December 2010

Anticompetitive practices

 The Polish Competition Authority fines 5 companies for resale price maintenance in the paint distribution sector (Akzo Nobel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 173 contributions 56454 visits
On 31 December 2010, the Polish Competition Authority adopted a decision finding that Akzo Nobel Coatings (“Akzo Nobel”) and four DIY companies (namely Castorama, Leroy Merlin, Obi and Praktiker) fixed the minimum resale prices of Akzo Nobel paints in Poland between 2004 and 2006. The Polish (...)

The Polish Competition Authority adopts decision concerning unlawful vertical restraints in the gardening products sector (Ogrody Polskie)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 173 contributions 56454 visits
In a decision of 31 December 2010, which has become recently available, the Polish Competition Authority fined a supplier of gardening products (Ogrody Polskie) and six distributors for entering into unlawful agreements concerning resale price maintenance and restrictions of passive sales in (...)

The Italian Administrative Court of Last Instance confirms the legitimacy of the Competition Authority’s decision, quashed by the Court of First Instance, according to which the exchange of commercial information which are not “genuinely public” are, per se, anticompetitive (IAMA)
BonelliErede (Rome)
Italy 41 contributions 54003 visits
In its judgment delivered on 29 December 2010, the Italian Last Instance Administrative Court (“Consiglio di Stato”), reversed the judgment of the First Instance Administrative Court (“TAR Lazio”) on the “IAMA” case, and confirmed the restrictive approach taken by the Italian Competition (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority imposes € 17.7M fine on double-glazing cartel (Koninklijke Saint-Gobain Glass Nederland / Scheuten Glas Nederland / Pilkington Benelux)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 386 contributions 92264 visits
In a press statement of 6 January 2011, the Dutch Competition Authority (“NMa”) announced that it had imposed a fine totalling € 17.7 million on four producers of double-glazing for taking part in a cartel on the double-glazing market in the Netherlands. The companies concerned are Koninklijke (...)

The US District Court for the Southern District of New York dismisses an antitrust suit brought against transactions on the market for licenses of mobile wireless-related patents (Siti / AST)
IPR University Center (Helsinki)
Finlande 29 contributions 5424 visites
Antitrust suit against defensive patent purchasing organization dismissed* On 29 December 2010, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed an antitrust suit brought by Siti-Sites.com, Inc. (“Siti”) against Allied Security Trust (“AST”) and allegedly associated (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority fines insulated glass manufacturers’ cartel more than € 17 Million (Koninklijke Saint-Gobain Glass Nederland / Scheuten Glas Nederland / Pilkington Benelux)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
The Netherlands: The Competition Authority (NMa) fines Insulated Glass Manufacturers’Cartel more than € 17 000 000* On 29 December 2010, the NMa fined a cartel of four manufacturers of insulated glass for having concluded price-fixing agreements. The fines, totalling € 17 746 000, were (...)

The US Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit upholds the plausibility of a claim for alleged conspiracy in the telecommunications sector under the Twombly standard (Text messaging antitrust litigation)
Wolters Kluwer (Riverwoods)
United States 78 contributions 38896 visits
Conspiracy to Fix Prices for Text Messaging Services Plausible* Antitrust plaintiffs asserting price fixing claims do not need a “smoking gun” to avoid dismissal of their complaint and proceed to discovery. Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals in Chicago decided that consumers plausibly (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Council imposes fines totalling € 153 817 on two insurance companies for the conclusion of a prohibited agreement (Lietuvos draudimas / DK PZU Lietuva)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
Lithuania: The Competition Council imposes Fines totalling € 153 817 on two Insurance Companies for the Conclusion of a prohibited Agreement* On 23 December 2010, the Lithuanian Competition Council imposed on AB Lietuvos draudimas and UAB DK PZU Lietuva fines totalling € 153 817 for (...)

The French Competition Authority fines €52.7 million euros for 10-years cartel (Road signs cartel)
Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)
France 3 contributions 2736 visits
On 22 December 2010, the Autorité de la Concurrence fined 8 firms in the Road Sign sector € 52,712,000 for agreeing on prices and sharing markets for permanent and temporary metal road signs between 1997 and 2006. Another two firms were fined € 2,229,000 for the abuse of a dominant position in (...)

The Japan Fair Trade Commission imposes surcharges on participants in bidding for construction works (Iwate Prefecture)
Japan Fair Trade Commission (Tokyo)
Japan 132 contributions 23782 visits
Surcharge Payment Orders against Participants in Bidding for Construction Works ordered by Iwate Prefecture* The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), on December 20, 2010, issued surcharge payment orders against 30 participating companies (hereinafter referred to as “30 companies”) in the (...)

The Hellenic Competition Commission imposes fines on the Technical Chamber of Greece for adopting a "minimum cost for construction projects" (TEE)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
Greece: The Hellenic Competition Commission imposes € 60 000 in Fines on the Technical Chamber of Greece for adopting a “minimum cost for construction projects”* On 22 December 2010, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) fined the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE) € 60 000 for adopting a (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority imposes fines totalling more than €81 million on a cartel in the flour industry (Meneba / Ranks / Dossche / Werhahn)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
The Netherlands: The Competition Authority (NMa) imposes Fines totalling more than € 80 000 000 for Cartel in Flour Industry* On 22 December 2010, the NMa has imposed fines totalling € 81 600 000 on flour producers in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Fifteen undertakings gathering in (...)

The Hellenic Competition Commission fines a professional engineers association for infringing both national and EU competition law by increasing minimum fees for architects and engineers (Technical Chamber of Greece)
Mikroulea, Staikouras & Associates (Athens)
Greece 12 contributions 6924 visits
Introduction On 22 December 2010, the Hellenic Competition Commission (Elliniki Epitropi Antagonismou, hereafter: HCC) issued an infringement decision against the Technical Chamber of Greece (Techniko Epimelitirio Elladas, hereafter: TEE) for violation of 101 TFEU and Art 1 Act 703/1977 (...)

