Price abuses

Foreword Price Abuses: An overview of EU and national case law

Allegations of pricing abuses have tested the boundaries of competition law for more than a century and remain an important activity for many competition authorities and courts. While pricing abuses constituted key parts of some early antitrust case, many commentators have urged that they are best addressed outside competition law. Since the 1970s such matters have been addressed at the European Union level by competition law. Pricing abuses can be viewed as a hybrid between regulation and competition law enforcement, sometimes raising a question of principle over when pricing that takes advantage of market power should be prevented by competition law action, by regulation or simply left unchallenged.

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University of East Anglia
United Kingdom 4 contributions 7091 visits

Unilateral Practices

 The New Zealand Competition Authority welcomes the grocery watchdog’s announcement of priority enforcement action plans geared towards promoting competition in the supermarket sector
New Zealand Commerce Commission (Wellington)
New Zealand 180 contributions 25147 visits
The Top 3 on the Grocery Commissioner’s fix-it list* New Zealand’s grocery watchdog, Pierre van Heerden, has today revealed the ‘Top 3’ on his current fix-it list for the country’s $25 billion supermarket sector: Pricing integrity – misleading or inaccurate pricing by retailers; Supplier (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority publishes a 20-year study finding a decline in the country’s competitive intensity
Canadian Competition Bureau (Gatineau)
Canada 84 contributions 11561 visits
Competition Bureau report finds Canada’s competitive intensity in decline* Today, the Competition Bureau published the findings of an in-depth study Competition in Canada from 2000 to 2020: An Economy at a Crossroads which tracks a decline in Canada’s competitive intensity over the last two (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority partners with the US DoJ and Mexican Competition Authority to deter anticompetitive conduct leading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Canadian Competition Bureau (Gatineau)
Canada 84 contributions 11561 visits
Competition Bureau partners with the United States and Mexico to deter anti-competitive conduct leading to 2026 FIFA World Cup* News release The Competition Bureau, alongside the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division and the Federal Economic Competition Commission of Mexico, (...)

The UK Competition Authority issues the final report of its road fuel market study and suggests establishing a fuel finder open data scheme for more competitive fuel prices
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA sets out plan to help drivers get more competitive fuel prices* A new fuel finder scheme to enable drivers access to live, station-by-station fuel prices on their phones or satnavs would help revitalise competition in the retail road fuel market, the CMA said today. Increased supermarket (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority opens an investigation on the state of competition in the food industry following the rise of national food prices
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Sweden 70 contributions 10282 visits
The Swedish Competition Authority can see a risk for inadequate competition and unjustified price increases in the food industry* Can the high food prices in Sweden be attributed to inadequate competition in the food industry? What do the conditions for competition look like at different (...)

The Irish Competition Authority conducts high-level analysis of the national grocery sector
Irish Competition Authority (Dublin)
Ireland 104 contributions 16627 visits
CCPC conducts high-level analysis of the Irish Grocery Retail Sector* In June 2023, the Irish Competition Authority (CCPC) conducted a rapid and high-level analysis of the grocery sector in Ireland using publicly available data. This analysis was completed following a request on 26 May 2023 (...)

The Austrian Competition Authority requests information from 13 online food retailers as part of its sector inquiry into the food industry
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Austria 64 contributions 7621 visits
Update on sector inquiry into food industry: AFCA now surveying online food retailers* As part of its sector inquiry into the food industry, the AFCA sent out requests for information to 13 online food retailers, requesting replies by 26 May 2023. The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (...)

The New Zealand Competition Authority publishes Guidelines on the application of competition law to intellectual property rights
New Zealand Commerce Commission (Wellington)
New Zealand 180 contributions 25147 visits
Commerce Commission publishes Guidelines on the Application of Competition Law to Intellectual Property Rights* The Commerce Commission has published Guidelines on the Application of Competition Law to Intellectual Property Rights (Guidelines) to help businesses understand how competition (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority and the Hungarian Ministry of Economic Development plan to create an online price monitoring database
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 94 contributions 19700 visits
JOINT COMMUNICATION OF THE HUNGARIAN COMPETITION AUTHORITY AND THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT* The Ministry supports the proposal of the Hungarian Competition Authority to create an online price monitoring database 23 March 2023, Budapest - Based on the experience of the ongoing (...)

The Austrian Competition Authority conducts online survey to suppliers operating in the food industry within the scope of a sector inquiry
Austrian Competition Authority (Vienna)
Austria 64 contributions 7621 visits
AFCA conducts online survey of suppliers to the food industry* The Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) launched a sector inquiry into the food industry on 25 October 2022. The current situation of rising prices, supply chain bottlenecks and increasing inflation made a more detailed (...)

The Hong Kong Competition Authority publishes a revised set of model “Non-collusion Clauses” that companies can incorporate into their procurement processes
Hong Kong Competition Commission (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong 55 contributions 11738 visits
Competition Commission enhances model “Non-collusion Clauses” to strengthen protection for procurers against attempts to undermine competition* The Competition Commission (Commission) today published a revised set of model “Non-collusion Clauses” for procurers to incorporate in their (...)

The Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation publishes draft amendments to the Anti-Unfair Competition Law for public comment that target the digital economy and companies with "relatively advantaged" market positions
Jones Day (Beijing)
China 3 contributions 474 visits
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Jones Day (Shanghai)
China 51 contributions 24065 visits
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Jones Day (Beijing)
China 13 contributions 2663 visits
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In Short The Situation: China’s antitrust enforcer, State Administration for Market Regulation ("SAMR"), published draft amendments to the Anti-Unfair Competition Law ("Amendments") for public comment that target the digital economy and companies with "relatively advantaged" market (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority investigates an online marketplace for vehicles and real estate over an alleged abuse of dominance (Sahibiden)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 172 contributions 83568 visits
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 2 contributions 725 visits
The Turkish Competition Authority has continued its investigations into alleged anti-competitive practices in digital markets. This time, the Competition Board (the Authority’s decision-making body) has launched a fully fledged investigation against Sahibinden Bilgi Teknolojileri Paz ve Tic (...)

The US FTC extends the public comment period for request for information on the impact of pharmacy benefit managers
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
United States 179 contributions 42835 visits
Federal Trade Commission Extends Public Comment Period for Request for Information on Impact of Pharmacy Benefit Managers* The Federal Trade Commission is extending the public comment period, until May 25, 2022, on a request for information that covers a wide range of issues in the PBM (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority monitors the fuels market and investigates the increase in prices
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 29214 visits
The Competition Council monitors the fuels market and investigates the increase in prices* The Romanian Competition Council monitors the fuel market and investigates situations where prices have raised without any economic justification. The anticipation of a certain price that should be (...)

The US FTC requests public comments on the impact of practices by pharmacy benefit managers on drug affordability and access
US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) (Washington)
United States 179 contributions 42835 visits
FTC Requests Public Comments on the Impact of Pharmacy Benefit Managers’ Practices* Agency seeks information on the ways that large, vertically integrated PBMs are affecting drug affordability and access The Federal Trade Commission announced it is soliciting public input on the ways that (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority recommends sweeping amendments to core provisions of the Canadian Competition Act
Steve Szentesi Law Professional Corporation
France 55 contributions 14608 visites
Canada’s Competition Bureau Recommends Sweeping Amendments to the Competition Act, Including Deceptive Marketing Amendments On February 8, 2022, Canada’s Competition Bureau released a submission entitled Examining the Canadian Competition Act in the Digital Era in response to Senator Howard (...)

The German Competition Authority publishes the report on its sector inquiry into the collection of domestic waste
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 457 contributions 116282 visits
Decreasing competition in the collection and transport of domestic waste* The Bundeskartellamt has today published the report on its sector inquiry into the collection of domestic waste. The sector inquiry dealt with the collection and transport (1.) of packaging waste from private (...)

The Australian Competition Authority releases its latest "Airline Competition in Australia" report which reveals that consumers will benefit from increased competition and cheaper fares on the country’s busiest routes once borders reopen
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australia 397 contributions 84149 visits
Consumers to benefit from increased competition on busiest airline routes* Millions of Australians are set to benefit from increased competition and cheaper airfares on Australia’s busiest routes as state and territory borders reopen and the domestic airline industry prepares for a peak (...)

The US FTC announces its plans to launch a Section 6(b) study of ongoing supply chain issues among retailers and consumer goods firms as well as expand its criminal referral programme
Covington & Burling (Washington)
United States 10 contributions 4978 visits
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Covington & Burling (Washington)
United States 21 contributions 1763 visits
FTC Announces 6(b) Study of Supply Chain Disruptions and Expansion of Criminal Referral Program On November 18, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission held an open meeting to discuss the agency’s efforts to launch a Section 6(b) study of ongoing supply chain issues among retailers and consumer (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority publishes a report summarizing the results of its inquiry on the brick market
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 94 contributions 19700 visits
The sector inquiry on the brick market of the Hungarian Competition Authority has been concluded* The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) launched an accelerated sector inquiry at the end of July in order to reveal the processes of the domestic market of ceramic masonry elements. Following (...)

The Polish Competition Authority orders another audit of prices in the agricultural sector with a special focus on apples, blueberries, potatoes and cabbage
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22513 visits
Who makes money on fruit and vegetable sales and how much?* UOKiK President has ordered yet another audit of fruit and vegetable prices. Trade Inspection (TI) personnel will check the prices of apples, blueberries, potatoes and cabbage at different levels of the trading chain. This will make (...)

The Polish Competition Authority launches inspections at apple purchasing centres to ensure that the prices of apples paid to fruit growers are set according to the law
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22513 visits
Activities of UOKiK and the Trade Inspection in apple purchasing centres* The agricultural and food market is closely monitored by the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). The latest activities concern inspections at apple purchasing centres. The Trade (...)

The Hungarian Competition Authority publishes a draft of its report on the accelerated sector inquiry it conducted on the domestic brick market
Hungarian Competition Authority (Budapest)
Hungary 94 contributions 19700 visits
Accelerated sector inquiry on the brick market: market concentration, significant differences in distibutors’ prices* The Hungarian Competition Authority (GVH) has published the draft of its report on the accelerated sector inquiry it has conducted on the domestic market of ceramic masonry (...)

The Russian Competition Authority conducts inspections of large construction companies and manufacturers of construction materials for the rise in prices in the first half of 2021
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 56720 visits
FAS will conduct inspections in the construction materials market* In connection with the continuing rise in prices in the construction market and adjacent markets, the FAS Russia has instructed its territorial bodies to conduct inspections of large construction companies and manufacturers (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority carries out studies into whether consumers and businesses could benefit from better price-quality ratios for their broadband, television, fixed telephony and data connections
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 212 contributions 36493 visits
ACM explores regulation of access to telecom networks* Over the past few months, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has carried out studies into whether consumers and businesses could benefit from better price-quality ratios for their broadband, television, fixed (...)

The Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation launches public consultations on its proposed amendments to administrative sanctions for price-related illegal activities with special focus on the digital sector
Herbert Smith Freehills (Hong Kong)
China 12 contributions 3247 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Shanghai)
China 7 contributions 2146 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Hong Kong)
China 6 contributions 1333 visits
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The State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), China’s primary competition enforcement regulator, recently published a consultation draft of its amendments to the existing Provisions on Administrative Sanctions Against Price-related Illegal Activities on 2 July 2021 (the Provisions). (...)

The Danish Competition Authority publishes a report on the nature of competition in the digital platforms’ market
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Danemark 133 contributions 36262 visites
The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority publishes report on the nature of competition in markets with digital platforms* As still more of our economy and social activities move online, digital platforms – and competition in the markets on which these digital platforms operate – play an (...)

The Higher Regional Court of Dusseldorf stays the proceedings against a social media company and announces a referral to the EU Court of Justice on questions of data protection law (Facebook)
Spieker & Jaeger (Dortmund)
Germany 3 contributions 2283 visits
Of Pricing Guns, Social Networks and GDPR: The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Courts submits Facebook Case to the CJEU* On 24 March 2021 the Higher Regional Court (‘Oberlandesgericht’) of Düsseldorf put yet another twist to the ‘Facebook Saga’. Although the formal written submission is not yet (...)

The UK Competition Authority investigates a Big Tech company over suspected anti-competitive behaviour (Apple App Store)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA investigates Apple over suspected anti-competitive behaviour* The CMA has launched an investigation into Apple following complaints that its terms and conditions for app developers are unfair and anti-competitive. In addition to designing, manufacturing and marketing electronic devices (...)

The US Senate introduces the Competition and Antitrust Law enforcement Act
USC Gould School of Law (Los Angeles)
United States 8 contributions 3033 visits
Antitrust by Fiat* The Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act (CALERA), recently introduced in the U.S. Senate, exhibits a remarkable willingness to cast aside decades of evidentiary standards that courts have developed to uphold the rule of law by precluding factually and (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority publishes a study regarding competition risks in relation to paid ranking
European Court of Justice (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 9 contributions 1982 visits
On 2 February 2021, the Dutch Authority of Consumers and Markets (“ACM”) published a study on paid ranking. Paid ranking is a practice whereby businesses pay online platforms for a better position in search results. The ACM found that paid ranking creates risks for consumers and may even (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes new research on algorithms showing how they can reduce competition in digital markets
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA lifts the lid on impact of algorithms* The CMA has published new research on algorithms, showing how they can reduce competition in digital markets and harm consumers if they are misused. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is now seeking evidence from academics and industry (...)

The Norwegian Competition Authority releases a survey of purchase prices faced by grocery chains in 2018 and 2019 which confirms 2017 findings of significant differences in purchasing conditions in certain cases
Norwegian Competition Authority (Bergen)
Norway 34 contributions 3845 visits
New survey of purchase prices confirms significant differences* The Norwegian Competition Authority has examined the differences in purchase prices that Norwegian grocery chains faced in 2018 and 2019. The results confirm last years’ findings, based on data from 2017, that there are large (...)

The US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee holds hearings of a multinational online retail platform for antitrust claims (Amazon / Google / Apple / Facebook)
Bona Law (Detroit)
États-Unis 24 contributions 5636 visites
Big Tech Hearings: What Do They Tell Us About Amazon and Antitrust?* The U.S. House Antitrust Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee’s recent hearings into “big tech” and antitrust were “must see TV” for antitrust attorneys. Over the five hours of testimony, many interesting questions (...)

The Mexican Competition Authority calls for multiple national regulators to adopt measures to increase competition in the gasoline markets
Mexican Competition Authority (Mexico City)
Mexique 138 contributions 26898 visites
The implementation of regulation in gasoline markets should incentivize competition in order to reduce its final price to the public: COFECE* The Commission issued an opinion where it proposes that SENER, SE, CRE and CONAMER adopt measures to increase competition in the gasoline markets. The (...)

The EU Commission adopts a new anonymous whistleblower tool
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1361 contributions 2920741 visites
Antitrust: Commission introduces new anonymous whistleblower tool* A new tool to make it easier for individuals to alert the Commission about secret cartels and other antitrust violations while maintaining their anonymity has been launched by the European Commission today. Individuals can (...)

The EU Commission re-imposes a €376.36M fine on a semiconductor chip manufacturer for anticompetitive practices in the market for computer chips (Intel) Free
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1361 contributions 2920741 visites
Antitrust: Commission re-imposes €376.36 million fine on Intel for anticompetitive practices in the market for computer chips* The European Commission has re-imposed a fine of around €376.36 million on Intel for a previously established abuse of dominant position in the market for computer (...)

The EU Commission re-imposes a €376.3M fine on a semiconductor chip manufacturer for ‘naked restrictions’ in the computer chips market between 2002 and 2006 (Intel)
Bristows (London)
United Kingdom 1 contribution 65 visits
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Bristows (London)
United Kingdom 3 contributions 1024 visits
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Bristows (London)
United Kingdom 1 contribution 65 visits
On 22 September 2023, the European Commission (“EC”) re-imposed a €376.3 million fine on Intel for ‘naked restrictions’ in the computer chips market between 2002 and 2006, continuing a saga that has been running since at least 2007. Background In 2009, the EC fined Intel €1.06 billion for (...)

The EU Commission re-imposes fine on a major semiconductor chip manufacturer for allegedly engaging in naked restrictions while an appeal on the case is pending before the EU Court of Justice (Intel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 5857 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 33 contributions 6031 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 1 contribution 77 visits
On 22 September 2023, the European Commission (“Commission”) re-imposed a fine of €376.36 million on Intel alleging that it had engaged in three practices aimed at excluding its main competitor at the time, AMD, from the market for computer chips called x86 central processing units (‘CPUs’) in (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal upholds the Competition Authority’s decision and confirms the finding of excessive and unfair pricing of hydrocortisone tablets (Auden McKenzie / Actavis)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 64 contributions 28316 visits
,
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 163 contributions 55978 visits
,
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 25855 visits
On 18 September 2023, the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal ( CAT ) confirmed in large part a decision of the UK Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) which on 23 July 2021 had imposed fines on several hydrocortisone tablet suppliers for, in addition to another infringement, charging (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal upholds a fine against a drugmaker for excessive pricing, for hiking prices over 10,00% (Auden / Actavis)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA decision upheld in major drug price abuse case* Firms which raised prices for key medicine by over 10,000% from 70p to £72 have had their appeal against a CMA finding of excessive pricing rejected by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). The firms must now pay almost £130m in fines. (...)

The South African Competition Authority initiates an investigation into one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical firms over concerns that the firm engaged in exclusionary conduct and charged excessive prices (Johnson & Johnson)
South African Competition Commission (Pretoria)
South Africa 25 contributions 2999 visits
COMMISSION INITIATES INVESTIGATION AGAINST JOHNSON & JOHNSON (PTY) LTD AND JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA (PTY) LTD* In response to media queries, the Competition Commission (Commission) confirms that on 12 September 2023, the Competition Commissioner in terms of section 49B(1) of the Competition (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority terminates an investigation concerning a bus ticketing services provider following commitments offered to remedy excessive pricing concerns (Obilet Bilişim Sistemleri)
Turkish Competition Authority (Ankara)
Turkey 44 contributions 7926 visits
The investigation about Obilet Bilişim Sistemleri AŞ terminated upon the commitment submitted* According to the Board decision dated 16.06.2022 and numbered 22-27/433-M, an investigation was opened with the claim that Obilet Bilişim Sistemleri AŞ violated article 6 of the Act no 4054 by (...)

The Japanese Competition Authority has received a report from a dominant retailer that it has ceased an anticompetitive practice where it required suppliers to cover the cost of a price reduction to meet competitors’ prices (OK Corporation)
Japan Fair Trade Commission (Tokyo)
Japan 140 contributions 24827 visits
Report from OK Corporation ceasing alleged requesting its suppliers to cover the price reduction against its competitors, in response to JFTC’s ongoing enforcement efforts* The Japan Fair Trade Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “JFTC”) is actively collecting information on the (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal upholds the Competition Authority’s decision to fine 3 drugmakers for excessive and unfair pricing of a critical medicine (Advanz / Cinven/ HgCapital)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 64 contributions 28316 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 25855 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 163 contributions 55978 visits
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On 8 August 2023, the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal ( CAT ) unanimously upheld a decision of the UK Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) which in July 2021 had imposed fines totalling more than £101 million on Advanz Pharma ( Advanz ) and two previous private equity owners, Cinven and (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal upholds the Competition Authority’s decision to fine a pharmaceutical company and its former owners for excessive pricing (Advanz Pharma / Hg Capital / Cinven)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 5857 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 25855 visits
On 8 August 2023, the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (“CAT”) delivered its judgment upholding the decision by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) against pharmaceutical company Advanz Pharma and its former owners Hg and Cinven (jointly, “Advanz”) for excessive pricing (see VBB on (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal rejects a challenge to an excessive pricing fine which came after the sole producer of a drug for thyroid hormone deficiency hiked prices by over 1,000% over a ten-year period (Advanz Pharma / Hg Capital / Cinven)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA defeats legal challenge in medicine pricing case* The Competition Appeal Tribunal has unanimously upheld the CMA’s decision condemning a pharmaceutical supplier for excessive pricing of medicines sold to the NHS. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) welcomes today’s landmark (...)

