October 2014

Anticompetitive practices

 The Indian Competition Authority imposes penalties on companies for price-fixing through circulation of daily price bulletins amongst themselves and limitation of supply (Indian Sugar Mills)
Chandhiok & Mahajan (New Delhi)
Inde 12 contributions 2520 visites
Guest Post From India: “Of Price Bulletins and Dawn Raids”* Trade associations seem to be the flavor of the day for the CCI these days. Less than 4 days after passing an order fining the Chemists and Druggists Association, Goa, the Competition Commission of India (the “CCI”) has imposed (...)

The Federal Court of Australia finds no breach of legislation in air cargo cartel case on ground that it did not involve a ‘market in Australia’ (Air New Zealand)
University of Melbourne
Australia 7 contributions 2870 visits
The Australian Federal Court recently handed down a decision relating to the international air cargo cartel (the Air NZ case). Despite finding that the defendants, Air New Zealand Limited (Air NZ) and PT Garuda Indonesia Ltd (Garuda), had engaged in price fixing conduct which might have (...)

The Japanese High Court in Osaka upholds the unfair trade practice claims of the taxi drivers against a taxi operator for obstructing private taxis’ access to the taxi waiting area in front of a railway station (Shin Tetsu Taxi)
Baker McKenzie (Tokyo)
Japon 39 contributions 3728 visites
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36 contributions 1077 visites
Brief summary of facts The defendant, a taxi operator and a wholly owned subsidiary of the railway company, obstructed private taxis’ access to the taxi waiting area located in front of the railway station, alleging that the area was an "exclusive taxi stop" for the defendant. The (...)

The US District Court for the District of New Jersey allows bid-rigging claims concerning municipal tax lien auctions to proceed (New Jersey Tax Sales Certificates)
Siemens (New York)
United States 21 contributions 7725 visits
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Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler (New York)
United States 5 contributions 1302 visits
Antitrust Claims Survive Motions to Dismiss in the New Jersey Tax Lien Bid-Rigging Class Action* The plaintiffs’ antitrust claims in the New Jersey municipal tax lien auction bid-rigging class action may proceed, the federal judge presiding over the litigation has ruled. New Jersey (...)

The US FTC settles charges of indirect price-fixing (Blue Rhino / AmeriGas)
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (New York)
United States 1 contribution 172 visits
Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Agree to Settle FTC Claims of Propane Tank Price-Fixing* On October 31, 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” ) agreed to a settlement with Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange, the two leading suppliers of propane exchange tanks, regarding FTC charges that (...)

The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority proposes to fine a power line builder for participating in a cartel (Eltel and Empower)
Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (Helsinki)
Finlande 75 contributions 12657 visites
The FCCA proposes a EUR 35 million fine on power line builder Eltel for participating in a cartel* The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) today submitted a proposal to the Market Court to impose a fine of EUR 35 million on Eltel Networks Oy and Eltel Group Oy (hereinafter (...)

The England & Wales High Court of Justice guides on the application of the limitation period in damages actions (Arcadia / Visa)
St John’s Chambers (Bristol)
United Kingdom 15 contributions 5684 visits
United Kingdom: High Court provides guidance on application of limitation periods in damages actions* The High Court has recently provided guidance on the application of limitation periods in competition damages actions. In Arcadia v Visa, it ruled that a substantial part of the claimant’s (...)

The Czech Office for the Protection of Competition imposes fines on two undertakings for bid rigging in the sector of supply of fire and rescue technology and equipment (Požární bezpečnost and Perspekta)
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
République tchèque 49 contributions 6711 visites
Suppliers of fire equipment sanctioned for bid rigging* Office for the Protection of Competition (hereinafter referred to as “the Office”) imposed by its first instance decision fines of CZK 972,000 on undertakings Perpekta, spol. s.r.o a Požární bezpečnost s.r.o. for breaching the Act on (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority closes an investigation into retail price maintenance in the sports nutrition market (13:e Protein Import)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 220602 visits
SCA Closes Investigation into Retail Price Maintenance in Sport Nutrition Market* On 30 October 2014, the Swedish Competition Authority (SCA) adopted a reasoned priority decision not to pursue the investigation of a complaint regarding alleged resale price maintenance infringing Chapter 2 (...)

The Austrian Supreme Court refers a cartel case back to the court of first instance to establish whether umbrella pricing effects are provably a result of a cartel (ÖBB)
Schoenherr (Vienna)
Australia 14 contributions 385 visits
Brief summary of facts This case related to umbrella pricing claims that allegedly arose as a consequence of the elevator cartel; the claimant argued that he had incurred damages due to the fact that all market participants in the elevator industry that had not been part of the cartel had (...)

The UK Competition Authority reopens a previously closed OFT investigation into hotel online booking (IHG / Expedia / Booking.com)
DLA Piper (London)
United Kingdom 25 contributions 18488 visits
Executive Summary: After initially accepting commitments in the hotel online booking investigation, the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) decision was quashed by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). The case was referred back to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who has now (...)

The Office of Thai Trade Competition Commission proposes changes to Thailand’s Trade Competition Act 1999
8 contributions 5202 visits
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Rajah & Tann (Bangkok)
Thailand 1 contribution 308 visits
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Rajah & Tann (Bangkok)
Thailand 1 contribution 308 visits
Introduction The Office of Thai Trade Competition Commission in Thailand (‘OTCC’) recently discussed proposed changes to Thailand’s Trade Competition Act 1999 (the ‘Act’) during a public hearing held on 28 October 2014. This is the first substantial review of the Act since its enactment in (...)

The US District Court for the Northern District of Texas dismisses with prejudice a class action’s plaintiffs that have not overcome the pleading deficiencies following the first judicial review of their pleadings (OTC Hotel Booking)
Ashurst (Milan)
Italy 103 contributions 30343 visits
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas dismissed Second Consolidated Amended Complaint against hotel chains and online travel agencies* On 28 October 2014 the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Texas dismissed with prejudice a class action against hotel chains (...)