The French Competition Authority imposes fines totalling € 55 million for cartel and abuse of a dominant position in the road signs and safety equipment sector (road signs cartel)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
* Article published in ECN Brief 01/2011. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Please note that the ECN is not the actual "author" of this case summary, but the mere source. As mentioned by the ECN : "The information provided by the ECN Brief is for (...)

The UK Court of Appeal strikes out a claim to recover the amount of a fine imposed on a groceries brand from its former directors and employees for anticompetitive agreements (Safeway Stores, Twigger)
Brief summary of facts In December 2007, the OFT announced that it had concluded "early resolution agreements" with Safeway (in relation to conduct prior to its acquisition by Morrisons) and a number of other companies. Under these agreements, the companies admitted involvement in collusion (...)

The Spanish Competition Authority declares the end of the "termination by commitments" agreement in a case concerning interchange fees for transactions by debit and credit cards (Servired / Sistema 4B / Euro 6000)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
Spain: The National Competition Commission (CNC) closes Monitoring of Termination by Commitments Agreement (TCA) in Interchange Fees for Transactions by Debit and Credit Cards Case* On 20 December 2010, the CNC Council declared the monitoring of the Termination by Commitments Agreement (TCA) (...)

The Croatian Competition Agency finds price fixing agreement between publishers of news and political weekly magazines null and void (EPH / NCL Media Grupa)
University of Zagreb - Faculty of Economics and Business
Croatie 11 contributions 6262 visites
The Croatian Competition Agency decided on 16 December 2010 that the only two publishers of news and political weekly magazines which are of national relevance in Croatia, Europapress Holding d.o.o. (‘Globus’ magazine) and NCL Media Grupa d.o.o. (‘Nacional’ magazine) explicitly agreed on a (...)

The Hungarian High Court of Appeal rules that the tenderee to the agreement that was concluded on the basis of the outcome of a tender which was influenced by bid rigging is not entitled to damages (Bartók Béla Tender)
Johnson & Johnson
États-Unis 11 contributions 6870 visites
I. Introduction Private enforcement in bid rigging cases is increasing in Hungary. However, none of the filed actions have been successfully completed in recent years. II. Background of the judgment The background of the case and the decision of the Hungarian Competition Office (HCO) was (...)

The French Competition Authority fines 4 welding electrode producers for collusive tendering (Le Bronze Industriel, Schrub, Ohlmann and Weldur)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 386 contributions 92264 visits
On 16 December 2010, the French Competition Authority imposed fines totalling € 101,000 on four welding electrode producers (Le Bronze Industriel (LBI); Schrub; Ohlmann and Weldur) for colluding on tenders to supply car manufacturers Renault and Peugeot between 2002 and 2005. In its (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority grants an individual exemption in relation to non-compete obligation contained in a settlement agreement (Intereuropa sajam međunarodno otpremništvo / UPS Worldwide Forwarding)
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
China 284 contributions 224900 visits
On 16 December 2010 the Croatian Competition Authority (AZTN) granted an individual exemption in relation to a non-compete obligation contained in a settlement agreement between international courier services providers Intereuropa sajam međunarodno otpremništvo d.o.o.(Intereuropa) and UPS (...)

The EU Court of Justice Advocate General Mazák delivers opinion on disclosure of leniency applications (Pfleiderer)
Court of First Instance of Namur (Namur)
Belgium 224 contributions 46553 visits
On 16 December 2010, Advocate General Mazák delivered his opinion in a reference for a preliminary ruling from the Bonn Local Court arising from a damage claim in the paper cartel in Germany. By decisions of 2008, the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO) imposed fines totalling € 62 million on (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines personal care products cartel (Unilever Italia / Colgate-Palmolive / Procter & Gamble / Reckitt-Benckiser)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
* Article published in ECN Brief 01/2011. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Please note that the ECN is not the actual "author" of this case summary, but the mere source. As mentioned by the ECN : "The information provided by the ECN Brief is for (...)

The Italian Competition Authority detects and punishes a cartel between cosmetics and drugs producers aimed at fixing the retail products prices and at weakening the market power of distributors
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 11 contributions 6561 visits
The Italian Competition Authority (hereafter Agcm) has fined 16 producers of cosmetics, drugs and soaps a total of € 81.181.335 for operating a complex price-fixing cartel having as its object the restriction of competition which harmed Italian consumers of cosmetics, drugs and soaps for seven (...)

The EU General Court annuls a Commission’s decision limiting its discretion to reject complaints and addressing the issue of market definition in the luxury watches repair services and spare parts markets (CEAHR)
Garrigues (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 11310 visits
Wrapping up the week / Case T-427/08, CEAHR v Commission* Case T-427/08, CEAHR v Commission The complaint: The European Confederation for watch repairers associations lodged a complaint before the Commission alleging that watch manufacturers had engaged in agreements and/or concerted (...)

The EU General Court confirms the €38 million fine imposed for breaking a seal affixed to an office of a company by the Commission during an inspection (E.ON Energie)
Vogel & Vogel (Paris)
France 94 contributions 118817 visits
On 15 December 2010, the General Court of the European Union (EGC) handed down a tough but very thoroughly argued decision on the infringement of breaking of an official seal. The European Commission had ordered an inspection of the premises of the company E.ON Energie AG in the context of (...)

The General Court of the European Union addresses the competitive analysis of aftermarkets in the luxury watches and spare parts markets (CEAHR)
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 20583 visits
Luxury Watches And Spare Parts – The General Court Discusses The Analysis Of Aftermarkets* In a recent judgment of December 15, 2010, the General Court had an opportunity to discuss the competitive analysis of aftermarkets. At issue in that case were complaints by independent watch repairers (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority accepts a commitment from a make up retailer to cease resale price maintenance agreements with franchisees (Make up Store)
Vinge (Stockholm)
Sweden 18 contributions 18645 visits
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Cosmetics Europe (Brussels)
Belgique 10 contributions 3305 visites
Introduction The Swedish Competition Authority (“SCA”) accepted a commitment subject to a fine of SEK 750 000 from a franchiser to, firstly, cease fixing prices centrally via its online system for cash registers and secondly, to make clear that the prices set by the franchiser were (...)

