May 1999

Anticompetitive practices

 The EU Court of First Instance dismisses two appeals against the Commission’s finding that a ban in a distribution agreement is unlawful (BASF)
European Court of Justice (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 305 contributions 72639 visits
Case T-175/95 BASF Coatings AG ν Commission of the European Communities* 1. The procedure governing access to the file in competition cases is designed to enable the addressees of a statement of objections to examine evidence in the Commission’s files so that they are in a position effectively (...)

The EU Court of First Instance states that a clause inserted in an agreement between undertakings that prevents a buyer from reselling or exporting goods he has bought can affect trade between Member States (Accinauto)
European Court of Justice (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 305 contributions 72639 visits
Case T-176/95 Accinauto SA ν Commission of the European Communities* 1. By its nature, a clause inserted in an agreement between undertakings, the purpose of which is to prevent a buyer from reselling or exporting goods he has bought, is liable to partition the markets and consequently to (...)

The EU Commission issues a revised transatlantic conference agreement
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 841 visits
"Revised TACA"* Introduction The Commission’s TACA (Trans-Atlantic Conference Agreement) decision of 16 September 1998 found that certain agreements between the liner shipping companies party to the TACA restricted competition and neither fell within the block exemption of liner conferences (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on oligopoly
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 296 contributions 1153186 visites
Key documents: Executive Summary with key findings, Detailled Summary of the discussion, Background note Executive summary, by the Secretariat Considering the discussion at the roundtable, the delegate submissions, and the background paper, the following key points emerge: Mutually aware (...)

Mergers

 The EU Commission revokes its decision to clear a merger in the pharmaceutical sector because the clearance was based on incorrect information (Sanofi / Synthélabo)
European Commission - DG TRADE (Brussels)
Belgium 25 contributions 5952 visits
"Mergers: Recent developments and important decisions"* Pursuant to Article 6(3)(a) of the EC Merger Regulation, the European Commission revoked its decision of 15 March 1999, which cleared the merger of Sanofi, controlled by the Elf-Aquitaine group and Synthélabo, controlled by the L’Oréal (...)

State Aid

 The EU Commission authorizes, subject to certain conditions, aid granted by the German government in favor of chemicals companies (Dow / Buna SOW Leuna Olefinverbund)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 52 contributions 9431 visits
"Germany - Commission, subject to certain conditions, decides to confirm its decision of May 1996 to authorize aid in favour of Dow/Buna SOW Leuna Olefinverbund GmbH (BSL)"* On 26 May 1999, the Commission decided to close the Article 88(2) proceeding, reopened on 10 December 1997, and to raise (...)

The European Commission decides that the tax measure partially accelerated depreciation for R&D laboratories granted by the Dutch government does not constitute state aid
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 52 contributions 9431 visits
"The Netherlands – Commission decides that the tax measure ‘partially accelerated depreciation for R&D laboratories’ does not constitute state aid"* In May 1999 the Commission decided to raise no objections to the notified tax measure ‘partially accelerated depreciation for R&D (...)

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