The Australian Competition Authority announces that a recreational bike importer and distributor has admitted that it violated competition law by engaging in resale price maintenance practices (Hornet)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australia 397 contributions 84149 visits
Hornet Industries admits to likely resale price maintenance* Recreational bike importer and distributor, Hornet Industries Pty Ltd, has admitted that it likely engaged in resale price maintenance. It did so by offering its independent resellers agreements that would prevent them from selling (...)

The Italian Regional Administrative Court of Latium refers to the EU Court of Justice a preliminary question on limitation periods for the imposition of competition fines by the Italian Competition Authority (Caronte & Tourist)
Municipality of Cagliari
168 contributions 134099 visits
Which limitation period applies to regulatory actions taken by the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) against competition law infringements is a controversial question that divides administrative judges. Recently, this question was raised again in an appeal proceedings instituted before the (...)

The US Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit reverses a ruling against energy drink wholesalers based on the allegation that the energy drink manufacturer had violated the Robinson-Patman Act by providing promotional allowances to a mass merchandiser but not to the wholesalers (U.S. Wholesale Outlet & Distribution / Innovation Ventures)
Dechert (San Francisco)
États-Unis 26 contributions 9091 visites
Key Takeaways The Ninth Circuit recently revived a portion of a price discrimination claim brought by wholesalers of the popular 5-Hour Energy drink against its manufacturer, which provided more favorable promotional terms to a mass merchandiser, while at the same time affirming a defense (...)

The Italian Regional Administrative Tribunal of Latium upholds the Competition Authority’s finding that a pharmaceutical company abused its dominant position by charging excessive prices for an orphan drug (Leadiant)
Municipality of Cagliari
168 contributions 134099 visits
An Italian administrative court confirms the condemnation of a pharmaceutical company for charging excessive prices on an orphan drug* Introduction In Leadiant the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) found a pharmaceutical company, Leadiant, guilty of violating Article 102 TFEU for (...)

The German Competition Authority terminates an investigation into the price parity clause implemented by a food delivery platform (Lieferando)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 457 contributions 116282 visits
Examination of a price parity clause – Bundeskartellamt terminates proceeding against Lieferando* Bonn, 12 July 2023: The Bundeskartellamt has decided for discretionary reasons to terminate its proceeding against Yd. Yourdelivery GmbH, a Berlin-based platform providing online food ordering (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority publishes a resale price maintenance checklist following many reports about suppliers of baby and children’s products setting retail prices for retailers
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 212 contributions 36493 visits
ACM has received many reports about suppliers of baby and children’s products setting retail prices for retailers* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has warned various suppliers of baby and children’s products. ACM receives many reports about suppliers exerting undue (...)

The Israeli Competition Authority affirms the monopoly position of a company in the green tea and herbal infusion markets (Wissotzky)
Israel Competition Authority (Jerusalem)
Israel 17 contributions 2178 visits
The Director-General of the Israel Competition Authority Declares Wissotzky a Monopoly in the Green Tea and Herbal Infusion Markets* After an examination that began a year and a half ago and following a hearing conducted for the company over the past months, the Director-General of the ICA (...)

The Japanese Competition Authority issues a warning to a petroleum products retailer for selling at an excessively low price (SAN-AI Retail Service)
Japan Fair Trade Commission (Tokyo)
Japan 140 contributions 24827 visits
The JFTC Issued a Warning and Cautions to Petroleum Products Retailers that Operate Gas Stations in Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture.* The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) today issued a warning to SANAI Retail Service Co., Ltd. (SAN-AI Retail Service) that operates a gas station in (...)

The Estonian Competition Authority rejects a budget airline’s complaint against a large international airport over an alleged antitrust violation in the increase in airport fees (Ryanair / Tallinn Airport)
Estonian Competition Authority (Tallinn)
Estonia 12 contributions 1547 visits
The Competition Authority rejected Ryanair’s complaint* Based on the Competition Authority’s price analysis, it was concluded that the fees charged by Tallinn Airport are reasonable and justified. Tallinn Airport announced an increase in fees in the summer of 2022. Pursuant to the Aviation (...)

The Japanese FTC cautions an investment bank for potentially abusing its superior bargaining position by pushing startups to accept underpriced initial public offerings (Mizuho Securities)
Japan Fair Trade Commission (Tokyo)
Japan 140 contributions 24827 visits
The JFTC Issued a Caution to Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd.* The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) today issued a caution to Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. (Mizuho). In this case, Mizuho’s conduct may lead to violation of prohibition of the Article 19(falling under the Item 5, Paragraph 9, (...)

The EU Commission revamps its Guidance on exclusionary abuses and enforcement priorities
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgium 15 contributions 5388 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgium 2 contributions 148 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (New York)
United States 1 contribution 76 visits
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Commission Revamps its Article 102 Guidance and Will Adopt new Guidelines in 2025* On March 27, 2023, the European Commission (the “Commission”) announced it would revise its 2008 Guidance on enforcement priorities regarding Article 102 TFEU (the “2008 Guidance”). The Commission has amended (...)

The EU Commission announces Guidelines on exclusionary abuses and amends Guidance on enforcement priorities
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1361 contributions 2920741 visites
Antitrust: Commission announces Guidelines on exclusionary abuses and amends Guidance on enforcement priorities* The European Commission has launched a Call for Evidence seeking feedback on the adoption of Guidelines on exclusionary abuses of dominance. In parallel, it has published a (...)

The EU Commission announces an initiative acknowledging the effects-based approach in abuse of dominance cases while retracting from a consumer welfare-based economic effects analysis
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 61 contributions 15196 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 5857 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 34 contributions 8117 visites
On 27 March 2023, the European Commission (“Commission”) launched a new legislative and policy initiative which aims to replace the Commission’s 2008 guidance on its enforcement priorities in Article 102 cases involving allegedly exclusionary conduct (the “2008 Guidance Paper”) with formal (...)

The EU Commission clarifies effects-based approach to exclusionary conduct by dominant companies with the publishing of its new guidelines
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 27490 visits
European Commission Clarifies Effect-Based Enforcement of Exclusionary Conduct by Dominant Companies* In the European Commission’s (EC’s) most significant policy shift on abuse of market dominance in 15 years, the authority published revised guidelines, heralding a shift away from the more (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority investigates a power generation company and its parent for possibly abusing its dominance by benefitting its own downstream operations (Luminora / Soltec)
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 143 contributions 31350 visits
The CNMC investigates the power generation company Luminora and its parent company Soltec for a possible abuse of a dominant position* Luminora is the company designated as the so-called “single node interlocutor” (IUN in Spanish) in the market for access to the electricity transmission (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority issues a fine on a leading petrochemical distributor for abuse of dominance in the market for the wholesale trade of motor fuels (Lukoil-Bulgaria)
Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Sofia)
Bulgaria 20 contributions 2946 visits
CPC sanctions "Lukoil-Bulgaria" EOOD 67 771 454 BGN for abuse of a dominant position* By Decision № 184/16.02.2023, ruled on case № KZK-864/274/2021, CPC imposed a pecuniary sanction in the amount of BGN 67,771,454 on "Lukoil-Bulgaria" EOOD for infringement of Art. 21 of the Law on the (...)

The Polish Competition Authority initiates preliminary proceedings against the sole importer of coffee machines over allegations of price fixing (Jura Polska)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22513 visits
Coffee machines - preliminary proceedings* President of UOKiK, Tomasz Chróstny, has initiated preliminary proceedings regarding possible price fixing for Jura coffee machines. Currently the evidence collected in this case in the course of the search is being reviewed. As part of the (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority dismisses complaints of a coordinated price increase by telecommunications companies because of an absence of evidence indicating an illegal contract or agreement between the undertakings before the price increase (A1 / HT / Telemach)
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19884 visits
CCA dismisses complaints against telecoms – A1, HT and Telemach* The Croatian Competition Agency dismissed two initiatives for the initiation of the infringement proceeding against A1 Hrvatska d.o.o., Hrvatski Telekom d.d. and Telemach Hrvatska d.o.o. due to lack of standing to act with (...)

The German Competition Authority initiates competition infringement proceedings against a payment services provider for possibly foreclosing competitors and restricting price competition (Paypal)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 457 contributions 116282 visits
Bundeskartellamt initiates proceeding against PayPal* The Bundeskartellamt has initiated a proceeding against PayPal (Europe) S.à.r.l. et Cie, S.C.A. on account of practices possibly foreclosing competitors and restricting price competition. The proceeding deals with PayPal’s “Rules about (...)

The EU Court of Justice holds that the abusive conduct of independent legal entities can be imputed to the dominant entity due to the special responsibility held by dominant entities pursuant to Article 102 of TFEU (Unilever Italia)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 5857 visits
On 19 January 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) delivered its judgment in the Unilever case (Case C-680/20) concerning the allegedly exclusionary strategy implemented by Unilever in Italy and consisting of the imposition by Unilever’s distributors of exclusivity clauses (...)

The French Competition Authority fines a vehicle roadworthiness test company for abuse of a dominant position in Guadeloupe (CTPL)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 747 contributions 408020 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence fines CTPL-AG for abuse of a dominant position* The Autorité de la concurrence fines CTPL-AG for excessive prices in the market for roadworthiness tests for heavy-duty vehicles and for favouring its sister company, which is active in the related market for (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority fines a pharmaceutical company €10.25M for selling its orphan drug for the treatment of a rare disease at an excessive price (Leadiant)
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 143 contributions 31350 visits
The CNMC fines the pharmaceutical company Leadiant 10.25 million for selling its orphan drug for the treatment of a rare disease at an excessive price.* The company has abused its dominant position as the holder of the only medicine available in Spain for the treatment of a rare disease: (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority fines the maker of an orphan medicine to treat a rare metabolic disorder €10.25M for imposing excessive prices (Leadiant)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 64 contributions 28316 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 163 contributions 55978 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 25855 visits
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On 14/11/2022, the Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) imposed a fine of EUR 10.25 million on Leadiant because that firm was found to have abused its dominant position by applying excessive prices for chenodeoxycholic acid, an orphan medicine indicated for the treatment of patients afflicted (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority fines a drugmaker €10.25M for excessive pricing of a drug for the treatment of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (Leadiant)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Spain 170 contributions 47035 visits
XCT is an ultra-rare metabolic disease affecting 200-250 diagnosed patients in Europe of which around 50 are in Spain. XCT has been based on an active principle denominated CDCA. Leadiant has been the only provider of CDCA based pharmaceuticals in Spain since 2010. The investigation was (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules that national courts may hear claims under Article 102 TFEU for excessive railway infrastructure fees only after the sector regulator has ruled on the fees’ lawfulness (DB Station)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 34 contributions 8117 visites
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 61 contributions 15196 visites
On 27 October 2022, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) handed down a ruling on the permissibility of private damages claims for excessive railway infrastructure fees under Article 102 TFEU. The ECJ found that a national court is precluded from awarding damages for excessive fees until the (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority publishes a Statement of Objections regarding an abusive margin squeeze by a vertically-integrated national company active in the fossil fuels industry (Lukoil-Bulgaria)
Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Sofia)
Bulgaria 20 contributions 2946 visits
CPC has addressed allegations for committed abuse of dominant position under art. 21 of the LPC and art. 102 of the TFEU by "Lukoil Bulgaria" EOOD* Given the socio-economic importance of fuels, due to their direct impact on the entire Bulgarian economy and on the prices of goods and services (...)

The Hamburg Regional Court denies an injunction and rules there is no obligation to supply in a case concerning a major soft drinks manufacturer (EDEKA / Coca-Cola)
Hogan Lovells (Munich)
Germany 6 contributions 6339 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Hamburg)
Germany 5 contributions 2004 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Munich)
Germany 2 contributions 6178 visits
Antitrust law may restrict price increases if the preconditions of a pricing abuse are met. However, decision practice on this topic is scarce. Therefore, EDEKA’s petition for a preliminary injuction filed against Coca-Cola claiming a pricing abuse and demanding supply at lower prices has (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines two pharma companies £70M for overcharging the National Health Service (Pfizer / Flynn)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
£70 million in fines for pharma firms that overcharged NHS* After reassessing part of the case, the CMA has found that Pfizer and Flynn abused their dominant positions to overcharge the NHS for a life-saving epilepsy drug. Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Flynn fined £63 million and £6.7 (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines two pharmaceutical firms €70M for charging excessive prices to the National Health Service (Pfizer / Flynn)
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 21 contributions 22303 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 557 visits
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last week fined pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Flynn £63 million and £6.7 million for engaging in excessive pricing. In the CMA’s view, the companies charged unfairly high prices for Phenytoin capsules, a genericised anti-epilepsy drug, in (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority imposes a €4.9M fine on an energy grid and utility company for providing access to the grid on more favourable terms to its own downstream business than it does to rivals (Enel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 61 contributions 15196 visites
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Legance - Studio Legale (Milan)
Italy 5 contributions 1950 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 5857 visits
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On 10 June 2022, the Spanish Competition Authority (“SCA”) found that Enel Green Power SL (“Enel”), and its parent company Endesa Generación SA (“Endesa”) infringed the Spanish national provision prohibiting abuses of dominant position by taking advantage of its dominant position in the market (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines a pharmaceutical company for charging excessive prices for an orphan drug (Leadiant)
Municipality of Cagliari
168 contributions 134099 visits
The Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has recently closed an Article 102 TFEU enquiry against a pharmaceutical company in the Leadiant case with an infringement decision. The ICA found that Leadiant, had abused its dominant position by charging highly disproportionate prices for a drug (...)

The UK Competition Authority secures legally binding commitments from a manufacturer of six cancer drugs to maintain reduced prices for 10 years (Aspen)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA helps NHS secure price and supply commitment for cancer drugs* The CMA has worked to ensure that pharmaceutical company Aspen’s commitments to reduce prices for life-saving cancer medicines can be enforced in the UK following its exit from the European Union. The European Commission (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes its decision to fine a pharmaceutical company £155M for excessive pricing and £111.5M for market exclusion agreements (Auden McKenzie / Actavis)
Toyota (Brussels)
Belgium 38 contributions 8654 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 25855 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 23 contributions 24589 visits
On 31 March 2022, the CMA published one of its longest decisions (1077 pages), in which it imposed fines of £155 million on Accord-UK (previously Auden McKenzie/Actavis) for excessive price increases on hydrocortisone tablets after they were de-branded and fell outside the UK NHS price (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines ferry operator for excessive pricing (Caronte & Tourist)
Link Campus University (Rome)
Italy 5 contributions 3494 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 3 contributions 465 visits
The Italian Competition Authority (the “ICA”) fined ferry operator Caronte & Tourist (“C&T”) €3.7 million for having charged excessive prices on a ferry transportation route between Sicily and Calabria between 2017 and 2019 (the “Decision”). I. The investigation In July 2020, the (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines a lighting supplier £1.5M for breaking competition law by restricting the level of discounts retailers could offer online (Dar Lighting)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
Dar Lighting fined after ignoring warnings on restricting discounts* The CMA has fined Dar Lighting Ltd £1.5 million for breaking competition law by restricting the level of discounts retailers could offer online. The lighting supplier failed to take sufficient action after 2 written (...)

The Indian Competition Authority orders an investigation into abuse of dominance by a national broadcasting company through discriminatory discounts (Asianet Digital Network / Star India Private / Disney Broadcasting India / Asianet Star Communications)
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 84 contributions 8736 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10685 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10615 visits
BRIEF FACTS: An information was filed by Asianet Digital Network (P) Ltd. (“Asianet”) against Star India (P) Ltd. (“Star”), Disney Broadcasting (India) Limited (“Disney”) and Asianet Star Communications Private Limited (“ASC”) alleging abuse of dominance. Asianet, is a multi-system operator (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority imposes a fine of €271,385.11 on a pasteurized cow milk company for abuse of dominance through excessive pricing (Charalambides-Christis)
Commission for the Protection of Competition of the Republic of Cyprus (Nicosia)
Cyprus 64 contributions 8999 visits
The Commission for the Protection of Competition imposed a fine on Charalambides-Christis Ltd amounting to €271,385.11 for infringements of article 6(1)(a) of the Protection of Competition Laws and corresponding article 102(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union* The (...)

The Indian Competition Authority issues a cease and desist order against a limestone logistics company for anti-competitive price determination, limitation and control of supply (CJ Darcl Logistics / Dumper Truck Union)
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 84 contributions 8736 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10615 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10685 visits
BRIEF FACTS: An information was filed by CJ Darcl Logistics Ltd. (“CJD”) against Dumper and Dumper Truck Union Lime Stone (“DTU”) and All Members of Dumper and Dumper Truck Union Lime Stone (“AMDTU”), collectively (“OPs”) for restrictions imposed by DTU and its members by not letting CJD, a (...)

The Larnaca District Court issues an award of €257K to a grain distributor and retailer as compensation for suffering from predatory pricing (AGS Agrotrading / Cyprus Grain Commission)
Harris Kyriakides (Cyprus)
Cyprus 2 contributions 838 visits
Cyprus Courts issue their first judgment awarding civil law damages for breach of competition laws. In the first decision issued by the Cyprus Courts on damages to a corporation as a result of infringement of competition laws, the Larnaca District Court awarded on 9 February 2022 the total (...)

The EU General Court rejects an appeal to overturn a Commission decision which made the commitments of a gas company binding to address concerns on the wholesale supply of gas in Central and Eastern Europe (Gazprom)
General Court of the European Union (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 64 contributions 32487 visits
The General Court dismisses the action brought against a decision by the Commission to make binding on Gazprom commitments proposed by the latter in order to address competition concerns raised by the former in relation to the national markets for the upstream wholesale supply of gas in the (...)

The EU General Court annuls the Commission’s landmark decision fining a semiconductor company for €1.06B for abuse of dominant position (Intel)
Jones Day (London)
United Kingdom 30 contributions 21949 visits
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Jones Day (Frankfurt)
Allemagne 17 contributions 3963 visites
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 17 contributions 4904 visits
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The EU General Court ("GC") annulled the European Commission’s €1.06 billion antitrust fine imposed on Intel in 2009 for allegedly abusing its dominant position in x86 Central Processing Units ("CPUs") by offering loyalty rebates to customers, excluding competitors such as AMD. The GC held (...)

The EU General Court overturns the Commission’s decision to fine a semiconductor chip manufacturer for €1.06 billion for abusing its dominant position (Intel)
Shearman & Sterling (Brussels)
Belgium 21 contributions 10349 visits
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Shearman & Sterling (London)
United Kingdom 23 contributions 14262 visits
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Shearman & Sterling (London)
United Kingdom 30 contributions 14278 visits
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This article has been nominated for the 2023 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. On 26 January 2022 the General Court (GC) issued its latest judgment in the Intel case, faulting fundamental aspects of the Commission’s original decision (...)