The Italian Competition Authority fines a number of large retailers for cosmetic and health care products (Unilever Italia / Colgate-Palmolive / Procter & Gamble / Reckitt-Benckiser)
University of Turin (Turin)
Italy 7 contributions 8519 visits
Italy’s competition authority (“ICA”) has fined 15 companies, including units of Sara Lee Corp., L’Oreal and Johnson & Johnson, more than € 81 M ($ 107 M) for an alleged long-running scheme to coordinate list prices sent to large retailers for cosmetic and health care products. The highest (...)

The Greek Competition Authority implements a decision of the Athens Court of Appeal that fines should be calculated separately for infringements of Article 101 and 102 of the TFEU (Nestlé)
OECD - Competition Division (Paris)
France 3 contributions 2136 visits
On 14 December 2010 the Hellenic Competition Commission (“HCC”) published a decision providing details on a fine imposed on NestléGreece (“Nestlé”), clarifying that about €22 million were due for abuse of dominant position and about €7.5 million were due for agreements restricting competition. (...)

The EU Commission issues new guidelines on horizontal cooperation agreements under Art. 101 TFEU
Gatti Pavesi Bianchi Ludovici (Milan)
Italy 10 contributions 3057 visits
Exchanges of Information and the New Horizontal Guidelines: Barolo or Beaujolais?* One of the ‘novelties’ of the Guidelines on the applicability of Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to horizontal co-operation agreements, released by the Commission on Dec. 14, (...)

The EU Commission adopts R&D block exemption regulation
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 154 contributions 52584 visits
On the 14 December 2010 that the European Commission published its new horizontal guidelines (see article above and also the Cartels and Horizontal Agreements section of this newsletter), it also adopted a new R&D Block Exemption Regulation (“New R&D BER”). While the New R&D BER (...)

The EU Commission adopts revised competition rules on horizontal co-operation agreements
Euclid Law (London)
United Kingdom 16 contributions 5123 visits
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Cooley (Brussels)
Belgique 18 contributions 7008 visites
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Linklaters (Brussels)
Belgique 7 contributions 3698 visites
The European Commission has revised its rules for the assessment of co- operation agreements between competitors, so called horizontal co-operation agreements. The new rules consist of two updated Block Exemption Regulations covering R&D and specialisation / joint production agreements and (...)

The European Commission revises competition rules regarding horizontal cooperation agreements
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 68 contributions 31654 visits
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Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 78 contributions 58468 visits
,
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Brussels)
Belgium 20 contributions 12483 visits
…
On December 14, 2010, the European Commission (the Commission) published a package of measures containing revised rules and guidelines for the assessment of cooperation agreements between competitors (horizontal cooperation agreements). In particular, these measures provide new and more (...)

The new EU Competition Rules on Horizontal Co‑operation Agreements
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 5 contributions 1612 visites
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Positive Competition (Brussels)
Belgique 8 contributions 8392 visites
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European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
France 5 contributions 5352 visites
…
The new EU Competition Rules on Horizontal Co‑operation Agreements* 1. Context On 14 December 2010, the European Commission adopted new rules and guidelines for the assessment of horizontal co operation agreements under EU competition law. This new regime consists of a set of guidelines, (...)

The Italian Court of First Instance confirms the Competition Authority’s decision in a price fixing case concerning the liquefied petroleum gas sector (Butanes / Eni / Liquigas)
BonelliErede (Rome)
Italy 41 contributions 54003 visits
In its judgment delivered on 13 December 2010, the Italian Court of First Instance ("Tar Lazio") confirmed the decision by which the Italian Competition Authority ("ICA") found the three main operators active in the LPG sector in Italy (i.e. Butangas, Eni and Liquigas) to have coordinated (...)

The Bulgarian Commission for Protection of Competition closes a probe into alleged bid-rigging among suppliers of pharmaceuticals without establishing an infringement (Alta Pharmaceuticals, Roche)
Dessislava Fessenko (unknown)
United Kingdom 32 contributions 85937 visits
The Bulgarian Commission for Protection of Competition (the «CPC») closed an investigation into alleged bid-rigging practices among suppliers of pharmaceuticals absent collaborative evidence of price coordination and with further regard to the transparency-enhancing effects of the domestic (...)

The Portuguese Competition Authority punishes resale price maintenance affecting hospitals’ public tenders
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
* Article published in ECN Brief 01/2011. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Please note that the ECN is not the actual "author" of this case summary, but the mere source. As mentioned by the ECN : "The information provided by the ECN Brief is for (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority focus on the notion of single economic entity in price fixing cartel case (Scandorama and Ölvemarks Holiday)
Stockholm University
Sweden 6 contributions 8215 visits
On 9 December 2010, the Swedish Competition Authority (“the Competition Authority”) initiated proceedings in the Stockholm City Court against the two bus companies Ölvemarks Holiday AB and Scandorama AB. According to the Competition Authority, the two companies have engaged in a price fixing (...)

The EU Commission makes legally binding the commitments offered by a global payments technology company to cut interbank fees for debit cards (Visa MIF)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1 contribution 197 visites
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European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1 contribution 197 visites
Payment cards: Visa debit card fees go down* 1. Background Card payments represent about 35 % of all non cash payments in the EU 27. It is estimated that businesses pay tens of billions of euros (25 billion in 2005) in fees per year to accept cards. The Commission has a long history of (...)

The EU Commission fines six LCD panel producers for price-fixing cartel (Samsung / LG / AU Optronics / Chunghwa / Chimei InnoLux / HannStar)
Skarzynski Black (New York)
États-Unis 2 contributions 1125 visites
In addition to the DOJ probe, the European Commission (“the Commission”) has been actively investigating an alleged price-fixing conspiracy in the TFT-LCD industry. This investigation culminated, on December 8, 2010, with the Commission levying a total of €649 million ($858 million) in fines (...)

