The French Minister of Economy sets out principles for the assessment of competition in markets that use Internet as media and conditionally clears in phase I a merger in the market for online classified advertisement (Spir / Schibsted)

Introduction On 10 September 2007 the French Minister of Economy, Finances and Employment (hereafter the “Minister”) cleared the creation by Spir Communication and Schibsted ASA of a jointly owned company, subject to behavioural commitments (Decision C2007/19, hereafter “the Decision”). The new company controls both parties' activities in the sector of classified advertisements for the sale of second-hand automobiles and boats, published on the Internet and on printed press. Moreover, the new company also controls the parties' activities in the publication on the Internet of “content” (such as articles) related to automobiles. The long and detailed clearance decision is the first one where the French National Competition Authorities have set out important principles for the assessment of