (...)

Anticompetitive practices

 The Polish Competition Authority initiates proceedings against retail chains suspected of applying unfair retrospective discounts (Kaufland Polska Markety / Eurocash / Intermarche) New
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Pologne 45 contributions 4999 visites
The President of UOKiK has initiated proceedings against other retail chains suspected of applying unfair retrospective discounts* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny initiated investigation procedures towards Kaufland Polska Markety, Eurocash and SCA PR Polska (Intermarche). The objections (...)

The French Competition Authority dismisses the thermal insulation case (Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment / Saint-Gobain Isover / Syndicat National des Fabricants d’Isolants en Laines Minérales Manufacturées) New
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 592 contributions 220374 visites
The Autorité de la concurrence dismisses the thermal insulation case* Background In response to a referral by the French Minister of the Economy and the company Actis regarding practices in the sector of thermal insulation for buildings by the Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment (...)

The US District Court for the Northern District of Texas indicts health care company for labor market collusion (Surgical Care Affiliate) New
US Department of Justice - Antitrust Division (Washington)
United States 67 contributions 13378 visits
Health Care Company Indicted for Labor Market Collusion* A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Surgical Care Affiliates LLC and its related entity (collectively SCA), which own and operate outpatient medical care centers across the country, for agreeing with competitors (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority includes a transport company in the proceedings initiated against several undertakings that maintain and operate the national highway network (Ferrovial Servicios)
Spanish Competition Authority (Madrid)
Espagne 29 contributions 3969 visites
The CNMC includes Ferrovial Servicios in the disciplinary proceedings initiated against several companies that maintain and operate the national highway network* In 2019, the CNMC opened an investigation into some of the main companies in the sector for potential anti-trust practices. These (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority receives complaints involving the terms of national bank’s COVID-19 loans (ICO) New Free
Spanish Competition Authority (Madrid)
Espagne 29 contributions 3969 visites
The CNMC receives new complaints involving the terms of ICO COVID loans* It is continuing its investigation into various financial institutions to determine whether they engaged in unfair actions when granting ICO loans. The actions it is analysing include the cross-selling of products (...)

The Arbitration Court of Moscow upholds the Competition Authority’s decision to fine three construction companies involved in a cartel for price-fixing (Mostootryad-99 / Dorstroyotrayd-99 / SPA Dormost) New
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 284 contributions 31548 visites
DAGESTAN ROAD CARTEL WILL PAY A FINE OF 170 MILLION RUBLES* The arbitration court of Moscow upheld the decision of the FAS Russia on bringing to administrative responsibility Mostootryad-99 JSC, Dorstroyotrayd-99 LLC and scientific production association (SPA) Dormost LLC. It should be (...)

The Russian Competition Authority detects a cartel in the construction industry (SK Vershina / F-data / GRSK 33) New
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 284 contributions 31548 visites
Moscow regional office of the fas Russia detected a cartel in the construction industry* The companies agreed not to reduce the price at 38 auctions. The total revenue of the cartel amounted to more than 373 million rubles The Moscow Regional Office of the FAS Russia recognized SK Vershina (...)

The German Competition Authority fines five aluminium forging companies and ten employees responsible for engaging in illegal anti-competitive agreements (Otto Fuchs / Leiber / Emmingen-Liptingen..)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
Bundeskartellamt - Cartel Prosecution* Fines imposed on aluminium forging companies on account of anti-competitive agreements Bonn, 23 December 2020: The Bundeskartellamt has imposed fines totalling approximately 175 million euros on five aluminium forging companies and ten employees (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority imposes fines on six large retail food chains and two suppliers for price fixing, harmful to consumers (Modelo Continente / Pingo Doce / Auchan) New
Portuguese Competition Authority (Lisbon)
Portugal 65 contributions 15868 visites
The AdC imposed fines on six large retail food chains and two suppliers for price fixing, harmful to consumers* The decisions The AdC – Autoridade da Concorrência imposed a total fine of circa €304 million on six large food retail chains, two beverage suppliers, a board member and a director (...)

The Italian Competition Authority launches an investigation into contracts for the establishment of a national telecommunications company (FiberCop)
Italian Competition Authority (Rome)
Italie 41 contributions 7513 visites
ICA: investigation launched into contracts for the establishment of FiberCop* Telecom Italia, Fastweb, Teemo Bidco, FiberCop, Tiscali Italia and KKR & Co. under investigation. According to the Authority, developing fibre telecommunication networks is crucial for the country Autorità (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority initiates proceedings against the Catalan National Assembly for the launch of an anticompetitive advertising campaign (Catalan National Assembly)
Spanish Competition Authority (Madrid)
Espagne 29 contributions 3969 visites
The CNMC initiates disciplinary proceedings against the Catalan National Assembly.* It investigates potentially unfair practices involving the launch of the “Strategic Consumption” campaign. This campaign encourages consumers not to buy certain products for reasons unrelated to competition (...)

The Australian Competition Authority proposes to authorise national dairy farmers association licensing scheme (Fair Go Dairy)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 196 contributions 24913 visites
ACCC proposes to authorise ’Fair Go Dairy’ licensing scheme* The ACCC is proposing to authorise the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation Limited’s (QDO) Fair Go Dairy licensing scheme for five years. Under the scheme, QDO will grant processors a licence to use the ‘Fair Go Dairy’ logo on (...)

The Australian Competition Authority allows Japanese vehicle manufacturer’s exclusive dealing notification relating to its 10-year conditional warranty to stand (Mitsubishi)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 196 contributions 24913 visites
Mitsubishi’s 10-year conditional warranty allowed to stand* The ACCC does not object to an exclusive dealing notification lodged by Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (Mitsubishi) relating to its new 10-year or 200,000 km extended warranty. The warranty is conditional on the vehicle being (...)

The French Competition Authority receives a request by the national railway company to revise the commitments made in 2014 regarding the sale of train tickets (SNCF)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 592 contributions 220374 visites
SNCF has requested the revision of commitments made in 2014 regarding the sale of train tickets* SNCF, which undertook commitments before the Autorité de la concurrence in 2014 concerning the terms of train ticket sales online, is now requesting for them to be revised, arguing that the (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority fines auto expertise services providers for price fixing and supply cartel (Auto / Çözüm / Dyno Max...)
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turquie 7 contributions 1693 visites
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turquie 4 contributions 408 visites
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turquie 6 contributions 947 visites
On 17 December 2020, the Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) announced, on its website, the reasoned decision as a result of its investigation against certain auto expertise services providers in a province of Turkey (i.e. Gaziantep), unveiling a price fixing and supply cartel among the (...)

The German Competition Authority does not oppose two undertakings’ joint payment system
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
The Bundeskartellamt has no objections to Deutsche Kreditwirtschaft’s first steps to introduce a joint payment system* The Bundeskartellamt has no objections to the first stage of implementation of Deutsche Kreditwirtschaft’s (German Banking Industry Committee) “Xpay” or “#DK” project to set up a (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines two groundworks suppliers for cartel activity (Vp plc / M.G.F.)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 12 contributions 509 visites
On 17 December 2020, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) issued an infringement decision fining two companies which supply groundworks products Vp plc and M.G.F. (Trench Construction Systems) Ltd more than £ 11.2 million and £ 3.7 million, respectively, for illegal collusion. In its (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines construction suppliers £15M for collusion (Vp plc / M.G.F.)
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
Construction suppliers fined £15m for breaking competition law* The CMA has fined 2 major suppliers to the construction industry more than £15m for illegally colluding to reduce competition and keep prices up Following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), 2 UK-based (...)

The EU General Court delivers ruling on the application of competition law to sports authorization rules and upholds the role of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (International Skating Union)
White & Case (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 252 visites
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White & Case (Dusseldorf)
Allemagne 7 contributions 2197 visites
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White & Case (Geneva)
1 contribution 252 visites
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The General Court of the European Union (the "General Court") has confirmed this week that the eligibility rules of the International Skating Union ("ISU"), which penalized athletes participating in competitions not authorized by the ISU, infringe EU competition law. While the EU General Court (...)

The EU Court of Justice confirms that the rules of a sports union providing severe penalties for athletes taking part in other speed skating events are contrary to EU competition law (International Skating Union)
European Court of Justice (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 18 contributions 3482 visites
The General Court confirms that the rules of the International Skating Union (ISU) providing for severe penalties for athletes taking part in speed skating events not recognised by it are contrary to EU competition law* On the other hand, the Commission was wrong to dispute the ISU’s (...)

The EU General Court rules that sports associations cannot stop athletes from competing in third-party events (International Skating Union)
Hogan Lovells (Brussels)
Belgique 1 contribution 234 visites
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Hogan Lovells (Brussels)
Belgique 6 contributions 2619 visites
On 16 December 2020, the General Court largely confirmed the European Commission’s Decision according to which the International Skating Union’s (the “ISU”) rules on eligibility are contrary to EU competition law. However, it partially annulled the Commission’s Decision on the ground that it failed (...)

The Norwegian Competition Authority warns in a statement of objections that it is considering imposing fines on three grocery store chains for collusion leading to higher prices (Norgesgruppen / Coop / Rema 1000) New
Norwegian Competition Authority
Norvège 13 contributions 1131 visites
Anticompetitive practices may have led to higher grocery prices* The Norwegian Competition Authority warns in a Statement of Objections that it is considering imposing fines totaling 21 billion NOK on Norgesgruppen, Coop and Rema 1000. The Authority’s preliminary assessment is that the three (...)

The German Competition Authority investigates the sale of dietary supplements via telemarketing using unfair practices
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
The GVH is investigating the sale of dietary supplements via telemarketing* The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has initiated a proceeding against two undertakings, which may have been promoting the ‘Helvetia Apotheke’ dietary supplements using unfair practices. Based on the high number (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority claims that a municipality’s purchase of supported housing services constitutes an illegal direct award of contract
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Suède 52 contributions 5799 visites
Malmö’s purchase of supported housing services constituted an illegal direct award of contract* The Swedish Competition Authority is claiming that the Labour Market and Social Welfare Board in Malmö Municipality must pay SEK 10 million in procurement fines for carrying out an illegal direct (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority takes legal action against a company in the cheese and dairy industry for exchanging strategic information with a competitor in connection to a public procurement (Arla Foods)
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Suède 52 contributions 5799 visites
The Swedish Competition Authority takes legal action against Arla Foods for unlawful cooperation*. According to the Swedish Competition Authority, Arla Foods has participated in an unlawful cooperation by exchanging strategic information with a competitor in the connection to a public (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority concludes that region Blekinge violated the rules on public procurement when purchasing translation service provider (Interpretation services)
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Suède 52 contributions 5799 visites
Interpretation services incorrectly procured by Region Blekinge* Region Blekinge violated the rules on public procurement when the region purchased interpretation services. This is the conclusion of the Swedish Competition Authority, now referring the matter to the Administrative Court in Växjö (...)