The EC fines French pharmacists association for imposing minimum prices on French market of clinical analysis tests (Ordre national des pharmaciens)
Forchelli, Curto, Deegan, Schwartz, Mineo & Terrana, LLP
États-Unis 1 contribution 570 visites
On December 8, 2010, the European Commission (“EC”) announced the imposition of fines totaling €5MM ($6.6MM) on the Ordre National des Pharmaciens (“ONP”) and its “governing bodies”for “violation of EU antitrust rules . . . on restrictive business practices.” In doing so, the EC fined an (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority issues proceedings against bus companies in respect of a price fixing cartel on the market for package tours on coaches (Ölvemarks / Scandorama)
Swedish Competition Authority (Stockholm)
Sweden 69 contributions 9921 visits
Swedish Competition Authority issues proceedings against bus companies in respect of a cartel* According to the Swedish Competition Authority, two bus companies – Ölvemarks and Scandorama – have committed unauthorised collusion on prices, referred to as a ‘cartel’. They are now required to (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority institutes proceedings against bus company cartel in package tour sector (Ölvemarks / Scandorama)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
Sweden: The Swedish Competition Authority institutes Proceedings against Bus Company Cartel in Package Tour Sector* According to the Swedish Competition Authority, two bus companies -Ölvemarks and Scandorama - have infringed both national and European competition provisions by having (...)

The US DoJ obtains guilty plea for price-fixing in the ready-mix cement industry investigation (Tri-State Ready Mix)
Arent Fox (New York)
États-Unis 2 contributions 785 visites
On December 1, 2010, a third ready-mix cement company executive pled guilty to charges of conspiracy to suppress and eliminate competition in the ready-mix cement industry. The charges stem from a Department of Justice investigation of price-fixing in the ready-mix cement industry in Iowa and (...)

The German Federal Court of Justice finds that trade mark delimitation agreement is valid under applicable competition law (Jette Joop)
EDEKA Verband (Hamburg)
Allemagne 3 contributions 3218 visites
In its decision dated December 7, 2010, the Federal Court of Justice (“FCJ”) confirmed that the owner of the designer trade mark “JOOP!” (the “Plaintiff”) was entitled to claim injunctive relief from Jette Joop, the daughter of JOOP!’s founder and former owner, Wolfgang Joop, for manufacturing (...)

The German Competition Authority imposes fines on chemicals wholesale cartel (BÜFA Chemikalien, CG Chemikalien, Hanke & Seidel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 386 contributions 92264 visits
On 7 December 2010, the German Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”) imposed fines totalling € 15.11 million on twelve companies active in the sector for the wholesaling of chemicals for having engaged in a long-term series of anticompetitive practices. Representatives of these companies are reported (...)

The French Competition Authority issues the report on its sector inquiry into category management
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
France: The Autorité de la concurrence issues the Report on its Sector Inquiry into Category Management On 7 December 2010, the Autorité de la concurrence published the results of its sector Inquiry into Category Management. Category management agreements are agreements by which, within a (...)

The US DoJ issues indictments and fines in air-cargo price-fixing investigation (Florida West International Airways)
Duane Morris (Newark)
États-Unis 1 contribution 365 visites
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Arent Fox (New York)
États-Unis 2 contributions 4197 visites
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Harris Beach (Rochester)
États-Unis 1 contribution 365 visites
Since October 2010, federal grand juries across the United States have returned indictments for conspiracy to fix prices in the air cargo industry against 11 former executives and one corporation. Most recently, on December 2, 2010, Florida West International Airways, Inc. was indicted in U.S. (...)

The US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirms a ruling of dismissal over an action brought on behalf of a class of purchasers of visco-elastic foam mattresses against a distributor (Benny Jacobs Wanda / Tempur-Pedic)
Sheppard Mullin (Los Angeles)
United States 46 contributions 7890 visits
Lights Out for Resale Price and Dual Distribution Class Action* On December 2, 2010, the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit affirmed a ruling of dismissal entered by the United States District for the Northern District of Georgia. Jacobs v. Tempur-Pedic Int.’l, Inc., No. 08-12720. (...)

The Indian Competition Authority issues its first decision ruling that the collective decision of banks and housing finance companies to levy prepayment charges did not constitute a cartel (Neeraj Malhotra / Deutsche Post Bank Home Finance)
Talwar, Thakore & Associates (New Delhi)
India 13 contributions 7320 visits
On 2 December 2010, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) delivered its first decision under the Competition Act, 2002. By a majority of 4:2, the CCI decided that the collective decision of banks/housing finance companies (“HFCs”) to levy prepayment charges did not constitute a cartel. (...)

The Turkish Competition Authority decides not to launch an in-depth investigation into a cartel-like joint-venture formed by three manufacturers in the school uniform market (Okulcu)
Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University (Ankara)
31 contributions 11950 visits
This study analyses the decision of the Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) in which it has decided that a company formed by three manufacturers of school uniforms could not be regarded as a joint-venture, nor could it be given an individual exemption. Although the formation of the company was (...)

The Japan Fair Trade Commission clears a planned search engine partnership between two multinational corporations specializing in Internet-related services and products (Google and Yahoo Japan)
Japan Fair Trade Commission (Tokyo)
Japan 132 contributions 23782 visits
Yahoo Japan’s Use of Technological Service Such As Search Engine Provided by Google (Tentative translation)* Japan Corporation (Yahoo Japan) would use search engine and search-advertising platform (hereinafter referred to as “search engine etc.”) provided by Google Inc. (Google), upon the (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority identifies a number of vertical restraints in the auto repair services agreements that could not be exempted under the national equivalent of the EC Regulation 1400/2002 (Kia)
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
China 284 contributions 224900 visits
On 2 December 2010 the Croatian Competition Authority (AZTN) established the existence of anticompetitive provisions in the auto repair services agreements concluded by the exclusive importer of KIA automobiles in Croatia Kia Motors Adria Group d.o.o. (KMAG) with its authorized auto repairers. (...)