The Competition Commission of India fines chemists trade association for continuing to violate its order (Chemists and Druggists Association)
Chandhiok & Mahajan (New Delhi)
Inde 12 contributions 2520 visites
Competition Commission of India fines chemists trade association for continuing violation of its order* On 27 October 2014, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) following a complaint filed by M/s Xcel Healthcare, a stockist for pharmaceuticals in the state of Goa, found that the (...)

The Moscow Arbitration Court confirms the bid-rigging decision of the Russian Competition Authority on the case on crab auctions (Aquaresource)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
Arbitration Court supported FAS position on the case on crab auctions* On 27th October 2014, Moscow Arbitration Court dismissed the claim of “Aquaresource- DV” Ltd. to invalidate FAS decision and determination. On 19th February 2014 FAS found that “Aquaresource- DV” Ltd., “Taifun” Ltd., (...)

The Indian Competition Authority orders coal company to cease and desist abuse of dominance in line with previous orders in 2 separate cases (Coal India)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 43246 visits
CCI directs Coal India to cease & desist from unfair practices* On October 27, 2014, CCI issued two separate orders against Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiaries for abusing their dominant position. The final orders were passed on the information’s filed by Mr. Bijay Poddar (BP) (...)

The Romanian Competition Council analyzes the compatibility between national law provisions on the trade of dietary supplements with the provisions of EU treaties on free movement of goods (Advanced Nutrition)
DLA Piper (Bucharest)
Romania 8 contributions 2417 visits
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DLA Piper (Bucharest)
Romania 3 contributions 804 visits
Introduction The Romanian Competition Council ("RCC") published in October 2014 a decision concerning the alleged discriminatory conditions created by the national legislative framework regarding the trade of dietary supplements in Romania ("RCC Decision"). The analysis carried out by the RCC (...)

The Italian Competition Authority adopts national guidelines on antitrust fines
BonelliErede (Rome)
Italy 41 contributions 54307 visits
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Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition (Munich)
Italy 11 contributions 4581 visits
In its decision of 22 October 2014 the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”) adopted the Guidelines on modalities of implementation of criteria for quantification of administrative penalties imposed by the Italian Competition Authority under Section 1, Article 15, of Law No. 287 of 10 October (...)

The EU Commission imposes fines of nearly €94 million on four major banks for collusive behaviors (RBS / JPMorgan / UBS / Credit Suisse)
Alston & Bird (London)
United Kingdom 6 contributions 1833 visits
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UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 677 visits
European Commission Settles Two Swiss Franc-Related Derivatives Investigations* The European Commission has settled two cartel investigations and sanctioned four major banks in the Swiss Franc-related derivatives market, imposing total fines of approximately 94 million euros, for violations (...)

The French Civil Supreme Court requests justification on how belonging to a group may be considered an aggravating factor in setting antitrust fines (Allez)
Dazi Avocats (Paris)
France 15 contributions 18273 visits
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Mermoz (Paris)
France 2 contributions 457 visits
On 21 October 2014, the French Civil Supreme Court issued a decision regarding bid rigging in the public contract sector. Following an investigation of the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumption and the Fight against Fraud, the French Competition Authority found ten undertakings (...)

The EU Commission sends formal charges to companies regarding a cooperation agreement which may have limited availability of a product and technical development (Honeywell / DuPont)
Ashurst (Milan)
Italy 103 contributions 30343 visits
Commission sends formal charges to Honeywell and DuPont regarding cooperation on car air conditioning refrigerant* On 21 October 2014 the European Commission issued formal charges to Honeywell and DuPont, based on allegations that the cooperation agreement they entered into in 2010 on the (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority imposes fines on four regional publishers for having implemented an anticompetitive agreement aiming to share markets in the county-wide daily newspapers market (Axel Springer)
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hongrie 95 contributions 19902 visites
Regional publishers shared the market of county-wide daily newspapers* The Hungarian Competition Authority (Gazdasági Versenyhivatal – GVH) established that Axel Springer Magyarország Kft. (Axel Springer, its new name: Mediaworks Kft.), Russmedia Kft. (Russmedia, its former name: Inform (...)

U.S. Federal Court Provides Guidance on Treating Joint Ventures as a "Single Entity" for Antitrust Purposes (Premier)
Jones Day (Washington)
United States 11 contributions 6536 visits
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États-Unis 23 contributions 11499 visites
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Jones Day (Cleveland)
United States 9 contributions 2959 visits
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio has unsealed its summary judgment opinion in The Medical Center at Elizabeth Place v. Premier Health Partners. The Court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants—four hospital systems that operated pursuant to a (...)

The US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio holds that undertakings, even previously competing against each other, cease to be separate economic actors once they contractually agree to share in risks and profits by combining all of their income into a single bottom line (Premier Health)
Sheppard Mullin (San Francisco)
United States 13 contributions 3083 visits
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Sheppard Mullin (Century City)
United States 9 contributions 1825 visits
District Court Weighs in on Level of Integration Required to Shield Health Care Collaborations from Section 1 Scrutiny* In Medical Center at Elizabeth Place v. Premier Health Partners et. al, Case No. 12-cv-26 (S.D. Oh. Oct. 20, 2014), the Southern District of Ohio held that (...)

The Slovak Antimonopoly Office imposes fines on a municipality for advantaging an undertaking in the funeral and cemetery services market (Rimavská Sobota)
Slovak Competition Authority (Bratislava)
Slovakia 57 contributions 5798 visits
Rimavská Sobota was imposed a fine for advantaging an undertaking in the area of funeral and cemetery services* On 19 October 2014 the Antimonopoly Office of the Slovak Republic, Division of Cartels issued a decision by which it imposed a fine on municipality of Rimavská Sobota in the amount (...)