The Danish Competition Authority publishes new guidelines on joint bidding
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 6 contributions 316 visites
On 11 December 2020, the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (“DCA”) published new guidelines on joint bidding consortia under the title “When companies bid jointly – guidelines for joint bidding under competition law” (the “New Guidelines”). The New Guidelines replace the Guidelines on Joint (...)

The US DoJ brings criminal charges for wage fixing on therapist staffing companies (Neeraj Jindal)
Jones Day (Washington DC)
États-Unis 1 contribution 38 visites
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Jones Day (San Francisco)
États-Unis 1 contribution 38 visites
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Jones Day (Houston)
États-Unis 29 contributions 13328 visites
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The Department of Justice Antitrust Division ("DOJ") has indicted a Texas businessman for conspiring with competitors to fix employee wages in violation of the Sherman Act. This action challenges particularly blatant conduct, but is consistent with recent attention to antitrust in employment (...)

The US DoJ remains committed to prosecuting collusion in labor markets to reduce employee wages (Neeraj Jindal)
Covington & Burling (Washington)
États-Unis 1 contribution 87 visites
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Covington & Burling (Washington)
États-Unis 12 contributions 8658 visites
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Covington & Burling (Washington)
États-Unis 2 contributions 116 visites
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On December 10th, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice announced its first criminal indictment targeting an alleged conspiracy to reduce employee wages. The DOJ charged the former owner of a therapist staffing company with conspiring to reduce pay rates for healthcare worker (...)

The US DoJ indicts former owner of healthcare staffing company for wage fixing (Neeraj Jindal)
US Department of Justice - Antitrust Division (Washington)
États-Unis 67 contributions 13378 visites
Former Owner of Health Care Staffing Company Indicted for Wage Fixing* Antitrust Division Remains Committed to Prosecuting Collusion in Labor Markets A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Neeraj Jindal, the former owner of a therapist staffing company, for participating in a (...)

The US DoJ indicates the owner of a therapist staffing company on wage-fixing charges (Neeraj Jindal)
Morgan Lewis (San Francisco)
États-Unis 1 contribution 34 visites
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Morgan Lewis (Silicon Valley)
États-Unis 8 contributions 1276 visites
A federal grand jury in Texas indicted the owner of a therapist staffing company on wage-fixing charges on December 9. Although this is the US Department of Justice’s first criminal wage-fixing prosecution, the indictment underscores that enforcement agencies remain focused on policing these (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority issues a statement of objections to supermarket chains and supplier of cosmetics for price fixing (Modelo Continente / Pingo Doce / Auchan / Beiersdorf)
Portuguese Competition Authority (Lisbon)
Portugal 65 contributions 15868 visites
AdC issues Statement of Objections to supermarkets and Beiersdorf for price fixing, harmful to consumers* The AdC – Autoridade da Concorrência issued a Statement of Objections to the supermarket chains Modelo Continente, Pingo Doce and Auchan and the supplier of cosmetics and personal care (...)

The EU Court of Justice annuls the Commission decision on a pay TV service company’s commitments for breaching the principle of proportionality (Paramount / Sky / Groupe Canal +) New
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
Royaume-Uni 12 contributions 3379 visites
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgique 1 contribution 26 visites
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
Royaume-Uni 27 contributions 23576 visites
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On December 9, 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union granted Canal+’s application to annul the European Commission’s decision under Article 9 of Regulation No. 1/2003 to adopt commitments offered by Paramount (the “Commitments Decision”). The commitments prohibited Paramount from (...)

The EU Court of Justice annuls the Commission decision that made commitments legally binding for companies in the pay-TV services sector (Paramount / Sky / Groupe Canal +)
Max Planck Institute Luxembourg for International, European and Regulatory Procedural Law
Luxembourg 2 contributions 228 visites
Canal+ (C-132/19 P): The Court of Justice Annuls Commitment Decision – The Importance of Third Party Contractual Rights* Today, the Court of Justice annulled the Commission decision that made commitments legally binding for Paramount. This decision is the first annulment of a commitment (...)

The EU Court of Justice annuls a Commission’s decision accepting legally binding commitments offered by a company aimed at addressing an investigation into cross-border pay-TV in the EU (Paramount / Sky / Groupe Canal +) New
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 25 contributions 2256 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 7 contributions 3280 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 1 contribution 25 visites
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On 9 December 2020, the Court of Justice of the EU (“CJEU”) annulled a European Commission decision accepting legally binding commitments offered by Paramount aimed at addressing a Commission investigation into cross-border pay-TV in the EU (the “Paramount Commitment Decision”). The CJEU also set (...)

The EU Court of Justice annuls a Commission decision allowing a TV company to preserve competition on the markets of pay-TV services (Paramount / Sky / Groupe Canal +)
European Court of Justice (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 18 contributions 3482 visites
The Court of Justice annuls a Commission decision making binding the commitments offered by a company in order to preserve competition on the markets* The fact that it is possible, for the contracting partners of a company which has made commitments not to comply with certain contractual (...)

The EU Court of Justice overturns a decision and declares a settlement between a company in the pay-TV service and the Commission null and void (Paramount / Sky / Groupe Canal+)
Hogan Lovells (Dusseldorf)
Allemagne 2 contributions 75 visites
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Hogan Lovells (Dusseldorf)
Allemagne 3 contributions 416 visites
Settlements are a frequently used means of efficiently terminating proceedings, not only in cartel cases but also in other antitrust proceedings. The EU Commission can avoid having to spend resources on a time-consuming investigation and there are advantages for the companies concerned as well: (...)

The EU Court of Justice annuls commission’s settlement decision for its failure to consider adverse effects on third party interests (Paramount / Sky / Groupe Canal +)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
France 7 contributions 342 visites
On 9 December 2020, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) upheld Canal +’s appeal against the General Court’s (“GC”) judgment that had upheld the Commission’s commitments decision in the Paramount case, and annulled the GC’s judgment as well as the Commission decision (Case C-132/19 P). The ECJ, (...)

The Czech Competition Authority imposes fines for IT cartel agreement (Autocont / Tesco / Asseco Central Europe) New
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
République tchèque 17 contributions 2753 visites
Office imposed fines for IT cartel agreement in total amount of CSK 75 million* By its first-instance decision of 7 December 2020, the Office for the Protection of Competition imposed fines in the total amount of CZK 74,622,000 on AUTOCONT a.s., TESCO SW a.s., ICZ a.s., MERIT GROUP a.s., (...)

The French Competition Authority rejects a complaint formed by travel agencies on the basis that there is no evidence of anticompetitive practices resulting from failure to refund cancelled flights due to the COVID-19 outbreak (Cediv Travel) Free
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 592 contributions 220374 visites
Failure to refund cancelled flights: the Autorité de la concurrence rejects the complaint by travel agencies on the basis that there is no evidence of anticompetitive practices. The Autorité’s decision should not prejudge the compatibility of practices with European Regulation No. 261/2004 (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority accepts commitments offered by national insurance company (Croatia osiguranje)
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatie 67 contributions 10410 visites
CCA accepts commitments offered by croatia osiguranje* The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) closed the infringement proceeding against the undertaking Croatia osiguranje d.d. that was opened ex-officio regarding the commercial lease agreement that Croatia osiguranje concluded as a lessee, (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority finds that the fixed and minimum rates of notary fees approved by the Ministry of Justice are restricting the ability of notaries to compete on prices
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lituanie 68 contributions 9450 visites
By restricting competition between notaries, Ministry of Justice prevents consumers from paying less for services* The Lithuanian competition authority Konkurencijos taryba has found the fixed and minimum rates of notary fees approved by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Lithuania to (...)

The US Congress passes the criminal antitrust anti-retaliation act aiming to protect whistleblowers
Morgan Lewis (Washington)
États-Unis 1 contribution 37 visites
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Morgan Lewis (Washington)
États-Unis 1 contribution 37 visites
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Morgan Lewis (Washington)
États-Unis 2 contributions 214 visites
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The US Congress passed S.2258, the Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act of 2019, on December 8 and presented the bill to the president on December 11 – almost a year-and-a-half after Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced the bill in the Senate. The bill follows recommendations from a 2011 (...)

The Polish Competition Authority fines companies for collusion on the heat market (Veolia / PGNiG Termik)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Pologne 45 contributions 4999 visites
Decision of the President of UOKiK concerning collusion on Warsaw heat market. First penalty for manager* Market allocation, as well as price and tender fixing resulting in higher heat prices in Warsaw. Nearly PLN 120 million in penalties have been imposed by Tomasz Chróstny, the President of (...)

The Russian Competition Authority fines big tech companies for distributing and advertising a prohibited dietary supplement for manufacture and distribution (Yandex / Google)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 284 contributions 31548 visites
The FAS Russia Fined Yandex and Google LLC* 100 thousand rubles fines were imposed for distribution in search engines of an advertisement for a dietary supplement that contained Kava pepper that is prohibited for manufacture and distribution The FAS Russia recognized both Yandex and Google (...)

The Australian Competition Authority files court action against a construction company and construction trade union over alleged boycott (Hutchinson / CFMMEU)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 196 contributions 24913 visites
Court action against Hutchinson and CFMMEU over alleged boycott* The ACCC has instituted Federal Court civil proceedings against construction company J Hutchinson Pty Ltd (Hutchinson) and the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) over alleged boycott conduct at a (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority fines two telecommunications companies for entering into a cartel (MEO / NOWO)
Portuguese Competition Authority (Lisbon)
Portugal 65 contributions 15868 visites
AdC imposes fine of 84 million euros to MEO for cartel with NOWO* The AdC - Portuguese Competition Authority imposed a fine of 84 million euros on the telecommunication operator MEO for market sharing and price fixing of mobile and fixed telecommunications services with NOWO – Communications. (...)

The French Competition Authority fines national tea producer for imposing sales prices on the retailers selling its products online (Dammann Frères)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 592 contributions 220374 visites
The Autorité de la concurrence hands out a fine to Dammann Frères tea for imposing sales prices on the retailers selling its products online* Background Following an investigation report from the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), the (...)