The US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit affirms dismissal of price-fixing conspiracy claims in the mattress manufacturing industry for not meeting Twombly pleading requirements (Jacobs, Tempur-Pedic)
Wolters Kluwer (Riverwoods)
United States 78 contributions 38896 visits
Consumers’ Price Fixing Claims Against Mattress Maker Did Not Meet Twombly Pleading Requirements* A decision from a divided U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta earlier this month continues the debate over the appropriate pleading standard for antitrust plaintiffs under Bell Atlantic Corp. v. (...)

The Spanish Supreme Court halves an antitrust fine in the bakery sector to €150.000 (Bakeries Association of Valencia province)
Bona Law (San Diego)
United States 14 contributions 6211 visits
In December 2010 the Spanish Supreme Court (“Tribunal Supremo”) confirmed that the bakeries Association of the Valencia province (“Federación Gremial de Panadería y Pastelería de la Provincia de Valencia”) had taken part in an anticompetitive collusive practice when it recommended minimum (...)

Unilateral Practices

 The Lisbon Court of Appeals acquits Portuguese telecommunications incumbent (PT Comunicações)
Luís Silva Morais (Lisbon)
Portugal 13 contributions 31244 visites
On the 22nd of December 2010 the Lisbon Court of Appeals (‘Tribunal da Relação de Lisboa’) has confirmed the previous judgement of the Lisbon Commercial Court that had acquitted PT Comunicações (hereinafter ‘PTC‘) - of the Portugal Telecom Group - from a fine of € 38 M levied by the Portuguese (...)

The Danish Competition Authority orders leading postal service company to stop providing individual rebates that lead to loyalty-binding as well as market foreclosure on the market for magazine mail (Post Danmark)
Kromann Reumert (Copenhagen)
Denmark 16 contributions 18728 visits
The Danish Competition Council (DCC) has 22 December 2010 ordered Post Danmark to stop providing individual rebates that lead to loyalty-binding as well as market foreclosure on the market for magazine mail. This is the fourth time that Post Danmark has been under investigation by the Danish (...)

The Italian Competition Authority accepts and enforces commitments offered by the main energy companies active in the Sicily electricity wholesale market (Enel / Tolling Edipower)
Ministero delle Infrastrutture e Trasporti (MIT)
Italy 2 contributions 1790 visits
Introduction With two resolutions adopted on 22 December 2010, the Italian Competition Authority («ICA») decided to close two parallel investigations opened on January 2010 on the conduct of major electricity producers active in the Sicily macro-area of the electricity wholesale market. ICA (...)

The Danish Competition Authority finds that the national incumbent postal carrier has abused its dominant position through loyalty enhancing rebates (Post Danmark)
Plesner (Copenhagen)
Denmark 41 contributions 74236 visits
On 22 December 2010, the Danish Competition Council («DCC«) adopted a decision finding that the Danish incumbent postal carrier, Post Danmark A/S («Post Danmark«) had abused its dominant position in the national market for magazine mail by (i) granting individual target rebates to four large (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority finds no abuse of dominance in a situation of monopsony on the steel products market (Cost / Sterom)
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
China 284 contributions 224900 visits
On 22 December 2010 the Romanian Competition Authority (CC) completed its investigation into the possible abuse of dominance on the market for the cold drawn alloy steel bars manufactured by SC COST SA (COST). The CC’s investigation was prompted by a complained lodged by SC PCC STEROM SA (...)

The Lisbon Court of Commerce quashes the Competition Authority’s first-ever abuse of dominant position infringement decision in the underground ducts’ telecom network access case, upheld on appeal (PT Comunicações)
Cruz Vilaça Advogados (Lisbon)
Portugal 5 contributions 3339 visites
I. The case, the PCA’s decision and the judgments After receiving complaints from telecom undertakings “TvTel Comunicações” and “Cabovisão”, the Portuguese Competition Authority (hereinafter “PCA”) launched an investigation in 2003 into the allegations that Portugal Telecom Comunicações (...)

The Swedish Competition Authority follows up previous commitments and decides not to take further action against French global specialist in energy management (Schneider)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
Sweden: The Swedish Competition Authority follows up previous Commitments and decides not to take further Action against Schneider* Five years ago, Schneider Electric Sverige AB (Schneider) committed to make certain changes to its discount and bonus system on the market of sale of electrical (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority sanctions the postal incumbent with €26 million fine for abuse of a dominant position (Romanian Post)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
* Article published in ECN Brief 01/2011. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Please note that the ECN is not the actual "author" of this case summary, but the mere source. As mentioned by the ECN : "The information provided by the ECN Brief is for (...)

The Croatian Competition Authority finds no abuse of dominance in the royalty collecting mechanism applied by the national collecting society for copyrighted music (Croatian Composers’ Society)
University of Macau - Faculty of Law
China 284 contributions 224900 visits
On 16 December 2010 the Croatian Competition Authority (AZTN) completed its investigation into the royalties collecting mechanism administered by the national collecting society for copyrighted music – the Croatian Composers’ Society (HDS-ZAMP) and found no abuse of dominant position alleged (...)

The Lithuanian Competition Authority imposes a fine on an oil refinery for abuse of dominance after conducting an additional investigation (Orlen Lietuva)
Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition (Munich)
Germany 19 contributions 4521 visits
The Competition Council’s additional investigation of the actions of the oil refinery AB “Mažeikių Nafta” resulted in an infringement decision on 16 December 2010. The company was charged with the LTL 8 231 000 (approx. EUR 2 385 797) fine for an abuse of its dominant position in terms of a (...)

The Romanian Competition Authority finds an abuse of dominance on the markets for the delivery of addressed marketing materials and standard correspondence delivery (Romanian Post / Mailers Serv / Infopress)
Musat & Asociatii (Bucharest)
Roumanie 8 contributions 14623 visites
On 16 December 2010 the Competition Council issued Decision 52/2011 finding that the Romanian National Post Company (“CNPR”) was guilty of an abuse of dominant position through discriminatory practices towards entities that were economically dependent upon it. I. The facts A number of (...)