The Cyprus Commission for the Protection of Competition imposes a fine of 2.1 million Euro on the Cyprus Cattle-farmers Association (Cyprus Cattle-farmers Association)
Chrysses Demetriades (Limassol)
Cyprus 10 contributions 3325 visits
1. Background In its decision dated 17/10/2014 the Cypriot Commission for the Protection of Competition (the “CPC”) held that the Cyprus Cattle-farmers Association (also referred as “CCA” and the “association”) violated a number of provisions of the Cyprus Law on the Protection of (...)

The US Supreme Court hears oral arguments before interpreting the state action exemption to the antitrust laws (North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners)
Bona Law (Detroit)
United States 24 contributions 5761 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2015 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. On October 14, 2014, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners v. FTC, the latest in its long line of cases (...)

The US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania rules that claims of “good faith reliance on counsel” were not sufficient to maintain a Capper-Volstead affirmative defence to the antitrust laws (Mushroom Direct Purchaser)
BakerHostetler (Washington)
United States 2 contributions 323 visits
Mushroom Court Ruling Sprouts Controversy on Whether Reliance on Lawyer Advice Maintains Affirmative Defense to Antitrust Claims* A federal district court recently ruled that claims of “good faith reliance on counsel” were not sufficient to maintain a Capper-Volstead affirmative defense to (...)

The US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania rules that claims of “good faith reliance on counsel” were not sufficient to maintain a Capper-Volstead affirmative defence to allegations that immunity had been forfeited by the inclusion of non-producer members (Mushroom Direct Purchaser)
Sheppard Mullin (Los Angeles)
United States 46 contributions 8064 visits
Agricultural Cooperative Antitrust Litigation Continues to Mushroom* Pennsylvania District Court certifies five year ruling for interlocutory appeal, that mushroom cooperative is not immune from antitrust claims based upon “advice of counsel” argument. In Re Mushroom Direct Purchaser (...)

The Court of Justice of the EU rules against Member States fixing minimum prices for products (API, Yesmoke Tobacco)
Lancaster University
United Kingdom 6 contributions 960 visits
The Price is Not Right: Italian Troubles with Road Haulage and Tobacco Pricing* Two recent judgments handed down by the CJEU show how difficult it can be for a Member State to involve itself in fixing minimum prices for products. Given the ongoing challenge to minimum alcohol pricing in (...)

The Japanese High Court of Fukuoka partially upholds the damages claims against an international convenience store chain on the grounds that its agents violated franchisee owners’ pricing rights by not allowing them to make discounts (Seven Eleven)
Baker McKenzie (Tokyo)
Japon 39 contributions 3728 visites
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36 contributions 1077 visites
Brief summary of facts On 22 June 2009, the Japanese Competition Authority (JFTC) issued a cease-and-desist order against the defendant, Seven Eleven Japan, on the grounds that Seven Eleven Japan stopped franchisee owners from close-out sales and committed disadvantageous treatment, such as (...)

The Bulgarian Supreme Administrative Court confirms the sanction imposed by the Bulgarian Competition Commission on several undertakings for having implemented a vertical anticompetitive agreement in the sunflower oil market (Zvezda and COOP - Trade and Tourism)
Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Sofia)
Bulgaria 20 contributions 2986 visits
SAC upholds sanctions for prohibited agreement on the sunflower oil market* Last week the Supreme Administrative Court upheld in full measure sanctions for the sunflower oil producer “Zvezda” AD and its main distributer “COOP - Trade and Tourism” AD, respectively amounting to BGN 85 673 and (...)

The Polish Competition Authority upholds the NCA’s decision regarding price fixing within a restaurant franchising network (Sfinx)
Utrecht University
Netherlands 5 contributions 1526 visits
The court of the Competition and Consumers Protection (the Court) upheld the decision of 25 June 2013 of the President of the Polish Office of Competition and Consumers Protection (NCA) stating that Sfinx Polska SA (Sfinx) infringed the art. 6 (1) (1) of the Polish Act on competition and (...)

The Osaka High Court issues an injunction preventing a company from physically blocking independent taxi drivers lining up, acquiring customers and awarded damages in the independent taxi sector (Drivers / Shintetsu)
Norton Rose Fulbright (Brussels)
Belgium 20 contributions 5699 visits
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Anderson Mori & Tomotsune (Tokyo)
Japan 4 contributions 818 visits
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Anderson Mori & Tomotsune (Tokyo)
Japan 4 contributions 818 visits
I. Introduction On 31 October 2014, the Osaka High Court (“Court”) found that Shintetsu engaged in an unfair trade practice in violation of the AMA by physically preventing the Drivers from seeking and acquiring customers at taxicab stands outside two Kobe Electric Railway Co., Ltd’s (...)

The Moscow Arbitration Court confirms the decision of the Russian Competition Authority which sanctioned dealers for resale price maintenance (VMZ)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
The Court supported FAS decision with regard to “Vyazma Machine-Building Works” and its dealers* On 1st October 2014, Moscow Arbitration Court dismissed a claim of “Vyazma Machine-Building Works” OJSC (“VMZ” OJSC) and its dealers to invalidate a decision of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (...)

The Moscow Arbitration Court confirms the fines imposed on several companies for cartel in the market of supplying swai from Vietnam (Russian Fish)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
The Court supported FAS in a case on the cartel for supplying swai from Vietnam* On 1st October 2014, Moscow Arbitration Court confirmed legitimacy of the decision of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) on a case on anticompetitive agreement on the market of frozen swai imported (...)

The German Competition Authority following its cartel proceeding forces an association of pharmacists to forego an anticompetitive clause in the sale of blood glucose strips market (AVWL)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 458 contributions 117190 visites
Bundeskartellamt strengthens competition in the sale of blood glucose strips in Westphalia-Lippe* The Bundeskartellamt has concluded its cartel proceeding against the pharmacists association in Westphalia-Lippe (Apothekerverband Westfalen-Lippe e.V. Apothekerverband Westfalen-Lippe e.V. (...)