The EU General Court confirms the critical role of robust economic analysis in abuse of dominance cases (Intel)
Oxera (London)
United Kingdom 13 contributions 12463 visits
After more than two decades, the Intel saga may have finally ended with the General Court’s judgment of 26 January 2022. The judgment—which had at its core the use of the ‘as-efficient competitor’ test in the context of loyalty rebates―confirms the critical role of robust economic analysis in (...)

The EU General Court annuls the Commission’s decision finding that rebates granted by a large semiconductor chip manufacturer resulted in an abuse of dominance (Intel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 30 contributions 24749 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 11 contributions 5924 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgique 191 contributions 66774 visites
In a judgment issued today, the General Court of the European Union has annulled the part of the EU Commission’s decision of 13 May 2009 finding that rebates granted to Intel’s major OEM customers infringed Article 102 TFEU. The Court also annulled the fine of € 1.06 billion imposed on Intel. (...)

The EU General Court annuls in part the Commission’s decision imposing a fine of €1.06B on the world’s largest semiconductor chip manufacturer (Intel)
General Court of the European Union (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 64 contributions 32487 visits
The General Court annuls in part the Commission decision imposing a fine of € 1.06 billion on Intel* The Commission’s analysis is incomplete and does not make it possible to establish to the requisite legal standard that the rebates at issue were capable of having, or likely to have, (...)

The EU General Court annuls a €1.06B fine imposed by the Commission on a chip maker based on economic evidence (Intel)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 4 contributions 1469 visits
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De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek (Amsterdam)
Netherlands 2 contributions 3298 visits
Three’s a charm for Intel: On judicial review of economic evidence to rebut a legal presumption* In 2009, the European Commission imposed what was then a record-breaking fine of EUR 1.06 billion on Intel for abuse of dominance. Intel’s initial action for annulment was dismissed by the (...)

The EU General Court annuls most of the Commission’s decision to impose a fine of € 1.06 billion on a semiconductor company for abuse of dominance on the global market for x86 processors (Intel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 33 contributions 6031 visits
General Court overturns Commission’s Intel decision On 26 January 2022, the General Court of the European Union annulled most of the decision of the European Commission (“Commission”), which had imposed a fine of € 1.06 billion on Intel for having abused its dominant position on the worldwide (...)

The EU General Court annuls the Commission’s decision which found that a semiconductor chip manufacturer had abused its dominant position and imposed a fine of €1.06B (Intel)
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 27490 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 69 contributions 33035 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 40 contributions 14103 visits
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On January 26, 2022, the EU General Court (the Court) annulled the European Commission’s (the Commission) decision that Intel had abused its dominant position regarding its x86 central processing unit (CPU) computer chips and the imposition of a €1.06 billion fine. The judgment demonstrates (...)

The EU General Court partially annuls the Commission’s decision to impose a €1.06B fine on a semiconductor chip manufacturer for its abuse of dominance (Intel)
Ashurst (London)
United Kingdom 35 contributions 17101 visits
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Ashurst (London)
United Kingdom 21 contributions 4406 visits
On 26 January 2022, the General Court ("GC") partially annulled the European Commission’s decision to impose a EUR 1.06 billion fine on Intel for abusing its dominant position ("Decision"). The fine was annulled in full. Applying the principles outlined in the European Court of Justice’s (...)

The Indian Competition Authority orders an investigation into a Big Tech firm for allegedly abusing its dominant position by forcing certain practices on digital publishers (Google / Digital News Publishers Association)
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 84 contributions 8736 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10615 visits
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Samvad Partners (Mumbai)
76 contributions 7450 visits
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KEY POINTS In a well-functioning democracy, the critical role played by news media cannot be undermined, and it needs to be ensured that digital gatekeeper firms, such as Google, do not abuse their dominant position to harm the competitive process of determining a fair distribution of (...)

The Polish Competition Authority fines a German supermarket for forcing suppliers to accept unfavourable contract terms, applying unfair retrospective discounts and mislabelling products to suggest domestic production (Kaufland Polska Markety)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22513 visits
Decisions of the President of UOKiK on Kaufland* Kaufland Polska Markety required suppliers to reduce the price of agricultural and food products after their sale, unfairly using its contractual advantage. Moreover, it misled consumers as to the country of origin of the vegetables. The (...)

The Indian Competition Authority launches an investigation into a mining company for alleged abuse of dominance by excessive pricing (Kalpit Sultania / IREL)
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 84 contributions 8736 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10615 visits
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Samvad Partners (Mumbai)
76 contributions 7450 visits
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KEY POINTS The thrust of the definition of the term ‘enterprise’ under the Act is on the economic nature of the activities discharged by the entity concerned. BRIEF FACTS An information was filed by Mr. Kalpit Sultania (“Informant”) against IREL (India) Ltd. (“IREL/OP”) alleging abuse of (...)

The Indian Competition Authority initiates a probe into a Big Tech firm for potential abuse of dominance in the app store market (Apple / Together We Fight Society)
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 84 contributions 8736 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10615 visits
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Samvad Partners (Mumbai)
76 contributions 7450 visits
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KEY POINTS Unlike traditional ‘single-brand’ markets or aftermarkets, the present digital ecosystems including app stores operate as a platform connecting two or multiple different sets of market participants, such as, app developers and users. The multisided nature of this market needs to (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority determines that a national airport did not abuse its dominant position when applying a COVID-19 discount for airlines (Zagreb Airport / RyanAir)
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19884 visits
CCA investigates practices of Zagreb airport* In the preliminary market investigation relating to the alleged abusive practices of the undertaking Međunarodna zračna luka Zagreb d.d. (Zagreb Airport) with respect to the conclusion of the agreement on the provision of services with the (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority investigates alleged abuse of dominance on the market for technical approvals of locations (Orange / RCS&RDS)
Romanian Competition Council (Bucharest)
Romania 160 contributions 29214 visits
The Competition council investigates both Orange SI RCS & RDS for abuse of dominant position* The Competition Council has opened two investigations aimed at a possible abusive behaviour of both undertakings Orange Romania S.A. and RCS & RDS S.A. on the market of service for issuing (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes its decision finding a pharmaceutical company guilty of excessive pricing on thyroid tablets (Advanz)
Toyota (Brussels)
Belgium 38 contributions 8654 visits
On 15 December 2021, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) published the non-confidential version of its decision in Advanz Pharma, which provides further insight into its approach to dealing with excessive pricing. As reported earlier (See Michael Clancy, Samuel Hall, Peter (...)

The Slovenian Competition Authority initiates proceedings against alleged abuse of dominant position on the market for the processing of waste grave candles (Plastkom)
Slovenian Competition Authority (Ljubljana)
Slovenia 8 contributions 1110 visits
Sector inquiry into EV charging infrastructure: AFCA launches comprehensive market inquiry* As part of the sector inquiry into EV charging infrastructure, which the Austrian Federal Competition Authority (AFCA) got under way in November 2021 (see also AFCA’s press release of 16 November (...)

The Russian Competition Authority imposes a fine on a telecommunications company for abuse of dominance (Tele2)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 56720 visits
FAS Russia fined Tele2 for the abuse of its dominant position* The authority initiated an administrative offense case against the company and imposed a 825,500 rubles fine on the telecom operator for the abuse of its dominant position on November 22 [1]. In January 2021, the company (...)

The Norwegian Competition Authority issues a draft paper on its approach to abusive price discrimination
University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Law
Denmark 10 contributions 4278 visits
Discriminatory Abuse – Time to clear up the ambiguities!* The Norwegian Competition Authority has issued a draft paper on abusive (price) discrimination, outlining how the agency plans to approach the matter, which should be most welcome. Essentially, the legal position is at best unclear, (...)

The Cypriot Administrative Court upholds the Competition Authority’s decision to impose a fine of €2 million for anticompetitive practices in the supply of raw cow milk (Pancyprian Organization of Cattle Farmers)
Commission for the Protection of Competition of the Republic of Cyprus (Nicosia)
Cyprus 64 contributions 8999 visits
The Administrative Court has upheld the decision of the Commission for the Protection of Competition and the fine of €2.100.000 imposed on the Pancyprian Organization of Cattle Farmers (POCF) Public Ltd for infringements of the Protection of Competition Law of 2008.* The Administrative Court (...)

The Australian Competition Authority reports a standstill in the domestic airline industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and cautions airports against using their market power to try to recoup losses after the pandemic through excessive prices
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australia 397 contributions 84149 visits
COVID restrictions bring domestic airline industry to a standstill* Travel restrictions as a result of the recent COVID-19 Delta outbreaks have brought the majority of domestic flying to a stop and delivered a significant blow to the local airline industry, the ACCC’s latest Airline (...)

The Italian Administrative Court of First Instance annuls a national telecommunications company’s margin squeeze fine due to the Competition Authority incorrectly applying the "as efficient competitor" test (Vodafone)
Ashurst (Brussels)
Belgium 45 contributions 46156 visits
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Ashurst (Milan)
Italie 103 contributions 30051 visites
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Ashurst (Brussels)
Belgium 12 contributions 6457 visits
On 15 September 2021, the Italian administrative court of first instance ("TAR Lazio") upheld the appeal brought by Vodafone Italia S.p.A. ("Vodafone") against the decision of the Italian Competition Authority ("ICA") of 13 December 2017 in case A500(A). The TAR Lazio found that the ICA had (...)

The Russian Competition Authority launches an investigation into the actions of 2 glass companies for possible abuse of dominance (Salavatsteklo / Guardian Glass)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 56720 visits
FAS Russia initiated a case in the glass market* The agency perceives in the actions of Salavatsteklo and Guardian Glass signs of abuse of a dominant position In connection with the received statements about the increase in the cost of building materials, including flat glass, the FAS (...)

The US district court for the District of Northern California rules that app stores are not a monopoly but prohibits ban on app creators directing consumers to external links (Epic / Apple)
Callol, Coca & Asociados (Madrid)
Espagne 170 contributions 47034 visites
The Judgment of the US Court of the Northern District of California (Court) of 10 September 2021 , Epic v. Apple (Judgment), has concluded that Apple Inc. (Apple) is not a monopolist in light of current US and California antitrust laws. However, what could be seen as a neat victory for Apple (...)

The UK Competition Authority finds that 2 pharmaceutical companies abused their dominant positions to overcharge the National Health Service for vital anti-epilepsy drugs (Pfizer / Flynn)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA accuses pharma firms of illegal pricing* The CMA has provisionally found that Pfizer and Flynn abused their dominant positions to overcharge the NHS for vital anti-epilepsy drugs, after reassessing the case. Having gathered further evidence and after carefully assessing the facts, the (...)

The UK Competition Authority along with EU Member States cracks down on excessive pricing in the pharmaceutical sector (Pfizer / Flynn / Actavis)
McDermott Will & Emery (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 7710 visits
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White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 1293 visits
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White & Case (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 388 visits
Competition authorities have been traditionally reluctant to pursue excessive pricing cases since many of them had failed on the facts. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of the topic in pharma-related cases. In particular, the national competition authorities have led the (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines a pharmaceutical company for overinflating the price of thyroid tablets (Advanz)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA fines pharma firm over pricing of crucial thyroid drug* The CMA has imposed over £100 million in fines after Advanz inflated the price of thyroid tablets, causing the NHS and patients to lose out. Advanz increased the price of thyroid tablet packs from £20 in 2009 to £248 in 2017 – an (...)

The UK Competition Authority imposes fines totalling more than £101M on a pharmaceutical company for charging excessive and unfair prices for liothyronine tablets (Advanz)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 25855 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 7736 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 163 contributions 55978 visits
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On 29 July 2021, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) imposed fines totalling more than £101 million on Advanz Pharma and previous owners, Cinven and HgCapital, for charging excessive and unfair prices for liothyronine tablets – a treatment for hypothyroidism (see Press Release). (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority fines a medicine supplier almost €20 million for excessive pricing of a metabolic disorder medicine (Leadiant)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 7736 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 25855 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 163 contributions 55978 visits
On 20 July 2021, the ACM announced that it had imposed a fine of € 19,569,500 on Leadiant for abusing its dominant position by charging excessive prices for chenodeoxycholic acid-Leadiant (“CDCA”), a medicine indicated for the treatment of patients suffering from cerebrotendinous (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority imposes a fine totalling €20M on an orphan drug manufacturer for excessive pricing (Leadiant)
Bird & Bird (The Hague)
Netherlands 34 contributions 8885 visits
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Bird & Bird (The Hague)
Netherlands 7 contributions 4449 visits
Dutch competition authority ACM imposes EUR 20 million fine on orphan drug manufacturer Leadiant for excessive pricing* The Netherlands Authority for the Consumer and Markets’ (“ACM“) announced focus on drug price developments has finally come to a tangible enforcement result: a fine of (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority fines a national drug manufacturer for excessive pricing (Leadiant)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Pays-Bas 212 contributions 36493 visites
ACM imposes fine on drug manufacturer Leadiant for CDCA’s excessive price* The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has established that drug manufacturer Leadiant charged far too high a price for its prescription drug CDCA-Leadiant. As such, Leadiant abused its dominant (...)

The Indian Competition Authority closes a case against a taxi-aggregator finding no abuse of dominance in the market for radio taxi services in Delhi-NCR (Meru Travel Solutions / Uber India)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 63 contributions 18719 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 66 contributions 20761 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 66 contributions 19670 visits
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The CCI closed a case against taxi-aggregator Uber, rejecting arguments by Meru Travel Solutions (Meru) that Uber had abused its dominant position under Section 4 of the Competition Act by resorting to predatory pricing and that exclusivity agreements with its driver partners had an (...)

The Polish Competition Authority initiates proceedings against a retail chain for unfair exploitation of contractual advantage (Kaufland Polska Markety)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22510 visits
President of UOKiK initiates proceedings against the owner of the Kaufland chain* The President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny initiated proceedings against Kaufland Polska Markety. The company may unfairly exploit its contractual advantage with respect to suppliers of agri-food products. The (...)

The Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal upholds the annulment of the nearly €41M abuse of dominance fine imposed by the Competition Authority against a railway company (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
KPN (Amsterdam)
Netherlands 33 contributions 7327 visits
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Bird & Bird (The Hague)
Netherlands 4 contributions 906 visits
On 1 June 2021 the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (“CBb”), which is the highest administrative court in the Netherlands, upheld the annulment of the nearly € 41 million abuse of dominance fine imposed by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (“ACM”, the Dutch competition (...)

The Russian Competition Authority issues a warning to a gas company to reduce retail gasoline prices in the Volgograd Region (Lukoil-Yugnefteprodukt)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 56720 visits
FAS issued to the company Lukoil-Yugnefteprodukt a warning to reduce the retail gasoline price in the Volgograd Region* Being a dominant in the regional market, the company increased retail gasoline prices in the daytime at individual gas stations The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly (...)

The Russian Competition Authority issues a warning to a gas company on the need to reduce retail gasoline prices in the Republic of Kalmykia (Lukoil-Yugnefteprodukt)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 56720 visits
FAS issued Lukoil-Yugnefteprodukt warning on the need to reduce retail gasoline prices* Being a dominant in the regional market, the company increased retail gasoline prices in the daytime at individual gas stations The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Republic of Kalmykia (...)

The Polish Competition Authority initiates proceedings against multiple TV channel distributors for abusing their dominant position (Telewizja Polsat / Discovery)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22510 visits
TV packages - President of The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection has initiated antitrust proceedings Tomasz Chróstny, President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, has initiated two antitrust proceedings against Telewizja Polsat and four companies belonging to the (...)

The Australian Federal Court declares that a national ports operator abused its dominant position (TasPorts)
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (Canberra)
Australia 397 contributions 84149 visits
TasPorts declared to have misused its market power* The Federal Court has declared by consent that Tasmanian Ports Corporation Pty Ltd engaged in conduct that had the likely effect of substantially lessening competition in the markets for towage and pilotage services in northern Tasmania, in (...)

The German Competition Authority closes its investigation against a producer of household appliances, without a fine after it agreed to amend its retailer rebate scheme (Liebherr)
Ashurst (Frankfurt)
Germany 15 contributions 4228 visits
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Ashurst (Munich)
Germany 9 contributions 1777 visits
On 12 April 2021, the German competition authority ("FCO") closed its investigation against Liebherr, a producer of household appliances, without a fine after Liebherr agreed to abandon or amend certain clauses in its newly introduced distribution model which, in the FCO’s view, discriminated (...)

The Indian Competition Authority rejects allegations regarding an abuse of a dominant position in the provision of coal terminal services (Tamil Nadu Power Producer Association / Chettinad International Coal Terminal)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 63 contributions 18719 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 66 contributions 20761 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 66 contributions 19670 visits
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After a lengthy investigation, which started in January 2016, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) rejected allegations by the Tamil Nadu Power Producer Association that Chettinad International Coal Terminal Pvt. Ltd. (CICTPL) had abused its dominant position in the provision of coal (...)

The French Competition Authority rejects a referral filed by a national karaoke studio for lack of evidence (Singing Studio / Karafun)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 747 contributions 408020 visites
The Autorité de la concurrence rejects the referral filed by Singing Studio in the karaoke sector for lack of evidence* Singing Studio’s complaint Singing Studio, which operates two establishments specialising in karaoke in Lille and Paris, has referred practices implemented by the Karafun (...)

The German Competition Authority welcomes the decision of a postal service company to end its discount system for the dispatch of newspapers and magazines (Deutsche Post)
Bird & Bird (Dusseldorf)
Germany 12 contributions 2041 visits
The Deutsche Post AG (“DPAG”) has cancelled its until recently practiced discount system in relation to its dispatch services provided to newspaper and magazine publishers. The DPAG`s decision to stop discounting the dispatch services occurred after the German Federal Cartel Office initiated (...)

The German Competition Authority accepts a postal service company’s commitments to end its discount system for the dispatch of newspapers and magazines (Deutsche Post)
Ashurst (Frankfurt)
Germany 15 contributions 4228 visits
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Ashurst (Munich)
Germany 9 contributions 1777 visits
On 26 February 2021, the German Federal Cartel Office ("FCO") closed its six-year investigation into Deutsche Post AG ("DPAG") after securing commitments in connection with practices relating to the dispatch of newspapers and magazines. The FCO suspected that DPAG had abused its dominant (...)

The EU Commission accepts commitments made by a pharmaceutical company to reduce prices for six off-patent cancer medicines by 73% addressing excessive pricing concerns (Aspen)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1361 contributions 2920741 visits
Antitrust: Commission accepts commitments by Aspen to reduce prices for six off-patent cancer medicines by 73% addressing excessive pricing concerns* The European Commission has made commitments offered by Aspen legally binding under EU antitrust rules. Aspen has to reduce its prices in (...)

The EU Commission accepts a commitment to reduce the price of six cancer medicines by 73% in an excessive pricing case in the pharmaceutical industry (Aspen)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 7736 visits
On 10 February 2021, the Commission announced that it had accepted a series of pricing and supply commitments from Aspen, thereby bringing an end to its investigation into whether Aspen had infringed Article 102 TFEU by charging excessive prices for six off-patent cancer medicines. Having (...)

The EU Commission accepts the commitment offered by a pharmaceutical company to reduce drug prices by 73% (Aspen)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 121 contributions 73593 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 3 contributions 423 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 60 contributions 21565 visits
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“When the price of a drug suddenly goes up by several hundred percent, this is something the Commission may look at” Commissioner Vestager said when opening a formal investigation into Aspen’s alleged excessive pricing conduct in May 2017. On 10 February 2021, the EU Commission (Commission) (...)