The French Competition Authority fines high-end tea producer for restricting its retailers’ ability to set online prices (Dammann Frères) New
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
France 7 contributions 342 visites
In a decision published on 3 December 2020, the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) fined tea producer Dammann Frères (“Dammann”) € 226,000 for violating Article 101 TFEU and its French law equivalent by restricting the ability of its retailers to set online prices. The FCA found that Dammann (...)

The Irish Competition Authority welcomes the publication of a report dealing with economic crime (Hamilton Review Group)
Irish Competition Authority (Dublin)
Irlande 52 contributions 7485 visites
The CCPC welcomes publication of the Hamilton Report to deal with economic crime The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) welcomes the publication today of the “Review of structures and strategies to prevent, investigate and penalise economic crime and corruption” by the (...)

The UK Competition Authority starts an inquiry into the electric vehicle charging sector
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
CMA to examine electric vehicle charging sector* The CMA is launching a market study into electric vehicle charging, to make sure that this new and fast-growing sector works well for UK drivers. Traditional cars are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and as part of its “green (...)

The Regional Court in Bonn dismisses plant protection wholesaler’s action to establish German Competition Authority’s liability (BayWa)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
BayWa’s legal action to establish Bundeskartellamt’s liability dismissed* The action brought by BayWa AG, Munich, against the Bundeskartellamt to establish the authority’s liability was dismissed in full by the Regional Court in Bonn today (case no. 1 O 201/20). BayWa had filed a claim for (...)

The UK Competition Authority launches a market inquiry into the electric vehicle charging sector
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 6 contributions 565 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 66 contributions 44811 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Dusseldorf)
3 contributions 350 visites
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The CMA has today (2 December 2020) launched a market study into the electric vehicle charging sector in the UK. The study will consider two broad themes: how to develop a competitive sector while also attracting private investment to help the sector grow; how to ensure people using electric (...)

The Australian Competition Authority charges a pharmaceutical ingredient company and its former director for leading a criminal cartel (Alkaloids / Christopher Kenneth Joyce)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 196 contributions 24913 visites
Criminal cartel charges laid against pharmaceutical ingredient company and its former export manager.* Alkaloids of Australia Pty Ltd and its former export manager, Christopher Kenneth Joyce, have each been charged with 33 criminal cartel offences, contrary to the Competition and Consumer Act (...)

Irish Competition Authority investigates into suspected breaches of competition law (Ticketmaster) New
Irish Competition Authority (Dublin)
Irlande 52 contributions 7485 visites
Notice under Section 14B of the Competition Act 2002 In January 2017, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) commenced an investigation into suspected breaches of competition law in relation to the provision of tickets and the operation of ticketing services for live events. (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority confirms that no-poaching, wage-fixing, and other buy-side agreements do not violate the Competition Act’s price fixing provision New
Cassels Brock (Toronto)
Canada 21 contributions 3699 visites
No-poaching, wage-fixing, and other buy-side agreements do not violate the Competition Act’s price fixing provision (section 45), the Competition Bureau has confirmed. This is because section 45 only applies to agreements relating to the supply of a product, and not the purchase of a product. (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority reduces fine for price fixing due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic (Theatrical Film Distribution / NCG Distribution / Forum Cinemas) New Free
Commonwealth Secretariat (London)
Royaume-Uni 30 contributions 13410 visites
It was a classic case of a price fixing cartel brought to the competition authority’s attention by a potential victim. The Lithuanian competition authority, Konkurencijos taryba, or Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania (‘Competition Council’), announced on 25 November 2020 that its (...)

The Norwegian Competition Authority fines two alarm system companies for collusion (Verisure / Sector Alarm) New
Norwegian Competition Authority
Norvège 13 contributions 1131 visites
Fines exceeding 1 billion NOK in total imposed on Verisure and Sector Alarm* The Norwegian Competition Authority has today imposed a fine of 766 million NOK on Verisure AS and last year a fine of 467.3 million NOK on Sector Alarm for collusion in the market for the provision of alarm services (...)

The Italian Administrative Court annuls fines imposed by the Competition Authority for an alleged automotive financial services cartel (Banca / Banque PSA / Santander Consumer Bank / BMW Bank...) New
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 4 contributions 137 visites
On 24 November 2020, the Italian Regional Administrative Court for Lazio (“IRAC”) annulled a decision issued by the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”) in the automotive financial services cartel case in which a total fine of € 678 million was imposed (“Decision”). On 20 December 2019, the ICA had (...)

The Cypriot Administrative Court annuls a decision that imposed a fine and an obligation to inform the association of undertakings’ members of their freedom regarding tender submissions in the electricity sector (MECAC) New
Trojan Economics (Nicosia)
1 contribution 32 visites
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Trojan Economics (Nicosia)
1 contribution 32 visites
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Trojan Economics (Nicosia)
10 contributions 1117 visites
The Administrative Court of Cyprus delivered its decision on the administrative recourse filed by the Mechanical and Electrical Contractors Association of Cyprus (“Applicant” or “MECAC”) against the Cyprus Commission for the Protection of Competition (“CPC” or “Respondent”) for the annulment of the (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines four taxi firms for foreclosure of open platforms (Consortaxi / Taxi Napoli / Radio Taxi Partenope / Desa Radiotaxi) New Free
Herbert Smith Freehills (Milan)
Italie 4 contributions 28771 visites
On 15 September 2020, the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”) found that four taxi firms had entered into an agreement having as its object the prevention of competition by app providers in Naples. Due to the seriousness of the breach of Article 101 TFEU, a request by the parties that a (...)

Unilateral Practices

 The Indonesian Competition Authority imposes its first predatory pricing fine against a multinational cement manufacturer (CKSC) New
Dewi Negara Fachri & Partners (Jakarta)
2 contributions 163 visites
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Dewi Negara Fachri & Partners (Jakarta)
2 contributions 163 visites
In a release, Komisi Pengawas Persaingan Usaha (KPPU) – the Indonesian Competition Authority, published its first Article 20 (Predatory Pricing) decision. The KPPU Decision No. 03/KPPU-L/2020 was issued on a virtual hearing on 15 January 2021, whereby KPPU found that PT Conch South Kalimantan (...)

The Russian Ninth Arbitration Appeal Court upholds the decision of the Competition Authority in respect of national railways abusing their dominant position (Russian Railways JSC) New
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 284 contributions 31548 visites
The appeal upheld the decision of the FAS Russia in respect of Russian railways* Earlier, the Authority recognized the company as violating antimonopoly legislation The Ninth Arbitration Appeal Court supported the position of the Antimonopoly Service in the case against Russian Railways JSC. (...)

The UK Competition Authority opens an investigation into big tech company’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes (Google) New
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
CMA to investigate Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes* The CMA has opened an investigation into Google’s proposals to remove third party cookies and other functionalities from its Chrome browser. The investigation will assess whether the proposals could cause advertising spend to become (...)

The Croatian Administrative Court upholds the Competition Authority’s decision sanctioning retail trading chain for imposition of unfair trading practices (NTL) New
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatie 67 contributions 10410 visites
UTPS: Administrative Court upholds CCA decision sanctioning NTL 450,000 kuna for imposition of unfair trading practices* The Administrative Court in Zagreb completely rejected the statement of claim of Narodni trgovački lanac d.o.o. (NTL) in the administrative dispute against the decision of (...)

The Czech Competition Authority confirms fine for resale price maintenance agreements imposed on baby products retail company (Baby Direkt) New
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
République tchèque 17 contributions 2753 visites
The chairman of the Office confirmed fine for resale price maintenance agreements imposed on Baby Direkt* Petr Mlsna, the Chairman of the Office for the Protection of Competition, upheld imposition of a fine amounting to CZK 40,793,000 on BABY DIREKT s.r.o. which entered into prohibited (...)

The Italian Competition Authority closes investigations against two football teams for unfair clauses in season ticket contracts(Brescia / Lecce) New
Italian Competition Authority (Rome)
Italie 41 contributions 7513 visites
ICA: investigations closed against the Brescia and Lecce football teams for unfair clauses in season ticket contracts* The football clubs have modified their contractual conditions, however Lecce’s clauses excluding reimbursement in the event of supervening impossibility of providing the (...)

The US DoJ announces that a ready-mix concrete company admitted to fixing prices and rigging bids (Argos USA) New
US Department of Justice - Antitrust Division (Washington)
États-Unis 67 contributions 13378 visites
Ready-Mix Concrete Company Admits to Fixing Prices and Rigging Bids in Violation of Antitrust Laws* Argos USA LLC, a producer and seller of ready-mix concrete headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, was charged with participating in a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids, and allocate markets for (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority terminates investigation into real estate ads company for alleged abuse of dominant position (Diginet LTU) New
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lituanie 68 contributions 9450 visites
Lithuanian Competition Authority terminates investigation into real estate ads prices* The Lithuanian competition authority Konkurencijos taryba has terminated the investigation into the actions of Diginet LTU, the owner of classified real estate ads websites, without finding that the company (...)

The Japanese FTC and the Government propose draft guidelines for business collaboration between large companies and startups for the purpose of promoting open innovation and ensuring fair and free competitive environments New
White & Case (Tokyo)
Japon 5 contributions 318 visites
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White & Case (Tokyo)
Japon 5 contributions 318 visites
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White & Case (Tokyo)
Japon 5 contributions 318 visites
On December 23, 2020, the Japan Fair Trade Commission ("JFTC") and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ("METI") proposed a draft of Guidelines for Business Collaboration with Startups ("Guidelines") for the purpose of promoting open innovation and ensuring fair and free competitive (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority confirms the opening of an investigation against pharmaceutical firms (Leadiant Biosciences Spa / Leadiant Biosciences LTD)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 89 contributions 18353 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 13 contributions 2609 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 13 contributions 2609 visites
Reports that Leadiant is also in the crosshairs of the Spanish competition authority were confirmed today. The Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia announced that it started formal proceedings against Leadiant Biosciences Spa and Leadiant Biosciences LTD on the grounds that these (...)

The Spanish Competition authority initiates proceedings against two pharmaceutical companies for abuse of dominant position ((Leadiant Biosciences SPA / Leadiant Biosciences LTD)) New
Spanish Competition Authority (Madrid)
Espagne 29 contributions 3969 visites
The CNMC initiates disciplinary proceedings against Leadiant Biosciences Spa and Leadiant Biosciences LTD for alleged practices prohibited by the Antitrust Law It is investigating a potential abuse of their dominant market position in Spain involving the manufacture and supply of the drug (...)