Unilateral Practices

 The Spanish Competition Authority fines a telecom operator for restrictions in its mobile services contracts with small and medium-sized businesses (Telefónica Móviles)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 220602 visits
CNMC Fines Telefónica Móviles* On 30 October 2014, Telefónica Móviles was fined € 25 784 341 for switching restrictions in its mobile services contracts with small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). The Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) found that this practice (...)

The Irish Competition Authority publishes an enforcement decision concerning state postal services provider (An post)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 220602 visits
Competition Authority Publishes Enforcement Decision concerning State Postal Services Provider* On 30 October 2014, the Competition Authority (Authority) published an Enforcement Decision following an investigation into how An Post - the State postal service provider - applied its Zonal (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority closes its investigation into an electricity distribution and retail company for increasing the switching costs for eligible customers and impeding the opportunities of competitors (Ayedas)
Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University
Turquie 31 contributions 12139 visites
This case note analyses the decision of the Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) in which it has closed the investigation it launched into an electricity retail sale company, AYESAS, for unilaterally including most of the eligible customers into its own portfolio without signing an agreement (...)

The Russian Competition Authority fines a pharmaceutical laboratory having not executed a warning (Teva)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
TEVA is fined for failure to execute FAS determination* On 20th October 2014, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) held TEVA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LIMITED (Israel) administratively liable for failure to execute a determination and fined the company 300,000 RUB. In December (...)

The Polish Competition Authority monitors the implementation of commitments by an oil and gas exploration and production company to modify contractual relations with customers (PGNiG)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 220602 visits
UOKiK Monitors Implementation of Commitments by PGNiG to Modify Contractual Relations with Customers* On 17 October 2014, the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) initiated proceedings to determine whether Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo (PGNiG), Poland’s largest oil (...)

The Chinese Supreme Court sets up the standard for antitrust private litigation with a detailed analysis method regarding market definition and dominance establishment (Qihoo / Tencent)
AnJie Broad Law (Beijing)
Chine 44 contributions 12633 visites
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AnJie Broad Law (Beijing)
China 2 contributions 932 visits
When the Antitrust Encounter the Internet: The Legal Battle between Qihoo 360 and Tencent Finally Comes to the End* The outgoing year has witnessed the significantly increasing role of „Antitrust‟ and „Internet‟ played in China‟s economy. With the Supreme People‟s Court („SPC‟) ratified the (...)

The Chinese Supreme Court issues the first decision based on the economic analysis under Anti-Monopoly Law (Qihoo / Tencent)
Deacons (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong 2 contributions 350 visits
On October 16, 2014, the Chinese Supreme People’s Court (SPC) announced its ruling on the landmark antitrust litigation brought by Qihoo 360 against Tencent. The decision marked the SPC’s first ruling on a matter filed under China’s Anti-Monopoly Law (AML), which came into effect in August (...)

The Belgian Competition Authority dismisses a complaint of an independent rough diamond dealer because of the low likelihood of finding an infringement taking into account the international context of the file (De Beers / Spira)
Belgian Competition Authority (Brussels)
Belgique 122 contributions 24508 visites
The Prosecution body of the Belgian Competition Authority decides to dismiss the complaint of Spira against De Beers* The Prosecution body of the Belgian Competition Authority has decided to dismiss a complaint of Spira against De Beers. This decision is motivated by the priority management (...)

The EU Commission hits telecoms with fines of 70 million euros for abusing the Slovak broadband market (Slovak Telecom)
Alston & Bird (London)
United Kingdom 6 contributions 1833 visits
European Commission Hits Telecoms With Fines Of 70 Million Euros For Abusing Slovak Broadband Market* Co-written by Yulia Tosheva. The European Commission has signalled that it is not dialing down its scrutiny of the telecommunications sector by imposing fines totalling 70 million euros on (...)

The Japanese Supreme Court dismisses the final appeal for damages against an international convenience store chain for stopping franchisee owners from close-out sales (Seven Eleven)
Baker McKenzie (Tokyo)
Japon 39 contributions 3728 visites
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36 contributions 1077 visites
Brief summary of facts On 22 June 2009, the Japanese Competition Authority (JFTC) issued a cease-and-desist order against the defendant, i.e. Seven-Eleven Japan, on the grounds that its acts to have franchisee owners lose their opportunities to reduce their damage equivalent to the costs (...)

The Russian Competition Authority issues a warning to an oil and gas provider suspected to abuse its dominance (Transneft / AK)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
FAS issued warnings to “Transneft” for untimely intentions* On 14th October 2014, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) issued a warning to Deputy Vice-President – Director of the Department for Transport, Record Keeping and Quality of Oil Products of “Transneft” AK” OJSC, Nazarov, (...)

The Chinese Supreme Court elaborates detailed fundamental principles of anti-monopoly law, in particular in the context of abuse of dominance on the internet market, in its first anti-monopoly case (Qihoo / Tencent)
King & Wood Mallesons (Beijing)
China 36 contributions 23527 visits
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King & Wood Mallesons (Beijing)
United States 4 contributions 942 visits
The Supreme Court Goes Online with Anti-Monopoly Law Principles：A Review of Qihoo v.s. Tencent Abuse of Market Dominance Case* Introduction On 15 November 2011, Qihoo issued proceedings against Tencent in the Guangdong Higher Court, asserting that Tencent had abused its dominant position, (...)

The Chinese Supreme Court dismisses a private enforcement action over an alleged abuse of dominance by a software company (Qihoo / Tencent)
King & Capital Law Firm (Beijing)
China 5 contributions 97 visits
Brief summary of facts In September 2010, the instant messenger software, Tencent QQ, and QQ Software Manager were installed in a package and in the process of installation, users were not prompted that QQ Software Manager would be installed simultaneously. On 21 September 2010, Tencent (...)

The Moscow Arbitration Appeal Court confirms that the behavior of an Authority has created disadvantages and has resulted in the monopolization of the relevant market (Cheboksary Authority / Cash Settlement Centre)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
Appeal Court: Cheboksary Authority created advantages for “Cash Settlement Centre” OJSC in the prejudice of a competitor* On 8th October 2014, the 9th Arbitration Appeal Court upheld the judgment of Moscow Arbitration Court that the decision and determination on the case on violating the (...)