The Brazilian Council for Economic Defense (CADE) holds that the exercise of an industrial property right could turn out to be illegitimate and be an antitrust violation (Volkswagen do Brasil Indústria de Veículos Automotivos)
Nishioka & Gaban Advogados (Sao Paulo)
9 contributions 3961 visits
The author gives thanks to Mr. Bruno Droghetti Magalhães Santos and to Ms. Christine Holland, who gave support in research that was very useful to build this article. I. Background to the dispute The case refers to a Preliminary Investigation introduced by the Secretariat of Economic Law (...)

The Italian Competition Authority opens an Art. 102 TFEU investigation against the incumbent national railway undertaking for refusal of granting track access to a new train operator (Arena Ways)
Municipality of Cagliari
166 contributions 132865 visits
By a decision taken on 15 December, the Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has opened an investigation into abusive conducts allegedly put into place by the incumbent national railway undertaking, the group Ferrovie dello Stato (FS). FS would have frustrated the entry into the market for rail (...)

The Hellenic Competition Commission recalculates the fine imposed on a leading food company’s for its anti-competitive practices in the instant coffee market (Nestlé)
Nova
3 contributions 1493 visites
Background of the dispute In a 2009 decision, the Hellenic Competition Commission (HCC) had found that Nestle had infringed articles 101 and 102 TFEU as well as the corresponding articles of national competition law (articles 1 and 2 of Law 703/77). In particular, Nestle was found, inter (...)

The French Competition Authority issues an opinion concerning the dominant position of a search engine company in the market for online advertising (Google)
French Competition Authority (Paris)
France 739 contributions 394063 visits
The Autorité de la concurrence considers that Google holds a dominant position on the advertising market linked to search engines. It considers that competition law can apply limits to Google’s actions and provide a response to the competitive stakes brought to light by the actors, without the (...)

The Luxembourg Competition Authority releases a decision imposing remedies on an undertaking active on the cabled distribution market (Coditel)
Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 30 contributions 74626 visits
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Arendt & Medernach (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 56 contributions 109912 visites
On 10 December 2010, the Luxembourg Competition Council (“the Council”) has adopted the decision N°2010-FO-02 providing an assessment of the competition law situation on the TV cabled distribution market. Beside a previous decision where the President of the Council has imposed “interim (...)

The Luxembourg Competition Authority rules that an undertaking active in the tobacco industry did not enjoy a dominant position on the relevant market and was not subject to any specific duties as this would have been the case if it enjoyed such a position (Landewyck Group / Manufacture de Tabacs Heintz Van Landewyck)
Brown Brothers Harriman (BBH) (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 30 contributions 74626 visits
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Arendt & Medernach (Luxembourg)
Luxembourg 56 contributions 109912 visites
On 10 December 2010, the Luxembourg Competition Council (“the Council”) has adopted the decision N°2010-FO-03 providing an assessment of the competition law situation on the tobacco products wholesale sales market. This decision, which does not sanction any undertakings active in this market, (...)

Mergers

 The French competition authority clears a merger in the urban and intercity passenger road transport sectors subject to remedies after an in-depth examination (Veolia Environnement / CDC)
Herbert Smith Freehills (Paris)
France 94 contributions 45490 visits
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Autorité de la concurrence (Paris)
France 8 contributions 2377 visites
In its decision dated 30 December 2010, the French competition authority (the «FCA») authorised, subject to certain commitments, the creation of a joint venture between Veolia Environnement(«Veolia») and the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (the «CDC») that will combine their respective (...)

The Italian Supreme Administrative Court sets aside the Competition Authority’s decision to impose a fine for failure to comply with a decision prohibiting a merger (Tetra Pak)
Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea (Yaounde)
Cameroon 9 contributions 9625 visits
I. Introduction By judgment of 29 December 2010, the Consiglio di Stato (Italian Supreme Administrative Court, the «Court») set aside a decision of 29 July 2004 (the «Decision») by which the Italian Competition Authority (the «ICA») had imposed a fine on Tetra Pak International S.A. («Tetra (...)

The U.S. FTC and the State of Minnesota appeal a district court’s decision on a relevant market issue in a pharmaceutical merger case (Lundbeck)
Cleveland University - Marshall School of Law (Cleveland)
United States 12 contributions 14238 visits
Some Reflections on the Lundbeck Appeal: Will Pharmaceuticals Get a Blanket Antitrust Immunity? And Is Quality Competition No Longer Protected by Antitrust?* A decision to watch for this year is the Eighth Circuit’s pending consideration of FTC v. Lundbeck, Inc., 2010-2 Trade Cases ¶77,160; (...)

The Dusseldorf Court of Appeals overturns a Competition Authority’s merger prohibition addressing the issue of future potential competition’s test under German law (Neue Pressegesellscxhaft / Zeitungsverlag Schwäbisch Hall)
Heinz & Zagrosek (Köln)
Germany 23 contributions 13079 visits
Court raises question on the test for considering future potential competition under German merger control rules* The case concerns the question under which conditions the possible future creation of potential competition can be considered to strengthen a dominant position under German (...)

The Italian Competition Authority reviews the remedies regarding life insurance markets attached to the 2006 conditional clearance of a merger (Banca Intesa / Sanpaolo IMI)
Municipality of Cagliari
166 contributions 132865 visits
The Italian Competition Authority (ICA) has recently reviewed the remedies attached to the 2006 conditional authorization of the Banca Intesa/Sanpaolo IMI merger. The remedies addressed the competition problems the merger would have caused in life insurance markets. The ICA considered the (...)

The Hungarian Competition Office clears a merger in the cement sector subject to remedies (Holcim / Východoslovenské)
Johnson & Johnson
États-Unis 11 contributions 6870 visites
On 15 December 2010 the Hungarian Competition Office (HCO) cleared the acquisition of sole control following capital increase over Východoslovenské stavebné hmoty a.s. (VSH) by Holcim Auslandbeteiligungs GmbH (Holcim) in a Phase II merger procedure. I. Background On 10 November 2009 the (...)