The Hong Kong Competition Authority brings first case on abuse of substantial market power to Competition Tribunal (Linde) New
Hong Kong Competition Commission
Hong Kong 22 contributions 2945 visites
Competition Commission brings first case on abuse of substantial market power to Competition Tribunal* The Competition Commission (“Commission”) has today filed a case in the Competition Tribunal (“Tribunal”) against Linde HKO Limited (“Linde HKO”) and Linde GmbH (collectively referred to as “Linde” (...)

The Croatian Administrative Court upholds the Competition Authority’s decision fining fruits and vegetables company for imposition of unfair trading practices (Fragaria) New
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatie 67 contributions 10410 visites
UTPS: Administrative court upholds CCA decision sanctioning Fragaria 350,000 kuna for imposition of unfair trading practices* On 16 December 2020 the Administrative Court in Zagreb completely rejected the statement of claim of the re-seller Fragaria d.o.o. in the administrative dispute (...)

The UK Competition Authority accepts legally binding commitments from a pharmaceutical company (Essential Pharma)
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
CMA secures affordable supply of key bipolar drug* The CMA has accepted legally binding commitments from Essential Pharma to continue supplying a key bipolar drug at an affordable price for at least 5 years. In October, the CMA launched an investigation suspecting that the pharmaceutical (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines American crowdfunding platform for unfair commercial practices (GoFundMe)
Italian Competition Authority (Rome)
Italie 41 contributions 7513 visites
ICA: 1.5 million fine to GoFundMe for unfair commercial practices* The fundraising platform has provided misleading information on the absence of costs as to making donations and has preset the commission in its favor with the possibility of modifying it after several steps that are not always (...)

The UK Competition Authority accepts the commitments of a pharmaceutical company to continue supplying a bipolar medicine to the national market (Essential Pharma)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 5 contributions 401 visites
On 18 December 2020, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) announced that it had accepted Essential Pharma’s commitments to continue supplying a bipolar medicine to the UK market. Essential Pharma is a supplier of both Priadel and Camcolit, long-term treatments for individuals (...)

The UK Competition Authority accepts legally binding commitments from a pharma company to continue supplying a key bipolar drug at an affordable price (Essential Pharma)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 89 contributions 18353 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 13 contributions 2609 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 13 contributions 2609 visites
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published today its decision accepting binding commitments from Essential Pharma (EP) to continue supplying for at least 5 years a medicine for the first line treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental conditions at a price considered (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority opens an investigation against a company for an abuse of dominance in the market for accessing and connecting to the electricity transmission network (Enel)
Spanish Competition Authority (Madrid)
Espagne 29 contributions 3969 visites
The CNMC investigates Enel Green Power, S.L. (Enel) and its parent company Endesa Generación, S.A. for alleged anticompetitive practices* It assesses Enel’s possible abuse of its dominant position as a company designated as a Single Node Interlocutor (IUN) in the market for accessing and (...)

The Polish Competition Authority imposes a fine on supermarket chain for abuse of superior bargaining power (Biedronka)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Pologne 45 contributions 4999 visites
The President of UOKiK has imposed a fine of PLN 723 million on Biedronka* The Jeronimo Martins company was earning unfairly to the detriment of food suppliers. This is the biggest sanction for abusing of superior bargaining power imposed to date. Commercial networks get various commercial (...)

The German Competition Authority announces that it has initiated abuse proceedings against a social platform company for linkage with a virtual reality products brand (Oculus / Facebook)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 66 contributions 44811 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 7 contributions 724 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Dusseldorf)
3 contributions 350 visites
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The German FCO has not lost its appetite to take on major tech companies. Today, it has announced that it has initiated abuse proceedings against Facebook to examine the linkage between Oculus virtual reality products and Facebooks’ social network. The accusations against Facebook Facebook’s (...)

The US FTC sues the world’s dominant social network company for illegal monopolization, requires divesting its acquisitions of up-and-coming rivals and prohibiting the imposition of anticompetitive conditions on software developers (Facebook)
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
États-Unis 54 contributions 6538 visites
FTC Sues Facebook for Illegal Monopolization* The Federal Trade Commission today sued Facebook, alleging that the company is illegally maintaining its personal social networking monopoly through a years-long course of anticompetitive conduct. Following a lengthy investigation in cooperation (...)

The US State of New York Attorney General (AG) leads a bipartisan lawsuit by 46 State AGs, District of Columbia AG, and Territory of Guam AG seeking to end the dominant social network company’s allegedly illegal monopoly, including predatory acquisitions and reduction of privacy protections for consumers (US State AGs / Facebook)
Office of the New York State Attorney General (Albany)
1 contribution 522 visites
Attorney General James Leads Multistate Lawsuit Seeking to End Facebook’s Illegal Monopoly* AG James Leads Bipartisan Coalition of 48 Attorneys General Charging Anticompetitive Conduct Facebook Thwarted Competition, Reduced Consumer Privacy for Profits New York Attorney General Letitia James (...)

The UK Competition Authority, along with other national competition authorities, secures privacy changes to tech company’s mobile app store (Apple App Store)
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
CMA and global partners secure privacy changes to the App Store* Following international intervention, Apple will shortly indicate on its App Store what personal data each app uses, empowering consumer choice. The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), along with the Netherlands (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on abuse of dominance in digital markets
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 290 contributions 753089 visites
Many digital markets exhibit certain characteristics, such as low variable costs, high fixed costs and strong network effects, that result in high market shares for a small number of firms. In some cases, these lead to “competition for the market” dynamics, in which a single firm captures the (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority fines an engineering firm $3.2 million for bid-rigging on municipal infrastructure contracts (CIMA+)
Canadian Competition Bureau (Gatineau)
Canada 12 contributions 1180 visites
CIMA+ to pay $3.2 million in latest Québec bid-rigging settlement* Competition Bureau investigation has led to more than $12M in payments by six colluding firms Engineering firm CIMA+ has been ordered to pay $3.2 million over the next four years for bid-rigging on municipal infrastructure (...)

The EU General Court confirms the Commission’s decision finding that a national rail company abused its dominant position on the market (Lietuvos geležinkelai) New
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 95 contributions 31672 visites
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 13 contributions 2474 visites
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 5 contributions 732 visites
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The Factors Affecting the Use of Essential Facilities Doctrine in Light of the Lithuanian Railway v Commission Decision: A Comparison with the Turkish Practice and Potential Implications 1) Introduction On November 18, 2020, the General Court of the European Union (“General Court”) upheld the (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority finds the allegations of an abuse of dominance against an automobile services company groundless and does not initiate a full-fledged investigation (Samuklar / Brisa) New
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 95 contributions 31672 visites
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 8 contributions 2879 visites
On February 13, 2020, the Turkish Competition Board (“Board”) initiated a preliminary investigation upon the complaints received from Samuklar Motorlu Araçlar Madencilik İnş. San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti.’s (“Samuklar”), which previously worked as the dealer of Brisa Bridgestone Sabancı Lastik San. ve Tic. (...)

The US Supreme Court establishes a test for proving the existence of predatory pricing (Brooke Group) New
Bona Law (Detroit)
États-Unis 15 contributions 2766 visites
Predatory Pricing: Rarely, But Not Never, Successful under US Antitrust Laws* Your much larger competitor sells the same products as you do but at a much lower price, so low you think that it must be losing money on each sale. Can such “predatory pricing” ever violate the antitrust laws? It is a (...)

Mergers

 The US FTC retrospectively studies the impact of physician group and healthcare facility mergers (Aetna / Anthem / Florida Blue) New
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
États-Unis 54 contributions 6538 visites
FTC to Study the Impact of Physician Group and Healthcare Facility Mergers* The Federal Trade Commission has issued orders to six health insurance companies to provide information that will allow the agency to study the effects of physician group and healthcare facility consolidation that (...)

The German Parliament passes amendments of antitrust law affecting the merger control regime New
Hogan Lovells (Brussels)
Belgique 11 contributions 4881 visites
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Hogan Lovells (Munich)
Allemagne 2 contributions 484 visites
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Hogan Lovells (Dusseldorf)
Allemagne 3 contributions 416 visites
On 14 January, the German Parliament passed far-reaching amendments of German antitrust law, the Act against Restraints of Competition (ARC), which also affect merger control. The amendment, also known as the "German Competition Digitalization Act", focuses especially on the reform of (...)

The German Competition Authority clears the acquisition of software designer by national database company (Beck / RA-MICRO) New
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
C.H. Beck can acquire share in RA-MICRO* The Bundeskartellamt has cleared the acquisition of a minority share in the provider of practice management software for law firms, RA MICRO Software GmbH, Berlin, by the publishing house C.H. Beck, Munich, which publishes expert legal information. The (...)

The UK Competition Authority requires motor vehicle parts and accessories seller to sell GPS tracking device company in order to protect competition in the commercial vehicle and trailer parts sector (TVS Europe Distribution / 3G) New
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
CMA breaks up motor parts merger* The CMA will require TVS Europe Distribution to sell 3G in order to protect competition in the commercial vehicle and trailer parts sector. Following an in-depth Phase 2 investigation, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that TVS Europe (...)

The US DoJ announces that two financial services companies have abandoned their planned merger (Visa / Plaid) New
US Department of Justice - Antitrust Division (Washington)
États-Unis 67 contributions 13378 visites
Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to Block* Decision to Terminate Deal Preserves Competition The Department of Justice announced today that Visa Inc. and Plaid Inc. have abandoned their planned $5.3 billion merger. The department filed a civil antitrust lawsuit on (...)

The Finnish Competition Authority initiates further proceedings regarding the merger between two alcoholic beverages companies (Altia / Arcus) New
Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (Helsinki)
Finlande 58 contributions 7563 visites
FCCA opens in-depth investigation into proposed merger between Altia and Arcus* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) has initiated further proceedings regarding the merger between Altia Oyj and Arcus ASA. The parties to the transaction are alcoholic beverage companies that (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority authorises global concession catering brand’s acquisition of multinational catering company subject to conditions (Areas / Autogrill) New
Spanish Competition Authority (Madrid)
Espagne 29 contributions 3969 visites
The CNMC authorises Areas’s acquisition of Autogrill subject to conditions* Areas agrees to release a total of five establishments by the end of 2021, through the early termination of the contracts on some premises or by not submitting an offer for those premises that are about to expire. It (...)