The EU Commission accepts the commitment offered by a pharmaceutical company for excessive pricing (Aspen)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 25855 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 7736 visits
In February 2021, the European Commission’s (“Commission”) long-running excessive pricing case against Aspen was brought to a close, with Aspen accepting a series of forward-looking pricing and supply commitments, but avoiding any fines or requirements to repay all of the higher prices charged (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority imposes a €5.69M fine on a State-owned rail freight company for abuse of its dominant position (LDZ Cargo)
Baker McKenzie (Brussels)
Belgium 10 contributions 2068 visits
On 3 February 2021, the Latvian Competition Council (“LCC”) announced that it had fined the state-owed rail freight company, LDZ Cargo, €5.69 million for committing two abuses of its dominant position on the Latvian rail freight market (on which it held a market share of between 70% and 80% (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority fines a national public capital company for abuse of a dominant position in the railway transports sector (Ldz cargo)
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24447 visits
The CC imposes a fine on the public capital company “LDZ CARGO” for abuse of a dominant position* The Competition Council of Latvia (the CC) detected that since 2007 the public capital company “LDZ CARGO”, abusing a dominant position, made it more difficult for competitors to operate in rail (...)

The EU Court of Justice confirms the Commission’s power to issue a request for additional information after a statement of objections (Qualcomm)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 34 contributions 8114 visits
On 28 January 2021, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) handed down a judgment in Case C-466/19 P (Qualcomm Inc. and Qualcomm Europe v. European Commission). Following a complaint submitted in 2010 by Icera Inc., a producer and distributor of soft chipsets which deliver high-performance (...)

The EU Court of Justice upholds the General Court’s ruling finding that an information request issued by the Commission as part of its investigation into a Big Tech company’s predatory pricing practices is valid (Qualcomm)
Ashurst (Brussels)
Belgium 37 contributions 9245 visits
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Ashurst (London)
United Kingdom 14 contributions 2576 visits
On 28 January 2021, the European Court of Justice ("ECJ") upheld a ruling of the General Court finding that an information request issued by the EU Commission, as part of its investigation into Qualcomm’s predatory pricing practices, did not breach the principles of necessity and (...)

The Indian Competition Authority dismisses allegations of abuse of dominance by a reinsurance company as its client insurance companies retain the freedom to decide their premium rates as well as their reinsurer under national law (Automotive Tyres Manufacturers Association / General Insurance Corporation of India)
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 84 contributions 8736 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10615 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10685 visits
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KEY POINTS The markets for insurance and reinsurance exist as separate markets and insurance companies have the commercial freedom to price their policies as they deem fit according to the market conditions and decisions taken in the reinsurance market do not place any restriction on (...)

The Indonesian Competition Authority imposes its first predatory pricing fine against a multinational cement manufacturer (CKSC)
Dewi Negara Fachri & Partners (Jakarta)
2 contributions 512 visits
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HHP Law Firm (Jakarta)
Indonesia 6 contributions 2034 visits
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)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 56720 visits
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 (...)

The Czech Competition Authority confirms fine for resale price maintenance agreements imposed on baby products retail company (Baby Direkt)
Czech Competition Authority (Brno)
Czech Republic 49 contributions 6574 visits
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 US DoJ announces that a ready-mix concrete company admitted to fixing prices and rigging bids (Argos USA)
US Department of Justice (Washington)
United States 180 contributions 79217 visits
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 (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority terminates investigation into real estate ads company for alleged abuse of dominant position (Diginet LTU)
Lithuanian Competition Authority (Vilnius)
Lithuania 106 contributions 20734 visits
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 (...)

The Polish Competition Authority imposes a fine on a supermarket chain for abuse of superior bargaining power (Biedronka)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22510 visits
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 Portuguese Competition Authority issues statement of objections to supermarkets and beverage supplier for price fixing and harming consumers (Modelo Continente / Pingo Doce / Auchan / Active Brands)
Portuguese Competition Authority (Lisbon)
Portugal 118 contributions 29980 visits
AdC issues Statement of Objections to supermarkets and beverage supplier for price fixing, harmful to consumers* The AdC – Portuguese Competition Authority issued a Statement of Objections to Modelo Continente, Pingo Doce, Auchan and the supplier of alcoholic beverages Active Brands for (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules on the royalty mechanism of a Belgian collecting society in a situation of de facto monopoly (SABAM)
Clifford Chance (Paris)
France 1 contribution 237 visits
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Christian Dior (Paris)
France 1 contribution 237 visits
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University Paris Saclay
France 1 contribution 237 visits
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On 25 November 2020, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) handed down its preliminary ruling in response to the request by the Ondernemingsrechtbank Antwerp as to the interpretation of Article 102 TFEU. The disagreement between Weareone.World and Wecandance on one side, and SABAM, a Belgian (...)

The Polish Competition Authority fines a manufacturer of musical equipment for resale price maintenance (Yamaha Music Europe)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22510 visits
Decision of the President of UOKiK on overpricing of Yamaha musical equpiment* For 13 years, Yamaha Music Europe has been setting minimum prices for resale of musical equipment in online stores in Poland with its distributors. President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny imposed a fine of half a (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority initiates disciplinary proceedings against an industrial equipment supplier for alleged resale price maintenance and related restrictive practices (Maquinaria Garrido)
Spanish Competition Authority (CNMC) (Madrid)
Spain 143 contributions 31343 visits
The CNMC initiates disciplinary proceedings against Maquinaria Garrido S.L. for alleged practices prohibited by the Anti-Trust Law* It is investigating the possible restriction of passive sales by its official distributors outside its exclusive territory, and the possible fixing of resale (...)

The Italian Competition Authority continues its investigation of an orphan drug manufacturer for excessive pricing (Leadiant)
Portolano Cavallo (Milan)
Italy 36 contributions 7069 visits
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Portolano Cavallo (Milan)
Italy 63 contributions 10268 visits
In October 2019, the Italian Competition Authority (hereinafter the “ICA” or the “Authority”) launched an investigation into abuse of dominance pursuant to Article 102 TFEU against Leadiant Biosciences Ltd (formerly Sigma Tau Rare Disease Ltd) and other companies in the Leadiant group (...)

The EU Commission sends a Statement of Objections to State-owned Czech rail incumbent for alleged predatory pricing (České dráhy)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1361 contributions 2920741 visits
Antitrust: The Commission sends Statement of Objections to České dráhy for alleged predatory pricing* The European Commission has informed the state-owned Czech rail incumbent České dráhy (ČD) of its preliminary view that ČD has breached EU antitrust rules by charging prices below costs. (...)

The Russian Competition Authority finds a telecom company guilty of abusing its dominant position to unreasonably increase tariffs for communication services (Tele2)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 56720 visits
The FAS Russia: Tele 2 Unreasonably Increased Tariffs for Communication Services* T2 Mobile has increased the cost of providing mobile services on a number of tariff plans from May 12, 2020 On October 20, the FAS Russia found a violation of antimonopoly law in the company’s actions. (...)

The Brussels Court of Appeal partially annuls a decision imposing a record fine on a telecommunications company for a margin squeeze abuse of dominance (Proximus)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 163 contributions 55978 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 43 contributions 12002 visits
On 7 October 2020, the Markets Court of the Brussels Court of Appeal (Marktenhof / Cour des marchés) (the Markets Court) partially annulled the decision of 26 May 2009 (the 2009 Decision), for lack of admissible evidence, by which the Belgian Competition Authority (Belgische (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority closes its investigation into a drug manufacturer after receiving assurances that it will not use its discount schemes to force hospitals into exclusive purchases (AbbVie)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Pays-Bas 212 contributions 36493 visites
ACM closes investigation into drug manufacturer AbbVie, competitors get more room now* Drug manufacturer AbbVie has stated that it will not force hospitals to purchase exclusively or to a large extent from AbbVie through discount schemes (or rebate programs). AbbVie has made these assurances (...)

The Serbian Competition Authority investigates the existence of resale price maintenance practices by an importer and distributor of coffee machines (SF1 Coffee)
Serbian Commission for Protection of Competition (Belgrade)
Serbia 3 contributions 324 visits
Commission Institutes Another Proceedings on the Consumer Electronics Market* The Commission for Protection of Competition instituted antitrust proceedings ex officio and carried out a dawn raid at business premises of company SF1 Coffee d.o.o., a Nespresso importer and distributor, to (...)

The Indian Competition Authority dismisses allegations of abuse of dominance and exclusive arrangements against an e-commerce company in the market for fashion merchandise (Lifestyle Equities / Amazon)
National University of Study and Research in Law (Ranchi)
1 contribution 211 visits
In an order dated 11.09.2020, the Competition Commission of India (hereinafter ‘CCI’ or ‘the Commission’) dismissed the allegations of abuse of dominance and, entering into anti- competitive agreements against Amazon and the other opposite parties. The Indian Antitrust watchdog observed that (...)

The EU Court of Justice AG Saugmandsgaardoe issues opinion suggesting that a firm without an indispensable infrastructure can nonetheless abuse a dominant position by way of margin squeeze (Slovak Telekom) (Deutsche Telekom)
European University Institute (Florence)
Italy 50 contributions 105461 visits
I share below a quick analysis of the Opinion of Advocate General ("AG") Saugmandsgaardoe in Deutsche Telekom and Slovak Telekom (DT & ST) v Commission (C-152 and 165/19 P). The legal issue at the heart of the case giving rise to the Opinion is the following: can a firm without an (...)

The French Competition Authority fines 3 laboratories for abusive efforts to segment the market (Novartis ; Roche ; Genentech)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 7736 visits
Background On 9 September 2020, the French Competition Authority (the “FCA”) imposed a fine of € 444 million on Genentech, Novartis and Roche for abusing their collective dominant position on the market for the commercialisation of drugs for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (...)

The French Competition Authority imposes a fine worth a total of €444 million on three pharmaceutical companies for collective abuse of dominance practices designed to sustain the sale of an expensive drug (Novartis ; Roche ; Genentech)
Addleshaw Goddard (Paris)
France 39 contributions 44344 visits
The French Competition Authority ("FCA") has issued a rare decision sanctioning three laboratories active in treatment of age-related macular degeneration on the basis of collective abuse of dominance practices designed to sustain the sale of an expensive drug, Lucentis, to the detriment of a (...)

The French Competition Authority fines three laboratories for abusive practices (Novartis ; Roche ; Genentech)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 747 contributions 408020 visites
Treatment for AMD: the Autorité fines 3 laboratories for abusive practices* The Autorité de la concurrence has imposed fines worth a total of €444 million on three pharmaceutical companies, Novartis, Roche and Genentech, for abusive practices designed to sustain the sales of Lucentis for AMD (...)

The Polish Competition Authority investigates retrospective discounts in the food retail sector (Biedronka)
Polish Competition Authority (Warsaw)
Poland 120 contributions 22510 visits
President of UOKiK investigates retrospective discounts* President of UOKiK Tomasz Chróstny has initiated explanatory proceedings to check whether the retail chains are not leveraging their contractual advantage over small and medium-sized enterprises supplying products to their stores (...)

The EU Court of Justice AG Saugmandsgaard Øe recommends the Bronner legal test to be limited to ’refusals to make available’ (Slovak Telekom) (Deutsche Telekom)
Latham & Watkins (Brussels)
Belgium 12 contributions 4693 visits
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University of Liège
Belgium 2 contributions 475 visits
Advocate General (‘AG’) Saugmandsgaard Øe recommends the European Court of Justice (‘ECJ’) to (i) rule that the test included in the Bronner Judgment – including the indispensability requirement – should only be applied in specific circumstances (i.e., in case of ‘refusals to make available’), (...)

The Polish Competition Authority opens preliminary investigations into the rebate practices of 19 retail chains
Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3061 visits
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Bird & Bird (Warsaw)
Poland 19 contributions 3061 visits
In early July, the Polish competition authority (UOKiK) has opened preliminary investigations into the rebate practices of 19 retail chains. In particular, the authority will focus on whether retrospective rebates are used to exploit retail chains’ contractual advantage towards small and (...)

The Hellenic Competition Authority examines a complaint lodged against three companies in the mineral sector for abuse of dominance (Mytilineos / Imerys Voxites / Imerys Greece)
Hellenic Competition Commission (Athens)
Greece 131 contributions 18234 visits
Press Release: Examination of the complaint of the company MYTILINEOS S. A.* Subject: Examination of the complaint of the company MYTILINEOS S. A. - GROUP OF COMPANIES against the companies IMERYS VOXITES SA and IMERYS GREECE SA for possible violation of articles 2 of law 3959/2011 and 102 (...)

The Italian Competition Authority opens investigation into excessive pricing and anticompetitive contractual conditions by a dominant ferry company (Caronte & Tourist)
Italian Competition Authority (Rome)
Italy 71 contributions 19063 visits
Antitrust: investigation launched against the ferry company Caronte & Tourist* The company is in a dominant position in passenger ferrying in the Strait of Messina The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato has launched an investigation against the company Caronte & (...)

The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upholds a lower Court’s ruling certifying a class of pharmaceutical drug purchasers alleging that the defendant engaged in anticompetitive behavior to maintain its monopoly over a drug (Indivior)
Hausfeld (Washington)
United States 7 contributions 1016 visits
On July 28, 2020, a Third Circuit Court of Appeals panel unanimously upheld a lower court ruling certifying a class of Suboxone purchasers who alleged that the defendant Indivior Inc. engaged in anticompetitive behavior to maintain its monopoly over the drug. The Third Circuit panel rejected (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority fines a supermarket chain for imposing unfair trading practices in the business-to-business food supply chain (Kaufland Hrvatska)
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19884 visits
Kaufland Hrvatska fined 1.1 million Kuna for imposing unfair trading practices* The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) fined Kaufland Hrvatska k.d. (Kaufland) 1.1 million Kuna for a serious breach of the provisions of the Act on the prohibition of unfair trading practices in the (...)

The EU Court of Justice AG Pitruzzella offers guidance on the method for calculating royalties that may lead to a finding of abuse of a dominant position (SABAM)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 660 visits
On 16 July 2020, Advocate General (“AG”) Pitruzzella issued an opinion in Case C-327/19, advising the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) on whether the method for calculating royalties used by SABAM, the Belgian collecting society, amounts to an abuse of a dominant position under (...)

The EU Commission invites comments from all interested parties on commitments offered by pharmaceutical company to address the Commission’s concerns over excessive pricing (Aspen)
Dentons (Berlin)
Belgium 6 contributions 5408 visits
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DLA Piper (Bucharest)
Romania 8 contributions 2409 visits
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Plesner (Copenhagen)
Denmark 41 contributions 74362 visits
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Aspen: Quick Fix But Missed Opportunity* What are commitments? The recent effort by the Commission to settle the Aspen case suggests that commitment decisions are the preferred route to settle complex excessive pricing cases at EU-level. Previous commitment cases where high prices have been (...)

The EU Commission invites comments on a pharmaceutical company’s proposed commitment to reduce the price by 73% for six off-patent cancer medicines to address excessive pricing concerns (Aspen)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1361 contributions 2920741 visits
Antitrust: Commission seeks feedback on commitments offered by Aspen to reduce prices for six off-patent cancer medicines by 73% to address Commission’s concerns over excessive pricing* The European Commission invites comments from all interested parties on commitments offered by Aspen to (...)

The EU Commission invites parties to submit comments regarding a pharma company and its excessive pricing (Aspen)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 660 visits
On 14 July 2020, the Commission invited interested parties to submit comments on the commitments offered by global pharma company Aspen to address competition concerns in relation to Aspen’s excessive pricing for six critical off-patent cancer medicines in several national markets (excluding (...)

The EU Commission starts a market test on the proposed commitments offered by a pharmaceutical company to address the Commission’s concerns over excessive pricing on a range of off-patent cancer medicines (Aspen)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 163 contributions 55978 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 64 contributions 28316 visits
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Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 63 contributions 27466 visits
Today, the European Commission (the Commission) started a market test inviting comments from interested parties on commitments offered by Aspen Pharmacare Holdings (Aspen) to address the Commission’s concerns over excessive pricing for a range of off-patent cancer medicines (see, attached (...)

The South African Competition Tribunal publishes its written reasons to penalize a pharmaceutical chain for excessive pricing (Dis-Chem)
ICC FraudNet (Johannesburg)
South Africa 7 contributions 4043 visits
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Primerio (Johannesburg)
South Africa 22 contributions 5756 visits
South Africa’s Second Price Gouging Case: Dis-Chem Penalised For Excessive Pricing re Face Masks* On 14 July 2020, the South African Competition Tribunal published its written reasons in relation to its decision to penalize Dis-Chem (a large pharmaceutical chain in South Africa) for (...)

The EFTA Surveillance Authority fines a telecom EUR 111 million for abuse of dominance in the Norwegian market for residential mobile broadband services on tablets and laptops (Telenor)
EFTA Surveillance Authority (Brussels)
Belgium 140 contributions 28647 visits
ESA fines Telenor EUR 112 million for anticompetitive practices* Following an in-depth investigation, the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) concludes that Telenor abused its market dominance by a pricing strategy that resulted in rivals making a loss when selling residential mobile broadband (...)

The UK Competition Authority opens investigations against four pharmacies and convenience stores for suspected breaches of antitrust rules by charging excessive and unfair prices for hand sanitiser products during the COVID-19 outbreak
Hausfeld (London)
United Kingdom 5 contributions 1142 visits
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Morgan Lewis (London)
United Kingdom 28 contributions 16465 visits
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Morgan Lewis (London)
United Kingdom 27 contributions 10063 visits
The UK Competition and Markets Authority on June 19 announced that it had opened investigations against four pharmacies and convenience stores in relation to suspected breaches of antitrust rules by charging excessive and unfair prices for hand sanitiser products during the coronavirus (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice rejects an appeal against the prohibition of exclusivity clauses in online sales of event tickets (CTS Eventim)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 31 contributions 4232 visits
In December 2017, the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) prohibited ticketing services provider CTS Eventim from using exclusivity agreements with event organisers and ticket offices. CTS Eventim had to amend its contractual clauses and allow trading partners to sell at least 20% of their (...)

The Japanese FTC closes investigation into exclusionary conduct by gas company due to lack of evidence (Osaka Gas)
Japan Fair Trade Commission (Tokyo)
Japan 140 contributions 24827 visits
Closing the investigation on the suspected violation of the Antimonopoly Act by Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.* The Japan Fair Trade Commission (hereinafter “JFTC”) has investigated Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Osaka Gas”), in accordance with the provisions of the Antimonopoly Act. Osaka Gas has (...)

The Indian National Company Law Appellate Tribunal interprets strictly ’sufficient cause’ in an appellate framework for competition matters to tackle forum shopping practices (MAJ. Pankaj Rai / NITT)
Nation with NaMo (New Delhi)
India 2 contributions 592 visits
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IndusLaw (Delhi)
3 contributions 712 visits
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) in New Delhi, India’s appellate tribunal for competition matters has given a decisive ruling for appeals of orders of the Competition Commission of India (CCI). In Maj. Pankaj Rai v Secretary, Competition Commission of India decided in May, (...)

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal rules that there is no abuse of dominance by one of the largest national real estate agencies in the online housing market (VBO / NVM / Funda)
University of Leiden - Europa Institute (Leiden)
Netherlands 1 contribution 255 visits
In its judgment, on the 26th May 2020, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal (‘the Court’) ruled that there is no abuse of Funda’s dominant position. The Court hereby dismissed the claim which had been filed by VBO Estate Agents in The Netherlands against Funda. This judgment ended a six-year-old (...)