The Brazilian Senate passes the text of the New Competition Act introducing a more efficient merger control system
European University Institute (Florence)
Allemagne 2 contributions 1590 visites
The Brazilian Senate Approves the Text of the New Competition Act* On the 2nd of December 2010 the Brazilian Senate approved the text of a new competition act. The draft legislation has been pending in the Brazilian Parliament since 2005, when it was proposed by the Government. After a (...)

State Aid

 The EU Court of Justice rules that Italy failed to recover unlawful aid and rebukes domestic courts for suspending such recovery (Italy / Commission)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 153 contributions 33900 visits
On 22 December 2010, the Court of Justice ruled that Italy had failed to recover State aid which had been declared unlawful by the Commission. In its Decision 2006/261, the Commission declared incompatible with the common market the State aid scheme set up by Italy in the form of tax (...)

The EU Court of Justice rules that Italy failed to recover unlawful aid and rebukes domestic courts for suspending such recovery (Commission / Italy)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 153 contributions 33900 visits
On 22 December 2010, the Court of Justice ruled that Italy had failed to recover State aid which had been declared unlawful by the Commission. In its Decision 2006/261, the Commission declared incompatible with the common market the State aid scheme set up by Italy in the form of tax (...)

The EU Court of Justice endorses the “single economic unit” reasoning of the Commission in a decision concerning State aid intended to grant a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (AceaElectrabel)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 153 contributions 33900 visits
In a judgment of 16 December 2010, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) dismissed an appeal brought by AceaElectrabel Produzione SpA (“AEP”) against a judgment of the General Court upholding a Commission decision concerning State aid that Italy intended to grant for the reduction of (...)

The EU Court of Justice upholds General Court’s and Commission’s views on illegality of German aid granted to an ailing privately-owned company (Kahla Thüringen)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 153 contributions 33900 visits
On 16 December 2010, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) rejected an appeal lodged by Kahla Thüringen Porzellan GmbH (“Kahla Thüringen”) against a judgment of the General Court which upheld a Commission decision ordering the recovery of illegal State aid granted to Kahla Thüringen. Between (...)

The German Federal Administrative Court rules on the conditions under which the levy of a special-purpose association can be regarded as aid within the meaning of European law
Gleiss Lutz (Brussels)
Belgique 17 contributions 2052 visites
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Jones Day (Brussels)
Belgium 46 contributions 18503 visits
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Gleiss Lutz (Brussels)
Belgique 14 contributions 471 visites
The Federal Administrative Court has ruled on the conditions under which the levy of a special-purpose association can be regarded as aid within the meaning of European law. According to its judgement of 16 December 2010, a levy imposed by a special-purpose association exclusively to (...)

The EU Court of Justice once again refers to a casino case back to General Court (Athinaïki Techniki)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 153 contributions 33900 visits
On 16 December 2010, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) set aside for the second time an inadmissibility order from the General Court in the Casino Mont Parnès case. In 2001, a public contract disposing 49% of the capital of the Casino Mont Parnès was awarded by the Greek authorities to the (...)

The EU Commission authorises €15.5 M of regional investment aid for a German company for the production of solar modules (Sovello)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 59 contributions 7099 visites
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KPMG (Madrid)
24 contributions 2747 visites
State Aid: Main developments between 1 September and 31 December 2010* On 14 December 2010 the Commission authorised € 15.5 million of regional investment aid for the German company Sovello AG for the production of solar modules in Bitterfeld Wolfen (Thalheim, Sachsen Anhalt), Germany. (...)

The EU Commission approves State aid scheme notified by the Swedish authorities to support R&D project (Gothenburg Biofuels Gasification)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 59 contributions 7099 visites
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KPMG (Madrid)
24 contributions 2747 visites
State Aid: Main developments between 1 September and 31 December 2010* On 14 December 2010 the Commission authorised the support that Sweden intends to grant to the Gothenburg Biofuels Gasification (GoBiGas) research and development (R&D) project to develop a pre commercial demonstration (...)

The EU Commission adopts a negative decision concerning State aids granted by the French Ministry of Culture and orders their recovery (Centre d’Exportation du Livre Français)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 59 contributions 7099 visites
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KPMG (Madrid)
24 contributions 2747 visites
State Aid: Main developments between 1 September and 31 December 2010* On 14 December 2010 the Commission adopted a negative decision with recovery on the Centre d’Exportation du Livre Français (CELF). The CELF case dates back to the beginning of the 90’s with the lodging of a complaint (...)

The EU Ministers meeting within the Competitiveness Council adopt a new coal regulation enabling Member States to grant State aid to facilitate the closure of uncompetitive mines until 2018
Bird & Bird (Dusseldorf)
Allemagne 19 contributions 3959 visites
EU Competitveness Council Extends State Aid for Loss-making Coal Mines Until 2018* EU Ministers meeting within the Competitiveness Council on 10 December 2010 adopted a new coal regulation enabling Member States to grant State aid to facilitate the closure of uncompetitive mines until 2018, (...)

The EU Commission adopts a communication on the application of State aid rules to support measures in favour of banks in the context of the financial crisis
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 59 contributions 7099 visites
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KPMG (Madrid)
24 contributions 2747 visites
State Aid: Main developments between 1 September and 31 December 2010* Following a public consultation on the State aid temporary rules established in response to the economic and financial crisis, the Commission believes there are still grounds for considering that the requirements for the (...)

The EU Commission extends the State aid temporary framework to support measures in favour of banks in the context of the financial crisis
European Commission
Belgique 2 contributions 672 visites
Prolongation of the State aid temporary framework* 1. Introduction - The State aid temporary framework The Commission adopted the State aid temporary framework in December 2008 as a response to the global financial crisis. At that time, and in view of the serious risk of a credit crunch, (...)