The UK Competition Authority investigates American chip producer’s takeover of national intellectual property company (NVIDIA / Arm) New
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
CMA to investigate NVIDIA’s takeover of Arm* The CMA is inviting interested third parties to provide initial views on the anticipated acquisition of Arm by NVIDIA. This is an early opportunity for interested third parties to comment on the impact that the takeover could have on competition in (...)

The UK Competition Authority finds that titanium dioxide pigment producer’s anticipated purchase of chloride slag supplier raises competition concerns (Tronox / TTI) New
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
Metallurgy buyout raises competition concerns* The CMA has found that Tronox’s anticipated purchase of TTI raises competition concerns in the supply of chloride slag and titanium dioxide pigment. Both companies are involved in the supply of materials used in the production of titanium dioxide, (...)

The UK Government and the EU Commission agree on a trade and cooperation act detailing the applicability of both merger control regimes after Brexit New
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 66 contributions 44811 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 6 contributions 565 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 8 contributions 2040 visites
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On 1 January 2021, with the end of the Brexit transition period, the UK entered the real world of Brexit. This has immediate implications for merger control both in the UK and the EU. Any companies involved in deals need to be aware of the impact. As of 1 January 2021 the EU Merger Regulation (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority clears national chemicals company’ acquisition of paint and coating manufacturer with remedies (Pigments / Ferro) New
Spanish Competition Authority (Madrid)
Espagne 29 contributions 3969 visites
The CNMC clears Pigments’ acquisition of Ferro with remedies* The merger affects the ceramic tile sector, which has a long tradition in Spain and is a significant international economic activity. Before approving the purchase, the CNMC conducted a market test and paid special attention to the (...)

The Finnish Competition Authority secures its second merger block as €360 million healthcare deal is abandoned during the Market Court proceeding (Mehiläinen / Pihlajalinna) New
White & Case (Brussels)
Belgique 1 contribution 101 visites
An exceptional year in Finnish merger control came to an end on 29 December 2020 when the Finnish Market Court announced its decision concerning the Finnish Competition Authority’s (the FCCA) proposal to prohibit the merger between healthcare firms Mehiläinen and Pihlajalinna. After the oral (...)

The Czech Competition Authority imposes fine for gun-jumping on mobility company (Skyport / CSG) New
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
République tchèque 17 contributions 2753 visites
The Office imposed a fine for gun-jumping in the csg/skyport case* The Office for the Protection of Competition (“the Office”) imposed a fine of CZK 4,487,000 on Skyport, a. s. (formerly CSG a.s.) for unapproved implementation of concentration before its clearance by the Office. The decision has (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority clears acquisition of glass products manufacturer by pigments company, subject to divestment commitments (Ferro / Pigments Spain) New
Portuguese Competition Authority (Lisbon)
Portugal 65 contributions 15868 visites
AdC clears acquisition of Ferro Corporation by Pigments Spain, subject to divestment commitments* The AdC – Portuguese Competition Authority has decided to clear the proposed acquisition of Ferro Corporation (Ferro), subject to commitments by the acquiring undertaking, Pigments Spain, SL. The (...)

The French Competition Authority clears the acquisition of certain assets and securities of national restaurant chain by the holding company of a steakhouse chain (Courtepaille / Buffalo Grill)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 592 contributions 220374 visites
The Autorité de la concurrence clears the acquisition of certain assets and securities of the Courtepaille Group by the holding company of Buffalo Grill Group* The company Antelope Acquisition 2, which owns Buffalo Grill Group, notified the Autorité de la concurrence of its planned takeover of (...)

The Icelandic Competition Authority announces that a national audiobook and e-book streaming and publishing company withdrew the merger notification regarding its acquisition of publishing house (Storytel / Forlagið) New
Icelandic Competition Authority
4 contributions 756 visites
Storytel AB withdraws merger notification regarding its acquisition of a 70% share in Forlagið The Icelandic Competition Authority (ICA) has recently had under investigation Storytel AB’s proposed acquisition of 70% of Forlagið’s share capital, but the merging parties notified the merger in (...)

The US FTC imposes conditions on wine and spirits maker’s acquisition of assets from competitor (E. & J. Gallo Winery / Constellation Brands) New
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
États-Unis 54 contributions 6538 visites
FTC Imposes Conditions on E. & J. Gallo Winery’s Acquisition of Assets from Constellation Brands, Inc.* Wine and spirits maker E. & J. Gallo Winery has agreed to divest several product lines and remove certain others from its asset purchase agreement with competitor Constellation (...)

The New Zealand Competition Authority closes investigation into Swedish refrigeration company’s acquisitions of national refrigeration products provider (Beijer / Heatcraft) New
New Zealand Commerce Commission
Nouvelle-Zélande 65 contributions 7439 visites
Commission closes investigation into Beijer acquisitions* The Commerce Commission has closed its investigation into Beijer Ref AB’s 2018 acquisition of Heatcraft New Zealand Limited, and its 2019 acquisition (via its subsidiary Kirby NZ Limited) of a right to import hydrofluorobcarbons (...)

The US FTC issues commentary on vertical merger enforcement
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
États-Unis 54 contributions 6538 visites
FTC Issues Commentary on Vertical Merger Enforcement* The Federal Trade Commission has issued a Commentary on Vertical Merger Enforcement. In June 2020, the FTC and the Department of Justice issued Vertical Merger Guidelines describing the principal analytical techniques, practices, and (...)

The US FTC issues commentary on vertical merger enforcement explaining the approach to assessing the competitive effects of vertical mergers New
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Washington)
États-Unis 4 contributions 6000 visites
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Baker Botts (Brussels)
Belgique 4 contributions 417 visites
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Washington)
États-Unis 4 contributions 803 visites
…
On December 22, 2020, the US Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) issued a Commentary on Vertical Merger Enforcement. This follows the recent issuance of revised Vertical Merger Guidelines published jointly by the FTC and Department of Justice (the “Agencies”) on June 30, 2020. While the Guidelines (...)

The Australian Competition Authority rejects big tech company’s behavioural remedies for wellness and healthcare manufacturer acquisition (Google / Fitbit)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 196 contributions 24913 visites
ACCC rejects Google behavioural undertakings for Fitbit acquisition* The ACCC has announced that it will not accept a long-term behavioural undertaking offered by Google that sought to address competition concerns about its proposed acquisition of wearables supplier and manufacturer Fitbit. (...)

The German Competition Authority clears two acquisitions of hypermarkets by two food retail chains subject to conditions (Kaufland / Globus) New
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
Kaufland can acquire 92 Real stores subject to conditions – Globus can acquire 24 Real stores* The Bundeskartellamt has today cleared the acquisition of up to 92 Real stores by Kaufland, which is part of the Schwarz Group, from SCP Retail S.àr.l., subject to conditions. The authority has at the (...)

The US FTC publishes commentary on vertical merger enforcement to provide greater transparency to the public regarding its analysis of vertical mergers New
Hogan Lovells (Washington)
États-Unis 5 contributions 1079 visites
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Hogan Lovells (Washington)
États-Unis 3 contributions 412 visites
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Hogan Lovells (Washington)
États-Unis 8 contributions 3282 visites
On 22 December 2020, on a divided vote, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC or the Commission) issued a Commentary on Vertical Merger Enforcement (FTC Commentary) to provide “greater transparency to the public regarding its analysis of vertical mergers.” Following the FTC and Department of (...)

The French Competition Authority clears subject to conditions the exclusive control acquisition by a mobile phone operator of a company specialised in mobile telephony services (Bouygues Telecom / Euro Information Telecom)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 592 contributions 220374 visites
The Autorité clears, subject to conditions, the exclusive control acquisition by Bouygues Telecom group of Euro Information Telecom* The Autorité de la concurrence clears, subject to conditions, the exclusive control acquisition by Bouygues Telecom group, of Euro Information Telecom, subsidiary (...)

The German Competition Authority clears under merger control the launch of a digital health platform (Phoenix / Noventi)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
Bundeskartellamt allows Phoenix and Noventi to launch digital health platform* The Bundeskartellamt has cleared under merger control the planned launch of a joint venture by the Phoenix Group subsidiary ADG Apotheken-Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH, Mannheim, and the pharmacy services provider (...)

The EU Commission opens an investigation into the proposed acquisition of an insurance brokerage company by a global risk management firm (Aon / Willis Towers Watson)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
Mergers: Commission opens in-depth investigation into proposed acquisition of Willis Towers Watson by Aon* The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess the proposed acquisition of Willis Towers Watson by Aon, under the EU Merger Regulation. Aon and Willis Tower Watson (...)

The German Competition Authority authorises a proposed joint venture company to run a digital healthcare platform for the purchase and ordering of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines (Phoenix / Noventi)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 13 contributions 2609 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 13 contributions 2609 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 89 contributions 18353 visits
The Bundeskartellamt, the German competition authority (BKA), authorised today under German merger control rules a proposed joint venture company (JV) to run a digital healthcare platform for the purchase and ordering of both prescription and over-the-counter medicines and other functions such (...)

The EU Commission conditionally approves a merger between automotive companies (Fiat Chrysler / Peugeot)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
Mergers: Commission approves the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. and Peugeot S.A., subject to conditions * The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed merger between the automotive companies Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (‘FCA’) and Peugeot S.A. (...)

The French Competition Authority opens an in-depth examination into a merger in the food retail sector in Martinique (Parfait / ACDLec / Géant la Batelière)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 592 contributions 220374 visites
Take-over of a Géant Casino hypermarket in Martinique: the Autorité opens an in-depth examination* The Parfait group (hereinafter “Parfait”) and the Association des Centres Distributeurs E. Leclerc (hereinafter “ACDLec”) notified the Autorité de la concurrence of the joint take-over of a hypermarket (...)

The German Competition Authority clears a merger between a vehicle glass specialist and its competitor (Carglass / ATU)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 313 contributions 61374 visites
Carglass can acquire parts of ATU’s vehicle glass business* After closer examination the Bundeskartellamt has decided that the Belron Group, Carglass GmbH’s parent company, can acquire ATU’s vehicle glass business. Carglass operates around 350 service centers in Germany. Since its acquisition in (...)

The US FTC approves a final order settling charges that the acquisition by a medical device company of its competitor would violate federal antitrust law (Stryker / Wright Medical Group)
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
États-Unis 54 contributions 6538 visites
FTC Approves Final Order Imposing Conditions on Stryker Corp.’s Acquisition of Wright Medical Group N.V.* Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that medical device company Stryker Corp.’s proposed $4 billion acquisition of (...)