The Russian Competition Authority opens proceedings against railways company for failure to execute the warning (Russian Railways)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
“Russian Railways” does not give commuter trains* “Russian Railways” OJSC avoided concluding a rolling stock lease contract with “Interregional Passenger Company” Ltd. (“MRPK” Ltd. is not included in the Group of persons of “Russian Railways” OJSC) for commuter transportation of passengers (...)

The Russian Competition Authority sanctions the main suppliers of cards for tachographs for abuse of dominance (RusAvtoKart)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
The leading suppliers of cards for tachographs abused market dominance* The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) found that the main suppliers of cards for tachographs – “RusAvtoKart” Ltd., “RusTAKHONET” OJSC and “NIIAT” OJSC violated the Law “On Protection of Competition” (Clause 1 (...)

The French Competition Authority accepts commitments from a railway company in the distribution of train tickets market (SNCF)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 748 contributions 411154 visites
The Autorité de la concurrence obtains commitments from SNCF allowing travel agencies to compete on an equal footing with voyages-sncf.com. Following these changes, travellers should enjoy an enhanced offer of services.* Summary Following a complaint submitted to the Autorité de la (...)

The Indian Competition Authority issues an order on the emerging jurisprudence of interface between intellectual property and competition law (HT Media / Super Cassettes)
Jindal Global University (Sonipat)
India 4 contributions 1460 visits
On October 1, 2014, Competition Commission of India (CCI) gave its final order on a yet another case making some vital contributions to the shaping of the law on the emerging jurisprudence of interface between intellectual property and competition law regimes in India. While this case sets a (...)

The Russian Competition Authority welcomes the enforcement of the warning by a gas provider aiming to stop the competition concerns (Gazprom)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
FAS warning solved a consumer problem that could not be resolved for three years* “Gazprom” executed a warning of the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) and eliminated elements of violations of the antimonopoly law. The antimonopoly authority was notified about executing the warning (...)

Mergers

 The French Competition Authority conditionally clears an acquisition in the high-speed broadband access market (SFR / Numéricable)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 748 contributions 411154 visites
The Autorité de la concurrence gives conditional clearance to the acquisition of SFR by Numericable, an Altice subsidiary. * Among the commitments discussed and negotiated with the Autorité de la concurrence, Numericable commits to give competitors (internet service providers, MVNO) access (...)

The French Competition Authority clears the takeover of a mobile phone operator subject to structural and behavioural commitments (SFR / Numéricable)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Paris)
France 101 contributions 47015 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Paris)
France 63 contributions 13619 visites
Introduction On 30 October 2014, following an in-depth review, the French Competition Authority (the "FCA") authorised the takeover of the mobile phone operator SFR by Numericable Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Altice. Before the transaction, SFR was wholly owned by the Vivendi group; (...)

The German Competition Authority clears a merger following an in-depth examination on the production of foreign identity documents market (Giesecke & Devrient / Bundesdruckerei)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 458 contributions 117190 visites
Bundeskartellamt clears joint venture between Giesecke & Devrient and Bundesdruckerei for the production of foreign identity documents* Following an in-depth examination the Bundeskartellamt has cleared the establishment of a joint venture for the production of foreign identity documents (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority interprets the notion of a “direct participant” and confirms that non-competition obligation clauses which benefit the vendor are unlikely to qualify as ancillary restraints (Ringier Axel Springer / Central Médiacsoport)
Kinstellar (Budapest)
Hungary 7 contributions 1488 visits
On 29 October 2014 the Hungarian Competition Authority cleared the acquisition of two employment websites by Ringier Axel Springer Media AG(“RASMAG”), but warned that the restrictions imposed on the purchaser in the sale and purchase agreement may not qualify as ancillary restraints. It also (...)

The German Competition Authority clears an acquisition of sole control in the gas markets and changes its practice of defining these markets (EWE / VNG)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 458 contributions 117190 visites
Bundeskartellamt clears EWE’s acquisition of a majority interest in VNG* Today the Bundeskartellamt has cleared the acquisition of a further 15.79% of the shares in VNG AG, Leipzig, by EWE AG, Oldenburg. EWE AG acquired the shares from Wintershall Holding GmbH, Kassel. EWE AG will now hold a (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority clears an acquisition of sole control in the insurance market (ERGO International / Agrotiki Asfalistiki)
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Grèce 132 contributions 18620 visites
Clearance of the proposed acquisition by “ERGO International Aktiengesellschaft” of the insurance company “AGROTIKI ASFALISTIKI S.A.”. * By its unanimous Decision 594/2014, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) approved, under Greek merger control rules, the proposed acquisition of (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority receives notification of a proposed concentration between two natural gas exploration and production companies (Gazprom / Shwarzmeer)
Commission for the Protection of Competition of the Republic of Cyprus (Nicosia)
Cyprus 64 contributions 9167 visits
The Service of the Commission for the Protection of Competition received on behalf of Gazprom Germania GmbH, a notification of a proposed concentration according to section 10(4)(α) of the Control of Concentrations between Enterprises Law (Number 83(I)/2014), concerning the acquisition of part (...)

The Finnish Competition Authority clears, subject to remedies, an acquisition in the chicken feed market (DAVA Foods / Muna Foods)
Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (Helsinki)
Finlande 75 contributions 12657 visites
The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority approved egg business acquisition subject to conditions* On 21 October 2014, the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (FCCA) approved an acquisition whereby DAVA Foods Holding A/S, a Danish company, acquires control of the Finnish company (...)

