Audio
PresentationsWELCOME & INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Mélanie THILL-TAYARA introduced the conference with an overview of the most recent developments in merger control. She started with a reference to the consequences and questions raised by the important Altice decision in which the French Competition Authority imposed an 80 million euro fine on Altice in November 2016 for implementing two mergers with telecom operators SFR and OTL respectively before clearance had been granted. Some of the principles laid down in this decision have shaken the law community, which still expects guidance from the French Competition Authority on gun jumping practices, although it seems that Mrs. De Silva, President of the French Competition Authority, might publish an article on these issues.. Guidance may also come from the European Commission, which is currently investigating Altice’s practices in the context of its acquisition of PT Portugal, or from the European Court of Justice, which is expected to rule on a question for a preliminary ruling concerning gun jumping referred to it by a Danish court in the Ernst & Young P/S case.