The EU Commission clears subject to conditions the acquisition of a healthcare devices manufacturer by a US tech giant (Fitbit / Google)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 12 contributions 3166 visites
On 17 December 2020, following a Phase II investigation, the Commission approved Google’s acquisition of Fitbit subject to commitments. Fitbit is an American company that develops and sells wearable fitness devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, as well as related software and (...)

The EU Commission clears acquisition of healthcare manufacturer by a big tech company, subject to conditions (Fitbit / Google)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Fitbit by Google, subject to conditions* The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Fitbit by Google. The approval is conditional on full compliance with a commitments package offered by Google. Executive (...)

The Australian Competition Authority does not oppose building products manufacturer’s proposed acquisition of brick manufacturer (BCG / Midland Brick)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 196 contributions 24913 visites
BGC’s proposed acquisition of Midland Brick not opposed* The ACCC will not oppose BGC’s proposed acquisition of Midland Brick. BGC and Midland Brick both manufacture and supply clay bricks in Western Australia, along with other clay and masonry building products. BGC is also a residential and (...)

The Australian Competition Authority outlines preliminary competition concerns over supermarket chain’s acquisition of food service distributor (Woolworths / PFD)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 196 contributions 24913 visites
Preliminary competition concerns over Woolworths’ PFD acquisition* The ACCC has outlined preliminary competition concerns with Woolworths’ (ASX: WOW) proposal to acquire 65 per cent of PFD Food Services. PFD is a wholesale food distributor, purchasing a wide range of food products from (...)

The Australian Competition Authority does not oppose a financial services company’s acquisition of wealth management firm (IOOF / MLC Wealth Management)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australie 196 contributions 24913 visites
IOOF’s acquisition of MLC Wealth Management not opposed* The ACCC will not oppose IOOF’s (ASX:IFL) proposed acquisition of MLC Wealth Management, owned by National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB). IOOF and MLC both supply wealth management solutions in Australia. They compete in the supply of retail (...)

The US DoJ requires divestiture of commercial health insurance business for healthcare merger in New Hampshire to proceed (Harvard Pilgrim / Health Plan Holdings)
US Department of Justice - Antitrust Division (Washington)
États-Unis 67 contributions 13378 visites
Justice Department Requires Divestiture of Tufts Health Freedom Plan in Order for Harvard Pilgrim and Health Plan Holdings to Proceed With Merger* Divestiture Will Preserve Competition for Commercial Health Insurance in New Hampshire The Department of Justice announced today that it would (...)

The Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation fines internet companies for failures to notify past transactions (Alibaba / China Literature / Shenzhen)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Hong Kong)
Chine 5 contributions 493 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Hong Kong)
Chine 2 contributions 88 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Shanghai)
Chine 3 contributions 361 visites
On 14 December 2020, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) imposed fines against three internet based companies Alibaba Investment Limited, China Literature Limited and Shenzhen Hive-box Network Technology for respective failures to notify past transactions under the merger (...)

The UK Competition Authority refers to the proposed merger of two telecommunications companies for a phase 2 investigation (Virgin / O2)
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
Virgin and O2 merger referred for in-depth investigation* The CMA has referred the proposed merger of Virgin Media and Virgin Mobile with O2 for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation The move comes after Virgin and O2 requested that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) move quickly to the (...)

The Irish Competition Authority carries out a phase 2 investigation of an energy corporation and state-owned forest company’s joint venture (ESB / Coillte)
Irish Competition Authority (Dublin)
Irlande 52 contributions 7485 visites
CCPC to carry out a Phase 2 investigation of ESB and Coillte joint venture* The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has decided to carry out a full Phase 2 investigation into the proposed joint venture between the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and Coillte Cuideachta (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on economic analysis in merger investigations
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 290 contributions 753089 visites
Economic analysis is a fundamental part of merger control. It underpins the theories of harm that guide merger reviews, and it provides the tools to interpret evidence when assessing these theories. Economic expertise can be of value at each stage of a merger investigation, from evidence (...)

The French Competition Authority opens an investigation into the acquisition of an oil pipeline company by a private equity investment firm (SPMR / Ardian Group)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 592 contributions 220374 visites
The Autorité de la concurrence opens an in-depth examination into the acquisition of Société du Pipeline Méditerranée-Rhône (SPMR) by Ardian Group* On 14 September 2020, Ardian France, a French private equity and asset management company notified of its plan to acquire exclusive control of the oil (...)

The US FTC loses bid to stop Philadelphia hospital merger (Thomas Jefferson University / Albert Einstein Healthcare Network )
Morgan Lewis (Philadelphia)
États-Unis 1 contribution 33 visites
,
Morgan Lewis (Washington)
États-Unis 2 contributions 54 visites
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Morgan Lewis (Washington)
États-Unis 3 contributions 3185 visites
…
On December 8, 2020, Judge Gerald Pappert in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania denied a request from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Pennsylvania attorney general (AG) to preliminarily enjoin a proposed merger between Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) and (...)

The Israeli Competition Authority examines 21 national start-ups that were acquired by giant technology companies and submits the findings to the OECD New
Israel Competition Authority (Jerusalem)
Israël 6 contributions 755 visites
Are there ‘Killer Acquisitions’ in Israel?* The Israel Competition Authority examined what happened to 21 Israeli “start-ups” that were acquired by giant technology companies the findings were submitted to the OECD The digital economy giants provide new challenges to competition authorities (...)

The US FTC sues to block packaged goods distributor’s acquisition of body care company (Procter & Gamble / Billie)
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
États-Unis 54 contributions 6538 visites
FTC Sues to Block Procter & Gamble’s Acquisition of Billie, Inc.* Merger would eliminate innovative nascent competitor for wet shave razors The Federal Trade Commission has filed an administrative complaint (a public version of which will be available and linked to this news release as (...)

The French Competition Authority clears the acquisition of a company in women’s ready-to-wear sector by an investment fund specializing in commercial property (Financière Immobilière Bordelaise / Camaïeu)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 592 contributions 220374 visites
The Autorité clears the acquisition of 511 Camaïeu stores by Financière Immobilière Bordelaise* The Financière Immobilière Bordelaise group (hereinafter referred to as "FIB") notified the Autorité de la concurrence of its intended acquisition of 511 Camaïeu stores. The transaction comes within the (...)

The UK Competition Authority gradually moves towards a mandatory notification regime
Bird & Bird (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 37 visites
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Bird & Bird (London)
Royaume-Uni 23 contributions 1254 visites
In recent years, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has become noticeably more pro-active and interventionist in reviewing transactions. In 2019 more than 50% of mergers referred to Phase 2 were prohibited or abandoned. At Phase 2 in 2020, the CMA has already issued three prohibitions (...)

The EU Commission approves Japanese ink manufacturer’s acquisition of colorants and effect pigments company, subject to conditions (DIC / BASF Colors & Effects)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
Mergers: Commission approves DIC’s acquisition of BASF Colors & Effects, subject to conditions The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of BASF Colors & Effects by the DIC Corporation (‘DIC’). The approval is conditional on full (...)

The US FTC challenges medical center’s proposed acquisition of competitor (Hackensack Meridian Health / Englewood Healthcare Foundation)
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
États-Unis 54 contributions 6538 visites
FTC Challenges Hackensack Meridian Health, Inc.’s Proposed Acquisition of Competitor Englewood Healthcare Foundation* New Jersey healthcare system merger would increase price and reduce quality of healthcare. The Federal Trade Commission has filed an administrative complaint, and authorized a (...)

The German Government prohibits the acquisition of a telecommunications company by a Chinese industrial group on the basis of the foreign trade and payments ordinance (IMST / Addsino)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 12 contributions 469 visites
On 2 December 2020, the German Government prohibited on public security grounds the sale of the German Institut für Mobil-und Satellitenfunktechnik (“IMST”), a specialist in satellite and communications technologies, to Addsino, a subsidiary of State-owned defence group China Aero- space Science (...)

The US FTC approves prosthetics manufacturer’s application to divest assets it gained through the acquisition of prosthetics company (Otto Bock HealthCare North America / FIH Group Holdings)
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
États-Unis 54 contributions 6538 visites
FTC Approves Otto Bock HealthCare North America, Inc.’s Application to Divest Assets It Gained through Acquisition of FIH Group Holdings, LLC* Divestiture preserves competition for microprocessor prosthetic knees The Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by prosthetics (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes its merger guidelines addressing the effect on the end of the Brexit transition period
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 12 contributions 3166 visites
On 2 December 2020, the Commission published a readiness notice addressing the effect of the end of the Brexit Transition Period on EU antitrust and merger review. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) published its own guidance document on 1 December 2020. While the UK officially (...)

The UK Competition Authority looks to appeal CAT judgment stating the lack of information regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in sportswear retailer case (JD Sports / Footasylum) Free
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
CMA looks to appeal CAT judgment in JD Sports case* After careful consideration, the CMA has today applied for permission to appeal the CAT’s recent judgment in the JD Sports/Footasylum case. Last month, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) supported the Competition and Markets Authority’s (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority opens in-depth investigation into a merger involving two mooring and port services companies (S.L. / Cemesa Amarres de Barcelona)
Spanish Competition Authority (Madrid)
Espagne 29 contributions 3969 visites
The CNMC will analyse in depth the merger involving Mooring & Port Services, S.L. and Cemesa Amarres de Barcelona* It consists of creating a joint venture, which will be the only provider of mooring services in the Port of Barcelona. The CNMC starts an in-depth investigation (Phase II), (...)

The Dutch Government implements the European regulation establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union New
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 6 contributions 341 visites
On 17 November 2020, the Dutch Senate passed a law (the “Implementing Law”) implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union (the “FDI Regulation”). The (...)

State Aid

 The EU Commission approves €202 million Croatian scheme to support companies in the tourism and sports sectors in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic New Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €202 million Croatian scheme to support companies in the tourism and sports sectors in the context of coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved an approximately €202 million (HRK 1.525 billion) Croatian State aid scheme to support companies of all (...)

The EU Commission approves €1.25 billion German measure to recapitalise national leisure tourism group (TUI) New
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €1.25 billion German measure to recapitalise TUI* The European Commission has approved German plans to contribute up to €1.25 billion to the recapitalisation of TUI AG (TUI), the parent company of the TUI Group, as part of a wider support package. The measure was (...)