The EU Commission clears the acquisition of a Dutch cable TV operator by a competitor, subject to conditions (Liberty Global / Ziggo)
European Commission - DG CNECT (Brussels)
Belgium 1 contribution 504 visits
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European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 2 contributions 709 visits
"Liberty Global/Ziggo: Consolidation and Innovation in Telecoms"* In the midst of the telecoms consolidation wave observed in Europe and the US, the Commission’s review of Liberty Global/Ziggo highlights the risk that fixed network consolidation can pose to innovation. Even in the (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority conditionally clears an acquisition on the market of the insurance of land vehicles and the market of property insurance (Lietuvos draudimas / PZU)
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lituanie 107 contributions 20929 visites
COMPETITION COUNCIL CLEARS ACQUISITION OF AB LIETUVOS DRAUDIMAS BY PZU S.A., SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS* On 9 October, the Competition Council (KT) cleared the acquisition of 100 per cent of AB Lietuvos draudimas shares by PZU S.A. The merger was cleared upon the condition that PZU S.A. would (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority clears a merger subject to commitments in the insurance sector (PZU / Lietuvos draudimas)
Valiunas Ellex (Vilnius)
Lithuania 6 contributions 2011 visits
On 9 October 2014 the Lithuanian competition authority adopted a decision clearing the acquisition of 100% shares of AB “Lietuvos draudimas” by PZU S.A., subject to commitments. The transaction concerned Lithuanian insurance sector and it entailed a horizontal concentration between two of (...)

The German Competition Authority clears an acquisition on the food retail market (Jibi Handel / J. Bünting Beteiligungs)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 458 contributions 117190 visites
Bundeskartellamt clears takeover of Jibi by Bünting* The Bundeskartellamt has today cleared the complete acquisition of Jibi Handel GmbH & Co. by J. Bünting Beteiligungs AG in the first phase of merger control. Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt: "By acquiring 88 Jibi (...)

The Polish Competition Authority clears the creation of a joint undertaking in the power generation and distribution market (Polska Grupa Energetyczna / Polska Miedź)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22834 visits
The OCCP approves the formation of PGE EJ 1* The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (OCCP) has approved the formation of PGE EJ 1, a joint undertaking of the energy groups PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, Tauron, and Enea and of the mining group KGHM Polska Miedź to build Poland’s (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority clears a merger in the market of guest accommodation and catering services in hotels, apartments and campsites and in the market of guest accommodation (Plava laguna / Istraturist)
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 20019 visits
Approved merger between Plava laguna and Istraturist* The Croatian Competition Agency approved the implementation of the proposed concentration between the undertakings Plava laguna and Istraturist. The concentration in question will produce effects in the following relevant markets: guest (...)

The Netherlands Competition Authority clears a merger of three care providers in the northern Dutch province of Friesland (Kwadrantgroep, Antonius Zorggroep and Nij Smellinghe / Pasana)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 212 contributions 36841 visits
ACM clears merger between three northern care providers* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has cleared the merger of three care providers in the northern Dutch province of Friesland, which are Kwadrantgroep, Antonius Zorggroep and Nij Smellinghe/Pasana. These three (...)

The EU Commission unconditionally clears the acquisition of a real-time messaging services provider by social networking company (Facebook / WhatsApp)
Ramón y Cajal (Madrid)
Spain 11 contributions 4203 visits
Background information On 3 October 2014 the European Commission ("Commission") unconditionally clears in first phase the €14 billion acquisition of WhatsApp by Facebook (the “Transaction”). The Transaction was already conditionally authorized in April 2014 by the US Federal Trade Commission (...)

The EU Commission unconditionally approves the acquisition of a real time messaging services provider by a social networking company (Facebook / WhatsApp)
European Commission - DG Internal Market and Services (Brussels)
Belgium 5 contributions 3412 visits
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European Commission
Belgium 1 contribution 706 visits
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European Commission - Legal Service (Brussels)
Belgium 2 contributions 1244 visits
"What’s Up with Merger Control in the Digital Sector? Lessons from the Facebook/WhatsApp EU merger case"* The Facebook/WhatsApp decision provides an insight into how the Commission tackles novel issues in the application of merger control rules to the digital sector, in particular to free (...)

The EU Commission unconditionally approves an acquisition in the information technology sector (Facebook / WhatsApp)
Free University of Brussels (ULB)
Belgium 2 contributions 450 visits
EU Commission approves Facebook’s acquisition of WhatsApp* On 3 October 2014, the European Commission of the European Union (the “Commission”) approved the acquisition without any commitments. After the approval of the acquisition of Skype by Microsoft in 2011 and of the acquisition of Nokia (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority accepts a 20-year indefeasible right of use as a behavioural remedy to address competition concerns arising from the acquisition of telecoms firm by a rival (Bell Aliant Regional Communications / Ontera)
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin (Ottawa)
Canada 9 contributions 189 visits
On October 1, 2014, the Competition Bureau (the “Bureau”) announced that Bell Aliant Regional Communications Inc. (“Bell Aliant”) had addressed the Bureau’s vertical foreclosure concerns regarding its proposed acquisition of O.N. Tel Inc. (“Ontera”). It did so by granting to Bragg (...)

The Polish Competition Authority clears an acquisition in the small package delivery sector (DPD / seven)
WKB Wierciński Kwieciński Baehr (Warsaw)
Poland 6 contributions 3533 visits
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Competition and Markets Authority (London)
United Kingdom 7 contributions 2494 visits
In its decision of 1 October 2014, the Polish competition authority (Urząd Ochrony Konkurencji i Konsumentów, the "UOKiK") unconditionally cleared DPD’s 100% acquisition of shares in a fellow small package delivery company, Siódemka (in English: “seven”). This decision is one of a limited (...)

State Aid

 The EU Commission holds that the granting of exclusive rights may confer an advantage but does not in itself result in transfer of state resources (Jadrolinija Imuna Pharm)
Maastricht University (Maastricht)
Belgium 357 contributions 67162 visits
Exclusive Rights* The granting of exclusive rights may confer an advantage but does not in itself result in transfer of state resources. Private undertakings that hold exclusive rights are not utilising state resources by the mere fact that they operate under rights conferred by the state. (...)