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal dismisses a claim that a real estate agency’s self-preferencing strategy is abusive because the competitive position remained unaffected (VBO / NVM / Funda)
European Court of Justice (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 9 contributions 1982 visits
On 26 May 2020, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal (the “Court”) handed down its judgment in the dispute between the real estate agent association VBO (“VBO”) and Funda Real Estate (“Funda”) and the Dutch Association of Real Estate Agents (“NVM”). The Court upheld the judgment of the District Court (...)

The OECD issues note on exploitative pricing in the time of COVID-19
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 313 contributions 1434277 visites
One of the many consequences of the COVID-19 crisis is the disruption of supply chains. Together with increased demand, this has led to shortages in a number of essential products. These shortages are influencing the behaviour of firms and may have led to potentially exploitative prices in (...)

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal finds no abuse of dominance by one of the largest national real estate agencies in its ranking of online advertisements (VBO / NVM / Funda)
Bird & Bird (The Hague)
Netherlands 2 contributions 460 visits
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KPN (Amsterdam)
Netherlands 33 contributions 7327 visits
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Bird & Bird (The Hague)
Netherlands 34 contributions 8885 visits
On 26 May 2020, the Amsterdam Court of Appeal (“Court”) delivered its judgment in a dispute between the real estate association VBO Makelaars (“VBO”) versus the Dutch Association of Real Estate Agents (“NVM”) over the online real estate platform of Funda Real Estate (“Funda”). The Court (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes update on its COVID-19 taskforce including a number of excessive pricing complaints and investigations
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA publishes update on COVID-19 Taskforce* The CMA has today published an update from its COVID-19 Taskforce, set up to monitor and respond to consumer and competition problems arising from the pandemic. As part of the Taskforce’s work, it asked the public for information about businesses (...)

The Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation fines 3 pharmaceutical companies for abuse of dominance in the distribution of an injectable drug and confirms that pharmaceuticals and medical devices sectors continue to be an enforcement priority amid the COVID-19 outbreak (Kanghui / Puyunhui / Taiyangshen)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Shanghai)
China 7 contributions 2146 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Hong Kong)
China 12 contributions 3247 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Hong Kong)
China 3 contributions 1028 visits
On 9 April 2020, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) fined 3 pharmaceutical companies for abuse of dominance in the distribution of injectable calcium gluconate Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). The three companies were found to be in breach of the PRC’s (...)

The Chinese State Administration for Market Regulation fines 3 national pharmaceutical companies for abuse of dominance in the sale of an injectable pharmaceutical ingredient (Kanghui / Puyunhui / Taiyangshen)
FenXun Partners (Beijing)
China 3 contributions 578 visits
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Baker McKenzie (Beijing)
China 3 contributions 924 visits
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Baker McKenzie (Beijing)
China 2 contributions 333 visits
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On 9 April 2020, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) fined three domestic pharmaceutical companies Shandong Kanghui Medicine Company Limited ("Kanghui"), Weifang Puyunhui Pharmaceutical Company Limited ("Puyunhui") and Weifang Taiyangshen Company Limited Pharmaceutical (...)

The South African Competition Authority announces it has received over 500 complaints of excessive pricing related to the COVID-19 pandemic
South African Competition Commission (Pretoria)
South Africa 25 contributions 2999 visits
COVID-19 UPDATE: COMPETITION COMMISSION FLOODED WITH OVER 500 COMPLAINTS OF EXCESSIVE PRICING * Background On 15 March 2020 President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a State of National Disaster, and further to that the President announced the enforcement of a nationwide lockdown for 21 days with (...)

The US State AGs from 33 States, led by Pennsylvania AG Shapiro issue a letter urging online marketplaces to monitor more rigorously price gouging practices especially for online sellers (Amazon / Facebook / eBay / Walmart / Craigslist)
Troutman Sanders (Richmond)
United States 1 contribution 242 visits
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Troutman Sanders (Richmond)
United States 1 contribution 242 visits
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Troutman Sanders (Richmond)
United States 1 contribution 242 visits
33 Attorneys General Urge Online Sellers To Take Steps To Fight Price Gouging* Today, a bipartisan group of 33 state attorneys general, led by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, sent a letter urging online marketplaces to more rigorously monitor price gouging practices by online (...)

The US State AGs from 33 States and Territories, led by Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Vermont urge online marketplaces to monitor more rigorously price gouging practices by online sellers using their services (Amazon / Facebook / eBay / Walmart / Craigslist)
Office of the Pennsylvania State Attorney General (Harrisburg)
United States 1 contribution 677 visits
AG Shapiro: Amazon, Facebook, Ebay, Walmart, Craigslist Must Stop Site Price Gouging by Online Sellers* HARRISBURG― Attorney General Josh Shapiro today issued a letter with co-leading Attorneys General Hector Balderas, William Tong, and T.J. Donovan, and 29 of their Attorneys General (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority announces a zero-tolerance policy against excessive price increases in the food sector during the COVID-19 outbreak
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 172 contributions 83571 visites
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 5 contributions 2038 visits
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Esin (Istanbul)
Turkey 3 contributions 995 visits
The world is clearly going through uncertain times as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. In Turkey, although at the moment there are significantly fewer confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Turkey as compared to the Western European countries and the UK, the COVID-19 pandemic outbrea k has also (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority warns it will impose the most serious administrative fines on food sellers who charged excessive prices during the COVID-19 pandemic
Turkish Competition Authority (Ankara)
Turkey 44 contributions 7927 visits
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT* It is observed that in our food market, especially in the market for fresh vegetables and fruits, there are extreme price increases in an opportunist manner nowadays, while we are facing with global COVID-19 outbreak. Being granted the power to protect consumer (...)

The UK Competition Authority investigates four pharmacies and convenience stores for excessive and unfair pricing of hand sanitiser products during the COVID-19 pandemic
Bird & Bird (London)
United Kingdom 28 contributions 3541 visits
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London Legends FC
4 contributions 656 visits
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating four pharmacies and convenience stores for suspected breaches of competition law. The investigations, under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 (CA 98), relate to suspected charging of excessive and unfair prices for hand (...)

The UK Competition Authority writes an open letter to the pharmaceutical, food and drink industries warning them not to exploit the COVID-19 outbreak to charge prices that might be deemed excessive
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
Coronavirus (COVID-19): CMA open letter to pharmaceutical and food and drink industries.* The Competition and Markets Authority has published an open letter for businesses in the pharmaceutical and food and drink industries. Details We have written an open letter to the pharmaceutical (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority reminds businesses to maintain compliance during the COVID-19 outbreak, including dominant companies avoiding excessive prices and all companies avoiding price fixing
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Pays-Bas 212 contributions 36493 visites
ACM’s oversight during the Coronavirus crisis* The current Coronavirus outbreak has far-reaching effects on people and businesses. These are extraordinary times. ACM is closely monitoring economic developments, and is ready to answer any questions about collaborations that companies wish to (...)

The Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal reverses a decision of the Competition Authority requiring telecom providers to open up their fixed networks in the Netherlands to other providers (KPN / VodafoneZiggo / T-Mobile / Tele2)
KPN (Amsterdam)
Netherlands 33 contributions 7327 visits
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Bird & Bird (The Hague)
Netherlands 34 contributions 8885 visits
On 17 March 2020, the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (“CBb”) reversed the 2018 decision of the Authority for Consumers and Markets (“ACM”) requiring telecom providers KPN and VodafoneZiggo to open up their fixed networks in the Netherlands to other providers. In September 2018, (...)

The Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal annuls the Competition Authority decision requiring telecommunications providers to open networks (KPN / VodafoneZiggo / T-Mobile / Tele2)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
On 17 March 2020, the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (“Appeals Tribunal”) reversed a decision of the Authority for Consumers & Markets (“ACM”) which required telecommunications provider KPN and cable provider VodafoneZiggo to open their fixed networks to other providers. On 27 (...)

The Indian Competition Authority fines the only national manufacturer of Viscose Staple Fiber for abusing its dominant position by practicing price discrimination without objective justification (Grasim Industries / Association of Man Made Fibre Industry of India)
Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10615 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 92 contributions 10685 visits
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Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan (New Delhi)
India 84 contributions 8736 visits
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Grasim Industries fined INR 302 crore for abusing its dominant position in the market for Viscose Staple Fiber (“VSF”) by the CCI* Key points A dominant entity has a special and differential obligation and ought to behave as a responsible corporate citizen. Discriminatory prices for (...)

The Ukrainian Competition Authority issues recommendations to pharmacies and retailers against excessive prices for masks, examines price hikes for airline tickets and monitors prices for disinfectants and consumption basket products
Redcliffe Partners (Kyiv)
Ukraine 9 contributions 9551 visits
As with other competition authorities, the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (the "AMC") is responding promptly during the coronavirus outbreak. On 13 March 2020, the AMC announced that it would investigate any unjustified price hikes for medicines, face masks and other personal health (...)

The Italian Supreme Administrative Court rejects an appeal lodged by a multinational drug company against a previous decision asserting it as having abused its dominant position by imposing unfair prices for drugs (Aspen)
Luiss Guido Carli University (Rome)
Italy 27 contributions 5570 visits
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Bird & Bird (Rome)
Italy 19 contributions 4168 visits
On 13 March, the Italian Supreme Administrative Court ("Consiglio di Stato") rejected the appeal lodged by the multinational Aspen Group against the decision of the Regional Administrative Court of Lazio (“TAR”), which fully upheld the decision adopted by the Italian Competition Authority (...)

The Italian Competition Authority publishes two investigations against online platforms with regards to some claims relating to the marketing of hand sanitizing and respiratory masks as well as hygiene products (Amazon / eBay)
Italian Competition Authority (Rome)
Italy 71 contributions 19063 visits
Coronavirus, the Authority begins investigating Amazon and eBay for misleading claims and excessive price increases.* The Authority launched two separate investigations today against the Amazon platform (Amazon Italia Customer Service, Amazon Eu, Amazon Service Europe) and eBay platform (...)

The England & Wales Court of Appeal imposes agency discretion in the methodology to establish the unfairness of prices, thereby increasing the burden of proof on companies to avoid a finding of excessive pricing (Pfizer / Flynn)
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 79 contributions 60314 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 3 contributions 1894 visits
The UK Court of Appeal Overturns the CAT & Imposes Agency Discretion on Excessive Price Benchmark* On March 10, 2020, the England and Wales Court of Appeal (CoA) handed down a significant ruling that reintroduces agency discretion in the methodology used to establish the unfairness of (...)

The England & Wales Court of Appeal seeks to reinstate record fines imposed on pharmaceutical companies for abuse of dominant position through excessive and unfair pricing of an anti-epilepsy drug (Pfizer / Flynn)
Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 15 contributions 4611 visits
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Herbert Smith Freehills (Brussels)
Belgique 121 contributions 73593 visites
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Herbert Smith Freehills (London)
United Kingdom 45 contributions 9502 visits
On 10 March 2020 the UK Court of Appeal handed down its hotly anticipated judgment in Flynn Pharma Limited & Anr vs Competition and Markets Authority. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was seeking to reinstate record fines totalling £89.4m imposed on pharmaceutical companies (...)

The England & Wales Court of Appeal upholds the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s quashing of the Competition Authority’s decision against pharmaceutical undertakings who had allegedly abused their dominant position by pricing their epilepsy drug unfairly (Pfizer / Flynn)
White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 57 contributions 58251 visits
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White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 39 contributions 66082 visits
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Hausfeld (London)
United Kingdom 8 contributions 3250 visits
On 10 March 2020 the Court of Appeal upheld the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s (CAT) quashing of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) decision that Pfizer and Flynn Pharma (Flynn) had abused their dominant positions in the market by pricing their epilepsy drug unfairly. Among other (...)

The England & Wales Court of Appeal provides guidance regarding the legal test to determine whether pricing is excessive and unfair in the pharmaceutical market (Pfizer / Flynn)
Norton Rose Fulbright (Brussels)
United Kingdom 26 contributions 23200 visits
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Latham & Watkins (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 980 visits
The UK Court of Appeal Clarifies the Legal Test for Excessive Pricing* Under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”), an undertaking may abuse its dominant position by “directly or indirectly imposing unfair purchase or selling prices”. The UK Court of (...)

The UK Competition Authority welcomes the England and Wales Court of Appeal’s judgment, calling it an important step forward in clarifying the legal test for excessive and unfair pricing (Pfizer / Flynn)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
CMA welcomes Court of Appeal judgment in Phenytoin case* The CMA welcomes today’s Court of Appeal judgment, calling it an important step forward in clarifying the legal test for excessive and unfair pricing. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will now carefully review the elements (...)

The England & Wales Court of Appeal dismisses the Competition Authority’s appeal against a ruling quashing the fines imposed on two pharmaceutical companies for charging excessive and unfair prices for an anti-epilepsy drug (Pfizer / Flynn)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
On 10 March 2020, the UK’s Court of Appeal dismissed the Competition and Market Authority’s (“CMA”) appeal against a 2018 ruling by the Competition Appeals Tribunal (“CAT”) that quashed the CMA’s 2016 fine imposed on Pfizer and Flynn for charging excessive and unfair prices for phenytoin (...)

The England & Wales Court of Appeal provides guidance on the legal test for excessive and unfair pricing after finding that an undertaking is charged unfairly high prices for phenytoin sodium capsules (Pfizer / Flynn)
Covington & Burling (Brussels)
Belgium 1 contribution 218 visits
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Latham & Watkins (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 980 visits
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Norton Rose Fulbright (Brussels)
United Kingdom 26 contributions 23200 visits
Under Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”), an undertaking may abuse its dominant position by “directly or indirectly imposing unfair purchase or selling prices”. The UK Court of Appeal recently provided guidance regarding the legal test to determine (...)

The England & Wales Court of Appeal considers the test for excessive pricing after an undertaking had charged unfairly high prices for phenytoin sodium capsules (Pfizer / Flynn)
Bristows (London)
United Kingdom 1 contribution 276 visits
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Bristows (London)
United Kingdom 2 contributions 676 visits
Introduction In December 2016, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that Pfizer and Flynn had charged unfairly high prices for phenytoin sodium capsules, an important anti-epilepsy drug, in breach of competition law. The CMA imposed fines totalling £90 million. Pfizer and (...)

The EU Commission adopts a decision imposing commitments on an undertaking to free up capacities at interconnection points to increase natural gas exports between countries (Transgaz)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
On 6 March 2020, the European Commission adopted a decision imposing commitments on Transgaz to free up capacities at interconnection points in order to allow for increased natural gas exports from Romania to Hungary and Bulgaria. According to the Commission’s press release, Transgaz the (...)

The UK Competition Authority announces that it has been monitoring reports of changes to sales and pricing practices during the COVID-19 outbreak and will assess whether it should advise Government to consider taking direct action to regulate prices
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100829 visits
COVID-19: sales and pricing practices during Coronavirus outbreak* The CMA has been monitoring reports of changes to sales and pricing practices during the coronavirus outbreak. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) wants to ensure that traders do not exploit the current situation to (...)

The Danish Maritime and Commercial Court finds a medicine distributor guilty of abusing its dominant position (CD Pharma)
Bird & Bird (The Hague)
Netherlands 34 contributions 8885 visits
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Bird & Bird (Copenhagen)
Denmark 36 contributions 8267 visits
On 3 March 2020, the Danish Maritime and Commercial Court found a medicine distributor, CD Pharma AB, guilty of having abused its dominant position back in 2014. Due to its dominant position, the undertaking in question had a special responsibility not to harm competition – a responsibility (...)

The Italian Competition Authority investigates online sales platforms for excessive pricing of hand sanitizers and respiratory protection masks in the face of COVID-19 outbreak
Italian Competition Authority (Rome)
Italy 71 contributions 19063 visits
ICA: Coronavirus, the Authority intervenes in the sale of sanitizing products and masks* Today the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (the Italian Antitrust Authority) sent a request for information to the main online sales platforms and other sales sites about the marketing of (...)

The German Competition Authority finds in a preliminary assessment that requests for special rebates from a furniture retailer to its suppliers could have been abusive (XXXLutz)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
According to a press release and case report of 27 February 2020, the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) found in a preliminary assessment that requests for special rebates of furniture retailer XXXLutz could have been abusive. After the retailer changed its conduct, the FCO decided not to (...)

The Canadian Competition Authority receives a complaint about abuse of dominance in the internet services market (Teksavvy / Bell / Rogers)
Affleck Greene McMurtry (Toronto)
Canada 5 contributions 1006 visits
TekSavvy Claims That Bell And Rogers Abuse Their Dominant Position For Internet Services* In a public version of its complaint to the Canadian Competition Commissioner (see below), Internet re-seller TekSavvy says that Bell Canada and Rogers Communications Canada have been abusing their (...)

The Indian Competition Authority closes a case of alleged abuse of dominance by a state broadcaster and the national ministry responsible for broadcasting (Next Radio / Prasar Bharti / Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 67 contributions 19957 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 60 contributions 17867 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 66 contributions 19670 visits
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The CCI closed a case of alleged abuse of dominance by Indian state broadcaster Prasar Bharti and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (Opposite Parties). [1] Two private broadcasters complained that the Opposite Parties had abused their dominance in the market for the provision of (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority finds that excessive prices applied by the airport operator on its competitors for licensing parking services amount to an abuse of a dominant position (A. Princess Airport Parking / C & A Stop and Fly / X. Xanthos Airport Parking Services / Hermes Airports)
Antoniou McCollum & Co. (Nicosia)
Cyprus 15 contributions 16911 visits
The Cypriot Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) found that excessive prices applied by the airport operator on its competitors for parking services amount to an abuse of a dominant position. The complainants in this case, A. Princess Airport Parking Ltd, C & A Stop and (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority publishes its first investigation concerning abuse of dominance by a standard-essential patent holder (Philips)
Balcıoğlu Selçuk Akman Keki (BASEAK) (Istanbul)
Turkey 20 contributions 4567 visits
Turkish Competition Authority’s (“TCA”) Philips Decision (26.12.2019, 19-46/790-344 – published on 27.05.2020) is quite significant as it is the first time that the TCA examined the conducts of a Standard Essential Patent (“SEP”) holder within the scope of Article 6 of the Act No. 4054 on the (...)

The Californian Attorney General announces a $575 million settlement with the largest hospital system in Northern California (Sutter Health)
McDermott Will & Emery (Chicago)
United States 15 contributions 3437 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Chicago)
United States 10 contributions 2497 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Washington)
United States 7 contributions 841 visits
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CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCES HISTORIC $575 MILLION SETTLEMENT OF ANTITRUST SUIT AGAINST SUTTER HEALTH * California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (AG Becerra) announced on Friday, December 20, 2019, the terms of a comprehensive settlement agreement reached with Sutter Health (...)

The Turkish Administrative Court annuls a Competition Authority’s decision assessing excessive pricing in the online market and provides guidance on the standard of proof to be followed by the Authority (Sahibinden.com)
Guernsey Competition Authority (St. Peter Port)
Guernsey 6 contributions 1507 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 9 contributions 2356 visits
The standard of proof plays a significant role during the process of the investigations performed within the framework of the competition law. However, no explicit provision regarding the standard of proof which shall be taken as basis in the preliminary and full-fledged investigations carried (...)