The EU Commission approves €2.9 billion Polish scheme to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises due to the Covid-19 pandemic New Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €2.9 billion Polish scheme to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in context of coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved an approximately €2.9 billion (PLN 13 billion) Polish State aid scheme to support micro, small and medium-sized (...)

The EU Commission approves €120 million Greek support to compensate national airline company for damages suffered due to Covid-19 pandemic (Aegean Airlines) New Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €120 million Greek support to compensate Aegean Airlines for damages suffered due to coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has found a Greek grant of €120 million to Aegean Airlines to be in line with EU State aid rules. The measure aims at compensating the (...)

The EU Commission approves €650 million Polish support to national network airline in context of the Covid-19 pandemic (LOT) Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €650 million Polish support to LOT in context of coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved two Polish measures, for a total of about €650 million (approximately PLN 2.9 billion), to support the airline LOT in the context of the coronavirus (...)

The EU Commission approves €300 million German aid scheme to support the transition to sustainable local public transport
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €300 million German aid scheme to support transition to sustainable local public transport* The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €300 million German scheme to support innovative projects aimed at strengthening sustainable local public (...)

The EU Commission publishes guiding templates to assist Member States in the design of their national recovery and resilience plans, consults on a possible extension of the general block exemption regulation, and conducts a survey on the implementation of the State aid temporary framework Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission puts forward initiatives to further facilitate implementation of recovery and coronavirus support measures * The European Commission has today published guiding templates to assist Member States in the design of their national recovery and resilience plans in line with EU (...)

The EU Commission approves a €900 million Slovenian scheme to support uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €900 million Slovenian scheme to support uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved a Slovenian €900 million scheme to cover part of the uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by the coronavirus (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves State aid scheme to the Icelandic airport Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 Pandemic: ESA approves ISK 15 billion in aid to Keflavík Airport* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved an Icelandic measure that will offer damage compensation to Isavia, the operator of Keflavík Airport, by increasing its share capital. Air travel has plummeted in (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves ISK 400m compensation to Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre due to the Covid-19 Pandemic
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA approves ISK 400m compensation to Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved state aid for Harpa aiming to compensate for damages suffered as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had serious (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves continued and increased support to long-distance bus and passenger boat services in Norway as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 Pandemic: ESA approves continued and increased support to long-distance bus and passenger boat services in Norway* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved a prolongation of a scheme to compensate losses incurred by operators of long-distance bus and passenger boat (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves Norwegian compensation scheme for canceled and downscaled large public events as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA approves Norwegian compensation scheme for cancelled and downscaled large public events* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved a scheme offering compensation to organisers and co-organisers of large public events for losses due to the COVID-19 (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves aid to national metals company to develop green technology for zinc production (Boliden Odda)
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
ESA approves aid to Boliden Odda to develop green technology for zinc production* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved environmental aid to facilitate a project to develop more environmentally friendly and energy efficient processes and technologies for the production of (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves the granting of a state-aid to a cultural venue aiming to compensate for damages suffered as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic (Harpa) Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA approves ISK 400m compensation to Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved state aid for Harpa aiming to compensate for damages suffered as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had serious (...)

The EU Commission approves €55 million German scheme to support the roll-out of infrastructure for mobile communication services in German land of Brandenburg
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €55 million German scheme to support roll-out of infrastructure for mobile communication services in German Land of Brandenburg* The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €55 million German aid scheme to support the deployment of (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority adopts revised emissions trading system State aid guidelines New
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
ESA adopts revised Emissions Trading System state aid guidelines* The EFTA Surveillance Authority adopts revised guidelines for assessing state aid for sectors exposed to the European carbon market, the Emissions Trading System (ETS). The guidelines will allow Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority clears amendments to Norwegian trade credit insurance scheme due to the COVID-19 pandemic Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA clears amendments to Norwegian trade credit insurance scheme* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved amendments to a scheme ensuring access to trade credit insurance for enterprises with activity in Norway. The changes will align the scheme with (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves continuation of a Norwegian compensation scheme for companies due to the COVID-19 pandemic Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA approves continuation of Norwegian compensation scheme for companies* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today authorised amendments and a prolongation of a temporary compensation scheme for companies in Norway. The updated scheme reflects the continued impact of (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves prolongation of Icelandic travel voucher scheme due to the COVID-19 pandemic Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA approves prolongation of Icelandic travel voucher scheme* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved a prolongation of an Icelandic scheme offering digital gift vouchers of ISK 5 000 (approximately EUR 33) to individuals, which can be used to buy services (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves amendments to the Norwegian support scheme for cultural events due to the COVID-19 pandemic Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 Pandemic: ESA approves amendments to Norwegian support scheme for cultural events* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved amendments to a scheme to cover losses due to cancellation or postponement of events. Norway notified ESA on 14 December of changes to the (...)

The EU Commission approves €30 billion Dutch scheme to support projects reducing greenhouse gas emissions
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €30 billion Dutch scheme to support projects reducing greenhouse gas emissions* The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €30 billion Dutch scheme to support projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Netherlands. The scheme (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves additional aid to Norway’s national airport due to the COVID-19 pandemic
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA approves additional aid to Norway’s Torp Sandefjord Airport* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) today found a Norwegian plan to continue support to Torp Sandefjord Airport to be in line with EEA state-aid rules. The aid will help alleviate the airport’s financial losses (...)

The EU Commission gives green light to the pan-European guarantee fund to enable up to €200 billion of additional financing for companies affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in 21 Member States Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission gives green light to the Pan-European Guarantee Fund to enable up to €200 billion financing for companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak in 21 Member States* The European Commission found the creation of a €25 billion Pan-European Guarantee Fund managed by the (...)

The EU Commission authorises pan-European guarantee fund for companies affected by the Covid-19 outbreak Free
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 20 contributions 1176 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 131 contributions 23010 visites
On 14 December 2020, the Commission authorised the creation of a € 25 billion Pan-European Guarantee Fund managed by the European Investment Bank (“EIB”) to support companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The creation of this Pan-European Guarantee Fund (the “Fund”) was endorsed by the (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves Icelandic grant scheme for businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA approves Icelandic grant scheme for businesses* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved an Icelandic scheme that will offer grants to companies suffering income losses as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, (...)

The EU Commission approves €106.7 million restructuring aid and €30.2 compensation for damages suffered due to coronavirus outbreak in favour of French airline (Corsair)
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €106.7 million restructuring aid and €30.2 compensation for damages suffered due to coronavirus outbreak in favour of French airline Corsair* The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, two French measures in favour of Corsair, an airline active (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority clears public financing of Norway’s e-health record system (Akson)
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
ESA clears public financing of Norway’s e-health record system Akson* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today concluded that Norway’s financing of Akson, an electronic health (e-health) record system, does not raise state aid issues. On 25 November 2020, Norway notified ESA of its (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves amendments to support scheme for Norwegian tourism sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA approves amendments to support scheme for Norwegian tourism sector* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved a prolongation of and amendments to the Norwegian liquidity support grant scheme for businesses in the tourism sector. On 6 July 2020, ESA found (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority approves amendments to grant scheme for Norwegian traders of package travels due to the COVID-19 pandemic Free
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 48 contributions 4495 visites
COVID-19 pandemic: ESA approves amendments to grant scheme for Norwegian traders of package travels* The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved amendments to a Norwegian scheme that provides access to liquidity for tour operators offering package holidays. The package-holiday (...)

The EU Commission approves €20 million voucher scheme to support access to broadband services by students in Greece essential in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €20 million voucher scheme to support access to broadband services by students in Greece* The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a €20 million voucher scheme to help students in Greece access broadband services and benefit from remote online (...)

The EU Commission approves €625 million Italian scheme to support tour operators and travel agencies affected by COVID-19 outbreak Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves €625 million Italian scheme to support tour operators and travel agencies affected by coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved a €625 million Italian scheme to support tour operators and travel agencies in Italy affected by the coronavirus (...)

The EU Court of Justice AG Kokott suggests annulling the judgment of the General Court and provides guidance on the concept of “aid scheme” in cases of tax rulings (Magnetrol International)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 20 contributions 1176 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 131 contributions 23010 visites
On 3 December 2020, Advocate General Kokott delivered her opinion on the appeal brought against the judgment of the General Court in case Belgium and Magnetrol International v Commission (Cases T-131/16 and T-263/16) of 14 February 2019 (the “Judgment under appeal”) (See VBB on Competition Law, (...)

The EU Commission approves German “umbrella” scheme to enable capital support to enterprises affected by COVID-19 outbreak Free
DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 705 contributions 1479486 visites
State aid: Commission approves German “umbrella” scheme to enable capital support to enterprises affected by coronavirus outbreak* The European Commission has approved German plans to set up a scheme under which the German federal and regional authorities can invest through debt and equity (...)

The EU Court of Justice clarifies that prices fixed by the state do not constitute State aid (Eco TLC) New
College of Europe (Bruges)
Belgique 269 contributions 37404 visites
Attribution to the State does not necessarily Imply Control by the State* Prices fixed by the state do not necessarily confer control to the state over the private resources which are used to pay those prices. Introduction Judging from how many times EU courts have been asked to interpret (...)

Procedures

 The Czech Competition Authority fines the manager of an electricity company for not fulfilling the obligation to cooperate during dawn raids (Egem) New
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
République tchèque 17 contributions 2753 visites
Manager of egem did not fulfil the obligation to cooperate during the dawn raid, the office imposed a fine amounting to czk 2,362,000* Petr Mlsna, the Chairman of the Office for the Protection of Competition, by the decision of 6 January 2021 rejected the appeal of EGEM s.r.o. and upheld (...)

The US DoJ gives permission to three States to join its antitrust lawsuit against a big tech company for maintaining monopolies in search and search advertising (Google)
US Department of Justice - Antitrust Division (Washington)
États-Unis 67 contributions 13378 visites
Three Additional States Ask Court To Join Justice Department Antitrust Suit Against Google* Today, the Attorneys General of Michigan and Wisconsin filed for permission to join the antitrust lawsuit filed by the United States and eleven other state Attorneys General against monopolist Google. (...)

The UK Government publishes a green paper proposing fundamental reforms of the public procurement rules governing the purchase of goods, works and services by the public sector and certain utilities New
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 1 contribution 25 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 4 contributions 149 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 25 visites
The UK Government has published a Green Paper proposing fundamental reforms of the public procurement rules governing the purchase of goods, works and services by the public sector and certain utilities. Those rules are currently set out in a series of UK regulations that are based very (...)