The EU Commission explains that a system which is predominantly based on solidarity does not become economic in nature when operators have a small degree of discretion to compete on quality and to make profit from efficient provision of services (Spoločná zdravotná poisťovňa)
Maastricht University (Maastricht)
Belgium 357 contributions 67162 visits
* Article published on State Aid Hub (click here), republished in e-Competitions with the courtesy of the author(s). The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Authors are welcome to write an alternative article on this case/text, provided they have no (...)

The EU Commission reminds Member States of mistakes they can avoid when they compensate operators on whom they impose public service obligations (Dublin Bus / Irish Bus)
Maastricht University (Maastricht)
Belgium 357 contributions 67162 visits
Public Service Obligations: A Few More Mistakes that Can Be Avoided* Even efficient companies will fail the 4th Altmark criterion if their costs are not proven to be comparable to those of a typical and well-equipped undertaking. Public funding of infrastructure is not State aid to users (...)

The EU Commission orders the recovery of incompatible aid from the "successor" company due to economic continuity (NCHZ)
Maastricht University (Maastricht)
Belgium 357 contributions 67162 visits
Article published on StateAidHub: http://stateaidhub.eu, republished in e-Competitions with the courtesy of the author. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Authors are welcome to write an alternative article on this case/text, provided they have no (...)

The EU Commission holds that infrastructure projects which are economic in nature are subject to State aid scrutiny regardless of their importance (Øresund Link)
Maastricht University (Maastricht)
Belgium 357 contributions 67162 visits
An Important Project of Common European Interest* Infrastructure projects which are economic in nature are subject to State aid scrutiny regardless of their importance. However, public funding of transport networks which are open to all users does not constitute State aid. Introduction (...)

The EU Commission finds that tax amortisation of financial goodwill arising from the acquisition of foreign companies constitutes State aid that is incompatible with the internal market (Spain)
Maastricht University (Maastricht)
Belgium 357 contributions 67162 visits
Corporate taxation* Last October, the Commission adopted decision 2015/314 which was published in the Official Journal on 27 February 2015. In this decision, the Commission finds that tax amortisation of financial goodwill arising from the acquisition of foreign companies constitutes State (...)

The Spanish Supreme Court on appeal annuls a decision by the Basque Country High Court of Justice thereby nullifying a decision which sought to recover illegal State aid on the grounds that the affected parties were not given a hearing (Accesorios de Tuberías)
Judicial Ethics Commission (Madrid)
Spain 39 contributions 2227 visits
The Spanish Supreme Court (Administrative Section) annuls the recovery of State aid because, although there is no specific procedure for recovering State aid contrary to EU law under Commission Decision 2002/820/EC, it cannot be carried out outright without a hearing of the person concerned, (...)

The EU Commission accepts a nuclear power station funding scheme after getting the State to renegotiate the terms of the contract (Hinkley Point C)
University of Sussex
United Kingdom 5 contributions 3828 visits
State Aid for Nuclear Power: No Thanks! Maybe? Yes Please!* The Commission’s decision on the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station of 8th October 2014 and what this might mean for the approach to nuclear energy... In 2014, the European Commission adopted new Guidelines on State aid for (...)

The Polish Supreme Court departs from EU Commission decision on State aid recovery justifying that Commission decisions do not alter national technical rules in State aid recovery cases (Technologie Buczek)
Warsaw School of Economics
Poland 16 contributions 913 visits
Background & facts of the case The case originated from the Commission’s decision no. C 23/06 (ex NN 35/06), which declared as incompatible the aid considered to be granted by Polish authorities due to their failure to collect from a company Technologie Buczek social security (...)

The EU Commission continues to scrutinize tax rulings to check their compliance with the arm-length principle and State aid rules (Amazon)
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Greece 6 contributions 1562 visits
Luxembourg, Amazon, and the State aid connection* The Commission’s opening decision: What should we make of Amazon’s ‘advance pricing agreement’ (APA) and its alleged (non-) compliance with the ‘arm’s length principle’ (ALP)? In early October 2014, the European Commission notified (...)

The EU Commission opens an investigation concerning transfer pricing arrangements on corporate taxation of an online store in Luxembourg (Amazon)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1368 contributions 2944667 visites
State aid: Commission investigates transfer pricing arrangements on corporate taxation of Amazon in Luxembourg* The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to examine whether the decision by Luxembourg’s tax authorities with regard to the corporate income tax to be paid by (...)

The EU Commission holds that public funding of infrastructure which is open to any user does not constitute State aid (Propapier)
Maastricht University (Maastricht)
Belgium 357 contributions 67162 visits
Use of Publicly-Funded Infrastructure without State Aid* Public funding of infrastructure which is open to any user does not constitute State aid. Public funding for the upgrading/extension of infrastructure in view of expected increase in the number of users is not State aid as long as it (...)

Procedures

 The Italian Competition Authority issues new guidelines on the method for setting fines for antitrust infringements
Luiss Guido Carli University (Rome)
Italy 12 contributions 1787 visits
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Pavia e Ansaldo (Rome)
Italy 1 contribution 156 visits
The Italian Competition Authority’s fining guidelines set out principles for calculating fines and thrust antitrust compliance programmes into the limelight. On October 31, 2014, the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) issued its new “Guidelines on the method for setting fines for antitrust (...)

The England & Wales High Court of Justice holds that the trigger for the running of time for limitation purposes in a competition claim is not the discovery of every potentially relevant fact in the broadest sense (Arcadia / Visa)
Blackstone Chambers (London)
United Kingdom 8 contributions 1910 visits
“It’s too late baby, now it’s too late”: limitation, competition claims and knowledge* How much knowledge does a potential claimant need before time begins to run against a competition claim against a party alleged to have breached competition law? This was the key question addressed by Mr (...)

The England & Wales High Court of Justice orders the disclosure of a four-years old unpublished decision of the EU Commission to a confidentiality ring of claimants and defendants (Emerald Supplies)
Blackstone Chambers (London)
United Kingdom 1 contribution 185 visits
High Court tests the limits of confidentiality in EC infringement decisions* The European Commission came in for some stern criticism from the High Court this week, in a case which looks set to test the boundaries of confidentiality in EC infringement decisions: see Emerald Supplies v BA (...)