The Turkish Administrative Court annuls the fines imposed by the Competition Authority due to failure to establish the required standards for competition law infringement in excessive pricing cases (Sahibinden.com)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 172 contributions 83565 visits
This case note analyses Ankara 6th Administrative Court’s (the “Administrative Court”) annulment judgment (18.12.2019; 2019/946 E., 2019/2625 K.) through which the Administrative Court reviewed the Turkish Competition Board’s (the “Board”) decision dated 01.10.2018 and numbered 18-36/584-285, (...)

The Swiss Federal Supreme Court confirms and defines margin squeeze as a particular form of abusive pricing strategy in the telecommunication market (Swisscom)
Lenz & Staehelin (Zurich)
Switzerland 11 contributions 2542 visits
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Metall Zug
1 contribution 571 visits
Federal Supreme Court examines margin squeeze under Swiss competition law* Introduction On 9 December 2019 the Federal Supreme Court confirmed that Swisscom AG and Swisscom (Schweiz) AG (together, Swisscom) had abused its dominant position by charging abusive prices for wholesale broadband (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal upholds Ofcom’s fine against the national postal service for price discrimination (Royal Mail / Whistl)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66777 visits
The UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal upholds the Ofcom’s record £50 million fine against Royal Mail for price discrimination against Whistl, a competitor in the market for the processing of bulk mail.On 12 November 2019, the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) upheld the UK communication (...)

The Italian Competition Authority opens an abuse of dominance investigation into orphan drugs pricing (Leadiant Biosciences / Farmaco per la cura della Xantomasi cerebrotendinea)
Municipality of Cagliari
168 contributions 134098 visits
On 8 October 2019 the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has opened an Article 102 TFEU investigation against several pharmaceutical companies belonging to the Leadiant group. The ICA’s attention was drawn by the selling prices applied by the parties to an orphan drug because it feared that (...)

The German Competition Authority and the Federal Network Agency issue their guidelines for the control of abusive practices in the electricity generation and wholesale trade sector
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 457 contributions 116282 visites
Control of abusive practices in electricity generation/wholesale trade: Bundeskartellamt and Bundesnetzagentur publish guidelines* The Bundeskartellamt and the Bundesnetzagentur are today publishing the guidelines for the control of abusive practices in the electricity generation and (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority fines a company for abuse of dominance in the market for secondary reserve services (EDP Produção)
Portuguese Competition Authority (Lisbon)
Portugal 118 contributions 29980 visits
AdC imposes fine of 48 million euros on EDP Produção for abuse of dominance* The AdC (Autoridade da Concorrência – Portuguese Competition Authority) imposed a fine of 48 million euros on EDP – Gestão da Produção de Energia, S.A., (EDP Produção), for abuse of dominance in the market for (...)

The Danish Competition Appeals Tribunal confirms that a company abuses its dominance by using conditional rebates and exclusivity provisions in the payment card sector (Teller)
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Danemark 133 contributions 36262 visites
The Danish Competition Appeals Tribunal confirms that Teller (now Nets) abused its dominant position by using rebates conditional on exclusivity and exclusivity provisions* The Danish Competition Appeals Tribunal (DCAT) confirmed the 18th of September 2019 the ruling by the Danish (...)

The Indian Supreme Court flips its jurisprudence on abuse of dominance in a case involving radios taxis alleged of predatory pricing (Uber / Ola)
Samvad Partners (Mumbai)
1 contribution 623 visits
On September 3, 2019 The Supreme Court of India vide its judgement in Uber India Systems Pvt. Ltd. (Uber) v. Competition Commission of India (CCI) appears to have flipped the jurisprudence on abuse of dominance under the Indian Competition Act, 2002 (the “Act”) by requiring the assessment of (...)

The Indian Supreme Court dismisses an appeal against an investigation into allegations of abuse of dominance (Uber / Ola)
Observer Research Foundation (New Delhi)
India 2 contributions 731 visits
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA UPHOLDS INVESTIGATION AGAINST UBER* The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has dismissed an appeal[Uber India Systems Pvt. Ltd v Competition Commission of India, Civil Appeal No. 641 of 2017] filed by Uber India Systems Pvt. Ltd. (‘Uber’) against an order of the erstwhile (...)

The Indian Supreme Court requests the Competition Authority’s Director General to continue the investigation into allegations relating to an abuse of dominance in the radio taxis sector (Uber / Ola)
Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 63 contributions 18719 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 66 contributions 20761 visits
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Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas (New Delhi)
India 66 contributions 19670 visits
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Deciding on an appeal from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), the Supreme Court requested the Director General, CCI (DG) to continue investigating allegations relating to abuse of dominance by Uber in the National Capital Region (NCR). [1] In considering whether the (...)

The Mauritian Competition Authority orders two multinational financial companies to reduce their banking interchange fees in order to promote competition (Visa / MasterCard)
ICC FraudNet (Johannesburg)
South Africa 7 contributions 4043 visits
Mauritius: Competition Commission orders VISA and MasterCard to lower interchange fees* On 13 August 2019, the Competition Commission of Mauritius (CCM) has, following a lengthy investigation, ordered VISA and MasterCard (Respondents) to reduce their banking interchange fees from 1% to 0,5%. (...)

The Bulgarian Competition Authority fines an electricity provider for abuse of dominance (NEK)
Bulgarian Commission for the Protection of Competition (Sofia)
Bulgaria 20 contributions 2946 visits
The Commission for Protection of Competition imposed to the National Electricity Company EAD pecuniary sanctions in a total amount of 315 612 BGN for infringements of Art. 21, p. 1 of the LPC. NEK abused its dominant position on the market of balancing of electricity producers from renewable (...)

The EU Commission fines a chipmaker company €242 million for predatory pricing in the market of 3G baseband chipsets (Qualcomm)
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 41 contributions 40115 visits
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Latham & Watkins (London)
United Kingdom 10 contributions 13059 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 12 contributions 5989 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2020 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. On 18 July 2019, the European Commission (“EC”) fined Qualcomm for abusing its market dominance by selling 3G baseband chipsets below cost, to force its (...)

The EU Commission fines a company €242 million for engaging in predatory pricing in the market for 3G baseband chipsets (Qualcomm)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
On 18 July 2019, the Commission announced that it had adopted a decision against Qualcomm for abusing a dominant position in the market for 3G baseband chipsets, and imposed a fine of € 242 million. According to the Commission, Qualcomm’s prices to certain key customers were below its costs (...)

The EU Commission fines a chipmaker company €242 million for predatory pricing (Qualcomm)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1361 contributions 2920741 visites
Antitrust: Commission fines US chipmaker Qualcomm €242 million for engaging in predatory pricing* The European Commission has fined Qualcomm €242 million for abusing its market dominance in 3G baseband chipsets. Qualcomm sold below cost, with the aim of forcing its competitor Icera out of (...)

The US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirms a directed verdict following a rare price discrimination trial (Spartan Concrete Products / Argos USVI)
Jones Day (Washington)
United States 4 contributions 892 visits
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Jones Day (Cleveland)
United States 12 contributions 4584 visits
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United States 23 contributions 11439 visits
Failure to show antitrust injury proved fatal to price discrimination claims as the Third Circuit affirmed a directed verdict in favor of cement company, Argos USVI, in a case brought by its customer, ready-mix concrete company Spartan Concrete Products ("Spartan"). This decision highlights (...)

The Rotterdam District Court annuls a €41M fine imposed by the Dutch Competition Authority on a railway operator for allegedly abusing its dominant position (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets- ACM (The Hague)
Netherlands 11 contributions 5240 visits
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Bird & Bird (The Hague)
Netherlands 7 contributions 3916 visits
ABUSE OF DOMINANCE FINE OF € 41 MILLION FOR DUTCH RAILWAY OPERATOR ANNULED* Introduction The Authority for Consumers and Markets (“ACM“, the Dutch competition authority) was in 2017 – after years of silence – finally able to fine an undertaking for abuse of dominance. A heavy fine of (...)

The EU Commission opens an investigation against a designer of integrated circuits for wired communication devices and sends a Statement of Objections seeking to impose interim measures in TV and modem chipsets markets (Broadcom)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1361 contributions 2920741 visites
The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Broadcom may be restricting competition through exclusivity practices, in breach of EU rules. The Commission intends to impose interim measures during the investigation with regard to TV and modem chipsets (...)

The Russian Competition Authority opens proceedings against a railway company suspected of price fixing (Russian Railways)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 56720 visits
THE ANTIMONOPOLY SERVICE OPENED A CASE AGAINST RUSSIAN RAILWAYS* FAS exposed elements of fixing monopolistically high price for heating energy in the form of steam The Antimonopoly Service received a complaint from “Rikwest-Service” Ltd. about signs of violating the antimonopoly law by (...)

The EU Commission fines a company for abusing its dominant position on the Belgian market by restricting cheaper imports of beer from the Netherlands into Belgium (AB InBev)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 45 contributions 20817 visits
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Gómez-Acebo & Pombo (Brussels)
Belgium 51 contributions 29040 visits
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Basic-Fit (Hoofddorp)
Netherlands 45 contributions 20823 visits
The Commission has imposed a fine on AB Inveb for abusing its dominant position on the Belgian market by restricting cheaper imports of Jupiler beer from the Netherlands into Belgium AB Inveb is the largest beer brewer in the world. In Belgium, AB Inveb’s most popular beer is Jupiler, (...)

The Antwerp Enterprise Court refers request for a preliminary ruling to the EU Court of Justice in excessive pricing case between festival organisers (SABAM)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 163 contributions 55978 visits
On 10 May 2019, the Antwerp Enterprise Court (the “Court”) referred a request for a preliminary ruling to the Court of Justice of the European Union (the “ECJ”) in two separate cases between Belgian festival organisers Weareone. World BVBA (the organisers of Tomorrowland) and Wecandance NV (...)

The Brussels Court of Appeal asks the EU Commission to provide advice and information regarding the tariffs for concerts and music festivals of a copyright collecting society (SABAM)
Simmons & Simmons (Brussels)
Belgium 21 contributions 15988 visits
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Simmons & Simmons (Brussels)
Belgium 5 contributions 1572 visits
On 10 May 2019, by interim judgment, the Brussels Court of Appeal asked the European Commission to provide advice and information regarding the tariffs for concerts and music festivals of SABAM – the Belgian copyright collecting society – in light of the prohibition to abuse a dominant (...)

The French Competition Authority dismisses a case in which a company denounced the discount and matching practices implemented by its rival in the market of television advertising (M6 / TF1)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 747 contributions 408020 visites
Television advertising* Following the referral of M6 regarding practices of TF1 Publicité, the Autorité de la concurrence dismisses the case. The complaint of M6 regarding TF1 Publicité In its referral, M6 denounced the discount and matching practices implemented by TF1 Publicité in the (...)

The UK Competition Authority closes its investigation into an allegedly abusive discount scheme in the pharmaceutical sector (Remicade)
White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 57 contributions 58251 visits
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White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 39 contributions 66082 visits
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White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 18 contributions 11524 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2020 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. The CMA Remicade decision: discount schemes and abuse of dominance – effects matter!* Summary On 14 March 2019, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority imposes a fine on an undertaking for abusing its dominant position by pricing water supply services in tourist area (Community Council of Kouklia)
Trojan Economics (Nicosia)
Cyprus 11 contributions 2267 visits
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ServPRO Accountants & Consultants (Nicosia)
9 contributions 1614 visits
Introduction On 12th March 2019 the Cyprus Commission for the Protection of Competition (“CPC”) issued a decision imposing a fine of €78,889.28 on the Community Council of Kouklia (“CCK”) for a violation of Section 6(1)(a) of the Protection of Competition Law (Law 13(I)/2008), as amended (...)

The Danish Competition Authority issues a study on excessive pricing in pharmaceutical markets
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Denmark 133 contributions 36262 visits
Excessive Pricing in Pharmaceutical Markets* Intervention against possible exploitative and excessive prices should always be considered carefully. However, the dynamics of pharmaceutical markets makes it particularly relevant for competition authorities to prioritise cases on unfair (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority finds that a distributor and aftersales service provider of cancer diagnosis and treatment devices abused its dominant position through excessive pricing and refusal to supply (Radontek Medikal / Duzey)
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 24 contributions 4097 visits
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DPO Consultancy (‘s-Hertogenbosch)
Netherlands 4 contributions 680 visits
On 1 February 2019, Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) published its reasoned decision regarding the full-fledged investigation conducted against Radontek Medikal İthalat İhracat San. ve Tic. Ltd. Şti. (“Radontek Medikal”) upon a complaint submitted to the TCA by Düzey Tıbbi Sistemler (...)

The Russian Presidium of the Supreme Court considers a competition case for the first time, granting the appeal of Europe’s largest port operator concerning sanctions for abuse of dominance (Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port)
ALRUD (Moscow)
Russia 1 contribution 279 visits
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ALRUD (Moscow)
Russia 2 contributions 418 visits
THE FIRST COMPETITION CASE IN THE PRESIDIUM OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION – RESOLUTION OF THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE FAS AND THE LARGEST STEVEDORE* Background and main problems Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port PJSC (“NCSP”) is one of the Europe’s largest port operator in (...)

The EU Commission accepts commitments from a company to settle an investigation into conduct affecting the German and Danish electricity markets (TenneT)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
On 7 December 2018, the European Commission (“Commission”) adopted a decision accepting a number of commitments from TenneT to address the Commission’s competition concerns regarding TenneT’s conduct that allegedly limited southward capacity at the electricity interconnector between Western (...)

The Danish Competition Appeals Tribunal upholds the decision fining a pharmaceutical distributor for excessive pricing (CD Pharma)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
On 29 November 2018, the Danish Competition Appeals Tribunal upheld a 31 January 2018 decision of the Danish Competition Authority (“DCA”) finding that CD Pharma abused its dominant position on the Danish market by charging excessive prices for the sale of oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on personalized pricing in the digital era
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 313 contributions 1434224 visits
As data analytics and pricing algorithms become common business practice in the digital era, there are growing concerns about the possibility that companies use such tools to engage in personalised pricing, a form of price discrimination that involves charging different prices to consumers (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority fines a consumer electronics company for resale price maintenance in its online sales (Sony)
ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turquie 27 contributions 9668 visites
On 22 November 2018 the Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) completed its investigation and decided to sanction Sony Eurasia Pazarlama A.Ş. (“Sony”) for its involvement in imposition of fixed or minimum resale prices maintenance (“RPM”) on online retailers. Sony should be faced with an (...)

The Indian Competition Authority opens an investigation into abuse of dominance by a national railway company (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI directs investigation on allegation of abuse of dominance by IRCTC* By way of order dated November 9, 2018 under Section 26(1) of the Act, CCI directed the DG to investigate the Ministry of Railways, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (the Opposite Parties), for alleged (...)

The Indian Competition Authority dismisses abuse of dominance allegations in the market for online marketplace platforms because it finds no dominance in the relevant market (All India Online Vendors Association / Flipkart India)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI defines online sale platform as a separate relevant market -holds neither Flipkart nor Amazon as dominant in the market for online marketplace platforms* CCI, by way of order dated 06.11.2018 has dismissed allegations against Flipkart India Private Limited (“Flipkart India”) and Flipkart (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority finds that a real estate and vehicle sales online platform abused its dominant position through implementing excessive prices (Sahibinden.com)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 11 contributions 2841 visites
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 172 contributions 83571 visites
This case note analyses the Turkish Competition Board’s (“Board”) recently published Sahibinden.com decision of October 1st, 2018 numbered 18-36/584-285 in which the Board assessed whether Sahibinden Bilgi Teknolojileri Paz. ve Tic. A.Ş. (“Sahibinden.com”) –an online platform which acts as an (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority fines an online platform service provider for excessive pricing (Sahibinden.com)
Boğaziçi University (Istanbul)
Turkey 7 contributions 2229 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 12 contributions 4284 visits
The Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) fined Sahibinden.com (online platform service provider) approx. EUR 1,525,801 for excessive pricing. The TCA initiated two full-fledged investigations against Sahibinden.com back in 2017. Consequently, the TCA concluded on 1 October 2018 that (...)

The Cypriot Competition Authority sends a statement of objection to a community council over possible excessive pricing on the market of water supply (Community Council of Kouklia)
Commission for the Protection of Competition of the Republic of Cyprus (Nicosia)
Cyprus 64 contributions 9003 visits
The Commission for the Protection of Competition announces that it has notified a Statement of Objections to the Community Council of Kouklia regarding a prima facie infringement of Section 6(1)(a) of the Protection of Competition Laws of 2008 and 2014.* The Commission for the Protection of (...)

The French Competition Authority fines an undertaking for excessive pricing in the market of waste disposal for hospitals and clinics in Corsica (Sanicorse)
Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 747 contributions 408020 visites
Management of infectious medical waste generated by healthcare activities* The Autorité de la concurrence has fined the company Sanicorse for increasing abruptly, significantly, durably and in an unjustified manner the waste disposal prices it charged hospitals and clinics in Corsica. The (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority finds the bundled sales of a telecommunication company not to be anti-competitive (TTNET)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 13 contributions 3144 visits
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Balcıoğlu Selçuk Akman Keki (BASEAK) (Istanbul)
Turkey 20 contributions 4567 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 19 contributions 3107 visits
Turkish Competition Authority to Shape the Future of Multi-Play Services in Telecommunication Industry [TTNET]* INTRODUCTION On 21 December 2018, Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) published its decision regarding the investigation conducted against TTNET A.Ş. (“TTNET”), the leading (...)

The EU Commission sends a supplementary statement of objection to a manufacturer of LTE baseband chipsets for predatory pricing practices (Qualcomm)
MemeryCrystal (London)
United States 12 contributions 3022 visits
QUALCOMM RECEIVES SUPPLEMENTARY STATEMENT OF OBJECTIONS FROM THE EU COMMISSION IN PREDATORY PRICING INVESTIGATION* Hot on the heels of the announcement of a record antitrust fine imposed by the European antitrust regulator upon another US technology company , the European Commission (...)

The Austrian Supreme Court confirms that charging different prices for tickets booked via a global distribution system depending on the location of the customer/travel is abusive (Lufthansa)
Reidlinger Schatzmann Rechtsanwälte (Vienna)
Austria 2 contributions 244 visits
Introduction On 17 July 2018 the Austrian Supreme Court in competition matters (Oberster Gerichtshof als Kartellobergericht; hereinafter: “Supreme Court”) confirmed a cease and desist order prohibiting Lufthansa from abusing its dominant position by charging different ticket prices based on (...)

The French Competition Authority rejects a complaint about abuse of dominance in the sector of IT maintenance (Econocom)
Dechert (Paris)
France 21 contributions 27017 visits
On 27 June 2018, the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) rejected a complaint filed by French company Econocom, active in the maintenance of servers and storage solutions, against the main manufacturers of IT hardware: IBM, Hewlett Packard (“HP”) and Oracle. This decision was issued in a (...)

The Russian Competition Authority reduces prices on 11 medicines of a dominant pharmaceutical company from the list of vital and essential medicines (AstraZeneca)
Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (Moscow)
France 327 contributions 56720 visits
FAS reduced prices on 11 medicines of “Astrazeneca” from the list of vital and essential medicines* Prices for the medicines aimed at treating socially important diseases reduced on average 12 to 92% As a result of a constructive dialogue between FAS and “AstraZeneca” the maximum ex-works (...)

