The efficiency of leniency programs

*This article is an automatic translation of the original article, provided here for your convenience. Read the original article. 1. The first European leniency programme introduced in 1996 was a great success. In five and a half years, 16 cartels have been defeated and more than 80 companies have sought leniency. Only three of them obtained a total reduction of fines. The new leniency policy that came into force in February 2002 has changed this. In less than 4 years, 80 cartels have been defeated; the Commission has received 167 applications and has already granted 51 total reductions of fines. The queue is getting longer and the files are piling up. The benefits appear to be unquestionable. More cartels have had their lives shortened by the denunciation of one of their members.