The French government adopts the implementing decree of the French class action system
University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne
France 402 contributions 459989 visits
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Addleshaw Goddard (Paris)
France 39 contributions 44532 visits
The French Consumer Act of 17 March 2014 - the Hamon Law - introduced a class action system into French Law under articles L. 423-1 to L. 423-26 of the Consumer code. Based on an "opt- in" format, consumer associations play a major part in this process. Following the adoption of the (...)

The Canada Supreme Court rules that civil antitrust plaintiffs may receive wire-tap evidence obtained in a criminal investigation (Imperial Oil)
Siemens (New York)
United States 21 contributions 7725 visits
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Hartline Barger (Mexico)
2 contributions 297 visits
Civil Antitrust Attorneys Receive Wire-Tap Evidence* The Canada Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that civil antitrust plaintiffs may receive wire-tap evidence obtained in the criminal investigation into an alleged price-fixing scheme by several large gas companies. During the criminal (...)

The Canadian Supreme Court confirms plaintiffs’ ability to obtain disclosure of wiretap evidence obtained in connection with criminal competition law investigations (Imperial Oil)
Steve Szentesi Law Professional Corporation
France 55 contributions 14691 visits
Canadian Supreme Court Clears Criminal Wiretap Evidence For Use in Competition Class Actions* In an important decision released on October 17, 2014, Imperial Oil v. Jacques, 2014 SCC 66, the Canadian Supreme Court confirmed plaintiffs’ ability to obtain disclosure of wiretap evidence (...)

The French administrative Supreme Court transfers the litigation relating to decisions made by the Competition Authority on the protection of trade secrets to administrative courts (Syndicat national des fabricants d’isolants en laines minérales manufacturées)
Dechert (Paris)
France 8 contributions 9396 visits
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Norton Rose Fulbright (Paris)
France 2 contributions 571 visits
In a judgment dated October 10, 2014, the French administrative Supreme Court (Conseil d’Etat) ordered the Prime Minister to repeal in part article R. 464-29 of the Commercial Code. The decision transferred de facto a part of the litigation relating to the decisions made by the chief case (...)

A US District Judge holds that an antitrust compliance policy can fall outside of attorney-client privilege (Domestic Drywall)
Siemens (New York)
United States 21 contributions 7725 visits
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Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler (New York)
United States 2 contributions 803 visits
Are Antitrust Compliance Programs Protected by Attorney-Client Privilege?* We’ve previously written about the components of effective antitrust compliance programs and the potential benefits corporations may achieve by adopting them. (Read some of our posts here and here.) In drafting (...)

The European Commission publishes results of modern retail study in EU food sector
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 220602 visits
European Commission: Results of Modern Retail Study in EU Food Sector published* On 2 October 2014, the European Commission (the Commission) published the results of its ‘modern retail study’ on choice and innovation in the EU food sector. The Commission invites comments and opinions on (...)

The EU Parliament hears Margrethe Vestager as the new commissioner for competition
Covington & Burling (Brussels)
Belgium 49 contributions 18345 visits
Margrethe Vestager, designate European Commissioner for competition, has won the support of the European Parliament following her confirmation hearing on 2 October 2014. Recurring topics were growth and innovation, the creation of jobs and the importance of a strong and fair application of (...)

The EU Court of Human Rights condemns the Czech Republic for lack of effective independent control of competition dawn raids (Delta Pekarny)
Braun (Prague)
Czech Republic 5 contributions 1380 visits
No More Dawn Raids in the Czech Republic* For a few weeks now, the Czech Antitrust Office has stopped its dawn raids. The reason for this stems from the surprising decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (ECHR) dated 2 October 2014 (DELTA PEKARNY a.s., complaint number (...)

Regulatory

 The Hellenic Competition Authority accepts the modifications of commitments concerning the supply of natural gas through electronic auctions (DEPA)
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Grèce 132 contributions 18620 visites
HCC accepts the amendment of commitments concerning the supply of natural gas through electronic auctions, as proposed by DEPA* By its unanimous Decision No 618/2015, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) accepted a proposal from DEPA to revise partly the commitments adopted with earlier (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority holds that a municipality privileged its established undertaking and restricted competition in the taxi services in the city of Vilnius (Vilnius veza)
Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition (Munich)
Germany 19 contributions 4574 visits
On 22 October 2014 the Competition Council adopted the decision, in which it held that the council of the municipality of Vilnius infringed Article 4(1) and Article 4(2) of the Law on Competition of the Republic of Lithuania by the decisions and the acts, which were related to the provision of (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority publishes an overview of the payment card market
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 220602 visits
Payment Card Interchange Fees in Croatia Higher than EU Average* The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) presented on 13 October 2014 an overview of the Payment Card Market on the basis of the data collected for the past three years. The objective was to examine the situation on the payment (...)

The UK Competition Authority hands a provisional decision and proposes solutions to resolve competition concerns on the payday lending market
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
Royaume-Uni 410 contributions 105135 visites
CMA sets out proposals to lower payday loan costs* The CMA has set out proposals to increase price competition between payday lenders and help borrowers get a better deal. These proposals have been developed in light of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) price cap proposals announced (...)

The Russian Competition Authority issues its study on the wholesale market of residual oil (Gazprom)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 57366 visits
The findings of analysis of the state of competition on the wholesale market of residual oil* The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) analyzed the state of competition on the wholesale market of residual oil in 2011 - 2013. The objective was to analyze and evaluate the state of (...)

The OECD produces a factsheet on competition and macroeconomic outcomes factsheet
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 313 contributions 1448902 visits
When customers can choose between different providers, they benefit and so does the economy as a whole. Customer’s abilityto choose forces firms to compete with one another which leads to increased productivity, more innovation and economic growth. However, it can be challenging to measure (...)