Procedures

 The European Court of Justice rules that Slovakia failed to recover unlawful aid but opens door for defenses based on the res judicata principle
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 153 contributions 33900 visits
On 22 December 2010, the Court of Justice ruled that the Slovak Republic had failed to take all measures necessary to recover unlawful aid granted to a former major alcohol producer, Frucona Kosice. The State aid at issue consisted in the writing-off of tax debts by the tax office as part of (...)

The European Court of Justice declines jurisdiction to rule on preliminary reference from a national TV regulator (RTL Belgium)
Court of First Instance of Namur (Namur)
Belgium 224 contributions 46553 visits
On 22 December 2010, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) declined jurisdiction to answer a question for a preliminary ruling referred by the Licensing and Control Authority (Collège d’autorisation et de contrôle) of the Belgian French-speaking Broadcasting Authority (Conseil supérieur de (...)

A UK Court of Appeal strikes out a firm’s claim to recover the amount of a fine imposed by the OFT for breach of the Competition Act 1998 from former directors and employees as a matter of public policy (Safeway Stores, Twigger)
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (New York)
États-Unis 2 contributions 2320 visites
I. Introduction The Court of Appeal was unanimous in reversing the decision of the High Court of Justice, holding that the case brought by Safeway, the claimant company, against former employees and directors to recover a £10.7 million dollar fine imposed by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) (...)

The EU Court of Human Rights rules against the French search and seizure procedure before the 2008 reform, including the transitional system (Canal +) (Primagaz)
Vogel & Vogel (Paris)
France 94 contributions 118817 visits
In two important judgments, the European Court of Human Rights has partially invalidated the search and seizures procedure implemented under Article L. 450-4 of the French Commercial Code. In both cases the companies Canal Plus (Groupe Canal Plus and Sport Plus) and Primagaz challenged the (...)

The European General Court upholds the European Commission’s 38 M € fine on energy operator for the breach of a seal during an inspection (E.ON)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
* Article published in ECN Brief 01/2011. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Please note that the ECN is not the actual "author" of this case summary, but the mere source. As mentioned by the ECN : "The information provided by the ECN Brief is for (...)

The EU General Court annuls a Commission’s decision limiting its discretion to reject complaints and addressing the issue of market definition in the luxury watches aftermarket and spare parts markets (CEAHR)
Garrigues (Brussels)
Belgium 19 contributions 11310 visits
Wrapping up the week / Case T-427/08, CEAHR v Commission* This week was full of news, some of which we didn’t echo here. This is a quick overview of what has happened since Monday: The European Commission adopted its new guidelines on horizontal agreements and, as anticipated on this blog (...)

The EU General Court dismisses a leading low cost airline’s action for annulment of Commission decisions rejecting access to documents (Ryanair)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 153 contributions 33900 visits
On 10 December 2010, the General Court rejected a series of claims for annulment brought by Ryanair against implied decisions of the Commission refusing access to documents relating to State aids allegedly granted to Ryanair by several airports. Ryanair sought mainly access to the complaints (...)

The ECJ Advocate General Mazák finds that NCAs have no competence to acquit companies of infringements (Tele2 Polska)
Van Bael & Bellis (Brussels)
Belgium 191 contributions 65774 visits
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Practising Law Institute (New York)
États-Unis 93 contributions 31403 visites
On 7 December 2010, European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) Advocate General (“AG”) Jan Mazák published his opinion in Tele 2 Polska, advising the Court to rule that national competition authorities (“NCAs”) should not be entitled to declare certain practices compatible with Articles 101 or 102 of (...)

The European Court of Justice rules on the right of national competition authorities to participate in appeals against their own decisions (VEBIC)
Court of First Instance of Namur (Namur)
Belgium 224 contributions 46553 visits
In a judgment of 7 December 2010, the European Court of Justice (“ECJ”) adopted a preliminary ruling relating to the right of a national competition authority to participate in appeals before a judicial court against its own decisions. The preliminary questions were raised by the Brussels (...)

The Chinese State Council announces the revision of the provisions on administrative penalties for price violations
University of Melbourne
Australia 103 contributions 29003 visits
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China Competition Bulletin (Beijing)
China 101 contributions 25957 visits
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Institute of American Studies (Beijing)
China 52 contributions 15126 visits
The State Council announced the revision of the Provisions on Administrative Penalties for Price Violations (Provisions) on 4 December 2010. Promulgated in accordance with China’s Price Law. The revised Provisions were effective on 29 November 2010. The revised Provisions contain 25 (...)

Regulatory

 The EU Commission recently adopts a proposal for a Regulation establishing technical requirements for credit transfers and direct debits in euros (SEPA)
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgique 1 contribution 122 visites
SEPA Direct Debit (SDD) at the crossroads of competition enforcement and regulation* 1. Introduction The Commission has recently adopted a proposal for a Regulation to promote the transition to SEPA credit transfer and direct debit schemes. The proposal includes a provision regarding the (...)

The German Bundeskartellamt publishes joint guidelines with the German Federal Network Agency on the award of gas and electricity concessions and transfer of network use
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
* Article published in ECN Brief 01/2010. The original title of this article appears below the e-Competitions title. Please note that the ECN is not the actual "author" of this case summary, but the mere source. As mentioned by the ECN : "The information provided by the ECN Brief is for (...)

The French Competition Authority issues the results of a sector inquiry into networks of retail distributors and makes policy recommendations
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
France: The Autorité de la concurrence issues the Results of a Sector Inquiry into Networks of Retail Distributors and makes Policy Recommendations On 7 December 2010, the Autorité de la concurrence adopted the final report of its sector inquiry into networks of retail distributors. On 25 (...)

The Dutch Competition Authority releases its vision document on the payments market
European Commission - DG COMP (Brussels)
Belgium 714 contributions 217897 visits
The Netherlands: Commission Authority’s 2010 Vision Document on the Payments Market On 2 December 2010, the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) released its Vision Document on the Payments Market. Its purpose is to draw the attention of the payments market to the existence and importance (...)