The Moldovan Competition Authority prosecutes a grain storage operator for exploitative abuse of dominance in the form of discriminatory tariffs (Cereale Cupcini)
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
China 284 contributions 226059 visits
On 14 June 2018, the Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova (CC) has found that grain storage operator Cereale Cupcini SA has abused its dominant position by imposing excessive and discriminatory tariffs for loading/unloading services at its storage facilities. The CC’ investigation (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority rejects exclusivity allegations against a packaged chips producer (Frito Lay)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 11 contributions 2841 visites
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ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turquie 172 contributions 83571 visites
This case note analyses the Turkish Competition Board’s (“Board”) Frito Lay decision, dated 12.06.2018 and numbered 18-19/329-163. The Board has recently published its reasoned decision regarding the preliminary investigation that was launched against Frito Lay Gıda San. Tic. A.Ş. (“Frito (...)

The Mexican First Collegiate Circuit Tribunal on Administrative Matters confirms the Competition Authority’s decision in an abuse of dominance case by an airport but orders a new calculation of the fine (Mexico City International Airport)
Ritch Mueller (Mexico City)
Mexico 6 contributions 1528 visits
The First Collegiate Circuit Tribunal on Administrative Matters, specialized in economic competition, broadcasting and telecommunications (the ’Tribunal’), confirmed the decision of the plenary session of the Mexican Federal Competition Commission (’Cofece’) on case file DE-015-2013 in the (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal announces its provisional judgment in an appeal against the Competition Authority’s infringement decision in an excessive price case (Pfizer / Flynn)
White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 57 contributions 58251 visits
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White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 39 contributions 66082 visits
I. Introduction In the last couple of years, there has been a trend for antitrust watchdogs around the world to investigate excessive pricing, especially in the pharmaceutical sector. Last year, the European Commission opened its first investigation into excessive pricing in the (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal partly annuls the Competition Authority’s decision that pharmaceutical companies abused their dominant position by setting excessive and unfair prices for an epilepsy drug (Pfizer / Flynn)
Norton Rose Fulbright (London)
United Kingdom 6 contributions 1290 visits
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Norton Rose Fulbright (London)
United Kingdom 1 contribution 278 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2019 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. On 7 June 2018, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) set aside in part the 2016 decision of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that Pfizer and Flynn (...)

The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal finds an incorrect application of the legal test for dominance and quashes the Competition Authority’s record fines imposed on two pharmaceutical companies for charging excessive prices for an anti-epilepsy drug (Pfizer / Flynn)
MemeryCrystal (London)
United States 12 contributions 3022 visits
EXCESSIVE PRICE? COMPARED TO WHAT?* On 7 June 2017, the Competition Appeal Tribunal (“CAT”) set aside parts of the Competition & Market Authority’s (“CMA”) decision in relation to the CMA’s finding that Pfizer and Flynn charged excessive and unfair prices for phenytoin sodium capsules (...)

The Italian Regional Administrative Court of Lazio upholds fine for abuse of dominance in the ice-cream market through rebates and exclusivity clauses (Unilever / Distribuzione Gelati)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 11 contributions 6617 visits
The AGCM fined Unilever Italia Mkt Operations Srl (“Unilever”), which belongs to the Unilever Group and is active in the production and distribution of ice cream, food and home and personal care products, EUR 60.669 million for infringing Article 102 TFEU by putting in place exclusivity (...)

The German Competition Authority considers that an abuse of dominance investigation is not justified in a case where a dominant airline company significantly increased prices on certain routes where it had a monopoly (Lufthansa)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Allemagne 457 contributions 116282 visites
Lufthansa tickets 25-30 per cent more expensive after Air Berlin insolvency – "Price increase does not justify initiation of abuse proceeding"* After the insolvency of Air Berlin, Lufthansa held a monopoly position for a few months on some German domestic routes. After receiving numerous (...)

The EU Commission accepts commitments to settle an investigation into conduct affecting Central and Eastern European gas markets (Gazprom)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
On 24 May 2018, the Commission adopted a decision accepting a number of commitments from Gazprom to address the Commission’s competition concerns regarding conduct by Gazprom that allegedly restricted the free flow of gas at competitive prices in Central and Eastern European gas markets. The (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority finds that a dominant telecommunications company did not abuse its dominance through predatory pricing (VIPnet)
Croatian Competition Agency (Zagreb)
Croatia 120 contributions 19884 visits
VIPnet – no abuse of dominant position* The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) found that VIPnet did not abuse a dominant position in the access to public telephone network at a fixed location for residential and/or non-residential customers, retail fixed broadband access and Pay television (...)

The Indian Competition Authority opens investigation into abuse of dominance by a diversified textiles manufacturer in the market for Viscose Staple Fibre (Grasim Industries)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI directs investigation against Grasim Industries Ltd. (‘Grasim’) for abuse of dominant position* The CCI vide an order dated May 16, 2018 directed investigation against Grasim for abusing its dominant position in the relevant market for the sale of Viscose Staple Fibre in India. The (...)

The EU Court of Justice provides new guidance on price discrimination by dominant market players (MEO / Autoridade da Concorrencia)
Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 28 contributions 8773 visits
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Jones Day (Amsterdam)
Netherlands 19 contributions 5139 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2019 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. In April 2018, the CJEU provided guidance in assessing the validity of discriminatory pricing practices under EU rules governing dominant market players, in a (...)

The EU Court of Justice clarifies the concept of a "competitive disadvantage" arising from discriminatory pricing by a dominant undertaking on a downstream market (MEO / Serviços de Communicações e multimedia)
McDermott Will & Emery (Brussels)
Belgium 43 contributions 7976 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Paris)
France 136 contributions 68321 visits
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Norton Rose Fulbright (Brussels)
Belgium 37 contributions 7413 visits
The CJEU held that a finding of a “competitive disadvantage” as the result of discriminatory pricing by a dominant undertaking on a downstream market does not require demonstration of an actual and quantifiable deterioration of a customer’s competitive situation on that market. This notion (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules on requirements to establish price discrimination by a dominant undertaking (MEO – Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 389 contributions 94713 visits
On 19 April 2018, the Court of Justice of the European Union (the “ECJ”) delivered a judgment holding that investigations of price discrimination under EU competition law should involve an examination of all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to assess whether there is a (...)

The EU Court of Justice clarifies how to assess whether a practice of differential pricing by a dominant undertaking is capable of distorting competition in a downstream market (MEO / Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia)
Arendt & Medernach (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 57 contributions 110410 visits
Facts This preliminary ruling arose following a complaint lodged with the Portuguese Competition Authority by Serviços de Comunicações e Multimédia SA (“MEO”) alleging that GDA, a non-profit-making collecting cooperative which manages the rights of artists and performers, had abused its (...)

The Indian Competition Authority fines a local development authority for abuse of dominance in the market for affordable housing (Satyendra Singh / Ghaziabad Development Authority)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI imposes penalty on Ghaziabad Development Authority (‘GDA’) for abuse of dominant position in Ghaziabad* By way of an order dated February 28, 2018, the CCI imposed penalty on GDA for abusing its dominant position in the relevant market of “provision of services for development and sale (...)

The US District Court for the Central District of California hears private enforcement actions alleging price discrimination by an energy drink manufacturer (Living Essentials)
Bona Law (Detroit)
United States 24 contributions 5636 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2019 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. ROBINSON-PATMAN SUITS AGAINST 5-HOUR ENERGY MAKER PROVIDE LESSONS FOR OTHER SUPPLIERS* Living Essentials LLC, the maker of 5-hour Energy drinks, has faced (...)

The Indian Competition Authority fines a Big Tech company for abuse of dominance in the market of online search and related advertising services (Google)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI imposes penalty of INR 136 Crores on Google for abuse of dominant position* The Indian anti-trust regulator, the Competition Commission of India (“CCI/ Commission”) seems to have let Google off with just a rap on the knuckles. CCI vide order dated February 8, 2018 has imposed a penalty (...)

The Moldovan Competition Authority finds a state-initiated restraint of competition on the part of the state-owned enterprise entrusted with the management of the official publications (Moldpres)
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
China 284 contributions 226059 visits
On 1 February 2018 the Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova (CC) found that the state-owned enterprise (SOE) entrusted with the management of the official publications has applied discriminatory tariffs for its publishing services in violation of competition law prohibiting (...)

The Danish Competition Authority fines a pharmaceutical company for abuse of dominance by charging unfair prices (CD Pharma)
Danish Competition and Consumer Authority (Copenhagen)
Denmark 133 contributions 36262 visits
CD Pharma has abused its dominant position by increasing their price by 2,000 percent* On 31 January 2018, the Danish Competition Council (“DCC”) ruled in a case concerning CD Pharma’s (a pharmaceutical distributor) abuse of dominant position by charging unfair prices for the drug (...)

The EU Commission fines a manufacturer of baseband chipsets for abusing its dominant position by using loyalty rebates (Qualcomm)
McDermott Will & Emery (Brussels)
Belgium 43 contributions 7976 visits
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McDermott Will & Emery (Paris)
France 136 contributions 68321 visits
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Norton Rose Fulbright (Brussels)
Belgium 37 contributions 7413 visits
On 24 January 2018 the EC fined Qualcomm EUR 997 million for hindering competition on the market for Long-Term Evolution (LTE) basebands chips, in breach of Article 102 TFEU. Baseband chipsets, which enable smartphones and tablets to connect to cellular networks, are used both for voice and (...)

The EU Commission fines a baseband chipset manufacturer for abusing its dominant position (Qualcomm)
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Rome)
Italy 5 contributions 1516 visits
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Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld (London)
United Kingdom 6 contributions 303 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2019 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. On January 24, 2018, the European Commission announced that it had fined Qualcomm EUR 997,439,000. The Commission thinks that Qualcomm had abused its dominant (...)

The EU Commission fines a company for abuse of dominance on the market for baseband chipsets for smartphones and tablets (Qualcomm)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
On 24 January 2018, the European Commission (the “Commission”) announced that it had imposed fines totalling € 997.439 million on chipset producer Qualcomm for abusing a dominant position contrary to Article 102 TFEU. While the public version of the decision has not yet been published, the (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice issues landmark ruling on unfair trading practices (EDEKA)
Jones Day (Frankfurt)
Germany 17 contributions 3963 visits
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 46 contributions 18942 visits
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Jones Day (Frankfurt)
Germany 11 contributions 4094 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2019 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. _ The Situation: Market-dominant and powerful companies in Germany are subject to a number of rules that are significantly broader and stricter than the (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice issues a landmark decision addressing the issue of “Wedding Rebates” demanded by undertakings with relative market power (EDEKA)
University of Kiel
Germany 1 contribution 828 visits
The German Federal Court of Justice (BGH) had to assess the outcome of price negotiations between a powerful German food retailer (Edeka) and some of its suppliers. Edeka had just taken over a no-frills competitor (“Plus”) with more than 2000 outlets and was in the process of rebranding these (...)

The Indian Competition Authority opens investigation into abuse of dominance and price discrimination by national media conglomerate in the market for cable TV distribution (Thiruvananthapuram Entertainment Network / Star India)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI opens investigation against Star India Pvt. Ltd. for alleged abuse of dominance / price discrimination* The Competition Commission of India (CCI) vide order dated December 29, 2017 has initiated an investigation against Star India Pvt. Ltd (“Star India/ Opposite Party”) for alleged (...)

The US District Court sets out FRAND rates for licensing standard-essential patents for 2G, 3G and 4G wireless communications (TCL / Ericsson)
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 41 contributions 40115 visits
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Latham & Watkins (London)
United Kingdom 10 contributions 13059 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (New York)
United States 2 contributions 517 visits
This article has been nominated for the 2019 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. On December 21, 2017, the District Court for the Central District of California issued TCL v. Ericsson, resolving a long-standing dispute between the parties (...)

The US District Court of California uses an economic approach to determine FRAND royalty rates (TCL / Ericsson)
Charles River Associates International (CRA) (San Francisco)
United States 1 contribution 304 visits
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Charles River Associates International (CRA) (San Francisco)
United States 2 contributions 771 visits
On November 8, 2017, Judge James Selna of the US District Court in the Central District of California issued a decision (published later on December 21st) in TCL v. Ericsson determining fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) royalty rates for Ericsson’s standard essential patent (...)

The Chinese Supreme People’s Court finds no abuse of dominance in the central heating market (Bayannuer Sunshine Energy / Linhe Thermal Power Plant / Northern United Electric Power)
Beijing Foreign Studies University
China 2 contributions 689 visits
Identification and Abuse Analysis of Market Dominance of Public Utilities: Thoughts of the Supreme People’s Court of China on Antitrust Litigation of Heating Units In December 2017, the Supreme People’s Court of China decided to reject the retrial application of Sunshine Energy Co., Ltd. in (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines several telecom companies for margin squeeze (Telecom Italia / Vodafone)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66777 visits
On 13 December 2017, the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”) fined Telecom Italia S.p.A. (“TIM”) and Vodafone Italia S.p.A. (“Vodafone”) € 3.7 million and € 5.8 million respectively for abusing their dominant position on the market for wholesale bulk SMS services. The ICA considered that (...)

The Italian Competition Authority sanctions telecom companies for two different cases of abuse of dominance in the Italian market of SMS bulk (Telecom Italia / Vodafone)
Sapienza University of Rome
Italy 3 contributions 1841 visits
On 13 December 2017, the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”) fined Vodafone S.p.A. (“Vodafone”) and Telecom Italia S.p.A. (“Telecom”) for two different abuses of dominant position in the Italian market of SMS bulk, in breach of Article 102 TFUE. More specifically, the ICA has found two (...)

The Moldovan Competition Authority fines a company for abuse of dominant position by imposing unjustified tariffs for used water reception service (Apă-Canal Chișinău)
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
China 284 contributions 226059 visits
On 1 February 2018 the Competition Council of the Republic of Moldova (CC) found that the municipal undertaking Apă-Canal Chișinău SA has abused its dominant position on the local market for water and sewage services by imposing unjustified tariffs for used water reception service and by (...)

The EU Commission sends a statement of objections to a brewing company suspected to have abused its dominance (AB InBev)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1361 contributions 2920643 visits
Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to AB InBev for preventing cheaper imports of beer into Belgium* The European Commission has informed AB InBev of its preliminary view that the company has abused its dominant position on the Belgian beer market, by hindering cheaper (...)

The UK Competition Authority accuses a pharmaceutical company of having abused its dominant position (Concordia)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100816 visits
Drug company accused of abusing its position to overcharge the NHS* The CMA has provisionally found that Concordia abused its dominant position to overcharge the NHS by millions for an essential thyroid drug. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been investigating how much the (...)

The Indian Competition Authority opens investigation into abuse of dominance by state housing developer (Gurgaon Institutional Welfare Association / Haryana Urban Development Authority)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI finds a prima facie case of abuse of dominance against HUDA* The CCI vide its order dated October 31, 2017 found a prima facie case of abuse of dominant position by Haryana Urban Development Authority “HUDA” (Opposite Party). The informant, Gurgaon Institutional Welfare Association, is a (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines a company for abuse of dominance through rebates in the single-wrapped ice cream market (Unilever Italia)
Sapienza University of Rome
Italy 3 contributions 1841 visits
On 6 December 2017, the Italian Competition Authority (“ICA”, “Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato”, “AGCM”) sanctioned Unilever Italia Mkt. Operations S.r.l. (“Unilever”) for an abuse of dominant position in the Italian ice cream sector in breach of Article 102 TFUE. After a (...)

The EU Court of Justice accepts an alternative to the United Brands test to establish excessive pricing (AKKA / LAA)
Municipality of Cagliari
168 contributions 134098 visits
On replying to the preliminary questions referred by the Supreme Court of Latvia (SCL), in AKKA v LAA the CJEU has accepted a methodology other than the two-limb United Brands test to establish an excessive pricing practice. The CJEU also clarifies the criteria to set the amount of the fine (...)

The EU Court of Justice delivers a ruling on excessive pricing in a case involving a copyright management association (AKKA / LAA)
Boğaziçi University (Istanbul)
Turkey 7 contributions 2229 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 4 contributions 673 visits
Introduction The question of excessive pricing as an abusive practice has been notoriously complex and competition authorities refrain from interfering in such cases normally. One of the main reasons for non-intervention of the competition authorities in such cases is the difficulty in (...)

The EU Court of Justice clarifies the concept of unfair price under article 102 TFEU (AKKA / LAA)
Covington & Burling (London)
United Kingdom 6 contributions 1446 visits
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CMS DeBacker (Brussels)
Belgium 3 contributions 3247 visits
Welcome clarifications by the EU Court on the concept of excessive pricing* On the 14 September, the Court of Justice of the European Union provided detailed guidance on the concept of excessive pricing under Article 102 TFEU, in response to questions posed by the Latvian Supreme Court. In (...)

The EU Court of Justice modernizes abuse of dominance notion (Intel)
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgium 34 contributions 32636 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgium 20 contributions 20947 visits
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Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (London)
United Kingdom 41 contributions 40116 visits
(“CJEU”) set aside General Court’s 2014 Intel judgment, upholding a European Commission (the “Commission”) decision fining Intel €1.06 billion for abuse of dominance through exclusivity rebates . The CJEU held that the General Court had erred in failing to examine all of Intel’s arguments (...)

The EU Court of Justice orders new assessment in a case of abuse of dominance by a semi-conductor company granting loyalty rebates (Intel)
FTI Consulting (Brussels)
Belgium 4 contributions 4305 visits
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Dechert (Paris)
France 47 contributions 71437 visits
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Dechert (Brussels)
Belgium 26 contributions 36438 visits
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EU Court Orders New Assessment of Intel’s Rebates The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has quashed a ruling by the EU’s General Court which had upheld the European Commission’s (EC) 2009 finding of abuse of dominance by Intel Corporation Inc. Intel was fined €1.06 billion, a (...)

The EU Court of Justice revisits forty years of case law on when a dominant company’s rebate scheme may be abusive (Intel)
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 27487 visits
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Baker McKenzie (London)
United Kingdom 5 contributions 2996 visits
In its ruling on the European Commission’s 500 page Intel decision, in a crisp 150 paragraphs, the EU Court of Justice (the Court) revisited forty years of jurisprudence on when a dominant company’s rebate scheme may be abusive. Though no final decision for Intel, the case marks a potentially (...)

The EU Court of Justice annuls the General Court’s ruling that upheld the fine imposed by the Commission for an abuse of dominance (Intel)
Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 28 contributions 8773 visits
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Jones Day (London)
United Kingdom 30 contributions 21951 visits
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Jones Day (Frankfurt)
Germany 17 contributions 3963 visits
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What happened? The European Court of Justice ("ECJ") set aside a General Court ruling that had upheld a €1.06 billion fine imposed by the European Commission on Intel for abusing its dominant position in the market for x86 central processing units ("CPUs"). Background In its 2009 (...)

The EU Court of Justice endorses an effects-based assessment of rebates (Intel)
White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 39 contributions 66084 visits
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White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 57 contributions 58253 visits
,
White & Case (Brussels)
Belgium 21 contributions 24755 visits
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This article has been nominated for the 2018 Antitrust Writing Awards. Click here to learn more about the Antitrust Writing Awards. On 6 September 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union ("CJEU" or "Court") essentially held in Intel that the European Commission ("Commission") (...)

The EU Court of Justice quashes a judgment of the General Court that upheld a fine of €1.06 billion for an abuse of dominance due to implementing loyalty rebates based on exclusivity agreements (Intel)
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 20 contributions 12676 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 69 contributions 33035 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 40 contributions 14104 visits
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On September 6, 2017 ,the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) quashed the 2014 judgment of the General Court (GC) that upheld a fine of €1.06 billion ($1.5 billion) on Intel Corporation Inc. (Intel) for abusing a dominant market position by implementing loyalty rebates based on (...)