The UK Government publishes green paper on transforming public procurement
Morgan Lewis (London)
Royaume-Uni 2 contributions 107 visites
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Morgan Lewis (New York)
États-Unis 2 contributions 107 visites
The UK government published a Green Paper on December 15 that includes proposals to shape the future of public procurement in the United Kingdom by speeding up and simplifying public sector procurement processes. When the United Kingdom was a member of the European Union it had to comply with (...)

The UK Supreme Court lowers the bar for certification of class actions when giving its judgment against a financial services company (Merricks / Mastercard)
Hogan Lovells (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 54 visites
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Hogan Lovells (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 54 visites
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Hogan Lovells (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 54 visites
In a key decision, the UK Supreme Court has given guidance on the threshold for certifying a class action for breach of competition law. The Court’s judgment in Mastercard v Merricks will make it easier to obtain class certification and will likely encourage a significant increase in class (...)

The UK Supreme Court dismisses the appeal of a financial services company in a class action related to an alleged overcharging of interbank fees (Merricks / Mastercard)
Covington & Burling (London)
Royaume-Uni 5 contributions 705 visites
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Covington & Burling (London)
Royaume-Uni 4 contributions 208 visites
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Covington & Burling (Brussels)
Belgique 24 contributions 7856 visites
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The UK Supreme Court has today ruled in favour of Walter Merricks, the former head of the UK Financial Ombudsman Service., in a hotly-anticipated judgment in the first opt-out competition class action brought in the UK. Background Mr Merricks is the proposed class representative for 46.2 (...)

The UK Supreme Court hands down a landmark judgment, finding that the Competition Appeal Tribunal incorrectly rejected an application for certification to bring collective proceedings (Merricks / Mastercard)
Bird & Bird (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 41 visites
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Bird & Bird (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 41 visites
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Bird & Bird (London)
Royaume-Uni 23 contributions 1254 visites
The UK Supreme Court has handed down a landmark judgment, finding that the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) incorrectly rejected an application for certification to bring collective proceedings. This decision sets out important clarifications on the framework to be applied by the CAT when (...)

The UK Supreme Court receives actions from consumers and small businesses to seek redress for price fixing and abuses of dominant power in the financial services sector (Merricks / Mastercard)
Hausfeld (London)
Royaume-Uni 8 contributions 2970 visites
In 2015, the legislation introducing a UK collective litigation procedure for competition claims came into force – enabling consumers and small businesses to seek redress for the anti-competitive behaviours of price fixing and abuses of dominant power. Five years later, and such a collective (...)

The UK Supreme Court overturns a Competition Appeal Tribunal’s ruling and clarifies the class action regime in a proceeding brought against a credit card company (Merricks / Mastercard)
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 25 contributions 2256 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 7 contributions 1418 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 99 visites
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Earlier today the Supreme Court handed down its hotly-anticipated judgment regarding the certification of an opt-out competition collective action brought by Walter Merricks against Mastercard. The claim is seeking £14bn in damages on behalf of some 46.2 million UK consumers, in respect of (...)

The UK Supreme Court dismisses the appeal of a financial services company by upholding the decision of the Court of Appeal and makes a significant impact on the national collective proceedings for the future (Merricks / Mastercard)
White & Case (London)
Royaume-Uni 11 contributions 7048 visites
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White & Case (London)
Royaume-Uni 5 contributions 898 visites
In a landmark judgment (and in unusual circumstances), the UK Supreme Court has held that the ongoing Merricks v Mastercard case should be referred back to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). Not only is this a step towards Merricks’ claim that interchange fees were "an invisible tax on UK (...)

The UK Supreme Court hands down a significant judgment relating to the certification of a £14bn opt-out competition collective action brought against a credit card company (Merricks / Mastercard)
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 66 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 25 contributions 2256 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 7 contributions 1418 visites
…
On 11 December 2020 the Supreme Court handed down a very significant judgment relating to the certification of a £14bn opt-out competition collective action brought by Walter Merricks against Mastercard, in respect of losses alleged to have resulted from the use of anti-competitive multilateral (...)

The UK Supreme Court gives guidance on collective proceedings in competition appeal tribunal in the financial services sector (Merricks / Mastercard)
Shearman & Sterling (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 86 visites
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Shearman & Sterling (Brussels)
Belgique 11 contributions 3810 visites
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Shearman & Sterling (London)
Royaume-Uni 2 contributions 183 visites
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In our May 2020 Competition Litigation Update, we covered the hearing of the landmark Supreme Court case of Mastercard Incorporated v Walter Hugh Merricks [2020] UKSC 51. The Supreme Court has now handed down its judgment in the case which concerned the test for the certification of collective (...)

The UK Supreme Court clarifies low bar for class action certification (Merricks / Mastercard) New
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgique 25 contributions 12173 visites
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (London)
Royaume-Uni 6 contributions 2457 visites
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (London)
Royaume-Uni 4 contributions 549 visites
…
On 11 December 2020, the U.K. Supreme Court (the Court) handed down its much-awaited ruling in Merricks v Mastercard, dismissing Mastercard’s appeal against the English Court of Appeal’s April 2019 decision in a 3-2 ruling. The main aspects of the decision are explained below: This ruling (...)

The US Parliament passes legislation that aims to protect whistleblowers who come forward with information on criminal antitrust violations
GeyerGorey (Washington)
États-Unis 16 contributions 3020 visites
House Passes Antitrust Whistleblower Protections Authored by Senators Grassley, Leahy* Congratulations to Senator Chuck Grassley and Patrick Leahy for the passage in the House of Representatives of their bipartisan legislation that has already passed the Senate that aims to protect (...)

The US Congress passes federal protections for whistleblowers who report criminal antitrust violations
Morgan Lewis (New York)
États-Unis 1 contribution 21 visites
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Morgan Lewis (Boston)
États-Unis 1 contribution 21 visites
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Morgan Lewis (Silicon Valley)
États-Unis 8 contributions 1276 visites
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The Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act establishes new federal protections for whistleblowers who report violations of antitrust laws. This may impact enforcement efforts and litigation on labor mobility issues, including no-poaching and wage-fixing agreements. Companies can prepare for (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules in favour of domestic undertakings allowing them to sue big tech companies (Booking.com)
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hongrie 56 contributions 9174 visites
Amazon, Facebook, Google, Apple, Booking.com – domestic undertakings can also sue foreign ‘giants’ in Hungarian courts* The Court of Justice of the European Union adopted a decision which is significant and favourable for Hungarian undertakings as well: even the largest foreign platforms can be (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules that an action based on an abuse of dominant position is a matter relating to tort regarding the European regulations even if the parties are bound by a contract (Wikingerhof / Booking.com)
University of Versailles St-Quentin en Yvelines
France 1 contribution 83 visites
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University of Versailles St-Quentin en Yvelines
France 1 contribution 83 visites
On November 24, 2020, the European Court of Justice (hereinafter “ECJ”) delivered a judgment relating to the application of article 7, point 2, of the European Union’s Regulation n°1215/2012 (hereinafter “Brussels I bis”). In the present case, the company Wikingerhof GmbH operated a hotel in Germany. (...)

Regulatory

 The EU Commission launches a public consultation as part of the ongoing review of the vertical block exemption regulation New
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 4 contributions 207 visites
On 18 December 2020, the Commission launched a public consultation as part of the ongoing review of the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation (“VBER”) and its accompanying Vertical Guidelines. Based on the recently completed evaluation, the Commission concluded that, while the rules are still (...)

The EU Commission publishes consultation on vertical block exemption regulation policy options New
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 66 contributions 44811 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 7 contributions 724 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 23 contributions 4731 visites
On 18 December 2020 the Commission published a further consultation on its proposals for a revised vertical agreements block exemption Regulation (VBER) and guidelines. The Commission’s steps to date, and conclusions of its evaluation phase, are set out in our HSF Notes post from 17 September (...)

The New Zealand Competition Authority seeks feedback on funding to improve work in regulated sectors
New Zealand Commerce Commission
Nouvelle-Zélande 65 contributions 7439 visites
Commission seeks feedback on funding to improve work in regulated sectors* The Commerce Commission is seeking feedback on the level of funding needed over the next five years to help deliver its regulation of the telecommunications, electricity and gas sectors. The Commission’s regulatory (...)

The UK Competition Authority advises the Government on a regulatory regime for tech giants
United Kingdom’s Competition Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 181 contributions 32021 visites
CMA advises government on new regulatory regime for tech giants* The CMA has issued advice to government on the design and implementation of the UK’s new pro-competition regime for digital markets. New regime will proactively shape the behaviour of the most powerful tech firms It will ensure (...)

The UK Competition Authority proposes a pro-competition regime for digital markets
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 6 contributions 565 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 7 contributions 724 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
Royaume-Uni 23 contributions 4731 visites
On 8 December 2020 the CMA issued advice to the UK government on the design and implementation of a new pro-competition regime for digital markets. The advice was prepared by the Digital Markets Taskforce (DMT) formally launched by the CMA on 1 July 2020, following recommendations by the (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes recommendations for the regulation of digital markets
Covington & Burling (London)
Royaume-Uni 3 contributions 324 visites
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Covington & Burling (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 65 visites
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) has published advice to the UK Government on the design and implementation of a new regulatory regime for digital markets. The new regime, if implemented, will apply to certain digital businesses that are designated as having Strategic Market (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes report setting out recommendations which the Government could implement to regulate technology firms in a way that promotes competition in digital markets New
Hausfeld (London)
Royaume-Uni 1 contribution 26 visites
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Hausfeld (London)
Royaume-Uni 4 contributions 1647 visites
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Hausfeld (London)
Royaume-Uni 4 contributions 183 visites
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In December 2020, the CMA’s Digital Markets Taskforce (DMT) published its report setting out 15 recommendations which the UK Government could implement to regulate technology firms with ‘strategic market status’ (SMS) in a way that promotes competition, innovation and protects consumers and (...)

The Irish Competition Authority welcomes proposed reforms to legal education and training
Irish Competition Authority (Dublin)
Irlande 52 contributions 7485 visites
CCPC welcomes proposed reforms to legal education and training* The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) welcomes the recent publication of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority’s (LSRA) report into the education and training of legal practitioners. Over the years, the CCPC (...)
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