The EU Court of Justice reverses the General Court’s decision in an abuse of dominance case against a Big Tech company in the market for processors and rules that rebates should be judged under the rule of reason (Intel)
Compass Lexecon (Washington)
Belgium 40 contributions 82931 visits
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The Graduate Institute for International and Development Studies (Geneva)
Switzerland 15 contributions 33658 visits
Roundtable Discussion on the ECJ ruling in Intel* On 6 September 2017, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) issued a landmark judgment where it set aside the judgment of the General Court (“GC”) in the highly debated Intel matter. This judgment is of particular significance because it (...)

The EU Court of Justice issues a landmark judgment on the legal treatment of fidelity rebates granted by dominant companies (Intel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66777 visits
On 6 September 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“ECJ”) issued its long-awaited judgment in the Intel case (Case C-413/14 P), setting aside the General Court’s (“GC”) judgment. The GC must now re-assess the legality of the Commission’s decision in light of the ECJ’s ruling. (...)

The EU Court of Justice renders its judgment in a case regarding loyalty rebates granted by dominant companies (Intel)
Baker Botts (Brussels)
Belgium 28 contributions 21199 visits
An alternative view on accuracy and administrability Introduction In its judgment in Intel of 6 September 2017, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) rejected the notion that particular loyalty rebates granted by a dominant company are subject to a per se illegality standard (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority decides that a worldwide manufacturer of luxury sunglasses abused its dominant position by granting rebates and resorting to other exclusionary practices (Luxottica)
Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University
Turkey 31 contributions 12104 visits
This case note analyses the decision of the Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) in which it has decided that the worldwide manufacturer of luxury sunglasses, Luxottica, abused its dominant position it held in the market for the wholesale of branded sunglasses by its rebate schemes which (...)

The French Competition Authority fines a funeral company for abuse of dominance (Comtet)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 747 contributions 408004 visits
Funeral services in the Ain département* The Autorité de la concurrence funeral company Comtet that, at the time of the alleged events, was running the crematorium in the town of Viriat in the département of the Ain under a public service franchise agreement with the municipal council, for (...)

The Italian Regional Administrative Court for Latium upholds the infringement decision made by the Competition Authority against a pharmaceutical laboratory for excessive pricing (Aspen)
Municipality of Cagliari
168 contributions 134098 visits
By the judgement handed down in Aspen v AGCM , the Regional Administrative Court of Latium (the Court) has recently determined the appeal lodged by a South African manufacturer of generic drugs, Aspen, against the 2016 decision made by Italian Competition Authority (ICA), rejected all the (...)

The Indian Competition Authority dismisses allegations of abuse of dominance against a company in the market for radio taxi services and holds that a high market share does not in and of itself constitute dominance (Fast Track Call Cab / ANI Technologies / OLA Cabs)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI closes case of alleged abuse of dominance by ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (OLA)* The CCI vide order dated July 19, 2017 closed the case of alleged abuse of dominant position by OLA. The complaint against OLA was filed by Fast Track Call Cab Pvt. Ltd. and Meru Travel Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (...)

The Indian Competition Authority dismisses allegations of abuse of dominance against a company in the market for wireless telecommunications services and holds that financial strength does not by itself constitute dominance (Reliance Jio Infocomm)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI closes allegations of abuse of dominance against Reliance Jio* CCI vide its orders dated June 9, 2017 and June 15, 2017 closed allegations of abuse of dominant position against Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL). The Informant in the first case was Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel) and (...)

The Indian Competition Authority clears a dominant mobile messaging service of abuse of dominance allegations (Fight for Transparency Society / WhatsApp)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI closes allegation of abuse of dominance against WhatsApp* CCI vide its recent order dated June 01, 2017 has closed an allegation of abuse of dominant position against popular message service WhatsApp. The complaint against WhatsApp was filed by an individual Vinod Kumar Gupta on behalf (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority fines €41 million a rail operator for winning tenders through various abuses of dominance (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66777 visits
On 29 June 2017, the Dutch Competition Authority (“DCA”) published the non-con dential version of a decision of 22 May 2017 imposing a €40.95 million fine on Dutch rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (“NS”) for abusing its dominant position in the context of a tender for public transport (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority finds that the incumbent rail company abused its dominant position with two separate infringements (Nederlandse Spoorwegen)
Euroclear (Brussels)
Belgium 7 contributions 1460 visits
In the Netherlands, the public transport by rail is organised in two ways. On the one hand, there is the main railway network, which mainly covers the intercity connections and is exploited by NS. On the other hand, there are the regional railway networks, which include slow train services. (...)

The EU Commission opens formal investigation into a pharmaceutical company for excessive pricing practices (Aspen Pharma)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1361 contributions 2920643 visits
Antitrust: Commission opens formal investigation into Aspen Pharma’s pricing practices for cancer medicines* The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into concerns that Aspen Pharma has engaged in excessive pricing concerning five life-saving cancer medicines. The Commission (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority is to clarify the methods for determining whether the pricing is excessive (Sahibinden.com)
Boğaziçi University (Istanbul)
Turkey 7 contributions 2229 visits
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ACTECON (Istanbul)
Turkey 4 contributions 673 visits
I. Introduction Turkey, being under the obligation to harmonise its laws with the EU rules, naturally draws lessons from the European Commission’s practice and Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU)’s precedents. The recent judgement of the in AKKA/LAA case clarifying the methods for (...)

The EU Court of Justice AG Wahl offers guidance on the criteria to identify excessive prices in abuse of dominance case (AKKA / LAA)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66777 visits
On 6 April 2016, Advocate General (“AG”) Wahl gave an opinion advising the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) on the criteria to determine whether a Latvian royalty collecting society had abused its dominant position by charging excessive prices in breach of Article 102(a) TFEU. The matter came (...)

The Indian Competition Authority opens an investigation for abuse of dominance by a global agricultural company but closes it due to its similarity with other open cases against the same company (Sri Rama Agri Genetics India / Mahyco Monsanto Biotech India)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI initiates investigation against Mahyco Monsanto Group entities for abuse of dominance* CCI by its order dated March 14, 2017 has initiated an investigation against Mahyco Monsanto Group for abuse of dominance in relation to sub-license agreements through which Bt. technology is (...)

The Chinese Administration for Industry and Commerce of Hubei Province decides that a company attained market dominance through multiple contractual arrangements (Xinxing Jingying Pharmaceuticals)
Global Law Office (Beijing)
China 3 contributions 963 visits
From 2015 to 2017, Wuhan Xinxing Jingying Pharmaceuticals, LLC ("Xinxing Pharmaceuticals") monopolized methyl salicylate active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) market of China through multiple contractual arrangements. In January 2017, Xinxing Pharmaceuticals was fined RMB2.2 million by the (...)

The German Competition Authority closes its proceedings on abusive pricing against district heating suppliers and obtains antitrust remedies (Innogy)
German Competition Authority (Bonn)
Germany 457 contributions 116277 visits
Proceedings against district heating suppliers concluded* The Bundeskartellamt has concluded its proceedings on abusive pricing against district heating suppliers. In a number of supply areas the suppliers have offered commitments in response to the authority’s concerns about abusively (...)

The Indian Competition Authority opens investigation into abuse of dominance by a local development authority in the market for affordable housing (Satyendra Singh / Ghaziabad Development Authority)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI initiates investigation against Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA)* CCI by its order dated February 2, 2017 has initiated investigation against GDA for abuse of dominant position in relation to arbitrarily increasing price for sale of residential flats for economically weaker section (...)

The Indian Competition Authority finds the largest national commercial real estate developer guilty of abuse of dominance for the second time in a short period but refrains from imposing a second fine (DLF)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI again finds DLF abusing its dominant position* CCI by its order dated January 04, 2017 has found DLF and its group entities abusing its dominant position by imposing unfair and discriminatory conditions /prices on Informants in violation of Section 4 of the Act. The case was filed by (...)

The Shanghai Price Bureau fines a company for setting minimum prices in its distribution of pasteurised milk products (Speed Fresh)
University of Melbourne
Australia 103 contributions 29667 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Beijing)
China 81 contributions 20819 visits
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University of Melbourne
Australia 68 contributions 16302 visits
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On 27 December 2016, the Shanghai Price Bureau published its decision to fine Shanghai Speed Fresh Logistics Co., Ltd. (Speed Fresh) for setting minimum prices in its distribution of pasteurised milk products. The authority had completed its investigation on 13 July 2016. The Shanghai (...)

The Czech Competition Authority accepts commitments in a case on alleged abuse of dominance by an energy company applying a pricing formula included in a long-term supply agreement (ČEZ)
Diwok Hermann Petsche (Baker McKenzie Vienna)
Austria 7 contributions 2341 visits
The Czech Competition Authority ("CCA") accepted in a decision of 20 December 2016 commitments offered by ČEZ, a partly state-owned Czech energy company, due to an alleged abuse of dominant position on the market for purchasing of brown coal. While the CCA refrained from final findings (...)

The UK Competition Authority provisionally finds that a pharmaceutical company has broken competition law by charging excessive prices to the NHS for hydrocortisone tablets (Actavis)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100816 visits
Pharmaceutical company accused of overcharging NHS* The pharmaceutical company Actavis UK (formerly Auden Mckenzie) has increased the price of 10mg hydrocortisone tablets by over 12,000% compared to the branded version of the drug which was sold by a different company prior to April 2008. (...)

The Indian Competition Appellate Tribunal upholds the Indian Competition Authority’s decision for abuse of dominance against a coal company but cancels the fine due to the company already recently paying fine in a similar case (Sai Wardha Power / Coal India)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
COMPAT upholds the order passed by CCI against Coal India Limited for abuse of dominance* COMPAT by its order dated December 09, 2016 has upheld the order of CCI whereby it held that Coal India Limited and Western Coalfields Limited were acting independently of the market forces and enjoy (...)

The Chinese NDRC fines a healthcare company for price-fixing for 4% of its sales revenue on cardiovascular and diabetes medical device products in China (Medtronic)
University of Melbourne
Australia 103 contributions 29667 visits
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Hogan Lovells (Beijing)
China 81 contributions 20819 visits
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China Competition Bulletin (Beijing)
China 101 contributions 26620 visits
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On 7 December 2016, the NDRC announced that it had investigated and fined Medtronic for engaging in RPM in breach of the AML. The NDRC found that, since 2014, Medtronic had agreed with its distributors to limit the resale, tender, and minimum prices of its cardiovascular, restorative (...)

The Indian Competition Appellate Tribunal requests an investigation into an abuse of dominance by a global taxi services company (Meru Travels Solutions / Uber India)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
COMPAT directs investigation against Uber India for Abuse of Dominance* COMPAT by its order dated December 7, 2016, has set aside the order dated February 10, 2016 of CCI closing the information filed against Uber India Systems Private Limited (“Uber”) for alleged abuse of dominant position (...)

The UK Competition Authority publishes full decision on excessive pricing in the pharmaceutical sector and focuses on intention and evidence (Pfizer / Flynn)
Burges Salmon (London)
United Kingdom 4 contributions 2345 visits
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Agoda (Bangkok)
Thailand 12 contributions 4229 visits
The CMA’s decision relies heavily on evidence of the parties’ intentions in applying competition rules. On 15 June 2017, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published the full non-confidential version of its decision to fine Pfizer and Flynn a record £84.2m for their excessive and (...)

The UK Competition Authority fines two pharmaceutical companies for charging excessive prices concerning an anti-epilepsy drug (Pfizer / Flynn)
UK Competition & Markets Authority - CMA (London)
United Kingdom 406 contributions 100816 visits
CMA fines Pfizer and Flynn £90 million for drug price hike to NHS* The CMA has fined pharma companies Pfizer and Flynn Pharma nearly £90 million for charging excessive prices to the NHS for an anti-epilepsy drug. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has imposed a record £84.2 (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on price discrimination
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 313 contributions 1434224 visits
In recent years the scope for near perfect price discrimination, particularly in the digital economy, appears to have grown. This raises a question over how those jurisdictions in which exploitative price discrimination is an offence will respond. In contrast, the risk of price discrimination (...)

The Indian Competition Appellate Tribunal reverses the Competition Authority’s decision and orders an investigation into the national gas supplier for alleged unfair contractual terms (Gipcl Gujarat Industries Power Company / Gail Gas Authority of India)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
COMPAT orders investigation against Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) for abuse of dominance* COMPAT by order dated November 28, 2016 has set aside the order of CCI refusing investigation against GAIL for allegedly incorporating unfair terms and conditions in its gas supply agreements (...)

The French Competition Authority issues its opinion on the access to information on the prices of lands for development
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 747 contributions 408004 visits
Land available for development* The Autorité de la concurrence recommends providing professionals and private individuals with improved access to information on the prices of lands for development. It welcomes the recent measures taken to improve cost transparency within the sector and (...)

The EU Commission launches an investigation into a Czech railway incumbent for possible abuse of dominance (České dráhy)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 1361 contributions 2920643 visits
Antitrust: Commission investigates practices of Czech railway incumbent České dráhy in passenger transport* The European Commission has opened an investigation to assess whether the Czech railway incumbent České dráhy, a.s. (ČD) charged prices below costs with the aim of shutting out (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority imposes administrative monetary fine on an expo centre operator for abuse of dominance through refusal to deal (Congresium)
ELIG Gürkaynak Attorneys-at-Law (Istanbul)
Turkey 172 contributions 83571 visits
This case note analyses the Turkish Competition Board’s (“Board”) Congresium ATO decision dated 27.10.2016 and numbered 16-35/604-269. The Board’s decision comes following the judgment of the Ankara 3rd Administrative Court which annulled the Board’s previous decision with respect to the same (...)

The EU Court of Justice AG Wahl recommends that the Court grant an appeal against the judgment of the General Court, which had upheld a decision of the Commission imposing a fine of €1.06 billion for abuse of a dominant position (Intel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66777 visits
On 20 October 2016, Advocate General Wahl rendered his opinion on Intel’s appeal before the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) against the judgement of the General Court, which had upheld a decision of the European Commission of 13 May 2009 imposing a fine of € 1.06 billion for (...)

The EU Court of Justice AG Wahl delivers his opinion in a case regarding rebates and calls for a new approach to Article 102 (Intel)
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 61 contributions 27487 visits
Call for a common-sense approach to Article 102 - Advocate General Wahl on Intel* If AG Kokott in Post Danmark II was a 102 hawk – ordoliberal-redux, fossilizing form over function, economics on the “too difficult pile” for authorities and courts – then AG Wahl firmly sets out his stall as (...)

The Indian Competition Authority dismisses allegations of predatory pricing in the market for auto-rickshaw services (Vilakshan Kumar Yadav / ANI Technologies)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
CCI dismisses allegation of predatory pricing against ANI Technologies Ltd. in New Delhi and NCR* The CCI has dismissed allegation of abuse of dominant position through predatory by Ola Cabs and Taxi For Sure operator ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd. The Information was filed by three (...)

The Indian Competition Appellate Tribunal upholds the Competition Authority’s dismissal of abuse of dominance allegations against a mining company in the market for chrome ore (All Odisha Steel Federation / Orissa Mining Corporation)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
Competition Appellate Tribunal (COMPAT) upholds CCI order dismissing abuse of dominance allegation against Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC)* COMPAT by its order dated August 30, 2016 has upheld order of CCI which had dismissed allegations of abuse of dominance by OMC has been indulging in (...)

The Danish Maritime and Commercial High Court rules on excessive pricing concerning the delivery of electricity (ELSAM III)
University of Copenhagen - Faculty of Law
Denmark 10 contributions 4278 visits
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Accura (Copenhagen)
Denmark 3 contributions 1385 visits
Summary of the case In an August 2016 ruling the Danish Maritime and Commercial High Court (Sø- & Handelsretten) confirmed that the Danish energy incumbent DONG Energy A/S (“DONG”) had infringed Article 102 and the Danish equivalent by charging excessive prices for the delivery of (...)

The Indian Competition Appellate Tribunal upholds the Indian Competition Authority’s dismissal of abuse of dominance allegations against a global telecom provider in the market for international roaming services (Vishwambhar Marutirao Doiphode / Vodafone India)
Vaish Associates Advocates (New Delhi)
India 263 contributions 42868 visits
COMPAT upholds CCI order dismissing abuse of dominance allegation against Vodafone* COMPAT by its order dated August 16, 2016 has upheld order of CCI whereby it declined to order an investigation into the allegations of abuse of dominance by Vodafone India for levying exorbitant charges for (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority investigates electricity suppliers and distributors (Akdeniz EDAS / CLK / Ak Den)
Erdem & Erdem (Istanbul)
Turkey 67 contributions 75980 visits
The Competition Board (“Board”) in its decision dated 19.07.2016 and numbered 116-24/407-M (“Investigation”) has decided to open an investigation against electricity supplier and distributor companies, Akdeniz Elektrik Dağıtım A.Ş., CLK Akdeniz Elektrik Perakende Satış A.Ş. and Ak Den Enerji (...)

The OECD holds a roundtable on fidelity rebates and competition
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 313 contributions 1434224 visits
Executive summary, by the Secretariat * From the discussion at the hearing, the delegates’ and experts’ written submissions, several key points emerged: 1. Fidelity rebates or loyalty discount schemes are widely used and are often beneficial for consumers. Rebates based on quantity, and in (...)

The French Competition Authority fines a company for abuse of dominance in the Hertzian broadcasting market (Itas Tim / TDF)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 747 contributions 408004 visits
DTT broadcasting* The Autorité de la concurrence fines TDF 20.6 million Euros for abusive intervention with the municipalities aimed at hindering the establishment of its competitors. Besides, the Autorité has fined a loyalty rebate system encouraging TV channels to use TDF’s services for (...)

The Latvian Competition Authority fines an operator of a regional bus terminal for excessive pricing (Rēzeknes autoosta)
Latvian Competition Council (Riga)
Latvia 124 contributions 24448 visits
The CC finds Unreasonably High Fees for the Entrance of a Bus Terminal* On 25 May, the Competition Council (CC) of Latvia imposed a fine in the amount of 4026.53 EUR and legal obligation on SIA Rēzeknes autoosta, which is an operator of a regional bus terminal in Rēzekne. The CC found that (...)

The Paris Court of Appeal upholds the decision of the Competition Authority fining two mobile phone carriers for abuse of dominance (Orange / SFR)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
On 19 May 2016, the Paris Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the French Competition Authority (“FCA”) imposing a fine on the French telecoms operators Orange and SFR for having abused their dominant position in the mobile call termination market. The Court nevertheless granted the (...)

The French Competition Authority imposes several interim measures on an energy provider suspected of abuse of dominance (Engie)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 747 contributions 408004 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence issues several urgent interim measures on Engie so that the price of some of its market offers to business customers reflects its costs.* In brief Last October, Direct Enrgie made a referral to the Autorité de la concurrence. In particular it reported that (...)

The Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf rejects an appeal lodged by the German incumbent postal services operator, against a decision of the Federal Cartel Office in an abuse of dominance case (Deutsche Post)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 66774 visits
In a recently published decision of 6 April 2016, the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf (“Court”) rejected an appeal lodged by Deutsche Post AG (“DPAG”), Germany’s incumbent postal services operator, against a decision of the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”). By decision of 2 July (...)